The Willow Glen Resident

Letters

Neighborhood's cleanup overdue

In reference to your front-page article of Aug. 19 ("Donation-trailer trash is eyesore in Willow Glen neighborhood"): Great job! It's about time the neighborhood got together to get that corner cleaned up. I have lived all my life in the Willow Glen area, and never have I seen such a disgrace! Garbage piled up for days on end. Finally, the corner is clean--for now. Much thanks to everyone involved in keeping our city clean.

Steve Von Konsky
Campbell Tool

'Always Running' does not glorify gangs or teen sex

I grew from reading Always Running. Everyone should read it, especially students in gang-populated areas like San Jose (and the rest of California, for that matter). It gives a good picture of the backgrounds of and pressures on Latino males. As for the controversial sex scenes, I don't even remember much about them. Too many other issues covered in the book remain in my mind.

The book does nothing to glorify gangs or teenage sex.

The people who have criticized this work must not have read the entire book, or maybe they are such bigots anyway that they don't want any empathy generated in their own kids. I thank my friend who loaned me this book for sharing it with me. It made a long flight to Korea go faster.

Jim Stull
Mildred Avenue

Parents are part of the solution, not the problem

I wish to show my support and concern for parent/taxpayer Deborah Taylor-Hollis. San Jose Unified just does not get it. When Superintendent Linda Murray criticized and talked down to Ms. Taylor-Hollis for her "tone" because San Jose Unified is supposedly doing better but really isn't, this is but one example of how the messenger is attacked rather than listened to. Ms. Murray states that "student achievement has been higher in the last two years." I believe it's no surprise that parents are concerned about 11 years of continued lower test scores [due to] forced busing.

What is Ms. Murray continuing to do about the lack of sports, arts, music and new textbooks for our children? Nothing, except pushing her own failed agenda, and then continuing her attack on parents who are concerned about the quality of education that their children are not receiving. Ms. Murray, you and your trustees promote pornography, sexism, murder and racism when you decided to add Always Running to the [high schools'] recommended reading list. I know it is hard to think right in that $10 million mansion that you work in. Why didn't the taxpayers have the right to vote on that project?

The trustees also voted to dumb down our children by removing advanced classes at the junior high level. Why? And why is there only one sport for boys and girls at the junior high level? Are you and the trustees afraid of competition? As a parent, I want my children prepared for the real world, and I want them challenged and pushed. My children deserve better than what you are offering. I prefer to work within San Jose Unified to make the system better than what you are offering. I prefer to work within San Jose Unified to make the system better for our children, instead of sending them to a private school and being taxed twice.

Ms. Murray, your contempt for parents who disagree with your failed social-engineering attempts is what does a disservice to the students, parents, teachers and taxpayers. It's not right that you attack Ms. Taylor-Hollis when you've got plenty to look at in the mirror. Ms. Murray, parents aren't the problem. Parents are part of the solution to have a better-quality education for our children.

Michael Johnson
Jonathan Avenue

Thanks to all the generous donors for batting cage

It was so wonderful that so many of our parents, sponsors and friends of Lincoln Glen Little League gave so generously to help complete the Sam Jones Batting Cage.

Our hearts were extremely touched and warmed by the many of you who gave so freely of your time, energy and money.

I know that Sam would have been so happy to see this project finally finished. Your tremendous response shows that love and kindness is still alive and well in Lincoln Glen, no matter how many years have passed.

The Jones family and Lincoln Glen Little League wish to thank you all sincerely for keeping baseball bats swinging and helping to develop future little league players. We were overwhelmed by your thoughtfulness, and we will always remember you with great love and affection. The friends and parents of Lincoln Glen Little League sure do know how to make dreams come true.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

June Jones and Family
Richard Avenue

Judge Whyte acted unconstitutionally in bilingual ed case

In the Aug. 26 issue of The Resident, I found another attack on the voter-approved Proposition 227, at this time by U.S. District Judge Ronald Whyte ("SJUSD to continue bilingual program through Nov. 13"). It seems to be that each time pro-American or patriotic issues are approved by the majority of Americans, there always be a mini-dictator or liberal mini-king who will veto or turn the whole issue upside down against the voters' will.

When Propositions 187 and 209 were passed by the majority, leftist groups attacked and sought help to bring down those defensive measures. These groups from the left were always crying for help, and they found another liberal judge or cohort to keep the bills from becoming laws.

These liberal judges acted unconstitutionally, just as with this bilingual situation. Ronald Whyte ordered the school district to break the law and continue that anti-American agenda. It is time for us law-abiding citizens and patriots to stand up and say a loud and harsh "No!" to these judges who roll obstacles into the path of the approval of the voters. I also hope that bilingual education will be stopped with the full force of the law if necessary.

Tibor Fuyer
Keesling Avenue

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