Hard to believe results of ‘Affordable Healthcare Act’ poll
Dear Editor,
The Feb. 16 to 20 AP-Gfk Poll indicates 47 percent oppose the “Affordable Healthcare Act” which means they want insurance companies to control our healthcare. Forty-seven percent want companies to decide who gets insurance. They do not want any company to cover people whose medical care costs as much as premiums paid or have to continue coverage for anyone who becomes seriously ill.
It is fortunate this poll was taken in the United States, not in some backward country where people might be ignorant and uneducated.
Frank Crosby, Morgan Hill
Road to allow access for mutual aid more important than downtown
Dear Editor,
Recently it was announced by the Santa Clara Valley Water District that they will spend $185 million to make Anderson Dam earthquake safe.
According to their studies, if a major earthquake along the Coyote Creek or Calaveras faults, both within three miles of Anderson Dam, should take place, major flooding would inundate the South Valley freeway encroaching well past Butterfield Boulevard into our downtown area putting Monterey Road underwater.
Whether it comes in the form of a major earthquake, a disastrous fire as in the Oakland Hills firestorm of 1991, an airplane crash – Morgan Hill is under several commercial flight patterns, and is near the regional San Martin Airport – or a PG&E-related explosion as in San Bruno, Morgan Hill would be left very vulnerable as U.S 101, Butterfield Boulevard and Monterey Road would likely be rendered unusable.
We must be made aware of these possibilities. Along with dissemination to our populace on what to do, and where to seek shelter in case of such emergencies, we must make it possible to get mutual aid from adjoining cities of Gilroy and South San Jose. Often such disasters create shortages of water, food, medical aid and supplies for days at a time.
It is incredible that there are those in city government who feel so complacent, even though we are in the heart of earthquake country, and in light of these recent Bay Area disasters, they feel that RDA funds should be prioritized in making downtown a status symbol, rather than adding a very much needed route to protect citizens in the event of emergencies.
Before the City Council, we have an opportunity to complete a connection on the westside of Morgan Hill via the Hale Extension project linking Hale Avenue with DeWitt Avenue. This is an RDA approved project which would eventually connect with Santa Teresa Boulevard to Gilroy and South San Jose. The city does not feel this is important enough to pursue.
This connection would allow ambulance service, and the fire and police from both Gilroy and South San Jose, whose stations are also on the westside, to respond immediately via Santa Teresa Boulevard through this Hale Extension to either side of Morgan Hill should mutual aid be needed.
None of these other Bay Area communities ever thought a catastrophic event was going to happen. However, when these communities suffered these unfortunate events, the mutual aide response from neighboring cities was immediate and effective.
Our City Council is prioritizing downtown ambiance and ignoring the Hale Extension which would benefit the entire South County. Is this hard to fathom, or is it just me? If you feel as I that our money should be better spent than on something other than more flower boxes and downtown architectural makeovers, contact our city fathers to let them know they need to keep our entire community’s safety in mind.
Jon Hatakyama, Morgan Hill
Some people don’t like to be confused with the facts
Dear Editor,
I want to thank you for printing Swanee Edwards letter of March 6. This gives the opportunity to let people know how much ignorance is out there and how important it is not to believe the “drive by media” and other rumors. Swanee Edwards carelessly threw the Tea Party name around and confused it with a group of no association. She embarrassed herself and let others throw her under the bus by assuming somebody else did her homework. You did the Tea Party a great disservice by your name calling. We are a “non-partisan, grassroots campaign to promote and preserve the Constitution, believing in limited government, free markets, fiscal and personal responsibility. We are Americans who love our country.”
It is typical for liberals to tell others what to do and how to do it (serving our country), so let me make a suggestion. If you tend to make your political decisions based on rumors and not being informed, the best way you can serve your country is by not voting! If you continue to believe your “very credible folks” you are destined to walk around with permanent egg on your face … but on the other hand, some people do not like to be confused with facts.
Diane S. Nuno, Gilroy