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Cal Fire contract crucial
for rural South County
I beg Santa Clara County supervisors to reinstate Cal Fire’s contract covering Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy.
Just like the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, we are surrounded by mountains on the east and west side of 101. South County is experiencing high-density growth and has already been threatened by wildfires. Cancelling Cal Fire’s contract during rising temperatures and years-long drought will further endanger citizens’ lives, raise insurance costs even more due to reduced services, and increase the chances of our area becoming another “Palisades Fire” story.
They didn’t think it would happen there, we now know it could happen here and how devastating it could be. They are the closest first responders to south Morgan Hill and San Martin. Please renew Cal Fire’s contract in Morgan Hill.
Marguerite Sinnett
Morgan Hill
Solar at Levi’s Stadium
could lower electric bills
Re: “Why are there so many data centers?” (Page A1, Jan. 12).
It is nothing less than shameful that Silicon Valley Power, the electric utility owned by the city of Santa Clara, emits more greenhouse gases than the average California electric company.
Why doesn’t the Stadium Authority cover their enormous parking lots with solar panels? In addition to generating emission-free power, they would provide revenue for the authority, and as a bonus, protect the cars from the elements.
As soon as the Santa Clara Stadium Authority has solar panels installed at the parking lot, they will benefit, the public will benefit, and Silicon Valley Power can cut down the greenhouse gases they emit.
Martin Delson
San Jose
State must oppose
raids by ICE agents
Thirty-six years ago in his farewell address, President Ronald Reagan stated that anyone can come live in America and become an American. Today, those words cannot be further from the truth. Instead, every immigrant living in the United States lives in fear of being deported from the country rather than being hopeful of obtaining citizenship.
We cannot stand for this.
The recent ICE raids throughout Bakersfield have made every immigrant in California fearful that they might be next. Social media has demonstrated the effects of these raids. Immigrants are fearful of going to stores, to work and outside due to fear of being racially profiled and detained by ICE. All this before Donald Trump has even taken office.
Immigrants are a key factor in California. They are an invaluable part of our society. We must stand in support of immigrants rather than oppose them and side against the unity of our great state.
Jorge Noriega
San Jose
State should find water
alternatives to tunnels
Re: “$20 billion Delta tunnel plan wins endorsement” (Page B1, Jan. 15).
The Delta Tunnel project, while promising to improve water reliability, raises serious concerns. With a lengthy construction timeline and an estimated $20 billion price tag (which will likely increase over time), it is important to consider alternatives.
Rather than relying solely on a massive infrastructure project, I urge Gov. Newsom and policymakers to collaborate with researchers, engineers and the public to explore a mix of strategies, including desalination. Given Southern California’s coastal location, desalination offers a promising and sustainable way to diversify water sources.
California needs a more resilient and adaptable water future. Now is the time to rethink our approach and embrace innovative solutions that can address water scarcity more effectively.
Siqi Liu
Palo Alto
CEOs aren’t safe
from AI job loss
Re: “How AI could reshape the U.S. economic geography” (Page C7, Jan. 13).
I hope Karla Valdivieso, CEO of Shappi, is listening to herself: “We’ve used it to make our people more effective. … I’m always open to more technology but it’s not there yet. It’s going to be AI plus humans for the foreseeable future”
Be careful what you wish for. At some point, human CEOs will become just as expendable as human customer service staff once AI continues to learn at its current pace. If you think you are immune because you are a CEO, think again.
Jolene Noland
Santa Clara