Leona Heights Neighborhood News

by Gordon Laverty

Having just returned from a short driving tour of Europe with our son Larry, I can really appreciate our Oakland and Leona Heights area. While we enjoyed the sights of Paris, Namur, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Berlin, Prague, Heidelberg, and back to Paris, there is no place like home. The trip took us through the nations of our family genealogical heritage: France (Normandy), Germany (Saxony). and Holland (the Leyden area), so we have a deeper respect for our forebears' lives and cultures. I hope that you can take a similar trip some day. Now, to local issues: 1. The 1999 fire season is upon us. Residents should check again and clean up overlooked fire hazards around their living spaces. 2. Roadside dumping continues in our area, though at a lesser rate. If you see illegally dumped trash, please call the City of Oakland's Illegal Dumping Hotline at 615-5577. 3. Highway 580 truck use continues as a hot issue, with many citizen groups objecting to the California Trucking Association proposal that 580 be opened regularly to truck traffic. The Leona Heights Improvement Association letters to city, state, and CalTrans officials have resulted in official responses saying that it seems time for an official re-review. No other comment. Citizen letters to CalTrans should be sent to The Director, CalTrans District 4 Office, 111 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612.