Opinion

During the holiday season it is easy to become overwhelmed with errands and tasks that are inherently linked to this time of year, such as shopping for gifts, baking and visiting family and friends.

SCVWD not doing enough to protect water resourcesDear Editor,While Dennis Kennedy paints a positive picture of the water district, I can’t.  There is simply much more that needs to be done to manage our water resources. The district needs to become a leader and lead cities by requiring better policies, infrastructure and innovation.The growth in the county is unsustainable. Over 55% of our water is imported. We are dependent on outside resources and in light of this drought and climate change our future is in doubt and our quality of life is at risk. While Dennis praises the district for past efforts, I don’t see anything specific, and nothing new in light of current challenges. For Morgan Hill we need to do much more—including a scalping plant that diverts water from the water treatment plant in Gilroy, keeping it right here in Morgan Hill. We need a new water recycling infrastructure. Not just in a local treatment plant but how can we get recycled water to local farmers, big commercial users and public institutions like our parks and schools. We also need to consider bringing recycled water for landscaping to our homes. We talked about doing this for the past decade but nothing has been done. We need to do more than discourage lawns and water wasting landscaping from sidewalks, business frontage, median strips and alike and require native, drought tolerant landscaping throughout the community. We need to look at our housing permits, and require gray water recovery, less lawn space and use of drought tolerant landscaping, including the use of rain water tanks. There is much more we must do and we need bold leaders and leadership to take us to the next century. Relying on past efforts will not get us to where we need to be. Mark Grzan, Morgan Hill ‘Cowards resort to name calling’Dear Editor,I’d like to respond to “know-nothingness and Kevin Jensen” written by the Grzan family, in your May 23, 2014 Opinion section.I would never expect someone of your caliber to have the courage to debate anyone, let alone an entire group of educated individuals knowledgeable with facts that would destroy your empty claims about Kevin Jensen. But I do expect a candidate such as Laurie Smith who uses liberal tactics such as personal attacks and name calling to be required to defend her position on issues in order to support the office she is seeking. Either you can’t read or haven’t taken the time to educate yourself with Jensen’s list of reforms, issues, problems, etc. which are clearly listed on his website along with endorsements of almost every law enforcement agency in this county and then some http://www.kevinjensenforsheriff.com/#!endorsements/c1g7l.  If Jensen’s such a know-nothing candidate as you claim, perhaps you can explain with real facts why numerous top law enforcement agencies and individuals—you know, the experts who know what makes a good sheriff—are supporting him?  Yes, Grzan family, I expect cowards without facts to resort to name calling those of us with the truth “dysfunctional extremists” and a “know-nothing group.” Thanks for the compliment; we must be doing the right thing to get you to make such unsupported stupid comments.Georgine Scott- CodigaGilroy, CAReal dialogue needed on SEQDear Editor, Comparably, to Morgan Hill Planning Commission meetings of the past, there were little public speakers Tuesday evening, May 27, on what seemed to be another “recycled meeting.” We have been through this for 15-20 years now in the MH Southeast Quadrant, with very little result—an exception being the private Catholic High School, which seems to be well underway with its plans at Murphy and Tennant avenues. I would like to see project fruition and progress, as I know others do who have expended and reaped nothing in return but an account deprived of funds, for a project attempted and no desirable reap or results.A few years, another EIR and more recycling may again occur as the picture in the SEQ—barren fields—remains status quo.Comparably, with previous meetings where there was considerable public speaking from the audience, Tuesday night's meeting seemed to have a group “walk-out” after the presentations by professionals. One Planning Commissioner wished to hear from the public but there was little response, given many opportunities. This may be unspoken commentary that I believe needs to be surfaced for future meetings. Why is this happening? I believe that there needs to be a brainstorm session as to the satisfaction level of the project progress in the MH SEQ.Julia Borina Driscoll, Morgan Hill

Many years ago, I was invited to celebrate Mass with the Sisters of Charity (Saint Theresa of Calcutta’s Sisters). On the sacristy wall, there was a message for visiting priests: “Celebrate this Mass as if it will be your first Mass, your last Mass,...