Letters

On the March 3 ballot, voters in Morgan Hill will decide whether to pass Measure A. I personally encourage you to research this issue and vote YES ON MEASURE A.

The front page article in the Jan. 29 edition of a local publication, “Bond will fix and upgrade schools, facilities for the next 30 years” tells the truth, but not the whole truth.

Put simply, Measure A is delivering results and having a catalytic impact on affordable housing here in Santa Clara County. In fact, a recent progress report from the county found that every Measure A dollar spent so far has secured $2.78 in outside investments.

Driving along Avenue 12 in Madera and then passing the future intersections at Avenue 11, there are structures but the connections are nowhere in sight. They are abandoned and not properly secured as links in the future construction.

I only wish to see our democratic process respected, and not frustrated by a developer who cares more about making money, and hired teams of people to interfere with that process.

While Panwala asserts that the city is interfering with the right to referendum, it is actually Panwala and his coalition who are exploiting the referendum process for the benefit of one family at the expense of the residents and voters of Morgan Hill.

I’ve asked through social media that citizens not sign the petition and am repeating that request here. Please support our city’s economic development direction to achieve much needed increased revenues (from visitors, not from us!) and allow the construction to go forward in a timely manner.

This is a follow-up to the Aug. 16 article describing what Santa Clara County has done to the Mt. Madonna archery range. In this letter, I hope to shed light on what kind of people we have at our county level.

City rejects sustainable ag efforts

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