County Will Pay for Draconian Safety Net Cuts
Dear Editor,
The canary in the mine is dying. The dire predictions of a, ” … crisis in the safety net for the whole county,” (May 8 Morgan Hill Times) resulting from the proposed draconian cuts in the county’s mental health budget are very real. I have been a mental health professional in Santa Clara County for the past 25 years (the last four in South County), and the magnitude of these proposed cuts would indeed eliminate any semblance of a safety net for thousands of the most vulnerable children, teens, and adults in our community. And let us not assuage our guilt by assuming that we are merely cutting “prevention services.” This county and the state long ago abandoned the mandate to provide preventative care, and the thousands who will be denied services by these proposed cuts experience severe impairment and debilitating mental illness.
Like the care repair ad of years ago when the crusty mechanic reminds us that we can, ” … pay (him) now, or pay (him) later,” this county will most assuredly “pay” far more for the care of those denied services, as they swell the populations of our jails, juvenile detention facilities, and emergency rooms.Â
Barry J. Goldman-Hall, Clinical director, Community Solutions
Congratulations to Retiring Teachers, Principals
Dear Editor,
I had the privilege of attending the celebration put on by the Morgan Hill Unified School District, honoring many teachers who will be retiring this year. Best wishes go out to all of the retirees. Having two children who attended Morgan Hill schools from K-12, I can honestly say that you have made a real difference.
Kathy Kammann, who guided both our children through her K-3 program, taught all the basics, reading, writing, life lessons with love and understanding. Always enthusiastic and positive, what a wonderful mentor and friend! Thank you, Kathy!
Carol Ferri for sixth grade was the perfect transition from kid to pre-teen. I cannot say enough about her ability to bring out the best in her students. She gives them enough lead to learn to be independent, while keeping close tabs to ensure that they are successful. Great job!
Donna Cowan puts so much heart and soul into her students and their success. Putting in many extra hours of work, encouragement and love, Donna goes the extra mile to foster her students ability to be the best that they can be. Thank you, Donna!
We are so lucky here in Morgan Hill to have many excellent teachers who devote themselves to their students and their profession.
Congratulations to all the retiring teachers and principals! We are just one family of thousands who have received the benefit of your career choices. Enjoy a little relaxation and a lot of fun!
Jan Martin, Morgan Hill
Public Trails Would Endanger Community
Dear Editor,
A large number of Jackson Oaks residents have attended two meetings where we have had presentations on the Trails and Natural Resources Study. In the meetings there were many concerns expressed about the proposed trails, and the audiences were overwhelmingly opposed to the trails. The first meeting on May 7 had approximately 200 Jackson Oaks property owners and the second meeting on May 14 had by city estimate over 250 attendees; all but eight are from Jackson Oaks. At each meeting many attendees presented arguments against the public trails in the open space areas adjacent to their homes, while only two favored the trails. Clearly, the consensus is to remove the Jackson Oaks trails from the master plan.
Because Jackson Oaks is mostly a hillside setting the typical trail experience is much different. For this reason there were many objections to the trails proposal and to the general facts as presented by the consultants hired by the city. Principal among the objections were an increase to the existing fire hazard risk, random intruders into unfenced back yards and increased exposure to criminal activity. In addition the neighborhood will encounter traffic problems with ‘outsiders’ parking along the narrow streets (only driveway parking is generally available) to access trails. Many more reasons, too numerous to list here were voiced. This opposition is not a matter of not accepting a recreation opportunity; it is entirely a matter of compromising safety and security.
There was expert testimony by a retired fire captain and two retired policemen from Morgan Hill about the difficulty of providing firefighting responses and policing activities. A safety expert also expressed concerns about the conclusions reached by the consultant. Past exposures to fire and criminal activity were presented. The danger is not a speculation; it is real.
To this point almost 60 percent of Jackson Oaks households have signed a petition opposing the Jackson Oaks trails. We fervently hope that the voice of the people will be heard on this issue.
George Nale, Isobel Nale, Lynn Liebschutz and Philip Bogosian, Morgan Hill
