Reed Reaction
I find it very one-sided to glorify a mayor whose only goal was to look like a hero (“Chuck Reed Gets Tough,” Cover Story, Oct. 27). The decisions and cuts to the budget he made have hurt many people. His budget cuts were directed at the employees that were in the lower ranks who would not fight back.
To be fair, interview all the employees who have lost their jobs. Some of those employees were short just three years to get full retirement. There was one employee who was short one month to obtain full retirement, I would like to see the mayor and all of the council members take a bigger cut then 10 percent of their salaries. This cut was not voluntary. They were shamed into taking it. How about cutting their retirement as well and some of the perks they get. After all, they are being paid by our tax dollars. I have lived in what was a lovely agriculture town, until the politicians got greedy.
Susan Santini | San Jose
Absurd
Yet another example of wasteful spending by our government (“Campos Clams Up,” SVNews, Oct 20). I’d like to say I’m surprised, but the only thing I’m really surprised about is that MACSA didn’t steal more. That seems surprising to me. What a worthless, pathetic organization. The city needs to pull all funding for this program and get a real organization in there to do the work.
Paul Crockett | San Jose
The Day After
Where was the Prop 19. victory party? That was probably a fun event—despite the loss, they came real close (“Political Paradox,” The Fly, Nov 3). Only the federal government’s carefully timed announcement that it would enforce federal laws banning pot kept this measure from passing.
On local and statewide races, I’m glad most had comfortable margins as the close races invite the kind of silly tampering that threatens the fragile legitimacy of the democratic process. The wider the margins, the less really bad stuff happens in the days and weeks after the election.
Voting is a civic duty, like serving on jury duty when called and not inventing some lame reason to be excused. Let’s teach the young to vote religiously and lead by example, casting ballots in elections large and small and respecting the process.
Blair Whitney | San Jose
