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Letters
Let's stop the city's development now
Regarding Sandra Skolnik's response to Mr. Kuettel and development in Sunnyvale brought some similar thoughts.
My husband and I moved to Sunnyvale from the Midwest nearly 30 years ago due to a job transfer. The choice of selecting and staying in Sunnyvale were primarily due to all the wonderful orchards that the city used to have. Initially we did not realize the size of this city because of this and being from small towns it was very welcoming. We still recall shopping on Sunday after church at the wonderful Sunnymont "roadside" fruit stand! And during the months us midwesterners would never have dreamed of being able to get such wonderful fruit and vegetables!
Fortunately this remained status quo for several years. I suppose the first of the big changes began when schools began closing just as our youngest child was about to finish elementary school and enter junior high and then high school. Though she had to be bused to junior high, at least she was able to graduate from Fremont High, which remained open (the alternative, had it closed, was indeed scary).
We have watched all the orchards along El Camino disappear as well as all over the city. I must mention, being near the Sunnyvale/Cupertino border, Cupertino's Vallco always seemed to us a part of our city. The change to this shopping center has brought the most recent and unwelcome change. All of our favorite shops have disappeared as well as brought excessive unwanted traffic. Since my route to work takes me by there daily, it has definitely made me realize that I do not want to retire in my current locale. I want less traffic with good drivers.
One of our children has lived south of Sacramento for several years and tells me she really dislikes coming to the Bay Area with all the traffic and people. I am agreeing with her more and more as time goes on.
I still remember not welcoming having downtown torn up for the Town Center; we still do not have fabric store like Harran's; a real shame. And seeing how often some of the shops within Town Center disappear, I wonder how good an idea that ever was!
Yes, change is good--sometimes. But there are times things were better before the changes! I think Sunnyvale can survive just wonderfully without any more development.
Judy De Ryke
Sunnyvale
Is there truly a separation of church and state?
If there is a separation of church and state, then why are oaths taken by placing the hand on the Bible?
Why do Congress and the courts open and close their meetings with a prayer?
Why do we swear to God, when trying to convince others?
Last but not least, if there is a separation of church and state, why do government workers get paid to celebrate Christmas, Easter Sunday and Thanksgiving Day?
Pray, tell me why.
Tony Di Leonard
Sunnyvale
Signs of the country remain in Sunnyvale
These are events I have seen in Sunnyvale: 1. A very young lady standing on the curb early Saturday morning, out hooting the owls in the high trees across the way. 2. A burly raccoon at sundown trying to squeeze himself into a storm drain by City Hall. He stops and regards me with wide-eyed surprise, no less than I him. 3. A lone family picnicking in the redwood tree sanctuary preserved within the Mall. 4. The fated orchard all abloom in wild "mustard plants," displaying fields of brilliant yellow and green. 5. Despite everything, some country remains.
Robert Thoen
Sunnyvale
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
