The Cupertino Courier

Letters & Opinions

Speak Out

Cheating flap nothing
more than a witch hunt

One can surmise that Superintendent Steven Rowley's dismissal was prompted by this email written to his deputy superintendent, Polly Bove, but mistakenly sent to district board members on June 23 before Tim Krieger's actual resignation. Rowley wrote: "Polly, I think you got the email about Krieger and Melanie resigning. They are, hopefully, writing a scorcher fingering Avie and Cathy (Katz) as a primary reason for resigning. I've already talked to (board members) Barbara (Nunes) and Nancy (Newton), but it's hard to say what's going to happen politically with the board at this time. But I hope this will catch fire in the MVHS (Monta Vista High School) community. ... Your thoughts?"

Soon after, mass emails started circulating urging students and the public to voice their outrage against Avie Katz. Rowley's email has the ring of a conspiracy to destroy board member Avie Katz's reputation-- using his wife and daughter as scapegoats--by sanctioning the use of confidential student information to manipulate Monta Vista students against him. This seems a gross breach of ethics and confidentiality to advocate the manipulation of students in such a perverse way. Continuing to entrust our children into his care seems reckless.

Mr. Katz could not have influenced the hiring decision of Tim Krieger. It was never brought up to vote by the board, and Rowley's scathing email makes it unlikely that Mr. Katz could have influenced Rowley, who sanctioned the Krieger decision.

There are at least three others possibly implicated in this email. Anyone knowing of the superintendent's intentions is guilty of ethics violations if they failed to report it to higher authorities. This is serious. We are talking about high-ranking district officials entrusted with the care and education of your children. We must demand the highest standards of ethics.

Frank Geefay

Cupertino

Hotel plan is the latest
chapter in Vallco saga

In this week's Courier (Aug. 30) I found out the wonderful news that Vallco is planning to put a "high rise hotel" on the proposed condo site, if the condo plan falls through due to the referendum and election.

So my fellow citizens, we will get all we have been asking for. Hotels are good for the city, no students will ever come from hotels so we are not worried about school overcrowding and last but not least for the residents who live near the wall, they can be relaxed because the wall will not open.

In fact, if Vallco has an alternate plan in view, we should not really worry about Vallco's potential failure if condos are not approved. Looks like they will be fine. Unless, of course, it is said just to scare the residents living near Vallco.

Shilpa Joshi

Cupertino

The ostrich approach
to Þxing Kennedy traffic

As a parent of Kennedy Middle School kids, I feel compelled to comment on what the city of Cupertino and the police department have done to attempt to alleviate congestion during drop-off and pickup time. They have put barricades in the queuing/bike lane on Hyannisport, blocked the most sensible exit from the Hyannisport lot and created more of a traffic and safety nightmare for the parents and students.

Perhaps their logic is to annoy the parents enough to force carpools or force the kids to walk or ride bikes (a scary thought due to the inconsiderate, rushed drivers who pay no attention to who has right of way or worse, what person might be biking in the bike lane).

Last Friday (Aug. 25) I saw David Knapp, city manager, and two police officers on site during the 2:50 p.m. pickup time. They were removing the barricades blocking the queuing lane on Hyannisport, saying they are not supposed to be in the road but on the sidewalk. Well, Monday and today, they are back in the road.

They have made a huge bottleneck trying to get left-turning and right-turning cars into the Hyannisport lot while also having this same location the only exit from the same lot. I was told that by blocking the logical exit, it allows more cars to queue up in the lot. Well, now we can fit more cars in, but no one can get out.

No one is considerate and stays in their lane until their car can fully pull into the lot so major gridlock occurs. Add frustration levels, many biking and walking students, and people rushing, thereby creating a very bad situation. It is further compounded by people who park on Hyannisport within a few feet of the east side of the entrance/exit, thereby blocking cars trying to make a right out of this lot.

There is no great solution to traffic flow on streets designed to handle much less volume, but let's be sensible and not make the situation worse. Open the other exit. Do not allow parking on the school side of Hyannisport within 600 feet of either entrance/exit. Make the one access entrance only (two lanes--one for right turning, other for left turning) and make the access closest to Bubb an exit only (two lanes--one for right turns, other for left turns). All that is needed to do this is sensibility and a little paint.

Pat Kot

Cupertino

Another yes vote for
a new high-rise hotel

Mike Rohde of Vallco now threatens that Vallco's owners will build a high-rise hotel in the northwest corner of their property if Measure D (rezoning) is defeated and they can't sell the land to a developer for condominiums.

What a terrific idea. All they have to do is to find a hotel developer dumb enough to build a new high-rise hotel at a time when hotel occupancy rates are under 60 percent in Silicon Valley, and hovering at around 45 percent in Cupertino. Corporate executives will be clamoring to stay at a hotel with views of a parking garage, a decaying mall, a freeway, and residents' back yards. Will there be free wireless? Given Vallco's history of success in retail, with a mere 50 percent vacancy rate in the mall, it's a no-brainer that they've got the know-how to make the hotel a success.

A hotel is a win-win proposition. If it's successful then the city will benefit with far more revenue from sales and occupancy taxes than they would ever receive from property taxes, plus there will be no negative impact on schools. If the hotel fails, it can be torn down and turned back into a parking lot, or be used for retail (retail at a shopping mall--what a revolutionary concept).

As Mayor Lowenthal has stated, "It's just about money--it's not about creating housing. It's about money [for Vallco's developers]. We might as well be candid about that." Mayor Lowenthal's quote can be found in the archived webcast of the city council meeting of Feb. 27, 2006. Don't fall for Vallco's campaign of misinformation. Vote No on Measure D. Save retail at Vallco.

Jessie Chou

Cupertino

Connect the dots, and you'll
find the agenda, writer says

The recent letter by Robinson (Courier, Aug. 23) prompted me to do some research on the internet. A Rich Robinson is a principal of the ERW Group, which has local offices in Los Gatos. Its clients include city governments for whom they advocate against initiatives and measures brought forth by citizens. Also among their listed current and former clients are developers, the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce and Don Burnett. Mayor Lowenthal is a member of the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce.

Connecting the dots suggests that Mr. Robinson acts as a surrogate, hurling insults and unfounded claims at Cupertino citizens who have exercised their democratic right to referendum. Mr. Robinson appears to be motivated more by fees than altruism. When Cupertino residents go to the polls in November, remember that Measures D and E emerged from a grassroots effort of your fellow citizens who want to preserve our schools, our environment and the character of the city we love.

Vote NO on Measures D and E.

Robert Garten

Cupertino

Clarifying the facts is needed
in the Katz-Krieger debate

In the Aug. 16th issue (Courier Aug. 16), FUHSD School Board President Avie Katz wrote a letter to your newspaper concerning the resignation of Monta Vista teacher Tim Krieger. Mr. Katz stated that "Mr. Krieger requested to be considered for a position in guidance even though he lacked the credential for the position." The facts indicate otherwise. Tim Krieger applied for a guidance resource teacher (GRT) position as indicated in a memo he sent on May 8, 2006, to Monta Vista Principal April Scott, where he writes, "I am interested in applying for the GRT position at Monta Vista."

In the collective bargaining agreement between the district and the Fremont Education Association (http://fuhsd.org/CONTRACTS/FEA/FEAcba0206.pdf), it states in Article 9: "A unit member serving in a guidance position and holding a Pupil Personnel Services Credential shall be referred to as a Guidance Counselor. A unit member in a guidance position who holds a California Clear Credential for a teacher but not a Pupil Personnel Services credential shall be referred to as a Guidance Resource teacher." Tim Krieger holds a California Clear Credential. Therefore, according to the document signed by the board president, and unanimously approved by all five current school board members, Tim Krieger was fully qualified for the position he applied for. What role the Krieger resignation and subsequent firestorm played in the firing of Superintendent Rowley by board members Katz, Tong, and Ho is a matter of conjecture, opinion, and speculation. But any claim or statement about Mr. Krieger being unqualified is categorically false.

Tom Avvakumovits, president

Fremont Education Association

Sierra Club is in Þrmly in
favor of Measure E project

I want to make it very clear that the Sierra Club has endorsed the Calabazas Place development proposal and urges a YES vote on Measure E. Cupertino residents should not be confused by anyone who implies otherwise.

Measure E is the opposite of suburban sprawl; it is a quality, well-planned project that is good for Cupertino and good for the environment. It creates a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood in an existing developed area, and places homes near jobs and shopping, minimizing environmental impact and improving quality of life for residents.

Measure E will also bring community benefits: new retail options, including a grocery store; more than $500,000 each year for Cupertino schools; and a new 3.5 acre park that all residents can enjoy.

When we think about growth and development, it's important to look at the big picture. Every community needs a healthy balance of land uses, including homes, offices, shopping, and open space. In the past, Cupertino has seen unbalanced growth, with a disproportionate amount of office space. Measure E would help restore balance by providing a combination of much-needed homes, retail, and park space.

Please vote yes on Measure E.

Stephanie Schaaf

Sierra Club, Loma Prieta Chapter