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Speak Out
Against Measure F
I guess the schools in the San Jose Unified School District still need fixing, or else we wouldn't have Measure F, the school bond measure. Unfortunately for proponents of that measure, this voter won't be voting for the measure. Why?
If the schools still need fixing, they should certainly be fixed, but the ballot measure is lacking in the specifics needed for me to vote "yes." Judging from the language on the ballot, you'd think the schools are still in a horrific state of disrepair. I find it hard to believe that nearly all the SJUSD schools still need all the work mentioned on the ballot.
Come on. How about telling us what was done with the mega dollars from the other bond measure. And let's not be nebulous and say the same thing for each school. And then give us specific information as to what remains.
In addition to the lack of specifics, the idea of an oversight committee causes me to have still more misgivings about the measure. Who is going to be on it and how are the people going to be picked? Are we going to have the fox guarding the henhouse here?
Cough up specifics for each school. They can't be all the same, and I might change my mind. Otherwise, one "no" vote from this writer, as well as one from her mother, who has her own horror story about attempts to squeeze specific information for each school out of SJUSD officials.
June E. Cooley
Almaden Road
Lincoln Ave. is great
I've lived in Willow Glen for 21 years and I was upset about Betsy Daly's Feb. 20 letter in the Willow Glen Resident. I strongly disagree with Daly's portrayal of the avenue. I visit it all the time and I've never seen a rodent there.
If Daly thinks the avenue is so bad, she should go back to Los Gatos or spend her weekends there.
Fran Ireland
Collingwood
Save SJ Symphony
I've been reading for some months the articles regarding the "temporary" demise of the San Jose Symphony, and have not read much about the adverse effect it's having and will have on our children, as well as those symphony goers who regularly attend the performances. We feel bereft.
The symphony musicians have been presenting programs in their "outreach program" for area schools for many years. Exposing young people to live classical music frequently has been shown to help young people become more rounded and better students in all other subjects as well as being successful in their chosen careers.
What kind of a city abandons its exceptional symphony orchestra? We have a conductor who is world-class. The musicians can compare with any other good orchestra in the country. Every great city is judged by the number of successful cultural organizations it supports. Where is the support from our city council?
As for the programming, it's apparent that the people who think that there is too much Russian music presented have not read the brochures, as out of 36 pieces to be presented, only four were Russian. Programming substantially more of the baroque, and early classical period composers would be a mistake, as much of that music is great for napping.
I find that the diversity in the music presented has been exemplary, leaving no period out. However, asking the symphony to program more ethnic music is not the answer. If one wishes to hear such music there are other venues and musical groups where they are presented. We do not expect a great symphony to program anything but classical music. However, the Pops Series includes a great variety of music, including ethnic composers and artists.
I am personally appalled that we are without our superior symphony! Council members, please take note of the great loss to our community and make an effort to support the symphony monetarily. Reorganizing and tightening up the purse strings is well under way and should help the symphony to a quick return to solvency with the help of many symphony goers and the city.
Alma G. Taylor
Gardendale Drive
Airport violates curfew
Last week there were two direct "over flights" of my home by commuter commercial jets, Reno and Southwest.
On Feb. 19, at 6:07 a.m., a private jet took off from our airport, waking up thousands of people in District 6. My position on all of the airport issues should be clear to City Councilman Ken Yeager due to the time we have spent in meetings and other communications. However, the only change I see in the airport is the name. Curfew violations that originate from our airport are not acceptable.
Why does the air traffic controller give a jet permission to take off when it is obvious that it will be a curfew violation? Why could the pilot of the jet not wait another 23 minutes? It is my understanding that U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta is in charge of the Federal Aviation Administration, so what is being done to force the airport to be a good neighbor?
I heard a lot of justification on why we should name the airport after Secretary Mineta. The only reason I agree is because of the job he has done for San Jose in the past. I suggest that Yeager find a way to work with Secretary Mineta and the FAA to end curfew violations that originate at our airport. Our airport should be a "good neighbor," not a nuisance. As is evident, we in District 6 still have all of the problems with the airport that existed prior to Yeager's election to office. I would like Yeager to let me know his timetable to fulfill his campaign promises regarding over flights and curfew violations in District 6.
Jeffery Wilhite
Dorothy Avenue
Measure F is cosmetic
I am a strong supporter of valid school funding, but after looking into the details of Measure F, I've decided to vote against it.
During an informal discussion a few weeks ago with a San Jose Unified School District official, I became concerned about a response that the school board had made a conscious decision to limit public release of detail information of how the $429 million would be spent.
After reviewing the information, I became even more disconcerted with the planning and prioritization that has been done. Some of the major line items are not need-driven, but are "shopping list" items that were added or inflated to get the total number up to the maximum amount allowable by law.
The total dollars on the spreadsheets allocated for athletic fields, tennis courts, landscaping, windows, etc., is greater than that being allocated for science-lab upgrades.
Please verify the numbers and look at school test score rankings. Are our spending priorities out of balance?
Vetteman5@yahoo.com
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
