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P.S. <strong>The</strong> People Speak: Letters to the Editor Reject college bonds Dear Editor, In the current economic <strong>an</strong>d environmental climate it is absurd for the S<strong>an</strong> Mateo County Community College District to demolish a perfectly serviceable building (Horticulture-B20) <strong>an</strong>d its beautiful garden surrounds to provide about 200 additional faculty parking spaces. Bike racks would fit better in the district budget, with parking fees for existing lots used to supplement the budget <strong>an</strong>d encourage a healthier lifestyle. With this kind of thinking on the board, it is time to replace board members <strong>an</strong>d reject additional bond measures. Downtown Directory surprises Jack Hickey, Redwood City Dear Editor, <strong>The</strong> Redwood City Downtown Business Directory 2011, co-published by <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> <strong>an</strong>d the City of Redwood City, is a wonderful publication supported by the Downtown Business Group. <strong>It</strong> includes a guide <strong>an</strong>d advertisements for the great variety of businesses <strong>an</strong>d entertainment activities downtown. I was surprised to see that the directory includes a full-page ad for Cargill/DMB’s proposed Saltworks Project. This ad actually describes a new Saltworks downtown with “retail shops, restaur<strong>an</strong>ts, office space <strong>an</strong>d residential homes,” <strong>an</strong>d the drawing in the ad even looks like our real downtown Redwood City. <strong>It</strong> seems the Downtown Business Group <strong>an</strong>d the city are shooting themselves in the foot by promoting Saltworks. <strong>The</strong> city’s own initial study for Saltworks says this project could “…redirect growth from the City’s downtown to the Project site, potentially affecting implementation of the Precise Pl<strong>an</strong> for Redwood City’s downtown core area.” This same study also says that Saltworks could have “potentially signific<strong>an</strong>t impacts” on our existing parks, local <strong>an</strong>d regional traffic <strong>an</strong>d our port <strong>an</strong>d Seaport industries. <strong>The</strong> Saltworks ad in the Downtown Directory is <strong>an</strong>other example of how our city leaders are supporting Cargill <strong>an</strong>d DMB in their quest to turn our town into Saltworks City. <strong>The</strong>y are promoting a project that poses a serious threat to the success of Redwood City’s downtown pl<strong>an</strong> <strong>an</strong>d the economic <strong>an</strong>d environmental health of our community. Our leaders should focus on the downtown we already have. Judy Serebrin, Redwood City Editor’s note: <strong>The</strong> Downtown Directory was not co-published by <strong>an</strong>yone other th<strong>an</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>. <strong>The</strong> City of Redwood City <strong>an</strong>d the Downtown Business Group were not involved with the editorial copy, layout or design <strong>an</strong>d, most notably, the accept<strong>an</strong>ce of advertising. As noted by Ms. Serebrin, DMB did place <strong>an</strong> ad in the directory <strong>an</strong>d <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> is responsible for that. We felt we could not discriminate against <strong>an</strong>yone w<strong>an</strong>ting to place <strong>an</strong> ad <strong>an</strong>d support the directory regardless of whether we supported their project. That, we feel, would have been unfair. Latino leaders are right here in our community Dear Editor, After reading Mr. Penna’s thoughts regarding the unfortunate incident that had taken place at Kennedy Middle School in your July edition, we felt compelled to respond to his question about “Where are Redwood City’s Latino Community leaders?” Mr. Penna, we are here <strong>an</strong>d are very active in the community in various aspects. As leaders <strong>an</strong>d as a part of the great community that we have here in Redwood City, we are very concerned not only for the families that were directly affected by this incident but that it even occurred in the first place. <strong>The</strong> question remains, what is the appropriate course of action? Does the <strong>an</strong>swer to this lie in screaming out for resignations, contributing to the rhetoric which at times does not deal with the issue at h<strong>an</strong>d? Does it lie in trusting in our leaders in education <strong>an</strong>d in our law enforcement? Is it not most import<strong>an</strong>t that we learn from what has happened <strong>an</strong>d find ways to prevent such <strong>an</strong> incident from happening ever again? As leaders, what message are we sending when the first reaction is to shoot first <strong>an</strong>d ask questions later? We have recently discussed this issue, lent our support <strong>an</strong>d trust that the process is being h<strong>an</strong>dled appropriately. <strong>The</strong> investigative process to ascertain the facts is <strong>an</strong> import<strong>an</strong>t step needed before passing judgment on others. Based upon those facts, the individuals responsible c<strong>an</strong> then be held accountable. As leaders within our community, we will trust that all those involved in preventing this from happening again are taking the appropriate measures in ensuring that this never happens again. Ernie Schmidt, Connie Guerrero, Arnoldo Arreola, Redwood City Let your opinion be heard! Send your letters to letters@spectrummagazine.net or Opinions & Letters, <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>, P.O. Box 862, Redwood City, CA 94064 Letters to the editor should be no longer th<strong>an</strong> 300 words. Columns should be no longer th<strong>an</strong> 750 words. Illegibly written <strong>an</strong>d <strong>an</strong>onymous letters will not be accepted. Please include a daytime phone number where we c<strong>an</strong> reach you. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 13