Feb 19, 2004

Cheer mom disputes severity of injuries suffered by teammates

Editor,

In regards to your article in the Almaden Times on the Leland Spirit Squad, dated Jan. 30 and appearing on page 43, we were saddened by the apparent disregard for the seriousness of the injuries on the squad.

As one of the parents who has carefully reviewed the “injury log” mentioned in the article, it is completely inaccurate for [coach] Miss Hunt to state, “Some of those so-called injuries were things like broken nails and scraped knees.” None of the injuries on the log included these items. She minimizes the seriousness of the injuries. At least 10 of the 17 injuries resulted in one of the following occurring:

1. an emergency room visit or hospitalization,
2. lost school time (as measured in days), or
3. inability of the athlete to participate in the next Spirit event (practice or game coverage).
The injuries on the list included, but are not limited to, the following:
1. a broken nose,
2. heat exhaustion (to which the entire team was exposed to the conditions producing it),
3. an ankle broken in two places (preventing full participation for six+ months),
4. torn elbow ligaments (preventing full participation for ~ two months),
5. pulled/torn abdominal muscle (preventing full participation for five+ months),
6. collar bone injury (preventing full participation for ~ three weeks),
7. several shoulder injuries (some resulting in doctor’s visits), and
8. several strained or injured knees, ankles, and wrists (but not “scraped knees”). Some of these injuries resulted in emergency room and/or doctor visits. Some students are still not able to fully participate in all aspects of Spirit such as tumbling.

Safety of the student athlete is critical and should not be minimized in word or deed.

We know that the Leland administration and parents positively support this team. There are numerous positive lessons that all can learn from the situation. These students can become (and are becoming) “victors” —not “victims.” The students are learning that adverse conditions can be overcome by teamwork, mutual respect, focusing on a common goal, putting aside differences, and a strong dose of “can-do” attitude. This squad is going to Nationals in spite of the adverse conditions. This team, by pulling together, can and will be victors even it they do not win Nationals. They are victors by just participating!

Sandra A. Delvin

Nancy Pyle not the current chairperson of SJ Small Business Commission

Editor,

In regards to the article in the Feb.13-Feb.19 edition about "Job growth and new business focus of City Council candidates' forum," it was incorrectly reported that Nancy Pyle " ... is the chairperson for the San Jose Small Business Commission," where in fact she was the chairperson before she stepped down to run against Pat Dando about four years ago.

My name is Matt Kamkar. I am an Almaden Valley resident and a former candidate in the same City Council race. I met Rich De La Rosa on the campaign trail. After the third meeting and hearing the speeches, we started to inquire about each other's platform and to our surprise found it to be very similar. We both believe that we need fresh ideas and independent voices in the council. We need to make sure Pat Dando's seat goes to a candidate that is not only pro-jobs but is also an experienced business owner who knows what it takes to make San Jose business-friendly again. Finally we need a representative that is not tied to any special interest. We need representatives that remember they represent us and work for us, not vice versa. One that will vote for the good of all, not a select few.

I was present in the above-mentioned forum and I remember Rich De La Rosa saying, when elected, his priorities for not just District 10 but the whole city will be: 1-JOBS, 2-JOBS, 3-JOBS. In my opinion, Rich De La Rosa gets it and knows how to reduce spending and deal with the run-away budget. That is why I am supporting him. Not surprisingly, he has the endorsement of Pat Dando, Don Gage, Jim Cunneen, San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, etc.

Finally, the reason I know the above information, about the Small Business Development Commission, is because this year, yours truly is/am the chairman of this commission. There are some vacancies with my commission as well as other commissions in the City and I encourage everybody, especially small business owners, to get involved and get appointed to the commissions in order to have a louder voice in the community.

Matt Kamkar
Camino Robles Way

Yes on Measure G

Editor,

Why do we support Measure G? As parents and homeowners in the Union School District, we strongly support the "Yes on G" parcel tax measure on the ballot because it accomplishes what we should all expect from our tax dollars.

Measure G protects quality education by funding the staff and programs we need to continue the high level of performance of our students on standardized tests.

Measure G also protects property values in the community by providing families with access to quality neighborhood schools. Families with young children move into neighborhoods like these in large part because of the close-knit community and availability of good local schools, and this helps to keep property values high. The long-term financial impact of lower property values due to the closure of schools would be significantly greater than the proposed parcel tax. Measure G also includes important provisions that would allow seniors to apply for an annual exemption from the tax and provides for a citizens committee that would oversee expenditure of the parcel tax funds. We believe it is important to have local control of funds to use for priorities that we know will directly benefit our community.

Our children are our future. Let's help them achieve their full potential. On March 2, vote Yes on Measure G.

Dave and Lori Osugi
Puerto Vallarta Drive

Measure G protects property values

Editor,

Despite my leanings toward the Libertarian viewpoint on taxes, Measure G makes good sense for the residents of Union School District. The state has made a mess of education, and the resulting school closures in USD will undoubtedly affect the value of our homes.

Without this measure, ¼ of the elementary schools in the district will close and the district will still be running a $1 million deficit. For only 54 cents per day, we can keep all schools open and put the district in the black, preventing further cuts.

Keeping these schools open and maintaining the current level of academic excellence in USD is not only better for the kids, but will keep our area desirable and bolster the value of our homes. A Yes vote on Measure G is good for the kids and good for our property values.

Michael Norcia