Even though the City of Cupertino may be at a loss as to the reason why Anderson Chevrolet vacated their location at Stevens Creek Boulevard and Stelling Road as reported by the Cupertino Courier Sept. 15, it should be no mystery to most people.

I am certain that the general population of the city does not purchase American made automobiles, plus there are some who consider the dealer's SUV's taboo. Incidentally, how many of Anderson's vehicles were ever purchased by the city for its fleet?

Anderson is not the only business to have left town recently. The loss of tax revenue is certainly crucial and perhaps the city should work to promote, patronize, and retain community businesses in order to protect its tax base and as a matter of continuing good will and good business.

Mark Roberts

Cupertino

Sad that the citizens resort to initiatives

Finally, the citizens of Cupertino are frustrated about not being heard by the Cupertino City Council and have formed a grassroots organization that filed a petition of 14,000 Cupertino signatures for initiatives regarding the direction that the people want their city to take.

As positive as this action may be, it is a sad commentary that the council—which was elected by the people to represent them and not the deep pocket developers—needs to have their constituents resort to such actions.

Instead of fighting this action, might it not be a good idea for our council members to pay heed to the ideas, input and feelings of the people of Cupertino. Isn't this what they were elected to do?

Madeleine Kasof

Cupertino

Initiatives are the right
action at the right time.

I remember sitting in Cupertino City Council chambers in 2003 and 2004 listening to expressed concerns about over development and its impact on the schools, traffic and the character of the city. Many expressed concern about how the council was changing the city into something that mirrored downtown San Jose.

I saw in council members' faces and heard in their voices a lack of respect for people they were supposed to serve. Time after time they would ignore the citizens and approve exceptions to the General Plan. One council member after another would say the citizens were a small radical faction who would not be happy with any changes in the city. Citizens with long residence were almost looked down upon.

Council members said the majority of citizens were in favor of the high-rise growth and were supported of their efforts. I found that hard to believe, so I started asking around. Citizens I talked with expressed frustration with what they saw happening to their city. Apparently, council members don't get to my part of town.

Since the city council said they had citizens in favor and I knew of citizens opposed, I decided I could no longer sit on the sideline. I joined the Concerned Citizens of Cupertino and volunteered to gather signatures in support of the three initiatives designed to take back control of the city's direction and place it into the hands the citizens who will be here after the politicians have moved on.

I talked with hundreds of citizens. While I was seeking registered voters interested in signing the petitions, I enjoyed speaking with everyone. Some had heard about the initiatives and were eager to sign.

That should have been enough for me, but I kept hearing the voices of the city council telling citizens how the majority was in support of the big development. What I found was citizens were who were truly surprised by recent big developments in the city.

Others were unaware and not interested—they didn't have an opinion as they were busy with family or their jobs. That's a shame since we only have our rights as long as are willing to exercise them. We need to educate ourselves on the issues and express our opinion at the polls. Ever so often I would find the citizen that council members spoke of. Most were nice and let me go through my talk. Some were even interested in a discussion. I enjoyed every one of the conversations—well except for the guy who slammed the door in my face.

It was hard work, I went home exhausted night after night, but I had gotten what I had been looking for—citizens with an opinion. Whether for or against, they expressed their views. From my personal interaction with citizens, I believe they are overwhelmingly opposed to the trajectory the city is currently on and want to save our city from big developers.

What I do know is—the initiatives are the right action at the right time. The city is at a crossroads both figuratively and literally. We need to decide: Are we going to give into the big developers and out of town interests with their San Jose style development or are we going to preserve some sense of community that we came to Cupertino for. It's up to the voters now.

City council members, you asked for it. Now we the citizens get to decide. This is democracy in action. Who could be against that?

Tony Holland

Cupertino

The 18th Amendment was passed by 1917 Congress

Mr. Heintze should go back to school as he says on page 18 of the Sept. 15 issue of The Sun "... managed to get the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution passed back in the '20s ..."

At that point I stopped reading as it became clear he had not a clue of what he spoke. The 18th was proposed when the doughboys were in the "war to end all wars" and did not vote. When they returned they yelled that it was passed when we were "away" as Congress passed it in 1917.

In any case, the final ratification was on Jan. 16, 1919, which is not back in the '20s that Mr. Heintze refers to. Given such a misstatement of basic facts, to say nothing of even some background, was clearly presented by your paper as the "truth" I doubt that I have missed much by not reading the rest of the article.

Bad information is bad and this is such a simple subject I must ask how anyone can believe anything you print?

No, I was born long after these events but remember what was taught in high school—back when it was an educational experience. (The "yelled" description of the event is from my memory of my teacher at that time.)

William D. Evans

Cupertino