I am writing to express my outrage at the sexist and offensive letter from Yousef Salem that appeared in the Nov. 5 issue.

Salem condemns the "slut look" of today's popular fashions and pines for the 1940s when women who dressed provocatively were considered "loose" and "immoral" and could even be subject to arrest!

Now there's an attitude the Taliban would approve of.

Although I am not a fan of super-revealing clothes, the fact is, there is no law against bad taste. Wishing that all the "loose women" could be hauled off to jail is downright medieval.

—Mary Jennings, Sunnyvale


Election for Seat 7 race became ugly and sordid

I am a resident and former school board candidate in the November elections. Candidates for city council and the school board often cross paths. Before August, I had never met any individuals running for office. Since then, I have come to know several quite well. Being new to politics, I watched each race with great interest. I watched as something I considered an honor and privilege turned into something ugly and sordid. I am talking about the race for Seat 7.

Unethical behavior affects election outcomes and makes the process one that is not free, fair or credible. Tactics employed by the Hamilton campaign went beyond belief. The pieces the Police union produced for the Hamilton campaign were full of half-truths, lies, and they deceived the voters.

Vice Mayor Risch conducted his campaign under the harshest conditions possible. The public witch-hunt was so clearly orchestrated. As a fellow candidate it was painful to watch.

I am proud to have met Tim Risch and the leadership he demonstrated. He remained calm, fair, and professional as he conducted the business voters entrusted to him four years ago.

I am not proud of our leaders for allowing themselves to be willing participants in this ugliness. In the rush for justice, Mayor Miller did not follow city charter or code of conduct guidelines.

This knee-jerk reaction is frightening. That is not the leadership I want.

One fact has been ignored—the residents of Sunnyvale did not start this mess, but we were certainly dragged into it.

These televised meetings were used as a playground to serve both groups.

Is someone willing to answer questions about the Labor Day Weekend so citizens have full access to the fact surrounding what we have been dragged into? Time will tell.

—Nancy McCaa, Sunnyvale


PSOA campaign tactics are cause for concern

I am a resident, a former correctional officer, reserve deputy sheriff and Vietnam Veteran.

It was symbolic for me to choose Veteran's Day to speak before city council over the recent election for Seat 7 and the role individuals played.

I am appalled that the Public Safety Officers Association caused this to be the most controversial election I have seen at the local level.

The catalyst for PSOA's questionable campaign tactics was the Labor Day weekend response to reports of a melee occurring at Macy's. The full on-duty force was deployed, but no activity was found.

Public Safety then "suggested" the Forum on Murphy Street close early. Eventually management complied, but first contacted Vice Mayor Risch for assistance in determining why this closure was needed and why only their establishment.

Vice Mayor Risch made phone inquiries through proper channels, but no satisfactory answers were provided. In the days to come, serious campaign attacks followed as the Vice Mayor continued to ask questions of the incident.

Oct. 7 Steve Fisk of the PSOA leveled accusations of misconduct against Vice Mayor Risch, and demanded an investigation. Mayor Miller, with full cooperation of council members Fowler and Howe, appointed a subcommittee.

Tim Risch was completely exonerated, but the damage was done.

PSOA leaders put tremendous financial resources behind their campaign to remove him, but their methods were questionable and are cause for concern.

Union members need to take a hard look at their leaders. To willingly initiate an investigation into a public official's conduct, and then hide behind the Police Officers' Bill of Rights, is petty and vindictive. Members need to ask: is this the voice I want speaking for me?

We cannot let individuals with their own agenda take over our city or unions.

—Ron McCaa, Sunnyvale

When I became editor of the Sun in January, I hired Pallavi Somusetty as the news reporter for Sunnyvale.

We were both new on the job. As a result, Pallavi, right out of college, had to swim in these new waters while I was paddling madly myself just to learn the mechanics of my job.

Pallavi garnered support from the other reporters and from what I could give and dove in. She worked hard to cover what is Silicon Valley Community Newspaper's largest community, including schools, business, the city government, the neighborhoods and the people.

She sat through long, tough council meetings—one night until 3 a.m., after which she went home and wrote what was an insightful account of the whole grueling event and then got the story in by deadline.

She's struggled through some difficult and sensitive articles, always trying to be fair, always willing to go the extra mile to make a story more complete. She took on a colossal task when she wrote her Lakewood Village neighborhood article and did it well.

There's no question she's helped raise the bar for reporting in the Sun.

Sadly, she's leaving us. She's heading off to make her longtime dream to live in New York come true.

We will miss her.

Correction

In the photo "Election 2003: Who's Staying" on page 11 of the Nov. 12 issue of the Sun, the woman's name should be Mayor Julia Miller.