Letters to the editor: High Speed Rail, Cordoba Center
Mosque will enhance South BayIf you live across from the “mosque” in San Martin used by the Islamic community of South Bay, then you are very well aware that it is a barn turned into a prayer and meeting place, and is not a mosque.And if you haven’t seen 400 families there at one time, it’s because it is a small area, with insufficient parking, and so when there is a need for 400 families to meet, we rent halls at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center to meet those needs and celebrate our events. So thank you for pointing out the very reason that there is a need for a proper place of worship and gathering without compromising the serenity of your neighborhood.As far as what the residents of San Martin care about--water, land use, encroachment and paving over of this rural community--all of these concerns have been addressed. Many of our members are San Martin residents who are concerned with the same issues, and thus the expenditure of thousands of dollars to make sure none of these concerns will be negatively impacted.We will be more than happy to go over all your concerns to ease your anxiety.The Cordoba Center will be an enhancement to the South Bay community, more importantly to San Martin with its beautiful architecture and the orchards surrounding it.I would suggest you see plans for the Cordoba Center and read the results of the draft Environmental Impact Report with an open mind and heart to welcome this project.Nuzi AlaviMorgan HillWishful thinking by HSRThe California High-Speed Rail Authority wants to sell the new downtown alignment as a solution that can work for Morgan Hill. However, HSR presumes a lot when making this claim, including:1. HSR can reach an agreement with Union Pacific to share its right-of-way (at present there is no agreement);2. Electrification will bring more commuter trains to South County (CalTrain and VTA, the entities responsible for commuter trains, have not committed to doing so);3. Grade-level crossings are feasible given the amount of east/west traffic that must pass over the tracks (HSR has not studied the traffic and safety impacts to drivers, pedestrians and emergency services).These are just a few of the known issues.It is unclear how this alignment is anything more than wishful thinking by HSR and any less bad for Morgan Hill.Ryan TreffersMorgan Hill
