Follow the Sprawl

Your article on the massive north San Jose development by the city without a detailed, complete master plan ("How High Can They Go?", MetroNews, Dec. 27) is very important, I hope you can follow up on this issue and publish more articles on this important topic that will have profound impact on the life quality of current residents. Thanks.

John A., San Jose

One More Thing

Thank you, Metro, for your published profile of me last week ("Movin' On Up?," MetroNews, Dec. 20). Allow me to add, for the record, items that were not included. I'm running for city council because San Jose is on the verge of being a great city and our civic and political culture is still being determined. The opportunities for leadership apply both to our urban growth challenges and the definition of our civic culture. How we manage housing, transportation, and economic development in these years will set the course for future generations. It's crucial that we maintain a workable housing-jobs balance as San Jose grows to ensure our quality of life and strong, vibrant neighborhoods.

I will also work to build on the Reed Reforms of Mayor-Elect Chuck Reed to not only sunshine the people's business, but also open new possibilities for a more vigorous grassroots democracy. I will be presenting two new ideas during my campaign: Citizen Town Hall for greater community empowerment and The People Speak as a way to reclaim local political campaigns. We must never forget that San Jose belongs to everyone, not just to an elite few.

My ideas are compatible with strategic goals we must seek for San Jose, which include a more vibrant downtown, a world-class airport, BART, a new ballpark, higher-performing schools, smart growth that locates more housing near jobs, and maintaining an enviable record of public safety for a major American city.

I appreciate the good work you do in our community, Metro, and look forward to serving the people of San Jose in the years to come.

J. Manuel Herrera, San Jose

People, It's Bad

Notice how a two-year, stand-in president who accomplished very little is getting priority news coverage that dominates all mainstream media right now.

Whereas James Brown, who was labeled the hardest-working performer for his entire life, who did so much for culture, entertainment in America and for bridging cultures around the world, was usurped in the news by this white man who did so little.

I'm sure that if Ford hadn't passed away and there was no other significant death happening, the big news to usurp Brown might be something like Britney Spears and her trifling antics.

Such is the story of blacks and minorities in America. Our contributions will always be downplayed as much as possible. However, we must always know our truth and legacy—we ARE a great people living in a racist, arrogant, broken country!!!!

In protest, I am turning off all TV news stations for the remainder of the week, so these propaganda stations will not get credit ratings from me.

Marion Young, San Jose

Marion, this week without TV will be a great time for you to read our story on James Brown in this issue. Notice we didn't mention Gerald Ford once. Well, OK, once.—Editor

Bonds in Seconds

About that Nov. 22 cover story ("Confessions of a Bond Fanatic")—I thought it was a good article, a good review, and am glad you used von Busack's material. I like his style and viewpoint and wouldn't mind seeing it again.

Bert Kaye, Sunnyvale

Wait, do you mean you wouldn't mind reading another James Bond story from Richard? 'Cause I'm warning you, he'll do it.—Editor

Secret of The Mill

We enjoyed Michael Gant's "Tech and Textiles" article from the July 26 issue of Metro. In the interest of accuracy, we would like to draw your attention to our role in the tapestry translation process.

The article states: "In a further evolution, [Westerhout] sends the digitized image files to Belgium where they are fed into a high-tech loom that converts them into wall-size tapestries." In fact, we—not the artist—are primarily responsible for the process just described. We are responsible for both the production/translation of these files and the subsequent coordination of weaving with Belgium. The artist has no contact with the mill.

Nick Stone, Magnolia Editions, Oakland

Send letters to the editor here.