Letters

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 

A city councilmember gets arrested, accused of domestic battery. Days later, the Times reports that the same councilmember had a prior arrest and conviction for a similar charge, along with another alleged, but unreported, domestic incident.  Other than two councilmembers and one public speaker, the community goes silent. No other community leaders are speaking up. No victims advocates are speaking up. Not even those who unsuccessfully stood as potential community leaders to be selected for a vacant council seat are speaking up. I, too, am guilty of not speaking up, although I did speak out in emails to members of the council to express myself.To be clear, I'm not talking about speaking out publicly to crucify Mr. Carr. I agree with those who say the public shouldn't be judge and jury, that Mr. Carr deserves his right to due process and his day in court. Yes...for his case.  As a publicly elected official, however, if he willing sought community judgment on his character and integrity when he campaigned in 2016 and accepted the community's jury vote that gave him the council seat, then I see no reason to dissuade public opinion in judging his character and integrity now.It would also seem hypocritical, given Mr. Carr's recent campaign to plead his case in the public forum of his councilmember social media page.But debating Mr. Carr's guilt or innocence is irrelevant to me. What I'm questioning is the apparent lack of community involvement and discussion about a topic that currently hangs over our city's leadership, and is one at the forefront of social discussion on a national level.I've watched Morgan Hill residents unite to walk downtown for pedestrian safety when a child was injured. The community rallied on immigration issues, for the protection of Dreamers. The community has discussed minority rights and promoted diversity in the past. The community has participated in anti-bullying campaigns.  Why does it seem the community is not open to a discussion about violence? And all types of violence—physical and emotional, domestic and otherwise.While the highly regarded Mr. Carr is unfortunately in the spotlight, his position or social standing shouldn't be a barrier to public discussion about violence issues, identification of networks and resources for victims, and for making a statement that this community is proactive in tackling difficult, emotional issues openly and without waiting for the judge's gavel to drop.Chris MonackMorgan Hill

For years, San Martin residents have voiced concerns to the county for approving construction without considering concerns of residents. In recent years, San Martin residents have been victims of perchlorate contamination from Olin Corporation, the Waste Transfer Site next to the elementary school and the recurring raw sewage contamination assault from Morgan Hill.  Last winter, when the sewer trunk system (managed by Morgan Hill and Gilroy) spilled hundreds of gallons of raw sewage onto Llagas Creek, San Martin roads and farmland, neither city would claim responsibility to ensure San Martin residents (and the environment) were safe.  And now we are watching San Martin become a rural speedway! On the rural roads of San Martin, where equestrians could once meander, commuters zoom at highway speeds, having no respect for the residents and the serene country roads.The community of San Martin needs immediate action, and attention placed on the damage and danger speeding commuters are inflicting. Truckers notoriously use the roads as a detour from U.S. 101, and daily commuters are following suit. Through these rural roads, drivers are racing at excessive speeds down Columbet, Middle, Murphy and Sycamore avenues. Residents—attempting to exit their driveways or just to retrieve their mail—are jeopardizing their lives as they dodge rude, horn-honking, reckless speeding drivers.Were traffic studies really considered when Morgan Hill and Gilroy approved their many massive housing developments? Was the unincorporated rural community of San Martin ever taken into consideration?  Back in 2000, dispiritedness within the community grew and a few residents formed the San Martin Neighborhood Alliance (SMNA) in order to provide one voice for the community.  Year after year, SMNA and advocates for keeping San Martin’s rural integrity have continued to speak up at the Santa Clara County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors meetings about the dangerous scenarios we face on the rural roads in San Martin.  Unfortunately, most county representatives do not live in South County; nor are they familiar with the rural lifestyle many in San Martin live and how it differs from the big city.SMNA (sanmartinneighbor.org) continues to address concerns of large developments that are being proposed in San Martin. Some applications submitted for development in San Martin include proposals on Sycamore Avenue, San Martin Avenue, California Avenue and Monterey Road. These projects WILL significantly impact our rural roads and neighborhoods. These applications should necessitate LOCAL TRAFFIC SAFETY studies.There is a county document known at the San Martin Integrated Design Plan (SMIDP), which is supposed to be the guidelines used when building in San Martin. The rural roads of San Martin were not designed for heavy commuter traffic, nor daily treks of semi-trucks escaping the U.S. 101 check stops or hauling enormous daily loads.  The San Martin community is also being used as an “unauthorized park-n-ride” by commuters. There are several areas near Mama’s Market where the soft shoulder of the road is being ruined by commuters parking their vehicles there all day. Then, upon returning to their vehicles, drivers are regularly seen congregating and drinking alcohol until dusk at the corner of Sycamore and San Martin Avenues.  Why is this outdoor bar activity being ignored by the authorities? This just compounds an already dangerous combination of heavy traffic, with impatient drivers, who are now intoxicated.  Not only should there be “no parking” signs, but also “no drinking in public.”  Furthermore, there is consternation about the additional proposed project at this location for a porta-potty storage business. In addition to the concerns about more traffic, there are valid environmental concerns due to the proximity of this business being along Llagas Creek. This is entirely absurd!Residents are sharing facts about auto accidents of loved ones that continue to take place throughout San Martin.It seems from all the online comments from San Martin neighbors, that something needs to take place. Here are some general ideas: 1) a better sheriff presence; 2) “local traffic only” signage; 3) speed bumps; 4) more four-way stop signs; 5) yellow flashing warnings to slow down.  Although this may impact residents from getting around, it will improve chances of surviving another day on the road.  San Martin residents need your support!Connie LudewigSan Martin

In light of recent events, and letters defending David Wolfsmith (a 51-year-old personal trainer and former owner of a Morgan Hill gym, who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting more than a dozen female victims—one of them a child), I would like to share some thoughts, from a victim of sexual abuse as a 7-year-old.  Being a victim of such acts changes your entire life. I suffered in silence, and felt fear, shame and guilt daily. Now I know that those feelings belong to the perpetrator of my abuse—NOT ME.  It took me 25 years to speak about what happened to me as a child, and it is still not easy. I want other victims to know that it may take years, as it did for me, to realize that what happened to you was NOT your fault. There is help. Therapy has helped save my life.To those people who say things like, “He is a good man,” or, “I never saw those things happen,” that’s how abusers work. They keep up the appearance of a good upstanding citizen, while being a monster behind the disguise. That’s how they are able to keep abusing more victims.  I’m not claiming to know every detail of this particular case, but blaming the victims or saying, “They’re just in it for a payday,” is harmful to the victims who are already suffering enough.  NO amount of money can fix what’s been done to you and restore your trust in people. There is no big payday for victims of sexual assault. Many victims can’t even speak about what happened to them, let alone pursue their case legally.So many victims suffer in silence. I want those victims to know they are NOT alone. There are others who know your pain, believe you, and will support you. It is not an easy road; anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD—it’s all real, but if we support each other, instead of adding more pain to people already suffering, that is at least a start.Sandra WillsonSan Martin  

I would like to join the many voters in Morgan Hill that agree with John McKay’s “Our Town” commentary (from the Sept. 15 edition of the Morgan Hill Times) regarding district elections. Not only is district voting a travesty, but it is an insult to every voter in our city!We do not need to be told how to vote or who to vote for. The fact is, our city council has enjoyed amazing representation of the diversity of Morgan Hill. When we had a choice to vote someone out of council and vote for a new candidate, we did. This district voting scheme is just that: another way for losing candidates to force themselves on the voting public!Look at what has happened at the Morgan Hill Unified School District! In the last election, we had one district with only one candidate, because other very qualified candidates lived outside that district.District elections narrow our choices and may very well force the voters to send an unqualified candidate to office.On the MHUSD board, we have a split board that rarely, if ever agrees with one another, and we have a board member that we know very little about that ran unopposed from her district. We, in Morgan Hill, deserve better than this on our school board and at city council!Please don’t insult our intelligence with district elections and term limits. Let the voters decide who is best qualified and aligns with our values in order to address the complicated issues we face.This insult is being forced upon us because of a few losers that ran and did not win want an advantage to their losing cause.A threat of a lawsuit is a challenge, not a reason to roll over and give these losers an advantage. Shame on us!Ever Onward,Swanee EdwardsMorgan Hill

I’m Lance Wolfsmith, Dave Wolfsmith’s son. Despite the local smear campaign against my father, my family and I couldn’t be prouder to call Morgan Hill home. I’m eternally grateful for amazing support my family has received from many in the community.I’ve been a Wolfpak member for 20 years, and I know every victim personally. What you’ve seen in the media is the perception of less than 2 percent of the athletes my father coached. I refuse to let this be his legacy.My father’s passion and conviction makes him polarizing. You don’t hire a coach if you're satisfied with your current situation, and when you hire my dad, your success becomes his priority. Through expert knowledge, passion and accountability, his clients achieved amazing results.The most profound memory with my dad was before my freshman year of high school when he set aside time for goal setting. Measurable goals were inappropriate because my ability was unknown, so my father simply asked me how good I wanted to be. Naturally, I wanted to be the best, so he made known the sacrifice and hard work that would be required. He assured me that together, we would accomplish my goals, and until those goals changed he would hold me accountable. Because of my father’s commitment to me, I was blessed with a lot of success during my high school and collegiate athletic career.What’s amazing is that commitment wasn’t exclusive to me. Over his 30-year career, nearly 1,000 clients received his commitment. He trained the full spectrum of athletes—from children and soccer moms, to collegiate athletes and elite military operators. Not once did my father advertise; every client was the result of a praising recommendation.I’ll never know the “why” behind these accusations. I have years of great memories with each victim and knew these people better than many members of my own family. Many trained years ago, a few came and went multiple times, but all continued to train at their own will after their assaults. The toughest for me to wrap my head around is that a group of victims trained with my father up until his arrest.My intent isn't to attack any victims, but to shed light on the other side to this story. I believe most people in our community have good intentions, but they've only been exposed to an extremely biased fraction of the story.Martin Luther King said, “Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”Sexual assault accusations do not always require physical evidence for a conviction, which leaves no tolerance for ignorance. Before his plea, my father’s accusations were broadcasted to millions, his business was taken, and he spent nearly a year in jail. As a community, that should concern everyone.I was raised a strong supporter of the law, but my family learned the hard way that innocence until proven guilty is nothing but a fantasy reserved for those wealthy enough to fight.I urge you to critically exam what you read in the news and see on TV. Too often, you're only exposed to a fraction of the story and as good as your intentions may be, they can be misguided.The bond I have with my father and family has only grown stronger. Together we will pass this test and remain unshaken, because we know the complete story and will continue to stand by my father.Lance Wolfsmith, 1Lt, USAFEditor’s note: Former Morgan Hill personal trainer David Wolfsmith pleaded guilty June 23 to 12 counts of sexual battery by fraudulent purpose, and one count of lewd and lascivious acts against a child younger than 14 and a misdemeanor child molestation charge. On Aug. 23, he was sentenced to seven years in prison.