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Speak Out
Headline on article about 'complaint' was misleading
The headline for the Oct. 25 article 'Complaint against WG business association is dropped' was inconsistent and inaccurate with our activity and did not represent our investigation of the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association (WGBPA). The issue at hand is whether WGBPA can endorse or make contributions to a political candidate or ballot issue based on the full page ad they ran for Ken Yeager in their directory at Founders' Day.
First, the article says that it can. This is totally untrue, from the very beginning of our pursuit of the regulations and laws concerning the ad. The question is what specific laws, policies and regulations did WGBPA violate as defined by the city of San Jose and the IRS. This is a complicated issue that goes deep into the use of city money for political uses to the ability of people that donate to WGBPA to deduct their contributions. So the subhed "Organization is allowed to engage in political activity" is untrue. WGBPA's charter clearly states that they cannot as part of their union with getting city funds from the many city sources. Additionally, as a 501(c)(6) recorded by the IRS, there may still be an issue with those who have contributed to WGBPA. Can they deduct their contributions?
Second, the statement that "Complaint against WG business association is dropped" is not true. A complaint was never issued to anybody, so there was nothing to drop. We are still in the investigative stage, gathering enough data to file a proper complaint to the proper authorities, be it the city of San Jose, the IRS, or any other that may have authority over this matter. We are still trying to determine the facts of the issues and the exact nature of this violation. You can rest assured that this matter will not be "dropped" and may take months to resolve.
Phil Rossignol
Meredith Avenue
Measure A helps planes, trains and automobiles
Traffic in our area has ground to a halt. There's no debating that we need to do something about traffic congestion, and we need to do it now. Measure A is a great start to get us moving again whether you use trains, planes or automobiles.
First, trains: Measure A brings BART to Santa Clara County, builds four new light rail lines, increases Caltrain service and builds a new rail line alongside the Dumbarton Bridge.
Second, planes: Measure A builds rail transit connections directly to light rail, Caltrain and BART stations right to the passenger terminal at San Jose International Airport.
Third, automobiles: Every driver off our roads and onto transit is one less brake light between you and the green light. In addition, by passing Measure A, we free up more than $2 billion in state and federal funds to make badly needed improvements to our freeways, expressways and city streets.
Let's get going. Vote "yes" on Measure A. Without it, we're stuck.
Joe Pon
Bennett Way
Cunningham will remember community in her decisions
As active parents in our community we would like to express our support for Kris Cunningham for City Council. We have read many of the letters that have been printed in The Resident supporting Kris or Ken.
What it really comes down to is that you need to vote for the person who has a passion for the children and families in our community. Kris Cunningham is that person. For many years Kris has spent countless hours serving on or heading committees and projects that will make a difference in both the education of our children and our lives in the community.
We don't know anything about Ken Yeager except that he claims to have done so much for Willow Glen. Well, before this election we had never heard of Ken Yeager. But we have known Kris through her work on the San Jose Unified School District's budget committee, bond oversight committee, the Hoover site committee and her involvement with the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association.
When Kris is making decisions downtown she is going to remember our children and our neighborhoods and vote in our best interest. When you vote Nov. 7, remember the person who won't forget where she came from and who will continue to serve the children and families in our community.
Will and Karen Clinton
Harmil Way
Investment in students must continue in valley
As a trustee I would like to thank the Willow Glen community for their help and support of the West Valley-Mission Community College District Advancement Foundation. We are very grateful for the assistance we have received this year. We are underway with several major facilities projects to enhance the quality of life for students on both campuses. These projects could not have been realized without community involvement. Although much has been achieved, there is still much to do.
Our district always welcomes support and advice from companies and individuals in this important partnership to build educational excellence. We must all play a role in the improvement of our schools to realize a better future for our children. Through education, we can sustain the high level of prosperity we enjoy in Silicon Valley.
Silicon Valley serves as a major economic engine powering our national economy. We must continue to keep the fire burning bright in the engine of opportunity. Our investment in education will serve as a key component in determining whether we move forward as a society.
The task ahead is to begin in earnest planting the educational seeds of opportunity, through business, community, investment and student mentoring. In this way, the succeeding students will begin to bear the fruit of full preparation necessary to achieve in the highly competitive world economy.
Frank Jewett
Trustee, West Valley-Mission Community College District
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
