Public spaces belong to everyone 

I enjoy hiking on Ontario Ridge every other day. It is a magnificent, wide open space we can all share in peace. Unfortunately, someone has placed a huge religious symbol, a cross, right on the top of the mountain. A plaque under the cross incites people “to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” I resent having to look at this display of religious fanaticism every time I hike up there. Religious fanaticism of all denominations breeds discord and resentment. People have fought and are still fighting in the name of their religion. Therefore, religious beliefs must be kept private. Please, remove your cross from the top of Ontario Ridge before someone else does it in anger. Display it, if you must, in your front yard. The view and the trail on Ontario Ridge don’t belong to you alone but to all of us. We all have the right to a peaceful, fanaticism-free hike. 

-- Lucia Casalinuovo - Oceano