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