I find it ironic that articles such as the Aug. 6 Cupertino Courier's "City says no to the use of Segway scooter for now," contain glowing reports on the technological marvels of this "people transporter" with hardly any critical sociological observations, while at the same time we read frequent reports on the obesity epidemic among Americans!

It is as if these two developments and the news reporting on them exist in two different universes.

Obesity is a serious medical and economic problem caused by American food consumption behavior and inactive lifestyles. Yet certain quarters and the compliant media cannot resist "oohing" and "aahing" over a machine that will save people the trouble of even more muscle movement.

Perhaps it has a role to play in some occupations or with some disabilities, but to generally promote it "as an alternative means of transportation" and to subject pedestrians on sidewalks to a Segway experiment as Joe Walton, Bicycle and Pedestrian Commmissioner, suggests when he says: "Since there are some concerns whether Segway will get along with pedestrians on sidewalks, we think the best way to know is to try it," is aiding and abetting the inactive lifestyle that plagues our society.

As a frequent pedestrian in Cupertino, I have enough problems navigating the streets and staying out of irresponsible drivers' trajectories without this sidewalk experiment. By the way, the only Segway I've seen in actual usage so far was on the Stevens Creek Trail in Mountain View. After decades of advocating, planning and building a trail for exercise and nature enjoyment, is this what we old-fashioned leg-users have to look forward to on our trails and sidewalks?

—Deborah Jamison, Cupertino


DeCinzo never pokes fun at other than white males

Cupertino city officials depicted in DeCinzo's cartoon in the Courier's Aug. 20 issue all seem to be fat, plodding, stodgy, white males, the kind of people who may have fought for their country and who probably would like to honor it on its birthday every Fourth of July with a traditional fireworks celebration.

Why did DeCinzo fail to represent the entire community in the cartoon? Fat white females and fat males and females of other races are noticeably absent.

What's the matter, is DeCinzo, afraid to poke fun at anyone other than white males for fear that he and the paper will be denounced as racist and sued into further submission?

At this rate, his cartoons are going to fit in nicely with the future editions of the Courier printed in Mandarin, Cantonese, Hindi, Urdu, etc.

—Jeffrey Schoonmaker, Cupertino


Wrong to accuse Asians of unpatriotic bias

I read with interest the Aug. 13 Courier article on the cancellation of the city's annual fireworks display.

Over a year ago, when we were planning a fundraiser barbecue on the roof of the DeAnza parking structure, there was considerable discussion regarding the inability to repeat the fireworks program in 2003, and probably 2004. The reason to terminate the fireworks display was caused by our inability to stage the celebration at DeAnza College.

Plans were underway for a massive refurbishing of DeAnza'a facilities, and there would be no safe location on campus to stage a fireworks display.

This decision was driven by the public safety staff at DeAnza and was strongly endorsed by the local Fire District.

The cancellation should not be a surprise to anyone, and to accuse Asian members of the city council of unpatriotic bias for canceling the fireworks is simply wrong.

Some of our community's critics might profit from getting their facts straight before making inflammatory accusations.

The massive ethnic change in Cupertino's population is a challenge for all of us, and such careless use of inflammatory accusations do little to help out the community. We would be better served by acts of kindness, not vituperation

—Don Allen, Cupertino National Bank


Ethnic celebrations not paid for by the city

There is no city expense associated with the ethnic events except in kind. The council, in the past, has always waived the fee for the use of city facilities such as Memorial Park and Quinlan Center to non profit organizations which sponsor events such as the Cherry Blossom and Moon festivals, the Unity Parade, the Wine and Arts Festival and the Oktoberfest. Revenues for these organizations, in general, come from the sale of food and merchandise. In essence they raise their own money.

For July 4, there are associated expenses, including the fireworks and security and these expenses may add up to $80,000, which comes from the city's budget. The council has always been able to fund this event in the past and in fact, during the preliminary budget hearing, in March, the council was given the choice to spend $40,000 to restore the water fountain at the Quinlan Center or to cancel the fireworks. The council voted unanimously to defer the fountain project in favor of fireworks.

Meanwhile, the council was told the De Anza campus would not be available in 2003 for the fireworks display, as it is undergoing major construction projects.

Council considered the Cupertino High School football field as an alternative. However, due to insurance problems and liability, we were told that spectators would not be allowed inside the football field. They would have to watch the fireworks from the streets. The council was also faced with neighborhood issues. These problems, coupled with the budget crisis led to the council's decision to cancel the fireworis. We did, however, authorize the July 4 celebration at the fountain area in Quinlan Center.

In 2004, the council will make every effort to continue our fireworks tradition with input from the community.

—Patrick Kwok, Cupertino Councilman

Sports covereage

This week's issue of the newspaper is not publishing a sports section. Look for next week's Sept. 10 special Football Issue in the Courier.