For the past 10 to 12 months individuals have been stealing recyclables that we leave for our Cupertino citywide recycle program. When I first discovered this problem, I contacted Los Altos Garbage, who were quick to tell me there was nothing they could do about the problem except leave the container out in the morning.

I contacted the sheriff's department, who also said there was nothing they could do about the problem but suggested I call on recycle night and ask for extra patrol, which I did.

As you can guess, nothing was accomplished and subsequently, cans and bottles have still been taken on Thursday nights.

Recently, it looks as though more entrepreneurs have taken to the activity; they are now digging through the container and leaving the milk cartons and such on the ground around the container. This brings another problem--the workers won't take anything that isn't in the container so I have to check the container in the morning and return the materials to the container.

My main concern is that these thieves are taking revenue from the Los Altos Garbage Company, who then comes back with their annual report figures showing how much they bring in from recyclables.

This number is dramatically undervalued because these thieves are taking the aluminum and bottles that should bring in the largest revenue for the program.

The perpetrators are bringing in tens of thousands of dollars tax-free per month and potentially increasing our garbage bills for the entire city and possibly other surrounding cities if they're not stopped.

I mentioned to the sheriff dispatch that I know exactly, within a four- or five-hour period, when a theft is occurring. Why can't we do something about it? She said they have other calls to tend to and they can't just hang out waiting for these people. I understand, but it is frustrating. She suggested that I write this letter as well.

Bruce De La Cruz

Cupertino

Trail will cause natural
habitat to deteriorate

I hope that the cover story in your next edition is about McClellan Ranch Preserve. We who are involved with the preserve are shattered with the city council's decision to put a multi-use trail through McClellan Ranch.

Many of us are organic gardeners at McClellan or active in 4-H or are birders or environmentalists. We cherish McClellan Ranch for the beautiful nature preserve that it was intended to be and observe that the city council members are more concerned with recreation than with conservation.

A multi-user trail will allow bikes into the park. They are currently prohibited based on the McClellan Ranch General Plan, which was put together in the 1970s.

We will see a deterioration of habitat, which means less wildlife and a change in the nature of McClellan Ranch.

It is a sad day for Cupertino.

Roxanne Beverstein

Cupertino

Cyclists who don't follow rules get no respect

I was amused at the cartoonist DeCinzo's view of "...why us bike riders don't get any respect!" (Cupertino Courier, March 16).

Although it's suggested that our Italian bike outfits and praise of Lance Armstrong's accomplishments are laughable, perhaps there are other reasons for our lack of respect.

For example, I think we don't get any respect when we fail to share trails with pedestrians, fail to announce our presence when approaching them from behind, fail to adhere to posted bike speed limits or fail to slow down while in congestion.

Motorists have their own reasons for not respecting us. They scorn us when we fail to signal our intentions, fail to yield to their right turn when we are in the right-turn lane waiting for the traffic light to change, fail to stop at a red light but do a right turn, U-turn, and right turn to avoid the stop, fail to share the road by weaving into their lane or fail to ride in a single file in the bike lane.

When we correct these failures, both pedestrians and motorists have more respect for us.

Jim Wiant

Cupertino

Vote for library measures
in the May 8 election

On May 8 all registered voters served by the Santa Clara County Library System will be eligible to vote in a special vote-by-mail election on measures A and B. Your "yes" vote is vital to continue our high-quality library service.

Measure A is not a new tax. It will simply continue the existing $33.66 per year tax and maintain our library services at their existing levels. If Measure A does not pass, state budget cuts will force further reductions in our current library hours and book purchases.

Measure B will increase the library support tax by $12 per year to restore our library services to the levels existing before the last state budget cuts of library support funds. Measure B will go into effect only if Measure A also passes.

Every Measure A and B dollar paid by Cupertino voters will be used to support the Cupertino Library. We have an outstanding library that has been rated as the best of its size in the United States for an unprecedented fourth successive year. The Cupertino Library Foundation urges you to support your library. Vote "yes" on measures A and B.

Patrick F. Rogers

President, Cupertino Library Foundation

Cupertino

Fining those who hire day workers will fix problem

The problem of day workers seems simple enough to me. Stay away from the businesses where they congregate (which I do), and cite those who hire them for blocking traffic.

It's pretty obvious that verbal warnings and sympathy won't accomplish much, but going after the pocketbooks will.

M. Conens

Cupertino