Cupertino's long history has included the crossroads area, but never a downtown. Perhaps it has never had a downtown because (a) a traditional downtown simply wasn't practical or (b) residents didn't feel a need for one.

I, personally, have never heard any residents express a desire for a downtown area. But I guess that is why it was expressed in the Minority Report rather than the Majority Report.

A downtown area doesn't need buildings of a certain size or buildings placed in a certain proximity to the street any more than it would need buildings of a certain color. I have seen both vibrant and decrepit downtown areas, and worked with urban planners.

The keys to a successful downtown are a good mix of attractive businesses and a functional layout.

Claims for a downtown that pay more attention to building height and sidewalk widths than they do retail mix are merely attempts to do away with the atmosphere Cupertino residents deserve and the quality of life that they really want.

Matt Conens

Cupertino

Someone may be giving
animals antifreeze

I am writing this letter to inform residents in Cupertino that they need to be aware that there is a person in this city who might be giving antifreeze to pets. This is very deadly to cats and dogs. My brother's 4-year-old Lab died on May 5 due to complications from poisoning.

The scary part is that someone had to give it to him, because we could not find any on the property, not even on the driveway.

Hopefully no other pet owners will have to put their pet down because of this evil person.

Kristian Barbeau

Cupertino

Searching for favorite
St. Joseph's teacher

Recently a childhood friend found me through classmates.com. He and I went to St. Joseph of Cupertino in 1978. We had a teacher named Ms. McGuire. Turns out she touched both of us very deeply and we are desperate to try and find her. We are asking for the help of other Cupertino residents who might know where she is. Please contact me at denise@jm-const.com with any information.

Denise Garcia

San Jose

Jack Moran

Oatmeal, Texas