Dear Editor, This is a big, warm thank you to all who
participated and joined us at the 50th Anniversary of the Morgan
Hill Haru Matsuri which took place April 18 at the Morgan Hill
Buddhist Community Center.
Thanks to everyone for a successful 50th Haru Matsuri Festival
Dear Editor,
This is a big, warm thank you to all who participated and joined us at the 50th Anniversary of the Morgan Hill Haru Matsuri which took place April 18 at the Morgan Hill Buddhist Community Center. As the longest ongoing festival in South County, it is events like these that have been instrumental in bringing people together to celebrate our sense of community. Many who attended left with increased knowledge of our culture, local history and a heighten awareness in the value of ethnic diversity.
The value of our local business community involvement in the form of sponsorships not only provides stability for events but lets residents know that these businesses are supportive of our community. We are grateful to all the sponsors, like the Morgan Hill Times, Savant Group, Jon Hatakeyama, DDS, Don Nguyen, DDS, Recology, the city of Morgan Hill, the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce, the Morgan Hill Downtown Association, KICU-TV 36, KBAY, Louis Tieu, DDS, MD, Tommy Tong, DDS, Gary Nishimura, DDS, Randall Chung, OD, Erika Gabor, DDS, Evergeen Ceramics, Stephen C. Smith, DDS, South Valley National Bank, Johnson Lumber/Ace Hardware, Anritsu, Fry’s Electronics, Morgan Hill Honda, Concepts & Design, Ford Store, Kumon Math and other contributors for their participation in making our event a tremendous success.
These events do not happen without good leadership. The success came as a result of hundreds of hours and work from chairman Dr. Jon Hatakeyama. The positive efforts of founding members of the Nisei generation were celebrated well with effort from the event chairs, Dr. Ron & Tillie Mayeda, Scott Nishimura, Paul Yoshikawa, Jeff Blackden, Murv Little, Brian Shiroyama, Mambo Ichisaka, and Bill Moton, just to name a few. There are so many others. Youth members of the Live Oak FBLA, Sobrato CSF, Emerald Regime, and local Boy Scouts were on hand for the energies needed to keep the festival maintained.
Thank you to for making the 50th anniversary one to definitely remember!
Rosemary Kamei, Haru Matsuri Fundraising Chair
Seems police are not living up to their mission statement
Dear Editor,
Traveling to the San Jose area for a pre-move, get-to-know-the-area vacation, I flew into San Jose Airport from Denver March 16, picked up my rental car and started driving south on U.S. 101, and stopped for lunch in Morgan Hill. After lunch, trying to find my way back onto 101, I made a U-turn on Madrone Parkway crossing over a double yellow line. Instantly, I got pulled over by a Morgan Hill police officer. He told me that this was an illegal U-turn. Without any hesitation he wrote me a $222 ticket.
Later I read the “California Driver Handbook.” Section “Legal U-Turns” reads: “You may make a legal U-turn across a double yellow line when it is safe and legal.” Also there is a section named “Illegal U-Turns.” It reads “Never make a U-turn in business districts. Turn only at an intersection or where openings are provided for turns.” One side of Madrone Parkway, is a large open field, the other side is a Courtyard Inn. Is this a “business district”? In Colorado this is a legal U-turn. This officer showed no compassion or understanding for this out-of state driver. Needless to say I chose not to stay in Morgan Hill.
I am a 58-year-old, law-abiding citizen, with a valid Colorado driver’s license. I obey all traffic law. Driving for 46 years, I’ve never had a ticket before now, not even a parking ticket.
Below is a message from Police Chief Bruce Cumming. It seems to me that he and his officers are not living up to this mission statement:
“Our mission is to provide quality, cost effective police services to everyone who lives, works or visits Morgan Hill. We strive to accomplish that mission through community involvement and innovative use of our resources. Moreover, it is our goal to carry out our work employing the highest levels of honesty, integrity and compassion while treating all persons with dignity and respect.”
Gary Weckstrom, Littleton, Colo
