Dear Editor, Thanks to Santa Clara Water District’s Cy Mann and
the city of Morgan Hill’s Public Work’s Anne Beale and others on
their combined staff, work began (Wednesday, Aug. 25) on lower
Llagas Creek to address our concerns with fire and flooding
perils.
Many hours of meetings, hard work finally got the job done
Dear Editor,
Thanks to Santa Clara Water District’s Cy Mann and the city of Morgan Hill’s Public Work’s Anne Beale and others on their combined staff, work began (Wednesday, Aug. 25) on lower Llagas Creek to address our concerns with fire and flooding perils.
The workers are removing (some of) the strangling over-growth of vegetation, tree limbs and other debris that prevents the creek’s water from flowing freely past our community of homes. Their actions are a direct result of many hours of meetings between the affected homeowners and city and county agencies.
On behalf of the affected homeowners living along Llagas Creek, I would like to personally thank all of those involved as well as the Morgan Hill Times for its interest and reporting.
Tom and Carol Ciccone, Morgan Hill
Yes, there is still farming in Santa Clara County, lots of it
Dear Editor,
I’ve been telling friends about my new job with the Santa Clara County Farm Bureau, and have been amazed by the reactions. They are along the lines of, “What? There’s still farming in the valley?” Even with the growing popularity of farmers’ market shopping, I guess many people don’t realize how much fresh produce comes from Silicon Valley farms, not to mention wines of worldwide distinction.
Farmers and ranchers in Santa Clara County grow 100 different crops and contribute $250 million to the local economy each year.
Along with boosting the economy, other benefits of our local farms include healthier eating and less strain on the environment. The idea of “eating local” is a growing movement, and we are fortunate to live in an area where we can take advantage of “u-pick” farms and stands that offer everything from corn to cherries.
Taking your family out to a farm can be a good way for kids to experience new foods, and add some color to the menu at home. They will even learn a little about what it takes to get all that delicious food to the store, and into their family’s grocery cart.
If you would like to pick fresh fruit and vegetables yourself, visit a corn maze or pumpkin patch, or check out a chicken ranch, pick up a copy of this year’s Country Crossroads map. It details more than 100 places to visit and experience the modern twist on this valley’s rich heritage. For a copy, call the Farm Bureau office at (408) 776-1684, or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Santa Clara County Farm Bureau, 605 Tennant Ave., Suite H, Morgan Hill, CA 95037.
Sincerely, Kirsten Chiala, director of membership and public relations for the Santa Clara County Farm Bureau
Huge turnout needed to beat the Party of Obstruction this November
Dear Editor,
Candidates of the Party of Obstruction have revealed their three-part program to save our nation. No 1. Destroy Social Security. No. 2. Destroy Medicare. No. 3. Borrow an additional $364 billion from China to finance 10 years of tax cuts for wealthy Americans.
There are patriotic Americans fighting hard to get these candidates elected. Americans who want to put America back to work at decent paying jobs and end this grinding recession have to vote Nov. 2. The only way to get America working is to have a record voter turnout.
Frank Crosby, Morgan Hill
Columnist Martin Cheek showed great courage and insight
Dear Editor,
We’re blessed to have the writings of Martin Cheek. In his Aug. 27 column, Martin showed great courage and insight as he revealed the obstacles that cut short his boyhood, and he did a wonderful job of inspiring us to consider how our words and attitudes can affect others.
He certainly overcame the cruel suggestion that he bore responsibility for his father’s illness, and he has turned the positive acclaim of Palma High School’s staff into a devotion to sharing his knowledge of our region and enriching our lives. How many children have not been able to deflect undeserved scorn? How many have not had the advantage of acceptance?
As a teacher I sometimes caught myself drawing students’ attention to a litany of the times my expectations weren’t met. While expectations, and holding students to them, are very important, it’s best to focus on standards for upcoming tasks rather than being (in the phrase of a mentor), a “historian of failure.” That same mentor pushed me to “catch ’em in the act of doing good.” The same lessons can be applied in all our relationships; we simply have to remain aware of our influence.
While I’m singing the praise of one person from Morgan Hill, I’ll remind old timers of a mentor who challenged me to be the best teacher I could. Bob Caredio taught U.S. History at Live Oak High School for many years, and it was my privilege to be assigned as his student teacher in the spring of 1966.
While it was certainly not easy to live up to the expectations Bob Caredio inspired in me, and while I had to come to grips with developing a style consistent with my own personality, Bob left me with splendid examples of educational philosophy and methods – congratulations to all who benefited from his fine teaching.
Phill Laursen, Gilroy
