Thanks for the Willow Glen Resident's coverage on the upcoming San Jose Unified School District Board election. As a parent of four students in the district, I have been watching this race with keen interest. However, there is one nagging concern that remains as I consider who will get my vote.

As a woman with a business degree, I recognize Pam Foley's vocabulary and am very familiar with what it means. I'm also very suspicious of how much it may not mean. I sincerely hope I can get the much-needed translation out of business-speak and into plain English before the election. My years working in the corporate world have taught me talk of vision, mission and leadership, which mean little unless they are backed up with specific plans for implementing. Also needed are tact and fortitude to address issues squarely, yet gracefully.

When I read the Sept. 22 article (the complete version) profiling the candidates, I was struck by a very strong difference in the interviews. Carol Myers addressed specific issues surrounding concerns that I share wholeheartedly. I am a strong advocate of neighborhood schools. I too am concerned about appropriate placement of desegregation funds. I have never been a fan of the district's use of funds or the politicizing of my children's education. In contrast to Carol Myers' interview, I found Pam Foley's portion consisted mainly of business rhetoric. I came away from the article without a clue of where she stands on issues very important to me and my children at our neighborhood schools.

I am open to the fresh ideas and approaches to which Ms. Foley alludes. However, how will I know if we agree on the issues so important to me if none are stated? How can I know she'll take care of Willow Glen schools? I do not want new blood if it doesn't produce a positive outcome for my kids. I fear many voters will not examine the issues but will simply count the political signs in neighborhoods. Should the future of our kids' education rest in who spent the most on the campaign? Please, Ms. Foley, inform me of the issues and where you stand. I'm almost ready to vote.

Terri Renfro

Willow Glen

Donating pumpkin to
school was appreciated

I enjoyed the Oct. 20 article in the Willow Glen Resident on the replacement pumpkin a local lender scouted and found for the kids at Willow Glen Elementary School.

However, I was jarred when it was described as ersatz. Especially after all the effort that went into finding it. Pumpkin fields do not produce artificial or imitation pumpkins.

Thank you to Rebecca Marcura Dinapoli for taking the time and effort to get the real thing.

Penelope Harrington

Crescent Drive

District needs new face
and voice on the board

As a former San Jose Unified School Board president and member, retired SJUSD principal at Castillero Middle School, San Jose High Academy and a Willow Glen elementary school, I highly endorse Pam Foley for the school board candidate to represent the SJUSD Trustee Area 3.

She will bring a fresh, new outlook to the board of education that will result in creative, effective, and collegial relations with fellow board members and allow our new superintendent of schools, Don Iglesias, the opportunity to provide effective leadership that will most benefit students in all San Jose schools, including Willow Glen.

The current political infighting within the San Jose Unified School Board will not result in the best educational program for our San Jose students. It is most unfortunate that relationships on our school board are not congenial and that there is an uncooperative relationship among the members.

Trustee Area 3 needs representation that will allow for a school board that works together and in the best interest of our youth.

It's time for change on the SJUSD school board. I urge a vote for Pam Foley as our Trustee Area 3 school board representative.

Bud Towner

Glen Brook Avenue

The district should be
supporting Hacienda

I supported Hacienda School by attending the San Jose Unified School District budget meeting on Oct. 20 at John Muir Middle School. It was a great turnout, with Hacienda parents dominating the crowd.

I was amazed by the board members saying that there is a declining enrollment at our school. We have parents that have their children on the wait list to get into Hacienda. We have had a wait list for several years now. Instead of closing schools that are top performing and that have a large amount of kids on a list that are waiting to get in, why not open up the wait list and add those kids to our enrollment? This alone will increase enrollment status that the district says is declining at Hacienda. Why close a top successful school that many parents are trying to get their kids into?

The district is not solving a problem by closing successful schools, they are just creating more problems. Save our schools and let our voices be heard.

Gail Maggi

Electra Way

San Jose teachers throw
their support to Myers

San Jose teachers are supporting Carol Myers for San Jose Unified School District Board of Education, Trustee Area 3. Mrs. Myers has been endorsed by the San Jose Teachers' Association.

She is, and will always be, an independent voice who has the integrity to speak out for equity for all students. She is an experienced school board member with a strong knowledge of district finances, which is essential in tough budgetary times.

Mrs. Myers is a former high school teacher and a strong, visible advocate for Area 3 schools. She is always available and present at school functions in her area, which makes her very accessible to teachers, parents, and the community. Please join San Jose teachers in supporting and voting for Carol Myers.

Janice Allen, second-grade teacher

San Jose Teachers' Association
Elementary Director

District's past actions
were less than candid

The election in the San Jose Unified School District for school board Trustee Area 3 is really heating up. It seems that outside interests will do anything to wrestle control of Willow Glen's school board seat.

For the average voter who is not familiar with the labyrinth workings of the school district, let me shed some light on some of the dark underpinnings of the district; after all, it is Halloween. One small example that reflects poorly on former Superintendent Linda Murray and board members Gary Rummelhoff, Richard Garcia and Veronica Lewis is their behind-closed-door vote that gave lifetime medical benefits to Murray. This was done without a public hearing.

Murray and these board members have refused repeated requests to release this information. This is the type of information that we as taxpayers should have ready access to, especially with the budget deficit and pending school closures.

I have brought these and other financial irregularities repeatedly to the attention of the school board, and they have circled the wagons, pulled up the drawbridge and flooded the moat.

Fortunately, Don Iglesias, the district's new superintendent, is much more open to outside criticism of past and current district policies. He has shown a willingness to confront these complex and difficult issues.

The Resident has run quite a few letters to the editor from Pam Foley supporters. All of these individuals are either teachers or parents who are tied to the magnets schools that are outside Willow Glen. They and the other board members have a warped view of priorities in the district.

Without a strong voice on the school board, Willow Glen schools will continue to get shortchanged by the other school board members.

Carol Myers has proven that she will vigorously fight for not only our students, but also the many other underrepresented students throughout the district. The same cannot be said for Pam Foley or the other board members. Their actions clearly show the need for us to stand up and strengthen our Willow Glen neighborhood schools.

Bob Mulvany

Vice President Community Relations
Willow Glen Elementary PTA

Measure C handcuffs
a supervisor's ability

Never in my 24 years of service have I seen one measure that could handcuff a supervisor's ability to make fair decisions.

Measure C's binding arbitration proposal, put on the ballot by a select group of government attorneys, correctional officers, and a nurses' union, is estimated to cost taxpayers more than $100 million over the next five years. And if some unions insist on taking more than their fair share, the county budget will suffer.

During the last 10 years, government attorneys alone have received 69.4 percent in salary increases, and county nurses 57 percent. If some employees continue to take an unfair chunk of the budget, it will lead to more layoffs and a reduction in programming like the Children's Health Initiative and senior services.

But on the other hand, Measure A amends the county charter to ensure fair wage comparisons by comparing employee wages and benefits to other public employees, not the private sector. And Measure B offers a safeguard to Measure C by giving voters veto power over any binding arbitration agreements that are too costly.

By voting no on Measure C and yes on Measures A and B, voters will help preserve fairness.

Blanca Alvarado

Santa Clara County supervisor

DA: Proposition 66
releases wrong felons

As your district attorney, I advise you that Proposition 66 will result in the almost immediate release from state prison of several hundred of Santa Clara County's worst repeat felons, back into our communities with no parole supervision.

Examples of those who will be released in Santa Clara County immediately by Proposition 66 include serial rapist and multiple-murderer John Bunyard, and others of California's most notorious criminals. It mandates release of the repeat felons who commit most felony crime here.

History shows such large-scale release of repeat felons has tragic consequences for residents of Santa Clara County and increases our crime rate dramatically.

Proposition 66 will have extremely bad consequences for the safety of this community. It releases the wrong felons.

George Kennedy

Santa Clara County District Attorney

Voter wonders about
candidate's priorities

I have some serious concerns about Pam Foley as the trustee for San Jose Unified School District Area 3 schools.

In the voter information pamphlet, part of her candidate statement says, "I am someone who supports school choice for our families." Does this sound like someone who supports Willow Glen schools?

In "The Guide" section of the Oct. 21 San Jose Mercury News, Foley said part of her campaign focus is to "allow the families to send their children to district schools of their choice." Does this sound like someone who will support Willow Glen schools?

In the Oct. 20 issue of the Willow Glen Resident, Foley said that she supports parents' ability to choose a school. Does this sound like someone who supports Willow Glen schools?

Her daughter now goes to Hacienda, which is one of the schools targeted for possible closing. If Foley were to be elected to the board, would this affect how she would vote on school closures?

Foley has the endorsement of the four current trustees, although Gary Rummelhoff is leaving to run for the Santa Clara County Board of Education. If the others remain, and Foley is elected, would she just endorse their agenda, which really is not too supportive of Willow Glen schools?

Pam Foley seems to have "too many irons in the fire," with all the committees, boards and other commitments of which she is a member, plus running her own business. Would she be spreading herself too thin, and not be able to give the needed time as a trustee?

Carol Myers has done an outstanding job working hard for the Willow Glen schools. She is not completely opposed to school choice, but wants Willow Glen schools to have magnets that would attract Willow Glen students to the Willow Glen schools. She deserves our support.

Ken Tornberg
La Mirada Drive