Letters

Please consider joining us for our annual Memorial Day Ceremony held in downtown Morgan Hill. We will gather to honor those who have served in our Armed Forces, sing traditional patriotic songs, and hear the names of those Morgan Hill soldiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. Our ceremony begins at 9am on Monday, May 28, at First Street and Monterey Road.Parents, this event quite clearly defines the meaning of Memorial Day. Please consider bringing your youngsters to help them discover Memorial Day isn't just the “beginning of summer,” but a time to pay tribute to America's fallen heroes.Children should wear red, white and/or blue. Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts are encouraged to wear their uniforms.So many of our cherished American traditions remain alive and well in our Morgan Hill Community. The event concludes at 9:30 a.m., leaving time for family activities. Hope to see you there!Karen Ann CraneMorgan Hill

On the June 5 ballot, Santa Clara County voters will be asked whether or not to recall Judge Aaron Persky, the judge who sentenced former Stanford student Brock Turner for sexual assault. I urge all voters to vote NO to the recall and here is why.Let me be clear, rape, sexual assault, domestic violence and similar offenses are wrong, illegal, and those who commit these offenses should be held accountable. The issue is whether Judge Persky acted in a way that deserves a recall.While many believe the sentence in the Turner case was too lenient, the sentence was lawful and followed the recommendation of the probation officer.The recall campaign claims that Judge Persky is an “outlier” in his sentencing and that his cases show a “pattern of bias” toward white, privileged athletes. These assertions are false.Jeff Rosen, the Santa Clara County District Attorney and Molly O’Neal, Santa Clara County Public Defender, both oppose the recall. They each confirm they never received one report, phone call or email complaining about the conduct of Judge Persky or heard any suggestion that Judge Persky ever acted with bias in any case. Had they received such a complaint, they would have taken action.The California Commission on Judicial Performance thoroughly investigated Judge Persky’s prior sentences and found no bias or misconduct.While Judge Persky presided over more than 2,000 cases, the recall campaign identified five cases they felt support a pattern of bias; that’s .25 percent or one-quarter of one percent of Judge Persky’s cases.That is not a pattern!Four out of five of those cases were the result of a plea bargain between the DA and the defense. In only one case was the defendant an athlete (and he was African-American), and in only one case was the defendant white (and he was not an athlete).Finally, this recall threatens judicial Independence. Judges take an oath to follow the law and not to follow popular opinion. We do not want to politicize our judges. They are not politicians and should not give in to popular sentiment.This case has created a lot of emotion, but also a lot of misleading and inaccurate information. Get the facts at norecall2018.org and vote no on June 5.Swanee EdwardsMorgan Hill

Honesty. Integrity. Transparency. None of these words appeared in this newspaper’s May 3 editorial. In their place, Laurie Smith is referenced fourteen times. No other phrase appears more often, not even close.Nowhere in the editorial did this newspaper mention John Hirokawa’s nearly four decades of distinguished law enforcement experience serving and protecting the people of South County. No mention was made of Hirokawa's universal support from law enforcement groups, including the Deputy Sheriff’s Association of Santa Clara County, the Peace Officers Research Association of California, Gilroy Police Officers’ Association, and over 80 career law enforcement individuals and organizations.That should tell you everything you need to know when this newspaper mentions John Hirokawa’s readiness.This newspaper just can’t see the safety of South County residents for all it’s Laurie Smith’s.Fortunately, South County voters read past this propaganda. In the 2014 election, I was honored to receive the support of a majority of South County voters despite similar efforts to distort the truth.The truth is that Smith has fought reforms every step of the way. As of April 2018, she paid an out-of-state consultant nearly $75,000 of taxpayer funds for a biased report that undermined independent oversight of the county jails.I ask South County to join the chorus of law enforcement and community members supporting John Hirokawa for a safer Santa Clara County. This group includes myself, retired Sheriff Bob Winter,and retired Judge Ladoris Cordell. Cordell advocated for a change in leadership alongside the Blue Ribbon Commission in response to the 2015 murder of a mentally disabled inmate.Vote for John Hirokawa for Sheriff to restore honesty, integrity, and transparency to our county's top law enforcement job.Kevin Jensen, Retired Sheriff’s CaptainJohn Hirokawa for Sheriff

The Morgan Hill Times article dated April 26, 2018 (“Moque project to face public review by summer”) is one-sided. The quote from the mother of the bullied student, who admits that the problem had been resolved a year ago, just instilled more negativity and caused dystopia.  Throughout history there is documented ill will. Concerning the Cordoba project (Mosque) in San Martin, not all who make threatening comments are from the “Muslims Go Home” side. I too have felt threatened by comments voiced to me. Was it because I am from San Martin? Was I singled out because I am a woman? Regardless, it was unacceptable, and caused angst.  But I am tired of the fear mongering and accusations against the residents of San Martin, from people who don't have a clear understanding about this unincorporated village.People are so quick to judge, cast the first stone and accuse others of being anti-Muslim or xenophobic. However, there were no cries of racism, or anti-Baptist slurs when the county denied the application (for the same parcel) years prior to  the Cordoba project application. The county denied it based on zoning.The county has since updated its zoning code, and there are many facts to be considered from all sides of the spectrum.The comment that "County planners have told the residents that the county cannot legally reject a project based on the religion of those who proposed it" is very condescending and offensive.  San Martin residents are not ignorant, and have stood firm on the fact that “Size Matters” in San Martin.The following are just a few serious concerns related to the Cordoba project:1. This project defies the guidelines of the Santa Clara County San Martin Integrated Design Plan;2. It is in very close proximity to Llagas Creek;3. There have been years of poor percolation testing, and the parcel floods southwest to Harding Avenue;4. The existing curve of Monterey Road, may necessitate the need for turning lanes and possible traffic signals;5.  San Martin does not have the community resources that a city has—most residents are entirely dependent upon private wells for potable water (drinking and bathing), and according to the World Health Organization guidelines, entirely too close for a proposed cemetery;6.  There would be excessive lighting at night for a development of this magnitude, which would affect wildlife.There was a reason the county established the San Martin Integrated Design Plan for San Martin. Yet, for years, our voices to protect this unique rural community have fallen on deaf ears.  Many thanks to San Martin Neighborhood Alliance, there is finally dialogue with the county, and the San Martin community has gained some respect.A South County traffic study is just underway, but will take a couple years to complete, so it is unknown how traffic will be impacted with a development of this magnitude.The article quotes plans "designed to accommodate up to'300 people at a time,” but claims there are presently 400 members of the South Valley Islamic Community who proposed the Cordoba project. In 2006-07, I had a discussion with Bill Shoe from the county planning office about the Cordoba Center application. He said the application on file was for a 25,000-square-foot development, and it was denied because of the project size. Those plans were to serve worshipers from the North Bay to San Benito County.  I do believe Size Matters in San Martin. Illustrations of the proposed Cordoba project, although lovely, show a facility that is much larger than any existing religious institutions in San Martin.Connie LudewigSan Martin

I am a Vietnam Veteran with school-age grandchildren. Assault weapons are weapons of war designed for maximum lethality with high rates of fire at high velocity. In seconds, due to this high velocity, the bullet energy destroys bones and organs. This is not your grandfather’s hunting rifle.My grandchildren have active shooter training to hide, flee or confront a shooter—really? I didn’t have to think about being shot until the military.Arming teachers? Aside from whether this is appropriate, it is not doable given school campus size and points of vulnerability. Just ask anyone who has set up a defensive perimeter with overlapping fields of fire.Should we have employees of shopping malls, movie theaters, churches and other gathering places also armed? There is a simpler solution: a national ban on assault weapons like the AR-15.Ask your elected representatives to support such a ban.Pete KutrasMorgan Hill

Regarding the article on Feb. 9 about ESL classes at Nordstrom Elementary during the school day, as a former Nordstrom parent who volunteered in my children’s classes for 14 years, I think it’s wonderful they are offering ESL classes to its parents.Providing critical programs for parents at our schools during the school day makes sense. Improved communication will help them to support their student. Children will see their parents’ desire to learn, strengthening the value of education as well as help them see that learning is a lifelong process.Lifting up the parents and children in our community only helps strengthen Morgan Hill.I feel proud living in a community that sees the value of being inclusive and supporting our diverse residents.An environment of fear only divides and weakens us.Jenny KirchhoffMorgan Hill

I hope the Morgan Hill City Council does the right thing and allows a marijuana dispensary in Morgan Hill.As it is, I have to travel to San Jose to get CBD, a non-psychoactive extract of marijuana. I use it for my bursitis in my left hip, and by using it, I am able to walk five miles without pain. I am able to sleep on my left side now, which I was not able to do before.CBD improves my health and I don't get high from it.Please, please allow a dispensary in Morgan Hill.Linda O'MaleyMorgan Hill

Friends and Family of Nisei Veterans (FFNV), a locally-based, multi-state Japanese-American veterans’ group, will hold its annual meeting Feb. 10 at the Morgan Hill Buddhist Community Center, 16450 Murphy Ave.  The main guest speaker will be Congressional Medal of Honor recipient James Taylor, who was the Grand Marshal of the 2015 Independence Day Parade in Morgan Hill. The host will be Lawson Sakai, who is President of FFNV and also Grand Marshal of the 2014 parade.On Nov. 9, 1967, First Lieutenant Taylor was serving in Vietnam as a cavalry officer. When his troops came under intense enemy fire and one armored assault vehicle was hit, Lt. Taylor jumped into action.The Medal of Honor citation reads: “His actions of unsurpassed valor were a source of inspiration to his entire troop, contributed significantly to the success of the overall assault on the enemy position, and were directly responsible for saving the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers.”The public is cordially invited to attend at 12:30pm.Brian ShiroyamaMorgan Hill

Here’s a solution to High Speed Rail through Morgan Hill: I read an article that the city of Hawthorne, Calif., has signed a contract with the Elon Musk boring company to bore a two-mile tunnel for traffic. Why can't the state do the same thing with the High Speed Rail to bypass Morgan Hill downtown?Since there are no stops in Morgan Hill, this should be easy to do. Make it big enough for two trains (four tracks), and you can run the regular Union Pacific trains through it too. Morgan Hill could chip in for that as it will be a big benefit to the quality of life along the current Union Pacific tracks, where there have been a lot of homes built up lately.I don't understand why Gov. Jerry Brown hasn't proposed that solution. It would make his HSR less expensive. Seems like an easy, cheaper solution.Regards,Mark ZiebarthMorgan Hill

Thank You, Morgan HillOn behalf of Michelle's husband Dustin, daughter Kennedy, and our entire family, we want to thank the City Council, Morgan Hill teammates and the community for your overwhelming support and generosity.Your display of compassion helped all of us as we struggled to understand why Michelle was taken from us at this time. Morgan Hill's kindness was reflective of the way Michelle lived her life, and we know she is thankful for all that the Morgan Hill community has done for her family. We thank you all for your ongoing support during this difficult time. It’s another example of why Morgan Hill is such a special, caring community.Steve and Helene RymerSteve Rymer is the former city manager of Morgan Hill.Too early for legal potIt's still early days for recreational marijuana in California. Why the rush to allow the marijuana industry in Morgan Hill?While it's unclear what legal marijuana will ultimately look like in this state, it is certain that many voters will regret having voted “yes" on Proposition 64 once the costs to law enforcement, public health, and quality of life are realized.Ryan TreffersMorgan Hill