In adding parking garage, city is living up to previous promise
Dear Editor,
I think Rikard Kilgaren makes some valid points in his Opinion letter of Tuesday March 27. Although I would take issue with a few things. First, Mr. Bergin and Mr. Hatakeyama, from my point of view, have made Morgan Hill a better place to live. They have both worked tirelessly on community projects and should be commended for their work. Thank you gentlemen.
I do think that the Hale Avenue extension is a good idea but not necessarily the answer to Armageddon. It would help reduce congestion in certain areas and improve traffic flow at busy times of the day. I generally think that opening up our roadways around and across town is a good idea but I don’t think that it is crucial to our survival.
I do believe that creating more parking in the downtown is essential for the downtown businesses to survive and even prosper (heaven forbid).
The question is why when the downtown has limped along for years in its current condition do we need more parking all of a sudden? The answer is: when the city/RDA redid Depot Street and Third Street (yes they are beautiful and I know it was a lot of Federal money but still) they removed over half the parking that was available on those two streets. I, Mr. Bergin and many others complained and fought hard to get the plans changed so that the parking situation wouldn’t get worse, but our complaints were dismissed by city staff and the hired consultants saying we are going to “build parking” to alleviate any parking issues that might arise in the future.
Now the city council is trying to live up to those promises and those that would like what’s left of the redevelopment money spent elsewhere are fighting for the last few millions.
I would like to remind everyone that this city voted and approved this plan and the money that is set aside cannot be spent on city services but may be spent (if the state doesn’t get to it first) on some projects that remain in the voter approved plan. Let’s replace some of the parking we lost, get at least one new multi-use project built, get the Granada Theater open (new or old, I don’t care) put in the side street lighting and sidewalks that are so necessary to make the whole downtown a great place to live, shop and work.
Brad Jones, Morgan Hill
‘Pink Slime’ controversy is an example of poor journalism
Dear Editor,
The whole pink slime controversy is an example of how poor journalism is in this country. If it’s pink and it’s slimy it must be bad. Actually what they call “pink slime” is a lower fat meat than the meat they are adding it to, which is after all the rotting carcass of a dead cow.
Technically we’re all made out of pink slime. If journalists had any white smile between their ears they would understand that.
Marc Perkel, Gilroy
Thanks to the many who responded so generously to the quake in Japan
Dear Editor,
One year ago on March 11, 2011, Japan was struck by one of the most powerful earthquakes in modern history. The earthquake and accompanying tsunami claimed thousands of lives and, coupled with the nuclear accident, presented one of the gravest challenges Japan has ever faced.
Yet in the darkest hour, Californians from communities large and small, global and local, offered us unbounded compassion, comfort and hope. Please accept our deepest appreciation for every condolence, show of support and demonstration of our common humanity.
Japan’s reconstruction has advanced greatly with your help and friendship, but there is still much to do in the days ahead. Our country is dedicated to working with you to share lessons from the earthquake, build disaster-resistant societies, ensure nuclear safety, and promote human security and economic stability.
We will continue to keep you updated on Japan’s recovery and development. Thank you once again for everything you have done for us.
Hiroshi Inomata, Consul General of Japan in San Francisco
