Trash in town

Dear editor:
I am saddened by the condition of trash left all over town. I used to walk to work and pick up 30-plus pieces of garbage each day.
I don’t do that now because of the pandemic. We so appreciate the presence of our tourists, but do not appreciate their trashing this town.

Mim Andrews
Idyllwild

Trump sign at Highway 243 and Ridgeview Drive

Dear editor:
I’m a 13-year permanent and retired resident of Pine Cove. I’m imploring that the owner of the fenced area on the northwest side of Highway 243 at Ridgeview Drive take down the “Trump 2020” sign.
To be honest, I have never supported Trump, but now he has proven to the world that he wishes to disenfranchise the United States electorate with his lies and instigation of violence.
There should be no space, especially in the middle of our precious town, to honor this despicable traitor to democracy.
I would love to deface or remove the sign myself but I am a law abiding citizen and will not stoop to breaking the law, unlike our president.

Patti Hudson
Idyllwild

Hate has no home here

Dear editor:
It is disturbing to watch videos of insurrectionists breaking windows, pushing down doors and swaggering through the halls of the Capitol Building, proclaiming, “This is OUR house!”
Their resentment and sense of entitlement was cultivated by Donald Trump, who spread conspiracy theories wrapped in self-righteous indignation.
There’s been something in Idyllwild that has disturbed residents and visitors for two years. It is a large red, white and blue banner emblazoned with TRUMP 2020 located across from the Community Center playground.
A chain link fence protects it and a camera high in a tree is focused on the area. On Saturdays during 2019, local activists with anti-Trump signs stood near the property at the edge of the highway. Strangers would stop to say the posters helped them feel welcome and safe.
The strategic location of the property conveys the impression the town endorses the TRUMP 2020 banner. The large, highly visible sign allows the property owner to falsely assert “This town endorses MY political beliefs.”
Until it comes down, the banner will be the first impression many Idyllwild visitors have and it will continue to provoke divisive reactions.
The property owner is entitled to keep the banner up to remind supporters and detractors that Trump lost the 2020 presidential election.
However, it has become the catalyst and symbol of domestic insurrection the world witnessed last week.
In the spirit of unity and patriotism, the undersigned citizens urge the property owner to remove his TRUMP 2020 signage, including his other TRUMP 2020 banner located near Idyllwild Town Hall.
The undersigned signatures demonstrate our commitment to ensuring OUR town will be a welcoming place for everyone.
Mary MacLaren Rider
Elaine and Lou Bacher
Janice Murasko-Hewitt
Becky Gunn
Mary Gosney
Sara Robbins-Stiles
Shelly Downes
Peter Srinivasan
Sparrow Rayne
Ronn Kirby
Colette Carder-Lindsey
Sheri Jones
Steve Perez
Pat Eastman
Rachel Newman
Kelly Teel
Suzy Platt
Buzz Hudson
Ryan and Lauren Lujan
Lorraine Kassarjian
Jill Peebles
Sorin Andrus
Leslie Andre
Sarvenaz Moshfegh Asiedu
Leslie Martin
June Miller Richards
Andy K. Moss
Kathy Halkin
Janet Goldberg
Bo and Ginger Dagnall
Stephen Sutton
Michele Marsh
Dennie Ohrazda
Linda Eisenberg
Nickie Watts
Richard & Alex McCleary
Suzanne Avalon
Trudy Levy
Deborah Wallis