Letters: Mahan for mayor | Measure M | Defend democracy | Students and politics
Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.
Mahan will manageS.J. police exodus
Is San Jose’s public safety crisis financial? Cindy Chavez and SJPOA claim officers are leaving due to insufficient pay, but they rank third in the Bay Area, averaging $189,000 a year. The union wants 14% more.
Officers we know didn’t join for money. It’s hard answering calls, not knowing whether someone’s armed. Law enforcement is a calling.
Why the exodus? “Catch and release” policies (Chavez supported), citing and releasing thieves (Prop 47) cause major frustration.
Chavez touts pay to get union backing, which defines her career. Police, fire and the Labor Council (which Chavez led) spent $1.5 million on her campaign. Voters should ask how she will repay them.
Addressing competing interests within budget requires saying “No.” We need a mayor unbeholden to special interests. Matt Mahan is the best choice.
Dolores CarrFormer Santa Clara County DA and judgeand John CarrRetired San Jose police officer
Vote for Measure Mto help growing district
I am respectfully rebutting the editorial piece against the Measure M parcel tax that will support Loma Prieta mountain schools (“Voters should reject Loma Prieta Union parcel tax,” Page A10, Oct. 28). Contrary to what was stated in the editorial, enrollment at LPJUSD has increased this year, and staff is now struggling to do more with less. The parcel tax in 2020 failed by 1% (32 votes). That means that over 65% of our community voted for a parcel tax.
Those who wrote the argument against Measure M in the ballot literature do not live in our district. Their neighborhood kids and housing prices will suffer no consequences if Measure M fails. Our schools are also our community centers, parks and emergency shelters. A strong majority of our community want thriving local schools. I encourage everyone to vote Yes on M.
Erin AsheghianLos Gatos
Make sure your votedefends democracy
Remember the saying: “Those that do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it!” We suffered enough when the original mistakes were made; why should we have to go through it again?
The world has already suffered the catastrophic effects of a fascist dictatorship in Germany, which led to a major world war. We need to be reminded that if fascism returns to power in any country, it could lead to even worse outcomes with the advent of nuclear weapons.
Let’s reject the MAGA-Republican idea of ending democracy by dismissing any election they don’t win. People need to wake up to the reality that they are being manipulated by the conservative media to vote against their own self-interest.
Let’s reject anyone running for office who denies that President Biden is our duly elected president. Vote for democracy this November and vote for Democrats up and down the ballot.
Sandy WhiteFremont
Board allows studentsto get involved in politics
“Why should I care about politics? I can’t vote.” This is something I hear every day. Many students assume that to have an impact on our community, you must be able to vote. Yet, as students living in various parts of the Bay Area, we experience problems that aren’t addressed by politicians.
Through my experience with Rep. Anna Eshoo’s Student Advisory Board (SAB), I’ve learned that we can instigate change. In my experience on the board, my group presented to the congresswoman a proposition to fix the lack of mental health resources in lower-income communities. Through my work on this proposal, I gained an in-depth understanding of the legislative process.
While this is my personal experience, I believe that high schoolers living within the 18th Congressional District interested in politics can start their journey by joining the SAB, which gives the youth a voice in our government.
Alex GaniAtherton