Dear Editor,
It was unfortunate news yesterday morning to hear that Ernie Granillo had passed away over the weekend. I had just seen my good friend Friday afternoon. I had checked my mail, like I usually do, and talked with him, not knowing that I would not see him again. If I did know, I don’t know what I would have done differently That last moment with Ernie is one that I will remember.
Ernie always took the time to talk to people; he would often encourage in tough times. We became good friends during my time at ULV. I always took time to talk with him and get to know him, not because others would often just come to get their mail, but because he was a kind and caring person.
Those who knew Ernie will tell you how he always had advice. I’ll remember how Ernie was always there like a teacher with lessons to learn and with a sense of humor. So Ernie and I had quite a friendship, looking back, performing in plays together and talking about all the interesting things that went on in La Verne and the world. I will remember how Ernie recognized me as an actor and an athlete even when I did not. And so on Friday, when I last saw Ernie, he was feeling better, and had generously donated a few dollars to me because he always wanted to help. Even when I said I’d repay him back he said it was all right and, “I’m not the kind of person who let a few dollars come between friends.” One thing I learned from Ernie, even on that day, was the compassion of giving and being a good person. We will surely miss our friend, and as a friend of his, I will miss him and I wish Ernie farewell.
Richard Uranga
Senior
Dear Editor,
Microsoft, Wal-Mart and Davenport. All three of these establishments have something in common. That is, of course, the monopolies they enjoy over their respective fields. The difference is that the first two have been called on the unfair power they wield, while Davenport has not. It bothers me how we, the students at La Verne, have allowed for ourselves to be taken advantage of without voicing a complaint. By forcing us students to have a meal plan as long as we live on campus and not giving us options in the way of dinning halls, the University is effectively giving our beloved Davenport free reign to bring us a quality of service as low as they want, because they know that we really have no choice but to eat with them.
Mind you, I am not just writing this to voice the same aimless complaints that come up every time cafeteria food is mentioned. Honestly, I don’t even want to deal with these trivial grumblings about rotten fruit, or frozen pastries or removing the bleu cheese salad dressing; it amounts to nothing more than a waste of time (although I’m not sure if I was too happy about the bleu cheese).
However, there are certain important issues that come up far too often. When I pick up my tray and silverware, do I really have to check to make sure that I’m choosing a clean fork or a spoon that does not still harbor remains from its last owner’s meal? And, as I’m sure most of us know, it gets worse. Apparently the good staff of Davenport doesn’t think that we can see a black ant crawling around if it is on a black spout (but that would only matter if we could actually get something to drink out of those juice machines). Or maybe we’ll believe that one of the employees just brought their pet to work when we see a mouse running along the walls. Whatever the reason is that these things haven’t been stopped yet, they need to be immediately.
Of course, these things aren’t going to stop on their own. They must be forced to stop. To bust a monopoly, its complete control over the market must be broken. We need to be offered options other than eating at the big DP (and the Spot, wait, I’m sorry, 151 degrees, is not a legitimate alternative). If we take away a guaranteed swipe of the card from Davenport, then we will force them to improve their service. They don’t? Then we simply don’t eat there. But with that thought, I have to end this; it is 6:30, and Davenport stops serving in 10 minutes.
Josh Martin
Sophomore
Journalism operations manager at the University of La Verne. Production manager and business manager of the Campus Times.