The billion-dollar tunnel

· I have a number of questions that were not covered in your December 5 article on the proposed $1-billion tunnel between Riverside and San Bernardino counties:

What are the local, state and federal funding sources for it? Will there be a special tax to support its construction? What portion of local and county developer fees are earmarked for this project? How will the corridor reduce traffic congestion at the I-215/H-60 interchange? How will the corridor reduce the commute time between the counties? How many housing units have been approved in Riverside County during the RCIP process?

Riverside and San Bernardino County residents need viable information regarding this project, its funding sources and the impact it will have on our taxes and lives. In the end we should be able to vote to approve or reject it.

ANN McKIBBEN

Moreno Valley

Voting at the mall

· With so few people exercising their right to vote these days, simplifying the process to make voting easier and more convenient seems to be a step in the right direction.

We thought that about the mall when we decided to vote there this year. Because it was a first for us, we questioned the mall election workers about the process and asked them to demonstrate to us how they knew we were who we said we were. We were shown a computer screen which displayed scanned copies of the forms we had signed when we registered. Those were our signatures all right. So we voted that day a few weeks before November 6 and felt pretty good about it. We even commented that this might be our voting process of choice in future elections.

Now we read that Carl Ross wants our votes thrown out, invalidated, not counted. What a bizarre twist this is. A recount in a close election is certainly understandable and expected. But requesting that a whole bloc of votes be thrown out because you don't like the way people voted? Astounding.

Mr. Ross lost the election. If he truly wants to serve the public, there are many worthwhile causes in need of help. However, if he is only acting on his emotions because he did not obtain a seat on the council then, very likely, the public is not interested.

LIZ and BILL BIBB

Temecula

Lunch at the Post Office

· I agree with most of the comments in the "Complaints, complaints" letter last Saturday. However, the key phrase which uncovers the root of the complaint is, "The hour was 12:18 and half the clerks were at lunch." Since a very high percentage of Post Office business is done at noon, when workers can leave their job for personal errands, why, oh why, would the Post Office schedule their own employees to take lunch at that time?

Staggered lunch times, such as those in other service-oriented businesses, would certainly improve their efficiency at peak times. Restaurants are serving lunch after 1 p.m. and earlier than 12.

MARY REES

Homeland

Studying science

· In response to your editorial on December 2 entitled "Science, up close," I would like to point out that STEP had a component for teachers of mathematics and science.

While students were experiencing hands-on science, many teachers were engaged in conversation about teaching science effectively utilizing motivational strategies and the role of mathematics in science teaching. The University of California, Riverside, Riverside County Office of Education, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and the State Department of Education provided workshops, information and demonstrations to interested teachers.

Education researchers remind us that teacher knowledge and skill is an important factor in improving student achievement. I applaud those teachers and presenters who used their time to experience "Science, up close."

PAMELA S. CLUTE

Riverside

The family farm

· I read Robert Cobbs (a Winchester neighbor) is objecting to the Domenigoni family building houses on their land.

The Domenigoni family has been farming in the valley for over 100 years, even to the point that it is called Domenigoni Valley. The environmentalists came along and said that there were Kangaroo rats on the property so they were unable to farm some of the land. Then MWD decided it would be a great place for a dam, we all need water!

Times change and in this free country they should be able to do with the rest of their land what they want. I wish them well, they earned it.

ROSEMARY M. MURRAY

Riverside