Letters Letters (April 01, 2005)

Mayor didn't check on speech

Editor,

In your March 25 column on Mayor Jennifer Hosterman's U.N. talk you stated, "She also checked in with her fellow council members and even the California Fair Elections Practices Commission to make sure she wasn't overstepping her political constraints as mayor." I wanted to let you know that the Mayor never checked in with her fellow council members on this. The first I heard about this is when a newspaper called me to verify information on it.

One of the main problems with this item was that the Mayors for Peace listed Pleasanton as a member city. It did not list the mayor's name but the whole city. I wrote to the organization and got that resolved and the city name is no longer listed. Steve Brozosky City Councilman Listen to the people

Editor,

Your March 18 editorial, "New numbers show more schools, sports fields may not be needed," made interesting points about spending issues facing the school district and the city. There are studies released almost daily that can be used legitimately to support nearly every reasonable point of view on any issue of public concern. For instance, numerous medical studies have demonstrated that obesity is epidemic in youth and teens in this country, even likely to reduce life expectancy by two to five years for these children. Why wouldn't the reader of these studies conclude that more sports facilities aimed at organized athletics could be part of the solution to such a terrible national trend?

Pleasanton is fortunate to have the Sports Park and other fields, but for much of the year they are overcrowded and are closed to play for four months of the year. Val Vista is a state-of-the-art natural turf park, but it is underutilized during the winter as no lighting was erected in order to accommodate the wishes of the adjacent residential community (fair enough). Most, if not all, neighboring communities have embraced artificial (and more economic) turf for new facilities, which can be used all year. Lighted fields are commonplace elsewhere. The result is that many of our best athletes are deserting our sports teams for those of other cities, which have invested in the essential facilities to train and compete all year.

Pleasanton voters have time and again spoken clearly that we will have lighted fields on the Bernal property and soon! Have you, the Editor, not heard the voices of the people? Ross StonesiferTrebbiano Place Don't campaign in class

Editor,

We need to let the superintendent know that as a 37-year resident of Pleasanton, a life-long resident of California, and a voter I am appalled at the idea teachers want to campaign in the classroom. Children are a captive audience. I understand bringing in campaigners from both sides to state their case and both sides of an issues to see all concerns.

This sounds like indoctrination, not education. It is bad enough that the students do not get both sides of the green issue. What happened to education that you do not get to see all sides of an issue and make up your own mind? Is critical thinking a thing of the past? Have we moved into a Communist State?

How the teachers vote is not important to the classroom. What happened to the secret vote? Glorian CrosslinTanglewood Way Teachers and elections

Editor,

Concerning the debate over restricting teachers from wearing election buttons, I am concerned over what I believe to be a lack of understanding.

First of all, the Bill of Rights states: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Please note this does not restrict an employer from implementing workplace restrictions it deems necessary. The School Board is not debating a law but merely rules for employees while they are working. I am certain there are codes of conduct that govern teachers in the workplace.

Second, by allowing teachers to wear political buttons during classroom hours, they will discourage open debate. A student with political views in opposition to those on a teacher's button might hesitate to engage in a debate because of fear of repercussions.

Third, what would be the reaction if a teacher were to come in with a button that read, "Vote the Nazi Party"? I would find this distasteful and I am sure many others would as well. How could the Board make a distinction between this and a button supporting a Democrat or Republican?

Finally, our schools are designed to educate students, not indoctrinate them with certain political beliefs. No one is objecting to teachers and other district employees becoming politically active but it must be done on their own time. The District should not tolerate any intrusion of this activity into the workplace. No reasonable employer would want anything less from its employees. Paul A. LuceFlagstone Drive Better stick to English

Editor,

The headline that read "Buenos dios, Mohr Elementary" a few weeks back is incorrect. It should be, "Buenos dias..." (or if you have the font capacity, "Buenos d’as..."). El d’a (as in "Good Day!" or "Good Morning!") is an exception to the usual rule in Spanish that words that take a masculine adjective don't end in "a." What you actually said might sort of translate to, "Good God! Mohr Elementary," except that would more properly be expressed as "ÁDios m’o! Mohr Elementary." Hopefully they won't happen to read this in our sister city! Geoff LuebbertVine Street

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