Letters to the Editor

Grateful for Paradise Valley Teachers

Dear Editor,

Paradise Valley Elementary School has been blessed with wonderful teachers throughout the years. Three of those teachers, Kathie Kammann, Carol Ferri, and Karen Nelson are retiring this year. During their long careers these women have touched the lives of hundreds of families. The Paradise Valley community wants to send them out with a special good-bye. If any readers or their children were students of these teachers, I am asking that they send them a special letter of thanks. Send any letters, non-returnable photos or cards to 235A East Edmundson Ave., in Morgan Hill by May 31. They can also visit with them on June 6 from 2-4pm at Paradise Park. I want them to know how many lives they have touched forever by being a teacher. 

Catherine Cano, Morgan Hill

Where Will We Park to Use Proposed Trails?

Dear Editor,

In reference to your May 18 editorial in favor of the public trails around the Jackson Oaks area, I don’t agree with the statement made about cars, “But above all, as Morgan Hill engineer David Gittleson said let’s ‘provide safe walking routes, get people out of their cars and promote healthy living … ‘ ” Since most Morgan Hill residents are at least three-plus miles away from the proposed public trails, how does Gittleson intend these residents arrive at the trials? With cars. And where will all these cars park? Must we continue paving over more beautiful land to make room for more parking lots? 

S. Hinshaw, Morgan Hill

Consider Safety Issues in Trails Debate

Dear Editor,

As a longtime resident of Jackson Oaks, I find your editorial in favor of the public trails off the mark.

There are many reasons why the trails are not appropriate for Jackson Oaks.  I am sure you have heard them all, but just to reiterate:

• Fire risks

• Thieves, vandalism, etc.

• Liability for anyone walking through it because of the wild life around here (snakes, mountain lions, etc.)

• I have two little children who play outside all the time, I don’t want strangers walking in my backyard.

Furthermore, there’s no infrastructure for maintaining the trail. Who would clean it? Who will take the trash out? 

How do we take care of the parking? How do we handle the traffic jam?  There is not much room for more cars to go up and down the hill.

Bottom line, if this trail is being setup for us, the residents of Jackson Oaks, we DO NOT want it!

Azadeh Ghiasvand, Morgan Hill

Appalled by Trails Editorial

Dear Editor,

I am totally appalled over yours and the Morgan Hill Times’ stance towards residents requesting the Jackson Oaks neighborhood be omitted from the city’s trail master plan. One would have hoped that as a journalist, you would have gathered the appropriate back-up material prior to making such scathing comments. Obviously you did not read the study or any of the references submitted by the consultant. Let’s just cover the fire safety issue. Under the breakdown of 214 fires in Sonoma County in 1996 wildfire activity, not one category identifies cause as being from wildlife. Take a look at the breakdown and it is obvious the majority of wildfires identified were caused by humans. Hence a “calm and reasonable” person could only conclude the risk of fire is greatly increased with the presence of humans. Your accusation of “bogeyman-like fears” is absurd! By the way – have you seen evidence of the recent fire along Coyote Creek Trail? Do your homework!

David Dindak, Morgan Hill

Times Trails Editorial Was Biased

Dear Editor,

I was appalled when I read your recent editorial “City on the Right Trail to Healthy Living.” Did you even attend the community meeting hosted by the City of Morgan Hill? There were fire and law enforcement officials who explained the dangers and risks of the proposed trail system in the open-space within the Jackson Oaks Community; recommending to the city that it was NOT a good idea. What makes you think that your righteous biased opinion holds more weight than professionals who have trained and spent years protecting the public? 

Sherry Purser, Morgan Hill

Fire Safety Concern is No Bogeyman Fear

Dear Editor,

I wish to reply to your May 18 public trails editorial. First, the residents of Jackson Oaks have NOT raised “bogeyman-like fears of public trails” in our neighborhood. As of Friday more than 60 percent of all homes in Jackson Oaks have signed the petition against trails in our neighborhood. To me this is no indication of “bogeyman fears.” it shows real concerns of logically-thinking residents.

My fears are based on FACTS not loony ideas. In 1985 a fire consumed the whole hill side behind our house. Within 15 minutes fire had reached from north-northwest to south-southeast, burning anything in its path. At that time fires were destroying Redwood Estates and threats to Los Gatos. Our fire was observed, but only by air. No fire fighters were available for our threat. We sat up all night expecting the explosive fire to cross Coyote creek and consume Jackson Oaks homes. Friends from San Jose helped us collect valuables, and we filled three cars with our belongings. THIS IS A FACT – NO BOGEYMAN fears. Since that time homes have burned here because the fire engine took too long climbing Dune Avenue and Jackson Oaks Drive.

Healthy living can be pursued at the newly opened Dowdy Ranch, Henry Coe Park, the Rosendin county park at the end of Holiday Drive, and the seldom-used Coyote Creek trail that extends from Morgan Hill to San Jose.

Karl Kinker, Morgan Hill

Are Trails More Important than Potential Threats?

Dear Editor,

I cannot believe that anyone that is familiar with the open space area in question in Jackson Oaks can believe that there would not be a significant fire danger if trails are built. It is not possible to fight a fire effectively in this terrain. These are real people’s homes, lives and memories. Can anyone be so blind as to think that these trails are so important that the risk is justified? I have lived in Jackson Oaks for 18 years. I do not want to lose my home and the environment to a careless cigarette or match.

By the way, it is not just the Morgan Hill residents that are invited to use the trails. it’s everyone and anyone! There is no way around it, there will be unwanted traffic using the trails.

Kurt Hollibaugh, Morgan Hill

Trails would Pose Real Fire Dangers

Dear Editor,

Surely someone at the Times remembers 1985, when the mountain (Finley Ridge) behind Jackson Oaks was consumed in flames. Trees were exploding into the air and burning bushes were falling down the mountainside.

The only thing that saved Jackson Oaks and Holiday Lakes were favorable wind conditions and the creek bed between us and the mountain. Had that fire crossed over it would have crowned and swept up the hill, taking a lot of homes with it. All the firefighters were at Lexington Reservoir but even they could not have stopped it.

Firefighting equipment can not get behind some of the homes on Live Oak Lane. The open space behind at least three of the homes has about 110 feet of weedy meadow with trees which the city does not clear or maintain. YES, WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE DANGER OF FIRE. 

How about adding fire and police professionals to your editorial board when public trail issues come up?

George and Isobel Nale, Hal and Nancy Caplener, Bill and Laura Durica, of Morgan Hill

Against Trails Due to Safety, Not Privacy Concerns

Dear Editor,

I am a Jackson Oaks resident and I am strongly opposed to a trail system in my community because of the fire danger and the local fire department’s inability to meet such a challenge. In addition, fighting a fire in this terrain is very difficult. And, there is only one road in and out of our community. Many homes and lives could be lost because of these factors. 

I’m also concerned with increased crime in our area and the lack of support from our local police department. I’ve lived in Jackson Oaks for 18 months and I have NEVER seen a police car in our area. The police department is not staffed to patrol our area, so how will it prevent crime, or be able to follow up on it when it occurs? 

To say that we are “raising bogeyman-like fears” is irresponsible journalism. Our fears are very real and very valid. Please don’t allow your writers to continue to insult the residents of Jackson Oaks. You are alienating a community by judging our realistic fears as trivial. It’s not about privacy, it’s about safety. 

R. Leonard, Morgan Hill