Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor (December 24, 2004)

Another commercial life for Mayfield?

Editor:

Would it be possible to put the Mayfield site back into the retailing business?

When it was a beautiful retail mall, the surrounding population was not sufficient to support it. We had the Old Mill Shopping Center (now gone) and San Antonio Shopping Center on one side of the tracks with no way to get to the other side. This has now been corrected with the pedestrian underpass directly across from the Mayfield complex.

To bring us up to the future, many of the major retail stores have opened large discount-outlet stores around the Bay Area such as the highly successful group in Gilroy.

And major retailers such as Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, are always looking for a source to sell their off-season or high fashion clothing at a reduced price.

Mayfield Mall would be excellent for this type of business. It is large enough to provide space for several stores of that nature. It would generate a good amount of sales taxes and would create a real name for itself and the city of Mountain View.

This approach would provide a much better solution for the area than several hundred high-density housing units that would cause traffic jams and crowded schools. If at all possible, could some thought be given to this proposal? Thank you, from a 28-year resident of Monta Loma. James R. Millar Craig Court

Talk about tragedy had impact on students

Editor:

While visiting St. Francis High School last week to find out if I want to send my sons there, I learned about the SODA (students opposed to drugs and alcohol) club.

Several students talked to me about Joshua Aragon, 22, who had recently visited their school to talk about his sentencing to six years in prison for driving under the influence and killing his friend, 23-year-old Kristina Hamill, in the process, a story covered in last week's Voice.

I could see these kids were clearly moved and touched by Joshua sharing his story especially since it just happened in July.

They said, "We felt so bad for him because we could really see he was still upset and so remorseful for what he had done. Joshua was so honest with us."

His point was "do not drive under the influence." The kids told me their parents tell them that too but it really made a difference when Josh said it. They told me, "I felt and saw his pain and the consequences that came by his choice to drink and drive; I still hear him in my head." They said they really understand thanks to Josh. These kids were moved by him. This was obvious to me even though I don't know any of the students, Josh or Kristina. Josh made an impact and impression with these kids.

Hamill's death is a terrible tragedy but I feel something good has come out of it. Maybe this one death will prevent many others from drinking and driving because of the impact Joshua and the death of his friend has made on so many young people. My prayers go out to all parties involved. Maider Toney Awalt Drive

Disappointed in Mueller cartoon

Editor:

The cartoon on page 25 of your Dec. 17 issue was very disappointing. I don't think it belongs in what I assume is a family-oriented newspaper. Send cartoons like this to the sleaze magazines. Richard Lovlien Swanson Way

Council right to oppose hunters

Editor:

I work on Crittenden Lane and take a lunchtime walk along the Stevens Creek Trail. I see that others also enjoy a stroll along this peaceful trail. We enjoy the ducks, moot hens and egrets.

My hat is off to the Mountain View City Council for keeping this scene tranquil. If hunters want to kill something, why don't they join the National Guard or the Army Reserve and go to Iraq. Surely having return fire is more sporting than shooting at animals that can't fight back. Konrad M. Sosnow Trophy Drive

School board has high regard for Yick

Editor:

I would like to add more context to your article "Yick prohibited from reapplying for job" in the Dec. 17 issue, regarding Mountain View-Whisman School District's contract with Superintendent Eleanor Yick.

First, I hope your readers are aware that it is illegal for any board member to talk about discussions done in closed session, so "declining to talk about it" is absolutely the correct thing for us to do as responsible board members regarding the discussions we had in closed session about how to craft her contract.

Second, I can tell you that I had a personal conversation with Eleanor Yick about the wording of her contract, and she told me that when we opened the superintendent's job to a search, she did not plan to apply. Thus, her not applying was never an issue with her.

Lastly, our board has the highest respect for her work, her professionalism and her long dedication to the schoolchildren of Mountain View.

In short, I fear that your choice of the word "prohibited" in relation to her superintendent work and our search unfortunately mischaracterized the high regard our board has for her. Ellen Wheeler President, Mountain View-Whisman School District Board of Trustees

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