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0645 | Wednesday, November 1, 2006

Letters & Opinions

Speak Out

One incumbent, two new-comers needed on board

The FUHSD school board is in disarray. Rather than working for our students, the school board is overwhelmed by anger from students and parents, bogged down by disagreements between board members, and embroiled in an avoidable and costly lawsuit.

As president of the board, Avie Katz must shoulder much of the blame for the circus-like atmosphere in which the board is now operating. Rather than demonstrate leadership to bring board members together and lead the district to work on pressing issues, Avie Katz was at the center of the firestorm surrounding the regrettable resignation of one of the best teachers in the district. Mr. Katz was then one of three trustees who voted hastily to terminate the superintendent and thus subject the district to a costly lawsuit.

These actions have dominated board meetings for months and continue to inhibit the effectiveness of the board. It is clear that Mr. Katz has become a distraction and should not be returned to the district school board.

Kathryn Ho has also demonstrated that she does not deserve to be re-elected to the FUHSD board. Her vote to fire the superintendent without thoughtful review of the wasteful financial consequences shows she is not a good steward of the district's limited resources and does not have the foresight to understand the disruptive consequences of her actions.

With the worst attendance record at board meetings between 2004 and 2006, Ms. Ho has shown a remarkable indifference to the responsibility that was entrusted to her. This inadequate attendance record over an extended timeframe is certainly reason for us look to other candidates who will be more committed to this important position.

FUHSD deserves trustees who will support development, retention and promotion of our teachers, protect the assets of the district and work together to address pressing academic needs. I urge all voters in the FUHSD to vote for thoughtful and proven leaders Barbara Nunes (incumbent), Bill Wilson and Don Mackenzie for FUHSD school board frustee.

Carol Stanek

Cupertino

Vote for candidate who
supports all students

Until someone has a child who has been lost through the school process, one will never understand and appreciate community advocates. As a grandparent and guardian of a school-aged child, I do understand, because my family and I have suffered through the frustrations and lack of clear guidance for children who are not classified as special needs.

I have been to the county board meetings on behalf of our concerns and have witnessed Lynette Lee Eng in her efforts to work with the county board in bringing forth solutions that will benefit the parents and children of our community. I am grateful to know that there are parents like her who have tirelessly dedicated themselves to parental and child advocacy. Lynette Lee Eng would be a wonderful addition to the County Board of Education. It is time that we have a representative who will truly represent the needs of our community.

Don and Betty Neely

Cupertino

Teacher speaks out in
support of union head

It is no more than a conspiracy theory by Esther Radol that Tom Avvakumovits is at the mercy of the puppeteering of the FUHSD management.

I don't question that Steve Rowley and the majority of the board was not on the same page in the direction they wanted to take the district. Yet I do question whether their differences could have been tolerated considering they are our community leaders and elected officials. This rash decision to fire Dr. Rowley now runs far beyond the squabbling of the school board, but it may affect the pay of over 400 teachers and the educational programming of 10,000 students, quite possibly those very vocational and remedial programs that Dr. Rowley has been accused of neglecting. Tom Avvakumovits' bringing this decision to question is not in support of Dr. Rowley, but out of concern for the very teachers that he represents through the Fremont Education Association (FEA).

As a teacher in the district, I not only support Tom Avvakumovits' decision questioning the board's fiscal responsibility, but I encourage him to seek more answers and offer my help in doing so. Trying to drag him down with Dr. Rowley with misled and false information is irresponsible. First, when the guidance counselors' positions were in jeopardy of being cut, Tom was not the president of the FEA, so he did not stand by passively as our leader. Second, the 10 percent stipend reduction to new-hire psychologists to the district did not affect the current psychologists in the district. This 10 percent stipend reduction was a move to bring equal pay for equal work for the entire membership, but it only affected new-hire psychologists. The members at that time did not receive any pay reduction whatsoever.

I only hope that the community questions the board's decision and its effect on the fiscal budget of their schools.

Jason Heskett, teacher

Cupertino High School

This teacher questions
identity of a letter writer

I was surprised you published a letter from a nonexistent person (Courier Oct. 11) taking insulting pot-shots at both the administrators and the teachers' union president of the Fremont Union High School District. If you look carefully at the letter from "Esther Radol," you will note she refers to "our paychecks" while commenting about events at an internal staff gathering, suggesting that she is a union member; yet she signed the letter as a Homestead High "parent." There is no teacher union member named Esther Radol, and no Homestead parent in the district records named Esther Radol. This is obviously a pseudonym for a disgruntled union member whose opinions are completely at odds with the rank and file, and who is unwilling to put her own name on her libelous remarks. Your readers should be informed that there is no more truth in the contents of her letter than there is in her false identity.

Jon Stark, teacher

Monta Vista High School

Courier accused of catering to
advertisers with endorsement

The endorsement of the Courier and the Mercury News for Cupertino Measures D and E is the expected "thumb in your eye" position with respect to our citizens. One only needs to "follow the money" to understand why. Developers and those who benefit from development (real estate firms, banks, mortgage companies) advertise heavily in both papers, so their editors have little choice but to support the developers. Both papers discredit well-meaning citizens while masquerading developer greed in the context of "affordable housing," "senior housing" and the like. These papers seem to be more concerned about putative future citizenry of Cupertino than the wishes of its current citizens. They have become nothing more than pawns of the developers from which a significant portion of their revenues flow. I suggest that citizens of Cupertino return the "thumb in the eye" to the Courier and the Mercury News by voting NO on Measures D and E. Let's return the future of our city to its citizens where it belongs.

Robert L. Garten

Cupertino

D & E will overcrowd schools
that are already overburdened

The Courier makes a classic error in its endorsement (Courier Oct. 25) of Measures D & E. The paper has fallen for the developer's lie that condominiums attract mainly singles and childless couples.

This may be true in communities without highly desirable school systems, but in Cupertino it's demonstrably false. People would live in Quonset huts to get their children into Cupertino's schools, while singles and young couples won't pay a premium to live in a quiet suburban community with no nightlife.

Based on data from existing condominium developments, the 437 condos that Measures D and E allow will generate 400 to 600 additional students for Cupertino schools. Schools will be forced to add more portables, send students to non-neighborhood schools and redraw school boundaries. It's happened in the past and will happen again. Learn from history, not from the developers' campaign mailers.

The schools have not even yet felt the impact of the hundreds of new condos that are being sold at Metropolitan and City Center, and school principals are already warning parents about additional overcrowding and more portables from these two developments. Just think about it over 1,000 more students for our schools, with no new classroom buildings or other school expansion. We already have elementary school classes with 35 students, and that's just the beginning.

We must stop the uncontrolled suburban sprawl that threatens our schools. The Sierra Club states: "New development puts more children in suburban schools, but does not pay for the new schools that inevitably must be built." This is the key issue in this election. The developers are not providing any money to build new schools or new classrooms. Our already severely overcrowded schools will simply add more portables until every square foot of blacktop and playing field is covered. If you doubt this fact, check out the sea of portables at schools like Kennedy and Miller. Pay close attention to the portable bathrooms and portable trees.

Don't fall for lies of the developers and the politicians that they own. They care nothing about Cupertino. Save our schools. Vote No on D & E.

Steven Scharf

Cupertino

Condos are not conducive to
expanded shopping choices

The city council's farce of an investigation of the "Oops, we built it too big" Vallco parking garage Oct. 18, was an exercise in futility, since the outcome was obviously preordained. As we stood on the top floor of the overbuilt garage, looking into the yards of our neighbors' homes, we realized the council just doesn't care about us, and building codes are for homeowners, not developers. How else could a building of this magnitude slip by unnoticed? When constituents are deserted by their elected officials, their only recourse is the ballot box. It is the only way to make sure lies and greed don't completely overrun our neighborhoods and schools.

It's happening to our neighborhood now. Your turn is next. Expect school overcrowding and redistricting. It's inevitable. Just look at the growing portables and shrinking play areas.

Measure D is about the extra 137 condos Vallco wants to put in Macy's back parking lot between the freeway and the oversized parking garage. They are not mixed-use.

Vallco wants to rezone retail property for condos not required to pay tax to Cupertino schools. We would pay for the kids living there to attend our schools. Vallco already got 204 mixed-use condos approved across the street. If this parking lot is also rezoned, where will Vallco expand?

Don't be fooled by lies and greed.

Condos bring millions of dollars to developers, land rezoned from retail to housing brings no sales tax to the city. No matter what the mayor says, condos in Macy's back parking lot will never be Santana Row; they will be multistoried buildings in front of an overbuilt parking garage.

Take a look for yourself.

Vallco's name should be Lola, since, as the song goes, "Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets." With this council, whatever Vallco wants, Vallco gets.

Listen to your friends and neighbors. Vote No on D and No on E. We've had enough of elected officials who ignore us, and greedy developers who take the money run, and leave us with the mess they create.

You can't shop in a condo.

Ruby Elbogen

Cupertino

Sierra Club says opponents
of Measure E are deceptive

As one of the Sierra Club members who signed the ballot arguments in support of Measure E, I wish to make it clear that the Sierra Club strongly backs Measure E. Thanks to the misleading use of the Sierra Club name by those who challenge this rezoning of long vacant land on Stevens Creek Boulevard, this is not clear in our sample ballots.

In our county sample ballots starting on page 42, you will see the Sierra Club (and several others) signing the argument in favor of Measure E, as well as the rebuttal to the argument against Measure E. Surprisingly, you will also see quotes from Sierra Club (and other Measure E supporters) on page 56 in the rebuttal from opponents of Measure E. These quotes were taken completely out of context, without our knowledge or approval.

Although the Sierra Club has taken no position on Measure D, you will see that the same tactics were used by Measure D opponents, including quoting Sierra Club.

Please vote yes on Measure E and against deception.

Anne Ng, Sierra Club, Sustainable Land Use Committee

Cupertino

His dream for his beloved Cupertino still lives

Having lived here since 1979 (near Vallco), I have a dream that:

Vallco will be revived with shoppers, children laughing, families having fun.

From the ashes of the Phoenix, tax revenues from Vallco will once again flow into the city coffers;

Parking lots will be full and we will say, "It is good;"

Decades old dirty fields will be filled with affordable housing for people of all ethnicities, instead of impersonal industrial buildings;

A large city park with children playing will fill the ugly lot of brown, dusty earth;

One day when I grow old, I can sell my house and move into a retirement setting in Cupertino with convenient shopping. After all, it should be my city for a lifetime as well as yours;

People will cease to defame one another, growing smartly together in graciousness;

In the years to come, we will all say in one voice, "It is very good!"

I have a dream. Vote Yes on measures D & E.

Robert Harrison

Chairperson, Cupertino Fine Arts Commission

$4 million reasons to vote Yes Nov. 7 on Vallco Measure D

A hyper-minority of Cupertino residents, organized under a citizens group calling itself Cupertino Cares, twisting facts to convince voters that Measure D is bad for Cupertino. They want you to believe that whatever is good for Vallco is bad for Cupertino. You be the judge. Here are the facts:

A fully redeveloped Vallco will contribute more than $4 million annually to the general fund. That's nearly four times what it generates today. That's more money for parks, libraries and law enforcement.

A yes vote on Measure D will permit the development of 137 condominiums. Revenue from sales of these condos is reinvested into tenant improvements and other mall enhancements necessary for Vallco to reach its maximum potential (i.e., $4 million to the general fund).

In a recent article in the San Jose Mercury News, Cupertino Cares member Patty Chi challenges a study done by Cupertino Union School District that states that the addition of 137 condos will have a "negligible" impact on schools. Chi wrote that "many of her daughter's classmates live in condos in Cupertino." Fact: A yes vote on Measure D will add less than 1 percent to Cupertino's housing supply.

Another myth is that adding 137 condominiums robs Vallco of much- needed retail square footage, i.e., less sales tax revenue to our general fund. Wrong. Under our approved plan with the city of Cupertino, we are adding 300,000 square feet of retail space to Vallco for a total of 1.4 million square feet.

Vallco is working hard to be respectful of its neighbors. With passage of Measure D, Vallco will provide:

an open space area in the southeast corner of the condominium site;

a minimum 40-foot setback between the development and neighboring residences plus a triple row of screening trees;

a sound wall with increased height, and won't remove any portion of the wall along the site's westerly boundary unless a majority of adjoining property owners agree.

Vote YES for Vallco, YES for Cupertino, YES on Measure D.

Michael Rohde, general manager

Vallco Fashion Park

Board is due for a change,
if not now, then later

The web of events, motives and actions surrounding the current FUHSD board controversies can be logically woven into a more cohesive picture. It starts with the perceived threat of the establishment from the march of change. Historically the district has been run with a top-down tradition with limited outside interference. But the character of the district has changed over the last 20 years.

There are obvious differences in the way the new community views education over traditional district practices. Many Asians have a much heavier emphasis upon high academic achievement as well as other cultural distinctions. Homer Tong, Kathryn Ho and Avie Katz mirror this synergy with our new emerging community.

On the other hand Nancy Newton and Barbara Nunes have very long histories with the district and represent the traditional way of managing schools where the district supposedly knows more than the community about the needs of its students. But change ignores resistance to its encroachment. It has a life all its own. I think that Nancy and Barbara feel threatened by these changes so they have been striving to retain their hold on the status quo by political posturing.

Homer, Kathryn and Avie, on the other hand, have been trying for years to work cooperatively with the board, but each has felt ineffectual in representing their individual views. They have thought and voted independently but have gotten nowhere. Their lack of political savvy has resulted in their own voices being silenced. But they now seem to be crossing the same road. Change is inevitable, if not now then later.

Frank Geefay

Cupertino

Don't be 'D'ceived by measure, only the developer will win

"Vallco" (that is, Vallco developers, owners and management), among others, would like us to believe that voting yes on Measure D is "supporting Vallco (the retail center)." It is the opinion of many well-informed residents that the passage of Measure D will support the developers/owners along, NOT the actual revitalization project that so many Cupertino citizens are hoping will meet with success. Unfortunately, voters are being misled from many different angles.

The San Jose Mercury News in an election item in its Oct. 24 article titled "Foes say measures could jam schools," described the project associated with Measure D by saying that it "would put 137 condos above retail space on what is now a parking lot."

Wrong.

Don't be 'D'ceived, the project is for 137 standalone condominiums. I can make that clearer: All condos. No retail.

The Mercury News and, surprisingly, many others compare this project with an actual mixed-use project known as Santana Row. There is no "outdoor mall shopping" involved with Measure D. In fact, except for a few streetfront strip mall-type retail spaces located among parking structures on Vallco Parkway, Vallco, as a whole, will remain, in a very large part, an indoor mall. Santana Row this is not.

Be very careful about what you read. If you have the time, review the hours of taped city council meetings in which many of your neighbors brought up excellent points and concerns, time and time again. Ask questions of people on all sides of the issue. Measure D won't stop this misguided rezoning forever, but it will allow much needed time to access the undeniable damages of once again caving in to Vallco's haphazard, piecemeal methods and questionable explanations.

Measure D would not have been placed on the ballot without a significant number of petition signatures. Help to show that Cupertino cares. Please don't allow yourself to be 'D'ceived. Vote no on Measure D.

Lisa Warren

Cupertino

Traffic around schools is
serious issue for Cupertino

I felt compelled to write after reading the response from Jim Carlisle (Courier Oct. 11, Sun Oct. 18) to Linda Orvick's piece (Courier Oct. 4, Sun Sept 27) about the traffic problems near Kennedy, Lincoln and Monta Vista. Mr. Carlisle states that Ms. Orvick's "lecture might have been better accepted by Cupertino parents if it were written by a resident of Cupertino, and not someone who lives in Los Altos and by some means has managed to get her children out of the Los Altos district, where they should be going to school, and into the Cupertino school district." Mr. Carlisle should have done his homework before blasting a concerned parent of the district, and making an unfair accusation of non-residency at the same time. If he had, he'd realize that both the Cupertino Union and Fremont Union districts are very broad and include numerous cities within their boundaries. Look at the boundary maps, Mr. Carlisle. I am a Saratoga resident. I live near Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road and Cox Ave. That's at the exact opposite end from where Ms. Orvick lives, yet our children attend the same school district. I also drive my children to Monta Vista and Kennedy and would feel qualified to make the same observations as Ms. Orvick based on my experiences with drivers around those schools.

Making the assumption that, just because someone doesn't live in Cupertino they are unqualified to make a commentary about the traffic problems there, is just shortsighted and ridiculous. The traffic problem is huge and it affects residents and non-residents alike.

Marcia Kearns

Saratoga

One incumbent, two new-
comers needed on board

Carol Stanek

Cupertino

Board members create
tension with teachers

FUHSD board members commissioned a letter that was sent out to district teachers threatening them with jail time if they used district email to express their views on election issues. At the last board meeting, the teachers union president countered that the board has often encouraged teachers to use the exact same resource to promote board and election issues, and the union had been awarded with recognition for its previous efforts.

Now some board members threaten teachers, because they fear dissention from teachers for the coming election.

We do not need the turmoil of litigation nor suppression of opinions on our valuable partners--the teachers and district staff.

There is an article in the Chinese World Journal about the FUHSD election and incumbent Kathryn Ho. In it, a supporter implies that Asians should vote for her because she is Asian.

As active Asians and proud of our diversity, we want to encourage all voters to focus on the real facts of this election. Please examine carefully the qualifications, commitment and goodwill of the candidates as the most important attributes for our district leaders. These qualifications do not have a color or race. We should not elect a person simply because of race. How we handle this election serves as a valuable example for our students.

We need new leaders who are skilled and empathetic, who can promote unity, common trust and mutual respect.

Chiu Nora Chuang, Henry Sang. Miao Chuang and John Barber

FUHSD Families, Cupertino

Homestead parents want
answers on Rowley firing

Good news. Test scores are up in the Fremont Union High School District. Our students continue to achieve at high levels and are accepted into the best universities. Superintendent Rowley led the campaign to successfully pass the parcel tax allowing the restoration of teachers' salaries voluntarily reduced two years ago and some of the classes previously eliminated. Under his guidance, the district had established a long-range plan that brought together the entire community and district staff in an unprecedented exchange of ideas and show of cooperation.

So what happens in the district when you do a good job?

Bad news.

In August, three members of our school board, despite the objections of the other two members, voted to fire our superintendent. How important should complete unity have been in considering such an important decision?

For a district with a superintendent who laid the foundation for long-term excellence and an atmosphere of cooperation, the cost will be enormous. There will be the cost of a superintendent search and the "buyout" of Dr. Rowley's $330,000 contract.

What is the cost to defend the district from the likely wrongful termination lawsuit? Some estimate the final cost may approach $1 million. How many teachers and classes could be added with the money that will be wasted? Will a potential superintendent come to FUHSD, where the result of doing a "good job" could be your termination?

Barbara Nunes, Kathryn Ho and Avie Katz are up for re-election in November, Homer Tong in '08. To make the record clear, Nancy Newton and Barbara Nunes voted against termination. Kathryn Ho, Avie Katz and Homer Tong voted to terminate a superintendent who, by all measures of performance, was doing an outstanding job.

Elected officials should represent our community. We decide if they have represented us well. Our students, teachers, and schools deserve our support. In November, it is only fair that we ask if Avie Katz, Kathryn Ho and Homer Tong deserve our trust.

Rodney B. Norling DDS, Mary Anne Norling

Parents, Homestead High School

Kathryn Ho is missing
from many meetings

Incumbent Kathryn Ho needs to get her act together before criticizing other school board's members. At a recent forum for candidates running for the Fremont Union High School Board, Kathryn verbally attacked a fellow school board member. It was totally uncalled for and is representative of the divisive nature of the current school board.

This was the only negative attack by any of the participants during the entire forum. Ho's closing statement was that she wanted to strive for "harmony with and respect for" those on the new board.

Negatively attacking a school board member in a public forum does not add up to "harmony and respect." It looks even worse in retrospect when only three members of the board made an ill-advised decision to unceremoniously fire the school superintendent without the proper, legally required, notice--and without considering both the cost and the amount of negative publicity for the district. Before she throws any more verbal stones, she needs to look at her attendance record at board meetings. Over the last three years her attendance has been only 66 percent (we would be fired by our employer if we only showed up 66 percent of the time).

The other board members have averaged well over 90 percent attendance. We need people who want to attend board meetings, commit the time and have the interest to truly understand "harmony and respect." Therefore, we need a change now. I urge you to vote for Don McKenzie, Barbara Nunez and Bill Wilson.

James Black

Cupertino

Prop. 83 is the wrong
approach to pedophiles

I am a parent of two school-age children. I love my children and I want them to be safe. Prop. 83 does not accomplish that because:

Registered/ sex offenders are the ones that comply with the rules. Many are in programs to reduce their chance of recidivism. Many are in stable home and family situations, which also reduces recidivism. Prop. 83 is directed at these offenders. However, I worry about offenders that do not play by the rules. We need to go after them.

Prop. 83 reclassifies most sex offenders as violent, whether they are actually violent. Violent offenders must be closely monitored. This is already difficult, leaving many dangerous offenders on a loose leash. The reclassification dramatically increases the number of people who must be monitored. Even less time will be available to monitor those offenders who are most likely to harm my children.

I am not afraid of the sex offender whose address I know, whose picture is public and whose life is under constant scrutiny. I am worried about the one who has not been found out yet. Instead of wasting it on Prop. 83, I would like to see more money spent on schoolyard and playground supervision and screening of applicants for jobs that require close contact with children.

Many registered sex offenders served their sentence years, even decades, ago. They have not re-offended. They have families, children and jobs. They live in a stable environment that supports them--a major factor in reducing recidivism. If Prop. 83 passes, they will be torn out of their lives, their partners and children punished along with them. Many will lose their jobs, their homes, and their support network. They will disappear into the large pool of the untrackable homeless. There will be thousands of new loitering vagrants with no incentive to control their urges. This should make me feel safer?

Having my children hurt is a horrible thought. Prop. 83 puts my children at risk. I vote NO on Prop. 83 because I want my children to be safe.

Val Haecky

Sunnyvale

Slate of school board
candidates has formed

I attended the FUHSD Board Member candidate forum last night at the Cupertino Community Hall. The reason for five school board members is to ensure that a diversity of opinions, backgrounds and views are represented among those five individuals. However, it is quite clear that three candidates, Barbara Nunes, Don Mackenzie and Bill Wilson have formed a slate. This slate is backed by a special interest group that has pooled together $7,000 of soft money. If the slate wins, who is to say that these three candidates will not be influenced by the special interest groups when it comes time to making important decisions?

Frances Geefay

Former FUHS student

Slate's supporters are
engaged in shady politics

FUHSD teachers' union president, Tom Avvakumovits, has been using district resources to campaign for three of the district's school board candidates, Barbara Nunes, Don Mackenzie and Bill Wilson. This violates the law and Tom Avvakumovits has even received a warning. However, these three candidates deny any wrongdoing. Do we want our board members who represent our voice to have shady ethics?

Barry Chang

Two term former CUSD board member

Traffic around high school
tagged to student drivers

As a Monta Vista High School student reading about the traffic around the schools, I felt it was important to respond.

I find it amazing that we have the number of cars around Monta Vista that we do, considering what the other options are. I live approximately a mile away from Monta Vista, and it's outrageous the number of students from my neighborhood who end up driving to school every day. At least 10 students get rides to school every morning and every afternoon, and these people for the most part are all going individually. Walking down Orange Avenue, I see a couple students that live on Orange or one of its cross-streets getting rides to school.

With the current situation, not all students feel safe riding their bikes or walking to school, even from a single mile away, and I can understand that. There have been several times where I have been nearly hit, and once where I actually was. But there are other options. Carpooling, especially with several students from the same area, would greatly reduce the number of cars that people have to deal with every morning and afternoon. Walking in large groups also helps the visibility of a single student.

The other issue with student safety is that those walking and riding their bikes need to exercise the same patience as those driving. All too often, I see fellow students walk straight into the crosswalk without looking for cars first. This was something we should have learned as little children; not something that we think doesn't apply to us. Also, with the rise of students listening to iPods or other mp3 players, we need to keep the volume low enough to hear the cars around us. In either case, keep eyes on the road ahead and around you. Sometimes, simply moving out of the way of oncoming danger can save injuries or, in a worst-case scenario, lives.

Cars and drivers are not the only ones to blame. Everyone needs to be careful while traveling to school.

Judy Hanna

Monta Vista High

Lieber's qualifications for
22nd District questioned

Recently I read my ballot statement for the November election. Sally Lieber, the incumbent for the 22nd Assembly District, conveniently left off her education while her opponent, Roger Riffenburgh, proudly listed his many academic achievements.

During her first Assembly race four years ago, Lieber misstated her occupation as "Transit Director" and caused a great amount of furor. Lieber also at that time said that she went to Stanford, and it was revealed that she only attended a class there.

In 2002 Lieber ran a despicable campaign against Rod Diridon, Jr. Lieber was also the subject of a recall movement while she was on the Mountain View City Council.

More recently, she knowingly endorsed some candidates, some of whom had questionable pasts and serious ethics issues. She endorsed candidates who in their past had filed bankruptcy, been the subject of foreclosure, threatened seniors for political gain, been sued by the federal government, sued a city, had income tax liens, failed to pay property taxes, dropped out of high school and failed a GED exam, been the subject of an ethics probe and one who had no experience whatsoever who also embellished their occupation on the ballot. Lieber foisted these questionable individuals upon an unsuspecting electorate and they are all now representing some of you. Voters in the 22_nd Assembly District deserve better.

My vote will be for Roger Riffenburgh, an individual with impeccable integrity, ethics and real credentials.

Yolanda Risch

Former chair, Sunnyvale Planning Commission