I am writing in response to The Sun's "Lost in Transition" article that ran March 17. This article neglected the positive aspects of the current, living, breathing, and open, historic downtown. Speaking as a business owner in the historic district of our downtown, I feel that The Sun offered a one-sided view of what's going on in downtown and in Sunnyvale.

One thing that was missing in the story is that the whole valley is experiencing the same phenomenon. Big corporations are not giving cost-of-living increases, raises or frequent bonuses. Companies all over the Bay Area are slashing employee benefits, increasing cost sharing with the already over taxed employees and layoffs have not stopped. Furthermore, employees are forced to do two, three, four or more jobs simply because there's no one left to do the work. Although productivity is up, maybe we should look at the fact that fewer people are producing the same volume of work.

We need to remember that everyone is impacted by the harm the nation's economic woes have caused.

There are the positives. In the article, Karen Davis mentioned the Downtown Summer Music & Market Series. Suzi Blackman's of the Chamber of Commerce organizes Sunnyvale's Annual Art and Wine Festival; we have a community tree lighting event; we have a weekly farmer's market; there's an awesome plaza under construction. Let's not forget the future of a new mall and the development of a new, brilliant, thriving downtown. These are just a few positive things in Sunnyvale.

Sunnyvale is an area filled with wonderful people, a remarkable history, art, entertainment, eclectic shopping, phenomenal restaurants, trees, parks and resources from the El Camino all the way past the Cal Train tracks running along Evelyn.

There are bright success stories among the businesses in Sunnyvale. This city should be proud when it notices small retailers who devote their time to making the community a better place-business such as Shop We Will, Jerdon, and It's Delicious; restaurants such as Il Postale, Dish Dash, Gumbas, Taverna Gyros and Stoddard—to name just a few. There are the banks along Mathilda, the automotive dealerships on El Camino, stores, services, and boutiques. Don't forget the large corporations either. Lockheed Martin, Yahoo, Juniper Networks, and Broadcom all make their homes in Sunnyvale.

So the next time you think about going to another city to shop, dine, work or stroll, consider Sunnyvale, consider your community, and consider all the community's businesses right in your own backyard.

Jonathan Thalberg

Owner of It's Delicious
in Sunnyvale

Murphy Street thrives
in this economic slump

On March 17, I arrived at my business on Murphy Street and opened The Sun to the article "Lost in Transition." I was at first astounded and then angry to find an article that painted Murphy Street as a group of failed businesses.

Before relying on the failure of one business, The Sun should have spoken to the owners of other retail stores, coffee shops, bars and restaurants on Murphy Street. Many of the business owners are professional business managers with years of business experience in managing financials through both good and bad times. The entire valley is suffering from the economic downturn, which has descended upon us. It does not mean that everyone is ready to fold up and move away.

Murphy Street is still a thriving downtown area, and should be viewed as the "crown jewel" of the area. The Saturday morning farmers' market brings hundreds of people each week to downtown. On warm evenings the restaurant sidewalk tables are packed; try getting into many of the restaurants at lunch without reservations and you will wait 30 minutes minimum. A new bookstore is opening soon; another retail vacancy was filled within a few days.

During tough economic times you tighten the belt, stay optimistic, give great customer service, use creative marketing, manage to a business plan and weather the storm.

The valley is very resilient and the "good times will return. We will probably never again experience the aura of the dot-com phenomenon but a new wave of technology will sustain growth and prosperity will flow once again. Focusing on the demise of one business is not the publicity Murphy Street deserves.

Barbara Mouzin

Owner of Shop We Will
in Sunnyvale

Editorial is overblown;
council doing a good job

Your editorial regarding Sunnyvale City Council secrecy seems over the top and perhaps not even good journalism. You cite two instances of so-called secrecy and conclude those two instances constitute a "veil of secrecy." You state that "people are saying" they are afraid to say anything publicly because of the current atmosphere of vindictiveness. The old "people are saying" routine is even less creditable than "unnamed sources," the usual fallback for unsupported statements, while your unsupported jump to vindictiveness is both astounding and totally lacking any foundation.

The details on former City Manager Bob. La Sala's departure are not public, a common and not a "secret" situation as you imply. The Parks and Recreation situation was not handled well, but much overblown by your paper.

You also state that the council appears controlling and calculating. They don't to me, or to the local folks I talk with. Which or what actions lead to that assertion? It seems uninformed at best. This council seems more actively involved and interested in city activities than the prior council. I think that's a good thing and that they are doing a good job.

We now have a council that seems finally to be independent from city hall. We have a first class interim city manager, a strong city attorney, and a very competent (albeit jealous of authority) city staff.

The council will have some problems in causing staff recognition of the fact that the council, not staff, sets the course for the city. There will be some carping and off the record complaining, but in the long run the city is much better off under the new council and city leadership than it was under the past city and council leadership.

I would like to see your publication thrive, but it will not unless you avoid hit-pieces and poorly supported editorials. It is evident that you lack the perspective of the past five or so years. It would do well for you to consider the past when judging the present.

Don Nolan

Sunnyvale