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Speak Out
Espinola story lacked warmth, compassion
This is in response to Chantal Lamers' story written in the May 3 issue about the toddler that died at Valley Medical Center. The tone of the story was very cold and showed no compassion whatsoever to the grieving family.
This accident was a tragedy and will probably not be forgotten by the family. Isn't that difficult enough for a family to deal with without having to find out about stories like this one written in the neighborhood newspaper? I understand you are a journalist and you have to write "the story"; however, I believe you could have showed a little sensitivity to the people grieving over the loss of this child.
Where is your compassion, Ms. Lamers? Do you have children? Do you understand what it would feel like to lose a child? I certainly don't and I am a mother of two children. I pray you will never be in the shoes of this family.
Kim Artman
Iris Court
Espinola a man of courage and strength
We are writing in regards to your article written by Chantal Lamers covering the Espinola family tragedy. We feel it was printed without any regard to the feelings of the family and will most likely cause any healing process that has begun to come to an abrupt halt. The article made no mention about the feelings of the family and what a great loss they have gone through, or how they have to cope with the loss for the rest of their lives.
Mr. Espinola is a wonderful father. When he and his wife found they were expecting their second child it was with joy that he announced it to friends and family; and with joy he greeted tiny Jacob two months premature to his family. When Jacob was required to stay in NICU for three long months fighting infections, and literally for his life, his father not only visited him, he spent hours holding him, praying for him and loving tiny Jacob. He never missed a day! When Jacob finally came home, Mr. Espinola bathed, changed and loved his son. Not all men do, but he did because his heart told him to. Jacob was one of those little ones, like our own, that just didn't want to sleep through the night, and it was Daddy who held and rocked him back to sleep.
At Jacob's funeral, Mr. Espinola had the courage and strength to speak to the hundreds of people attending, first thanking them for their prayers, then expressing the void in his heart now that Jacob is gone, and finally sharing his faith. He shared that life as a gift from God, and asked us all to consider what we were doing with that gift.
How we use our gift is how we communicate our thankfulness for it. Showing respect and kindness to others, helping each other through hard times, are a few things that come to mind. We pray you will be so moved to do just that. You see this story is not about a "toddler run over by dad," this story is about a father and a family who have lost their son in a terrible accident and have showed tremendous courage and faith. Your choice to run a front page article at this difficult time, actually at all, shows a complete lack of human kindness. Certainly the police don't need your help as you made it seem at the conclusion of your article. All the neighbors and family are cooperating.
A printed and personal apology are most undeniably in order to both Mr. and Mrs. Dave Espinola.
Angelo Marcoccia
Katherine Marcoccia
Cheryl Way
Unpleasant news is always tough to deliver, and the staff of the Willow Glen Resident is of course saddened when tragic events occur in our community. Ultimately, however, we believe that the public is served by calling attention to such an accident--and there is no reason to believe it was anything but. If the life of another child is saved because others are more aware of a neighbor's pain, then perhaps some good can come out of this all. --Editor
Speeders a problem on Coastland Avenue
I have been a Coastland Avenue resident for just over 14 years now and I am surprised at the ever increasing lack of common sense utilized by drivers who use Coastland Avenue as a speedway/thoroughfare.
Many cars speed through this street, as it is the only street (between Bird & Lincoln Avenues) that goes through to Curtner Avenue.
I (along with my neighbors) have witnessed dozens of cars speeding at least 10-20 mph over the posted 25 mph speed limit on a daily basis.
A week ago, another concerned Coastland Avenue resident phoned the SJ Police Department to report speeding on this street. An officer stopped by to acknowledge the complaint, stating this issue will be addressed with motorcycle officers equipped with radar; this has not yet materialized.
Last year, a neighbor's cat was killed by one of these speeders, who by the way, didn't even have the courtesy to stop.
What has to happen to get attention to this increasing, ongoing problem? Will an innocent child playing have to be killed by one of these speeders? More innocent pets?
Apparently the same problem exists on Pine Avenue where the photo radar van can be seen almost daily, in the morning and evening commute hours. Wonder how long (and what) it took Pine Avenue residents to get action?
Can we get speed bumps installed on Coastland? Could we get the city to block access through to Curtner?
If Coastland Avenue residents are willing to get together, team up and tackle this ongoing and dangerous problem, this speedway could be turned back into the residential street it was intended to be, before another life is claimed!
Name Withheld by Request
Coastland Avenue
Trash talk at the Educational Park
I came home from a walk around the Willow Glen Educational Park feeling like I had been around a school in the slums. I just can't believe this educational park is in one of the most wanted to live in neighborhoods. I picked up the Resident and read the letter by Mrs. B. Fletcher [April 19]. The whole letter hits the nail on the head--good for her.
Barbara Martin
Malone Road
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
