State should consider aqueduct as option
Gov. Jerry Brown evidently feels that nothing less than a monumental public works project like high-speed rail will secure his legacy in California. That can be done, but it needn’t require billions of dollars laying track down the center of the state. Has the governor, or for that matter anyone in Sacramento, considered the construction of an aqueduct to transport water from the Pacific Northwest to our Golden State? Yes, the cost of such an undertaking could rival that of HSR, and negotiating an agreement with other states (Oregon and/or Washington) might seem a foregone impossibility. But in the face of a potentially devastating drought, all options for a remedy should be on the table. Why not this one?
Chris Rackowski
Morgan Hill
We have a water and leadership drought
Where is the leadership in dealing with the drought? As Kenneth Johnson said (Letters, March 19), it is hard to believe we have a serious situation with water when all that happens is lackluster talk about voluntary cutbacks. No significant water saving will occur until water rationing rules are instituted from high up in the state’s water management system, and that applies to all cities and counties. This talk of voluntary moves at a local level makes no sense. Even those who would gladly sacrifice their lawns have difficulty doing so when they are surrounded by lawns that look like putting greens.
We have a water and leadership drought. Where is Gov. Jerry Brown?
Edward Reed
Sunnyvale
Registrar of Voters has some serious problems
Thanks to Sharon Sweeney and Jean Ackerman (Opinion, March 23) for their oped on the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters. I agree with the authors’ assessment.
Serious problems exist within the Registrar of Voters’ office. I know this from experience, as 65,000 flawed sample ballots were mailed to voters when I ran for school board last November. My candidate statement was missing from tens of thousands of sample ballots.
It’s encouraging that the Santa Clara County supervisors want to improve the Registrar of Voters, yet they inexplicably just gave the office $3 million to hire people and purchase equipment — without first identifying the root causes of its mistakes.
It’s time for the supervisors to order a thorough, independent audit of the Registrar of Voters operations, processes, staffing and training. The additional funding should be withheld until the sources of problems are identified and appropriate solutions are designed.
Michael Helms
Santa Clara
Taxpayers still on hook for return of Raiders
It’s good that the Alameda County supervisors will now be part of the dialogue for the upcoming plans for Coliseum City to renovate the new homes of the A’s and the Raiders. But they should remember that the people of Alameda County are still paying for the return of the Raiders to Oakland all these years later and are not happy about it. I can think of so many other places that money could be used in the county. As proven by the 49ers and the San Jose Earthquakes, private money is available. If the powers that be vote to leave the taxpayers on the hook again for the rich team owners who want new stadiums, they should be worried about their positions on the board. The next election could pitch them out of a job.
Stacie Thomas
Fremont
Excellent schools should remain priority
I have two children receiving a great education at Rocketship Spark Academy’s transitional kindergarten and first-grade classes. They also benefit from the successful educational collaboration and compact that carries across the entire Franklin-McKinley District.
I know that every parent wants to unlock the incredible potential in their children. By having both choice and collaboration in our schools, we can ensure that parents can play an important role in the future of their children.
Excellent schools should remain the priority for our community. That is why I support the proposal before the school board for another Rocketship school in Franklin-McKinley and also support excellence across all local schools by having them work together.
The-Vu Nguyen
President Vietnamese Parents Group of Rocketship Spark San Jose
Ted Cruz manipulates fears of Americans
Ted Cruz announced his presidency today. Let me say what others already know that this man is an opportunist that manipulates the fears of good-natured Americans. He will tell you what you want to hear depending upon what group you associate or be labeled. America’s troubles start and end with those we elect. We do a very bad job in electing bright and innovative people. Instead, we select an ideology that continues to drift further left and right. Electing Ted Cruz would further divide us. We can ill afford another decade of partisan politics that has held this country like a bound and beaten hostage.
Mark Grzan
Morgan Hill
