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Student driver
I am writing to express deep concern regarding a serious safety incident that occurred recently in the crosswalk at our local Foothill High School — an incident that underscores an urgent need for stronger protections for pedestrians in this area.
While I was lawfully crossing with the white “WALK” signal illuminated, a student driver made a right turn through a red light and entered the crosswalk where I was already walking. The driver was using a phone at the time.
In attempting to avoid striking me, he swerved abruptly and drove onto the curb with both passenger‑side wheels. This was not a minor lapse in judgment; it was a near‑collision that could have resulted in severe injury or worse.
This event highlights a broader and increasingly visible problem: distracted and inattentive driving in a school zone. Crosswalks and pedestrian signals exist to protect students, staff, families, and community members.
When drivers — especially inexperienced ones — ignore red lights, fail to yield or engage with their phones while operating a vehicle, they place every pedestrian at immediate risk.
I urge school administrators, local law enforcement and city officials to treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves. Enhanced enforcement during peak school hours, improved signage and stronger education for student drivers are necessary steps to prevent a future tragedy.
No pedestrian should be placed in danger while following the law and crossing with the proper signal.
Our community cannot wait for an injury to occur before taking action. I hope this incident serves as a catalyst for meaningful and immediate improvements to safety around the high school.
– Michael Austin
Criticism vs. Racism
I applaud the Weekly for publishing the letter by Lisa B. last week (“When saying ‘I’m sorry’ isn’t enough”). Racism like that is totally inexcusable.
People should understand that the actions of a few don’t represent a whole group (race, ethnicity, country). Valid criticism is not racism; judging or demeaning others by association is racism. Our society, becoming increasingly polarized, needs to take a step back and think.
Recently, someone called me a racist for criticizing a small group of Black people for really dishonest behavior. That is not racist; I’ve had Black friends and co-workers for decades, in the U.S., Africa and Latin America. That shallow-minded person doesn’t understand the difference between calling out bad behavior of individuals versus a group as a whole (which would be racist).
Condemning the actions of the Israeli government is not antisemitic. Folks shouldn’t be Islamophobic because of the actions of jihadists. The actions of a few bad policemen don’t warrant “defund the police”.
People who protest about the way our government is behaving are neither unpatriotic nor necessarily Democrats.
I ask you to take a moment to really talk to people – each is a product of experiences and upbringing with differing opinions. Unfortunately, these days, narrow, populist and algorithm-generated garbage gets in the way.
Encountering others, by discourse and especially through travel, makes your life richer, brings understanding of other cultures’ nuances and, as Mark Twain wrote, is “fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness”. Despite our differences, conversation allows us to realize how much we have in common and that we can come together, despite others’ efforts at polarization.
– Mick Hanou
Sound wall on Valley
Providing credit where credit is due, to city staff, is appropriate in the case of the Valley Avenue sound wall retrofit. The materials used to stabilize the wall panels, the depth of posts seated into the ground, by using concrete, create a long-term action that when wall panels actually require replacement the foundation is in place. A cost-effective future.
According to Ms. Kelly’s letter to the Pleasanton Weekly, “form follows function” stabilizing the wall is the No. 1 priority, with materials used. Placing retrofit replacement posts at old locations compromises the integrity of the wall, with no future retrofit possible.
As for aesthetically pleasing, the design was approved using a cladding over each post. Redwood preferably. Why? When wall will be covered by ivy and other plant growth in the future? A needless cost.
Grinding exposed bolts to nuts, power washing, prime and paint appears to be best … until plant growth covers the wall again.
– Peter Miller
Christianity and animal welfare
As Easter Week passes, the words of Pope Francis bear repeating (2015 “Encyclical on Climate Change & Inequality”):
“It follows that our indifference or cruelty towards fellow creatures of this world sooner or later affects the treatment we mete out to other human beings. We have only one heart, and the same wretchedness which leads us to mistreat an animal will not be long in showing itself in our relationships with other people. Every act of cruelty towards any creature is contrary to human dignity.” Words to live by. (Think rodeo.)
– Eric Mills, coordinator, Action for Animals
