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More to be done
to rid airports of lead
Re. “County will conduct more testing for lead at airports,” Page B1, Dec. 25:
Green Foothills is glad to see more news stories about lead contamination at Reid-Hillview Airport. Just as the earlier study of lead contaminating the blood of children downwind from the airport demonstrated, this new study of the soil will likely show that lead pollution from small planes is a dangerous health risk.
We strongly support closing the airport and reusing that land for parks and other community-serving uses for East San Jose. We must clarify though that we are emphatically not calling for relocating the airport to the existing small airport in San Martin. Local pilots can choose to relocate to a number of different airports. The flight schools at Reid-Hillview could relocate to an entirely different region.
We applaud removing leaded fuel at both county airports. Closing Reid Hillview can and should be done in ways that do not harm and actually help San Martin residents.
Brian Schmidt
Legislative Advocacy Director, Green Foothills
Palo Alto
As Vallco work lags,
time to replace council
Vallco development has dragged on for over four years. Now is the time for residents of Cupertino to recall all members of the City Council.
The current mayor, Darcy Paul, is responsible for the constant delays. Residents need to recall all City Council members before the state of California takes legal action against the city for violating the law on this development.
Jon Ramos
San Jose
Proposed solar fees
will not help the poor
Re. “Rooftop solar program robs from the poor,” Page A6, Dec. 22:
I was disappointed to see you endorse the proposed California Public Utilities Commission rate changes for rooftop solar.
California should be doing all it can to increase power from renewable sources. You say that the rooftop solar program robs from the poor and gives to the rich. These rate changes will ensure that rooftop solar is limited to those who are wealthy or who are willing to pay a premium to do the right thing for the environment.
Rather than increasing the cost for rooftop solar, we need to be looking for a change in the economic model of the utilities which encourages rooftop solar and battery backup.
Studies show that rooftop solar decreases the need for new power generation facilities and long-distance transmission, reducing costs for everyone — but also profit for the utilities. Let’s take advantage of our climate so everyone reaps the benefit of a sustainable future.
Linda Allen
Saratoga
Fox hosts’ violent
speech merits firing
Dr. Fauci is right – Jesse Watters should be fired for suggesting attendees at the right-wing Turning Points USA conference go after Fauci for a “kill shot.” (“Fauci says Fox’s Watters should be fired,” Page A4, Dec. 22) Fox commentator Lara Logan should be dealt with similarly for comparing Fauci to Nazi doctors experimenting on Jews.
The public should realize Fauci is describing the findings of a well-respected federal agency that has guided past Republican and Democratic presidents through health crises. As a society, we are becoming attracted to vigilantism. Fox is not alone in admiring mob rule. The popular TV series “Yellowstone” is idolizing vigilantism as a powerful family ignores justice, and murders on their own assessments. While the series is fiction, it feeds off a godfather character to administer justice.
Gary Latshaw
Cupertino
Biden has been right man
to restore presidency
The United States is truly fortunate to have Joe Biden as its president. He has brought back a sense of calmness and respectability to the office. He has regained the admiration of our allies. He has re-engaged the United States in the war against climate change. He has been dogged in his attempts to get Americans vaccinated. He has successfully persuaded Congress to pass a long-sought infrastructure bill. He is now focused on passing a national voting rights act, maintaining a woman’s right to choose and mitigating the economic inequalities plaguing this country.
Just a year ago, we had a president who openly encouraged white supremacy, who shunned the pandemic and the climate crises as hoaxes, and who encouraged the storming of our nation’s Capitol to preserve his Big Lie. Biden may not be a perfect choice for president, but he certainly has been the man we needed now.
Bob Parker
San Jose
We have forgotten rights
carry responsibilities
America has become enamored with slogans and buzz words. Some are worth repeating while some are better left forgotten.
I am all for catchy words and slogans, but people clamoring for “freedom” and “rights” appear to have forgotten an important word related to both — “responsibility.”
Every American has the right to refuse to wear a mask or to get vaccinated so long as he or she is also ready to face the consequences. To lose one’s temper and to become violent when one is refused service because one is not wearing a mask or is not vaccinated is simply unacceptable. If one cannot be responsible for one’s actions, one doesn’t deserve to enjoy freedoms or rights.
As we move into the New Year, I hope the phrase “Enjoy your freedom responsibly” will become a slogan that resonates with everyone. The future of our country may depend on it.
MyoKyaw Myint
San Jose
Source: www.mercurynews.com