Letters Letters (October 01, 2004)

No sympathy for nimby

Editor,

I have been reading in the papers of the complaints of a few people living in Pleasanton who have chosen to live next to a new Jack in the Box, the Livermore Airport and the sand/gravel/asphalt plants and are now griping about the noise or odor associated with these establishments. Although I understand their dismay and don't mean in any way to diminish the fact that the noise and odor are real, I do have a problem understanding the need to blame everyone else for their discomfort. Why would anyone buy a house next to these locations and not be conscious of the fact that businesses, factories and airports make noise and odors? This mentality of "it's my house/neighborhood and everything that bothers me must now go somewhere else" ("Not In My Back Yard") is ludicrous.

How about taking responsibility for your decisions? Sure, there used to be less housing, traffic, freeways, noise, etc. And, since the housing developers "own" the city councils, the area is going to see new houses on any "buildable" space. Since all the "prime" space is built-out, new housing continues to encroach on the less desirable locations. I have no sympathy for someone who decides to live in these areas and then endlessly whines about the conditions across the street. You chose to live there. If the conditions aren't the same as they used to be, either accept it or move where these conditions don't exist. Please stop blaming everyone else for your bad decision. Jim SimoneOlive Drive Challenge status quo

Editor,

Do we really desire unanimous agreement from the City Council on controversial issues? Regarding your Sept. 17 editorial about the recent Wal-Mart debate that resulted in a 4-1 vote, you seem to be criticizing the council for having the debate. I want folks on the council who challenge each other and the status quo. Big-box retail is a controversial subject in many jurisdictions for a wide variety of reasons. The dialogue is crucial in fleshing out the facts and nuances of proposals. Also, this type of healthy discussion often shows us which council members did their homework.

It is your editorial duty to take a stand on issues that affect our city. However, I am disappointed that you chastise council member(s) who stand up for what they believe to be the best thing for our community, even (especially) when they go it alone. The system worked. Jon HarveySmallwood Court letterhead:Ayala best choice

Editor,

I believe that Kay Ayala is the best choice for Pleasanton mayor. She has demonstrated the leadership experience, integrity and dedication we need.

Kay is the only candidate who has the "big picture" of Pleasanton's issues, having served eight years as a council member, two as vice mayor. Her intimate knowledge of issues ranging from growth management to school finance to transportation will be vital to the council's decisions over the next few years. We cannot afford to lose her perspective by selecting anyone else as mayor.

Please join me in casting your vote for Kay Ayala for mayor of Pleasanton. Cheryl GentryCorte Balboa Hosterman, Sullivan care

Editor,

I couldn't believe the letters you got from people speaking lovingly about Wal-Mart and slamming Jennifer Hosterman and Matt Sullivan for holding Wal-Mart's feet to the fire. Steve Brozosky and Kay Ayala were proud to announce that they both "love Wal-Mart" along with the other folks waxing nostalgic over the corporate behemoth. Maybe some of these folks need to read Barbara Ehrenreich's chapter, "Selling in Minnesota," in her book, "Nickel and Dimed," if they can take a few minutes away from their time spent shopping.

I want people in political office who care about my quality of life, people who have a depth of intellectual understanding of the world we live in. There are always discount stores but it takes work, and oftentimes courage, to protect the integrity of a community. Jennifer and Matt both endorsed the Patriot Act Resolution when it was brought before them. Kay and Steve (wimped) out on our civil liberties but they stood up to protect Wal-Mart's interests.

Jennifer and Matt both care about protecting our local environment, opposing the expansion of the waterslides into a beautiful riparian atmosphere behind Shadow Cliffs that is used by a lot of people to just get away and feel at peace. They take stands at every turn to protect our best interests. I will be voting for Jennifer for mayor and Matt for City Council this November. Paulette KenyonAdobe Court Crying over Kolln

Editor,

I visited Pleasanton for the first time in August 2003. In town for business, I and two of my co-workers went into town for dinner. As we walked along the sidewalk after dinner we passed a hardware store that I just fell in love with. Unfortunately, Kolln Hardware was closed for the day and I was flying back home to Indianapolis the next morning. But ... as luck would have it, I got to return to the beautiful city of Pleasanton in September of 2004, again for business. I couldn't wait to go inside the quaint hardware store I had passed the year before. No need to write the outcome of my discovery. As you live and/or work in Pleasanton, that would only be writing the obvious.

Change happens in all cities, everywhere, whether we like it or not. But I was still disheartened. "Quaint" is just not seen very often anymore, even in the Midwest where I am from. Ah well ... life goes on. If anyone knows if there are still any of the Kolln Hardware T-shirts available, please let me know how or where I could buy one.

I look forward to my next visit to the delightful city of Pleasanton. Debbie MusselmanIndianapolis

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