Thanks for the opinion piece in the May 5 issue of The Campbell Reporter, which included a mention of equal pay as a common concern for women and our families.

The South Bay Area Coalition for Equal Pay has a growing website--www.equalpayinfo--concerned with the various causes of the women's wage gap and welcomes input from readers.

I also wanted to thank you for columnist Andrea Dorey's May 5 article in the newspaper about the benefits of soy foods, along with the alert about breast-cancer questions when using isoflavone supplements as a method for lessening menopausal symptoms.

Joan Goddard

Co-Chair, Coalition for Equal Pay
W. Latimer Ave.

Kohl's approval does
not match city vision

I feel compelled to speak out in light of the May 4 decision by the Campbell City Council to approve the construction of a new Kohl's and Breuners on the current site of Breuners.

I'd like to refer to the official city of Campbell "Vision Statement" on the city of Campbell website, which reads: "Campbell will remain a friendly community and develop a stronger sense of identity, characterized by the active involvement of its citizens and businesses in all aspects of community life. It will be a safer, more well-balanced small town with connected neighborhoods set in an attractive and comfortable environment."

In response to a statement made on May 4 by Councilwoman Jeanette Watson, no, I don't expect to "go back to a time when the area was more rural." That is not realistic, and I recognize the need to continue to develop the city landscape.

However, what I do feel is realistic is that our city council remain true to the Vision Statement and develop a "more well-balanced small town ... set in an attractive and comfortable environment."

In good conscience, when you take the revenue out of the equation, can each of you tell me and the other members of this community that this decision supports that vision?

Increased traffic levels will generate a less-safe environment inside the neighborhood, create a busier Hamilton Avenue--further isolating this northern area of the community from the city's core and therefore making it less connected. This project will bring more customer volume to an already cramped part of the city, and it does nothing for comfort in the neighborhood.

Do I agree that tax dollars are needed for the city? Certainly. Do I also expect my city leaders to develop a community plan in a way that does not unduly burden one section of the city with the negative environmental impact that this new development will bring? Absolutely.

In my opinion--one I think is shared by a majority of homeowners in the neighborhood north of Hamilton--this decision is not consistent with the city's stated community vision.

Another statement made on May 4, by Campbell Councilwoman Jane Kennedy, is alarming to say the least, and certainly not one to be proud of. I'm paraphrasing here, but it was something on the order of: There are situations a lot worse than this.

Is this our new city vision, to become not the worst place to live? The council's decision to sacrifice our quality of life to drive the city's revenue needs is not acceptable. And is not consistent with the city's stated Community Vision Statement.

Looks like we need to amend that vision with "...except for cases when tax revenue can be generated."

I can only hope and ask that council members honor their commitment to implement the necessary measures to control problems when they arise--and they will.

Bryan Hobbs

Monica Lane

Clean and safe creeks
are becoming a reality

In November 2000, Santa Clara County voters approved a ballot measure known as the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Program. It created a countywide special parcel tax that promised specific accomplishments over a 15-year period.

The Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Program is designed to protect, enhance and restore bay ecosystems, improve water quality, help keep neighborhood creeks free from trash and develop 70 miles of creekside trails in the county.

The ballot measure also created an independent monitoring committee to annually review the progress of the voter-approved program and report its findings to county residents.

We have just completed our second annual report on the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Program. The district's efforts to keep the creeks clear of graffiti continue, and 32,000 square feet of graffiti were removed in the West Valley area.

The program also cleaned up more than 700 cubic yards of trash and debris from local creeks. Areas by major creek crossings, trails, local parks and schools have been given top priority. These high-visibility areas collect heavy loads of trash. In addition, a half-mile of creek trail has been added locally.

Don Burnett, Committee Member

Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Program