Feb 26, 2004

Measure G: Protect our educational system from short-term thinking

Editor,

I am hoping the Almaden Times Weekly can help bring attention to an important Measure to help our local schools. Measure G on the March 2 ballot is an effort to keep schools in the Union School District from closing due to budget shortfalls. Closing schools will have long-term consequences for our community. Measure G is a temporary parcel tax that will keep all schools open for the duration of the tax (four years).

Without the parcel tax, 25% of the elementary schools in the district will be closed. My wife and I are recently retired, and like 75-80% of other residents, we have no children in school. Our livelihood has never been associated with the educational system. With that said, I feel closing schools is the knee-jerk reaction to budget challenges taking place around the state. We need to educate the children in our community; they are the future. Closing schools is counter-productive to the overall efforts toward improving our educational system.

People in the Union School District can set an example and stop the short-sighted closing of our schools by voting YES on Measure G.

School closure is radical fiscal surgery where only a temporary cash transfusion can protect our schools from the state of California's budget mess. This is a rash decision that we may regret for generations!

Jack D. Knoll
Baron Drive
San Jose

Candidates Forum shines the light on four distinctly different candidates

Editor,

Almaden—New Almaden history tells us—was named after the Almaden mercury-producing mines in Spain. That, of course, begs the question of what exactly “Almaden” means in Spanish—and, neither our home Berlitz dictionary nor its on-line siblings delivered a match for this beautiful word.

Whatever the definition of “Almaden” is, yesterday it meant “abundance.” At an (unfortunately) poorly attended Candidates Forum at the South Hills Community Church, the four candidates for Pat Dando's District 10 seat showed us what a marvelously special thing American Democracy really can be—picture this, four candidates continuing on in the race (and two others have already dropped out).

Because Pat Dando is term-limited out, Almadeners (is there really such a word?) have a unique opportunity this year that other San Jose City voters don't realistically have—they truly can pick a different person to represent them on the City Council for the next four years. Here's how we saw and heard it (in alphabetical order):

Rich De La Rosa—if you're happy with powerful special interests (just look at Rich's endorsements) and things exactly the way they have been for the past eight years, you'll vote for Rich, Pat Dando's hand-picked successor (she may be term-limited out, but Rich will see to it that her legacy endures);

William Garbett—if you're looking for a gadfly who's truly independent—not just of the current political scene in San Jose, but probably even the voters who elect him—you'll vote for Bill;

Nancy Pyle—if you want a representative who listens to all sides of an issue and (as shown by endorsements from eight of the nine incumbent City Council Members), is in a unique position to pursue District 10's agenda at City Hall on your behalf, you'll vote for Nancy;

Ron Siporen—if you're looking for someone who wants to establish an open dialogue between City Hall and District 10 residents and truly understands the complexities of the fiscal problems facing District 10 and San Jose, you'll vote for Ron.

“Abondanza!” That's Almaden in Italian.

George and Anna Stepanenko
McKean Road

A vote for De La Rosa ‘unfitting end to Pat Dando's legacy'

Editor,

For nearly a decade, District 10 has been exceptionally well represented by Vice Mayor and Councilmember Pat Dando. However, there is little confidence that Rich De La Rosa's combative style of politics sufficiently elevates him for consideration as an acceptable replacement for Councilmember Dando.

De La Rosa's ascension to public exposure came recently by way of the controversies surrounding Eastside's Tropicana merchants. At that time, he earnestly demonstrated a keen ability to alienate the city's Redevelopment Agency and most of San Jose's other councilmembers, who are members of precisely the same council he now seeks to join, almost incredibly, as a colleague. Thus, it is hardly surprising that nearly every councilmember has shunned him and endorsed his opponent, Nancy Pyle.

While exhibiting a street fighter's pugnacity might play well in some environments, District 10 council representation is clearly not one of them. Connecting any dots between these two experiences is purely imaginative. An individual with a recognized lack of political acumen and a thin grasp of the requisite interpersonal skills necessary for working diplomatically and effectively with other council members would not position District 10 favorably in the future. It would be a most unfitting end to Pat Dando's legacy.

Kenneth A. Wesson
Elsman Ct.

She likes us, she really likes us!

Editor,

This letter is a must do for me and long overdo to you and your staff.

I like your newspaper. I like your newspaper. I like your newspaper.

I've enjoyed it and just simply had to write and tell you. Your coverage of our area is great. I'm involved or associated with some of the groups you feature—however, I enjoy reading about all the news in the area.

May you have continued success in your service to your readers. Good luck and well done. Just needed to let you know “I like your newspaper!”

Mary Schultz Mahon
Burchell Avenue

Ira Ruskin unites disparate communities to solve problems

Editor,

The State Assembly needs representatives who have the ability to work with others regardless of party affiliation. Ira Ruskin has demonstrated this ability by uniting disparate communities to solve common problems. For example, he brought together public officials of Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Alameda counties to establish an essential water reliability program. He also led the effort to unite all San Mateo County cities in a countywide emergency medical services response program.

Ira Ruskin has shown that he is capable and will work effectively for all of us. That is why I support him for the 21 st Assembly District.

Bruce Codding
Redwood City