Letters: Downtown will eventually need more parking spaces

I am concerned about the planned 500 residences in the downtown
area. Where will they put the 1,000 parking spaces that will be
needed? Most of the residential units will need space for two cars
plus guests.
Downtown will eventually need more parking spaces

Dear Editor,

I am concerned about the planned 500 residences in the downtown area. Where will they put the 1,000 parking spaces that will be needed? Most of the residential units will need space for two cars plus guests.

It would be nice if each unit would only have one vehicle, but that is not very realistic. At least 50 percent will have a second vehicle and there will be guests visiting. If we do not plan enough parking for the residential units, there will be no parking for the people who want to shop or dine in the downtown area.

People will not park at the Community Center if they want to visit the area around First, Second or Third streets.

Nancie Barker, Morgan Hill

Some changes needed in American health care system

Dear Editor,

Expand Medicare to cover all age groups. Let this be the public option. Make it illegal for health insurance companies to deny coverage for pre-conditions. These two changes will make an immediate improvement in American health care.

Frank Crosby, Morgan Hill

Is our tax money spent on the Chamber being used wisely?

Dear Editor,

As the annual “Taste of Morgan Hill” event draws closer, it’s important to be aware of the unprecedented lobbying efforts of the United States Chamber of Commerce, the parent organization of the “Taste of Morgan Hill” sponsoring organization, towards the goal of defeating healthcare reform.

It is also essential to understand that at least $118,400 of our tax dollars is going to fund the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce.

Will proceeds from “Taste of Morgan Hill, and the grant of $118,400 by the Joint Special & Regular City Council and Redevelopment Agency (1), be used strictly for local boosterism, or will the proceeds be co-mingled with funds used for political lobbying? Is it realistic to believe that one source of funding can be firewalled?

Supporting Morgan Hill business and showcasing our wonderful city is important. Having this event under the auspices of, and to the benefit of, a partisan organization raises troubling questions;

1. How much of the cost for street closures, police, medical and fire protection are borne by tax dollars?

2. What other public funds are used for this event?

3. How much of the “Taste of Morgan Hill” proceeds will fund political lobbying?

4. How much of the $118,400 grant will support political lobbying efforts?

The Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce has long relied on funding from the taxpayers of the City of Morgan Hill. The Chamber has continually promised to reduce its level of requested funding from the taxpayers of Morgan Hill.

Why are my tax dollars being used in this manner?

(1) Reference: July 1, 2009 Joint Special & Regular City Council and Regular Redevelopment Agency Meeting minutes. A motion by Vice-Chairman Greg Sellers and seconded by agency member Larry Carr, had the Agency Board unanimously (5-0) authorize the executive director to prepare and execute an agreement with the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce for an amount not to exceed $118,400, to the Chamber of Commerce.

Tony Tissot, Morgan Hill

Tax credits to improve fuel efficiency would be a better program

Dear Editor,

Understandably the “Cash for Clunkers” program is wildly popular among new car dealers, car makers and those consumers who have the ability to buy a new vehicle. However, the majority of Americans cannot afford a new car payment today, but they probably can afford to trade up to a newer used vehicle or make their current vehicle more fuel-efficient.

Routine vehicle maintenance for an entire year costs a consumer less than a single monthly new car payment and would be significantly more successful in reducing gasoline use and pollution than “Cash for Clunkers.” Vehicle maintenance would save consumers $30 billion in gasoline a year vs. spending $3 billion in taxpayer dollars to buy new cars.

While “Cash for Clunkers” is estimated to save 72 million gallons of gasoline each year, simple vehicle maintenance would save more than 12 billion gallons of gasoline a year – an amount equivalent to all of the gasoline used in Illinois, Michigan and Connecticut in one year.

Additionally, vehicle maintenance does not require destroying perfectly good used vehicles that could be sold or donated to people who cannot afford a new car.

Doesn’t it make more sense to give a tax credit or other incentive to the majority of Americans to improve the fuel efficiency, safety and dependability of their current vehicle, rather than taking their tax dollars to help a small minority of consumers and pump up new car dealer profits?

Kathleen Schmatz, President & CEO Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, Bethesda, Maryland