Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor (July 09, 2004)

Trail extension won't benefit enough people

Editor:

I once thought extending the Stevens Creek Trail to Mountain View High School was a good idea, especially because I live near it and would ride my bike up there at least once.

I don't think it's a good idea anymore. The majority of people who use the trail are the ones who live near it. If they want it so badly, let them pay for it.

The city of Mountain View is willing to spend $13 million to allow a relatively small number of people the privilege to walk or ride along a 1.7-mile stretch near the creek. How will the remaining 90 percent of the community benefit?

It will be nice for the people who live near the trail expansion. Not only are their home values in the stratosphere but now they'll have this cool bike path.

Trail cheerleaders say "won't it be terrific for our children to ride their bikes to school?" I am a parent, and I wouldn't let my daughter do that. We already have a continual threat on the existing trail from the pervert who gropes women there. I see homeless people who live in the creek. I see liquor bottles and signs of vandalism.

Why is the city spending $13 million to benefit a tiny sliver of this population?

P.S. Remember the light rail? Seen anybody riding one lately?

Jack Perkins
Anza Street

Voters should be able to rank candidates

Editor:

Many Democrats have watched with baited breath to see the outcome of the Green Party national convention. As mentioned in the Voice on June 25, some Democrats blame Ralph Nader's 2000 candidacy for helping to put George W. Bush in the White House.

Fortunately, there is a solution which would put fears of the "spoiler effect" behind us forever, while also ensuring a majority winner and strengthening democracy in our elections: Instant Runoff Voting, or IRV.

With IRV, each voter casts one vote for his or her favorite candidate, just as we do now. But the voter also marks which candidate he or she would prefer in the event of a runoff by ranking the candidates: 1, 2, 3, and so on. When the votes are tallied, all the first choice votes are counted. If no candidate gets a majority, the candidate who received the fewest votes is eliminated from the running. Votes cast for that candidate are given to the second-choice candidate listed on those ballots. The votes are then recounted. This process continues until one candidate has a majority. (For more details, see www.fairvote.org.)

With a system like this, progressive voters could cast their first choice vote for a Green candidate and then list the Democrat as their second choice. Voters would no longer fear that they may help the candidate they dislike by voting for the candidate they prefer.

The Green Party already supports IRV. Democrats should urge their representatives to work to implement IRV so no one will have to fear the spoiler effect.

Stephanie Schaaf
Ortega Avenue

Thanks from the Raging Grannies

Editor:

On June 26, a group of Raging Grannies gathered at Century 16 Theater in Mountain View to thank the theater management for showing the film "Fahrenheit 9/11" which had just opened. Since many theaters around the country had bowed to pressure not to show the film, the Grannies were pleased that our theater was not bowing to this pressure and we wanted to express our gratitude by singing.

One of the Grannies had made a large poster thanking the management for their stand. As the Grannies launched into their repertoire and handed out copies of their song sheets so bystanders could join in, more and more people did just that and then to the complete amazement of the Grannies, people began to come up and deposit money at our feet, even to the extent of five dollar bills and a $20 bill.

Now the Grannies don't sing for money -- we do it for our convictions of fighting injustice and oppression and exposing political misbehavior. Our songs are written mostly by members of our group or other Granny groups around the country and Canada (where the Grannies originated).

Our Granny group was truly touched by the enthusiastic reception of waiting moviegoers and the monetary donations. We have no way of knowing where all these donors come from but we want to voice our thanks. Such reception spurs us on to continue bringing our message and our songs to a public that embraces us so wholeheartedly.

If the Granny group can contribute to a "kinder gentler" world which we desire fervently and bring a smile to peoples' faces at the sight of these older ladies in granny garb, aprons, and ridiculous hats, we are accomplishing our sincere aim in appearing before the public.

Thank you, public, for your wonderful reception.

Maxine Eggerth
Cupertino Road, Cupertino

Moved by 'Fahrenheit 9/11'

Editor:

Having just seen the movie "Fahrenheit 9/11," I am moved to exclaim that time is running out. The American people are losing control of their nation to a disciplined but incompetent group of zealots who are exploiting their own complete lack of scruples to achieve ends that are severely damaging to the interests of the American people.

We must pry the fingers of the current administration from the levers of power they have seized.

Individuals must act now to prevent the further entrenching of powers that have no interest in the well-being of the vast majority of decent working-class Americans.

In the upcoming elections, we must seek out those candidates who will represent our interests, not the interests of the small elite who have already come close to disenfranchising the rest of us.

Ed Taub
Devoto Street

Art school's new programs

Editor:

Residents probably know that there is a new home for the Community School of Music and Arts on San Antonio Circle but what they probably don't know is that there has been a wonderful season of very diverse programs for the general public.

The school has family concerts, Concerts 4 Kids, Young Musicians of the Bay Area, and my two favorites, Music@6 featuring faculty playing classical, jazz and contemporary music, and Classes w/o Quizzes Visual Arts Lectures by regional college faculty who give the historical scoop about master artists recently featured in pop culture.

All these programs take place in a 200-plus seat, state-of-the-art concert hall and have been top-quality, and the talent of the performers is outstanding. Where else can one listen to such programs for less than $10 and on our own doorstep? Compare this with a trip to San Francisco for musical entertainment.

I encourage citizens of Mountain View to sign up for the new Concerts & Events mailing list by visiting www.arts4all.org/concerts or to watch for programs advertised in the Mountain View Voice. Tickets can be purchased at the door from very friendly staff.

I am eagerly looking forward to the next season in September and to other upcoming events. Thank you to everyone at CSMA for your creativity and efforts.

Margaret Turner
Bonita Avenue

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