Dear Editor, I read the article about the class at Sobrato High
that is taking on next week as a time to inform our community about
the effects of bullying.
Thanks to high school students for bringing bullying to light
Dear Editor,
I read the article about the class at Sobrato High that is taking on next week as a time to inform our community about the effects of bullying. I applaud those at Sobrato who are taking on these issues and I am interested in being part of a community that works to eliminate bullying in our schools and community including at the elementary school level.
I would like to learn more about how these issues are currently addressed in our schools and I am committed to having a place for those who experience either being bullied or witnessing the bullying of others to safely communicate. It is imperative that these kids have a voice that can be heard.
Thank you for making us aware of this most important work that they are addressing.
Ann Horner, Morgan Hill
Yes, Obi-Wan (LAFCO), you may be are only hope to save SE Quad
Dear Editor,
Kudos to Mel and Char Perreir for their thoughtful and humorous letter regarding the city’s plans to annex 760 acres of greenbelt in southeast of Morgan Hill.
The city’s reasoning behind the annexation and development of these lands are speculative and premature. Most of the proposed ‘projects’ are vague ideas that can be properly evaluated under the CEQA process.
Given this, how do we know what it will cost the city (and ultimately, the taxpayer) to expand then maintain the necessary infrastructure and emergency services in this area?
And what of high-speed rail? Currently the proposed east U.S. 101 alignment would run through this ‘Southeast Quadrant,’ right in front of the proposed private high school and through other lands slated to be developed. Why are we pursuing this project when there is a possibility that high-speed rail will cut through all this?
Should the city be allowed to annex these lands, they could rezone them for absolutely any use. So, it is difficult to know what will become of this area which plays a major part in the rural feel of Morgan Hill – something so many residents cherish.
The city claims they are developing this area to help preserve our greenbelt. What needs pointing out here is that of the approximately existing 1,300 acres, the city only plans to preserve less than 270 of it as ‘permanent’ greenbelt.
Unfortunately, this development project is not on most people’s radar. The upcoming General Plan review process would be a logical place to start getting community-wide input on the proposed changes.
The city has actively solicited public input of the downtown for more than seven years now, but has done almost nothing to let the general public know about its plans to allow development in our greenbelt. Point in case, two public meetings – one for the current downtown redevelopment project and one regarding this project – are both scheduled for Nov. 16 at 7 p.m.
So, yes, Obi-Wan (commissioners of LAFCO who ultimately get to decide whether to allow the city to annex this area) you may be our only hope.
Marieke Ruys, Thrive! Morgan Hill
Supporters of Santa Teresa extension should attend meeting
Dear Editor,
I have been a resident of Morgan Hill since July 1975. I have been connected with Morgan Hill through family ties in agriculture in since 1955. My four adult children, who all attended local public schools, represent four generations of my family who have lived in Morgan Hill.
I have been fortunate enough to have received numerous public recognitions through my community service including the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year 2009, Morgan Hill Community Foundation’s Philanthropy Award in 2008, and Gavilan College’s Community Spirit Award in 2007.
I was also instrumental in securing the present location of our Morgan Hill Library as well as getting public access to the San Pedro Percolation Ponds.
It was my concern for improved public safety, better fire and police outreach and securing consistent emergency services for our community that I attended the informational hearing Nov. 4 at the Community and Cultural Center regarding the Santa Teresa corridor.
I do not have to tell you how at times at these public meetings, productive informative discussions can be derailed by a loud minority whose interests are entirely emotional and self serving.
Your recent article as to this meeting did not reflect that there were less than 30 attendees at this meeting.
Nineteen of these attendees who probably represented less than 10 households were all residents of one particular neighborhood. Their priorities were clearly not in the best interests of the other 40,850 residents of Morgan Hill.
To put this in another prospective, 700 notices were mailed.
There are comments of support for this project from school board members, city council members, downtown association members, members of our chamber of commerce as well as health professionals like myself who see the transportation benefits for our schools, better access to downtown, and economic benefits to go with improved public safety, better fire and police protection and improved emergency care outreach more than adequate to approve this project.
I urge all responsible Morgan Hill residents to attend the Dec. 9 meeting at the Community Center as well as contacting our council members voicing your support for this greatly needed corridor connecting DeWitt and Hale avenues.
Jon Y. Hatakeyama, Morgan Hill
