Thank you for the inspiring story about Coach Steve Barnett reporting the major impact he has had on students' lives (Sept. 15). From the perspective of someone who has recently moved to Cupertino, seeking a sense of home, this newspaper article helps me realize I have moved to a great community where the newspaper genuinely cares about the people. I am reminded of teachers and coaches from my hometown, Douglas, Wyo., who made a significant impact on my life.

Also, as a Christian Scientist, I was delighted to see the Religious Directory does include a Christian Science church. Looking at the variety of religions and cities listed in the Religious Directory in the Cupertino Courier reminds me of a statement by Mary Baker Eddy in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, "Home is the dearest spot on earth, and it should be the centre, though not the boundary, of the affections."

Thank you for a newspaper that helps make Cupertino very dear to me.

Hazel Smathers

Cupertino

CCC should take caution
with the power it wields

I read your front-page article in your Sept. 29 edition of the Courier about the Chamber of Commerce ready to fight the CCC initiatives. That does not really surprise me. If it were up to the Chamber we would have those disasters like the one on the corner of Steven Creek Boulevard and De Anza Boulevard built all over the place.

I have supported the CCC on all of the initiatives and hope they pass. My real concern is that the CCC does not start taking themselves too seriously and believe that all rules and regulations in the city must be approved by them. I have seen too many good citizens groups form to solve problems and then go crazy and lose the people's confidence.

The real way to run this city, or any other city for that matter, is to elect a competent city council to run the city's affairs and listen to its citizens. We can do that in Cupertino if we relieve all of the existing council members of their duties as soon as their terms are up and elect a responsive city council.

Jim Carlisle

Cupertino

Initiatives would severely
limit Cupertino business

In response to your article in the Courier dated Sept. 29, 2004, I would like to point out to Dennis Whittaker that his comment that the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce has changed its focus is totally false and based on no facts. The Chamber supports business, always has and always will. The size of the business or type of business is of no importance to the Chamber.

Currently, out of 477 members, we have four developers as members. If Mr. Whittaker would like to stick to the facts, maybe a constructive dialogue could be had.

In response to the letter to the editor by Tony Holland, our country is not a democracy. It is a republic; we elect people to represent us. These elected people use professional land-use professionals to carry out the will of the majority. Putting the planning department in the hands of nonprofessional land-use voters is irresponsible.

Do you honestly think that the general public has the time or knowledge to figure out complex issues? The General Plan concept has worked for hundreds of years in millions of communities. Gee, I guess maybe this is so, because this works.

If the "3 C's" pass, try this scenario: A small business wants to build in Cupertino, and the architects, planning commission, and those citizens in attendance at the meeting all agree that the building would look best with a 32-foot setback, not the 35 feet required, or would look best 38 feet tall instead of 36 feet. Instead of being granted a variance, this businessman would have to go to the huge expense and delay of putting this "measure" on the ballot.

What do you think this will do for businesspeople thinking of locating in Cupertino, with their businesses bringing in sorely needed sales tax revenue? Now, who would be for that?

Jack Hubby

32-year resident of Cupertino and board member of the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce

The Blue Pheasant fills a
niche in the community

After reading Jim Carlisle's letter in the Cupertino Courier about the Blue Pheasant, I began to wonder who is trying to close this restaurant, which I have been patronizing for some 20 years. Jim is correct, the restaurant provides fine dining, which is definitely lacking in the city of Cupertino.

Also the cocktail area provides a very comfortable atmosphere and a lot of the oldies but goodies music that us older citizens can relate to.

The rumor that I heard is the parks and recreation department of Cupertino wants to turn this building into a teen recreation center. Albeit, this may be needed in the city of Cupertino, but why does it have to be at the expense of us older citizens who have been paying taxes for years and who have helped to build the city of Cupertino?

Also, the present arrangement provides the city with revenue, from the rental money the Blue Pheasant provides.

Is the city so flush with money that it can negate the present lease and lose that potential money?? Flush with money is not the impression I get from listening to Mayor Sandra James at the city meetings.

It would seem to me the Blue Pheasant and the present operation should be made into an historical landmark, and the city should publicize this operation, not try to close it down.

The Blue Pheasant also helps blend the many cultural diversities that now exist within the city of Cupertino. On almost any evening, you can see the faces of many diverse cultural groups relaxing there together.

It would make sense to me if the city turned the Blue Pheasant and the present operation into an historical landmark. The city should be determined to keep this operation going, not ruin the last source of recreation and fine dining for us older citizens.

The fact that this business has been providing fine dining and entertainment to the citizens of Cupertino and the surrounding area for 30 years and is still very popular should say something to our esteemed lawmakers.

I hope the rumor I heard about turning the Blue Pheasant into a teen center is just that: a bad rumor.

Tom Pomposo

Cupertino