Willow Glen Resident

Letters & Opinions

Speak Out

Night lights funding
only benefits a few

The article in the June 1 issue of the Willow Glen Resident is out of touch with reality.

First, the headline doesn't make sense. "High school will get night lights, making games in the dark possible" implies that games are now being played in the dark.

Five high schools in the San Jose Unified School District are going to get lights at a cost of $250,000 times five, or $1.25 million.

I guarantee that the price will go higher. And what about the cost of electricity for 10 games at five schools per year until 10 p.m., plus another 10 events at five schools for night practice with the lights going out at 7 p.m.?

As energy cost go up, so will the need to charge more and bring in outside events to pay for the increased cost of electricity.

I grew up an athlete playing high school football and running track. What makes the need for night games so great now? What will this accomplish besides spending our money on lavish night events and costly electricity bills?

What I find ironic is that the majority of students will not benefit from this. Most students are not in good physical shape. In fact, the majority of students are out of shape.

Why not use the money to promote physical activities that would benefit the majority of kids? Only a few students will participate in the sports that will benefit from this costly venture.

Thomas Sutton

Westgate Avenue