Recent letters by supporters of Advocates for a Better Cupertino (ABC) demonstrate that information, data and statistics are nothing more than nuisances, which they prefer to reject in favor of unsubstantiated claims.

Studies which address and refute the claims of the ABC are treated as politically extreme, unfounded or carried out by partisans whose credibility should be discounted.

This is typical of the ABC campaign run by political consultants who will stop at nothing to impose their political will on the citizens of Cupertino while attacking anyone who questions their claims. Comparing the "affordable housing" issue in Cupertino to the heroin trade is an example of the ABC's sick tactics.

In making a decision regarding the Concerned Citizens of Cupertino initiatives in the November election, knowledge is power for the voters.

Every voter should make the effort to become informed about the issues and the initiatives and to demand that claims be backed by supporting information.

Furthermore, information that refutes arguments by either side should not be ignored but studied further. Voters should not allow their opinions to be shaped by political consultants who have no interest in Cupertino other than being paid for their services.

Robert L. Garten

Cupertino

Buy a house near tracks
and expect trains to roll

Ken Smyth bemoans (letters and opinions, Aug. 3): "Ah America, where passing the buck is the norm and taking ownership isn't."

I would bet that Smyth bought his house long after the railroad tracks were put in. What did he expect when purchasing property 20 feet from the tracks? A railroad that runs only when he's away from his home?

He took ownership and should live with it, or find a new home.

Home prices are more reasonable where there are railroad or freeway noises. He bought it, knowing what to expect. The alternative is spending bigger bucks for a home in a quieter neighborhood, not complaining about the railroad.

The buck stops at Smyth's checkbook.

Walt Vortmann

Grass Valley

Honda and Smith's views
should be on the ballot

U.S. Congressman Mike Honda and Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith both oppose the CCC initiatives and signed ballot arguments against them, but both their names have been removed from the ballot.

This is ridiculous. Voters are being denied valuable information.

Honda represents Cupertino citizens and Smith is our city's law enforcement chief.

These people represent Cupertino and they have something to say. Why take them off the ballot?

Let's get our representatives' signatures back on the ballot arguments. We need their voices heard.

David Greenstein

Cupertino

Dust from Hanson should
be monitored for health

The noise from the train is a problem but not as bad as the health concern we should really look into. I am talking about the fine dust that is created by the excavation of the mountain and the running of the kilns 24 hours a day.

On a clear day, look toward the hill where the Hanson cement plant is; you can see a light gray dust hanging above the plant. This fine powder like dust eventually lands on the windshield of our cars, our rooms and into our lungs.

The problem is worse for those who live close to the plant or reside in a lower neighborhood near the Phar Lap Drive area.

A Google map of the area shows that Hanson Permanente's property covers an area almost two-thirds the size of the city of Cupertino.

Hanson has been practicing very high security in regarding to the operation in our hills. That's the reason people don't realize how big an operation Hanson really is.

I am not against having a gravel and cement plant here, but Hanson should take better measures to control the dust that is created by their excavation and grinding of the rocks.

Cupertino and Los Altos cities should also monitor the amount of falling dust to ensure the health of our citizens.

Sam Chang

Cupertino

Decision to enforce law
means names not on ballot

"I know of no method to secure the repeal of bad or obnoxious laws so effective as their stringent enforcement," --Ulysses S. Grant.

We are hopeful that Cupertino City Attorney Chuck Killian's decision to stringently enforce a facially discriminatory and blatantly unconstitutional law by striking the signatures of Congressman Mike Honda, former State Assemblyman Jim Cunneen and Sheriff Laurie Smith from ballot arguments opposing the extreme initiatives on the November ballot will serve as a catalyst to eliminate that poorly written law.

Whether our Democratic U.S. Congressman and his former Republican political opponent, who represented Cupertino in the state legislature, and our chief law enforcement officer will have their signatures appear in opposition to these initiatives on the sample ballot is now up to the courts.

What is crystal clear, however, is that these well-respected leaders in our community are united and strongly oppose the three inflexible initiatives on the November ballot.

All are willing to share their concerns with the public at large. Their reasons for opposing these extreme, inflexible and poorly worded initiatives can be found in the ballot arguments that are currently posted on www.abettercuperti no.org. We urge everyone to inform themselves about the unintended consequences of these initiatives.

Further, we are proud to have such leaders as Honda, Cunneen and Smith, who are willing to take public stands against these bad laws, before they become stringently enforced.

Rich Robinson

Cupertino