YOUR VIEWS

Congress deserves lowest rating

Dear Editor, 

Congress seems to deserve the 11 percent approval rating, since they are unwilling to support the American people and fight the Iraq insanity of Bush. Funds for Iraq should be paid as you go, not by borrowing money. Taxes are one way, perhaps the president and his supporters can suggest a better way that does not increase our debt. Timelines need to be a part of all funding legislation. Vetoes by the president would cut off the Iraq funding which would end the insane sacrifice of American lives. A steadfast course of action could increase approval to 12 percent, but more important is the best interests of our nation.  

Frank Crosby, Morgan Hill

Unfriendly pedestrian sidewalks

Downtown Plan update

Dear Editor,

The city’s October publication, “City Connection Morgan Hill News,” has the following statement about the Downtown Plan.

“The update to the plan will address a number of issues to encourage the continued redevelopment of downtown into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly atmosphere … .”

Is it fair to ask what is meant by these wonderful and flamboyant words, “pedestrian friendly?”

Morgan Hill citizens spent a lot of money to create pedestrian-friendly sidewalks in the downtown core. They were wide and beautifully landscaped. There are still some pedestrian-friendly sidewalks along the core, for example, like the ones in front of the Event Center and Theatre. The “core” sidewalks used to be a marvelous way to stroll and experience Morgan Hill. Now the sidewalks are obstructed retail space only for each merchant.

Morgan Hill residents give between $75,000 to $95,000 each year to a group called the Downtown Association. These merchants, with their city-paid consultants, devised a huge pedestrian-unfriendly situation in the downtown core. They came up with a plan to give the citizens’ sidewalks to the merchants as rent-free retail space. The city has given the downtown merchants thousands upon thousands of dollars worth of public pedestrian-friendly space to vend their wares. This gift has caused the sidewalks to be pedestrian un-friendly and maybe even pedestrian dangerous.

The city took some magnificent, and very wide, sidewalks and authorized the vendors to cover them with fences, tables, chairs, catalytic heaters, waitresses, large sandwich boards, merchandise, merchandise racks, huge trash cans, and wooden decorator boxes. In much of the area two people cannot walk side-by-side. Waiters at the sidewalk tables appear to be frustrated if pedestrians use their isles when they are serving tables. The tables and chairs are not for the comfort of the pedestrians – they are only for the purpose of selling food and wine. Pedestrians who have spent some time in the city cannot just sit and rest for a while. They cannot not sit and wait for their ride or a bus. Elderly, children and people with disabilities, who come to visit, must pay or move on. The sidewalk furniture is for “business only” and absolutely not for pedestrians. The sidewalks are now difficult to navigate for women with strollers, elderly, small children, people in electric or manual wheelchairs, and small groups who want to stroll and visit.

It is probable that the city managers have some great intentions. I believe, though, that it is absolutely vital to insist that the city managers say what they are doing and not. The citizens of Morgan Hill have already paid for pedestrian friendly sidewalks – they were given away. Is the Downtown Plan update implying that we will be paying the merchants to give back the sidewalks so that we will have pedestrian-friendly again.

Staten M. Johnston, Morgan Hill

Rotary celebrates giving in style

Dear Editor,

Cheers all around for making “Dazzle – A Celebration of Giving in Style” a total success that will give back many times over. Funds raised at the Oct. 12 luncheon and fashion show will go right back into the community through the service projects and charitable giving of Rotary Club of Morgan Hill.

Who do we appreciate? The 180 people who came to beautiful Willow Heights Mansion for a fun-filled, high energy and completely original fashion show with models of all ages and sizes. We are also thankful for the giving spirit and hard work of retail participants CordeValle, Doncaster/Carol Carr, E-Optometry, The Goddess Shop, Go Run Sports, Mafalda’s Bridal, Michelina’s, Royal Clothiers, Silpada Designs/Juli Hall and Specialized Bicycle Components – and hair and make-up by Cherisse’s Hair Salon & Day Spa. And our appreciation for the four dozen models who did everything from don pink wigs to execute a Graduate-style escape on a motorcycle in a wedding gown.

A salute to the local interior designers who created the ultimate raffle – beautiful spaces filled with gifts and treasures. Our ears still echo from screaming winners!

It takes great sponsors to do all this and we thank Wal-Mart, Morgan Hill Times, Allstate/Fuller-Logan Insurance Agency, David de la Cuesta, Ditmore Family Vineyards, Heritage Bank of Commerce, Johnson Garden Center, Saint Louise Regional Hospital, South Valley Disposal & Recycling, Design Factory Graphics, Hemingway Communications and Willow Heights Mansion, Anritsu, Brentwood Pacific Financial Corp., Jon Maxey Tile, Naturescape Environmental Design, Pinnacle Bank, Raymonde Etchebarne, Roger & Janie Knopf, Rosy’s at the Beach, South Valley Developers, Guglielmo Winery and many more.

For the hard-working Dazzle Committee, thank you for this year of planning and effort to make this happen. Our community is the winner!

Sandy de la Cuesta

Dazzle Chair, Rotary Club of Morgan Hill