George Hawkins is retired after 35 years as a construction industry association manager. He was broadcast reporter and news anchor in Denver. As a Navy officer, he saw action in Vietnam in the River Assault Squadrons and is the recipient of a Silver Star and Purple Heart.

As Memorial Day makes its annual appearance I’ve been thinking about what men and women face today as they volunteer for military service. It is remarkable that so many sign up, committing themselves to almost certain danger.

La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid reported last year that while the city has about 10,000 more residents now than it did 10 years ago, it has fewer employees. I‘ve asked several people who follow La Mesa’s city government why that is so. The common answer was there was no choice.

California’s so-called prevailing wage laws governing public construction are achingly complicated and have an inordinate negative effect on costs.