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Prop. 4 is a good first
step in climate fight
Re: “Environment, parks, open space measures pass across the Bay Area and California“(Page A8, Nov. 7)
Sometimes the least known policies have the greatest impact on our lives. Although many voters likely have never heard of Proposition 4, it marks a critical step in California’s efforts to combat climate change and protect the environment. The proposition issues $10 billion in bonds to support parks, defend against natural disasters, and support water and energy projects.
Although dissenters are worried about the cost, the climate change crisis harms everyone, even those who don’t live in a region that is at risk of wildfires. Without the environment, we would not have a future, and if we don’t act now, we’ll be forced to pay a greater price down the road. It’s time we stopped taking the clean air and water we use every day for granted and start taking action to protect our planet. Proposition 4 is a fantastic first step.
Isabella Bian
Palo Alto
Fill open S.J. council
seat by appointment
The vacancy we have now in District 3 gives the mayor and the City Council a special opportunity to appoint a good person who might not have the resources to fund an electoral campaign.
Would we even know the name Norman Mineta if he hadn’t been appointed to the council in 1967?
When would we have had our first Mexican-American on the City Council if one, Al Garza, hadn’t been appointed in 1971?
Why spend a couple of million dollars on a special election when we have so many residents in our district who would do an excellent job? I’m tired of elections and politics. How about we just appoint someone who is hardworking, dedicated and supersmart?
Robert Wright
San Jose
County must reconsider
old City Hall site use
The newly elected supervisors of Santa Clara County must reconsider the use of the site of the old City Hall building.
Nearly two years ago, county supervisors voted unanimously to preserve the derelict, county-owned building — right behind the county administration building, next to some large San Jose employers across the street from a VTA light rail stop.
In light of the double-digit increases in regional homelessness, the pulling of the regional affordable housing bond measure and the apparent failure of Proposition 5 (which would have made housing bond measures easier to pass), the board should explore ways to have permanent affordable housing built on the site where the building stands. Without another Measure A (the successful affordable housing bond measure of 2016), we have to re-examine land in our region and get used to saying the words “affordable housing is more important” if we want to solve this problem.
Michael Norris
San Jose
Expand mental health
services in schools
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I am writing to advocate for the need to expand mental health services in our schools as we continue to see rising levels of anxiety, depression and stress among students. Schools have always played a central role in a child’s development; providing mental health resources on campus could make a profound difference in students’ accessibility to these services.
Early access to mental health services can improve students’ academic performance and foster safe and supportive environments. For many families, schools may be the only accessible source for these services due to cost or lack of resources in their communities. Many families have to wait months to receive the first appointment with a mental health professional through their insurance and then have to wait three to four months again to have the second appointment.
Our children deserve every possible opportunity to grow up healthy and prepared for the future.
Jennifer Bullard
San Jose