Letters: Light pollution | Making an effort | Intolerant call | Bad government | Common sense

Mercury News Letters to the Editor for April 2, 2023

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Cities should guardagainst light pollution

Re: “Council votes down digital billboard plan” (Page B4, March 22).

Good news. Gilroy City Council rejected an electronic billboard along Highway 101 that the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, Sierra Club Loma Prieta and Green Foothills also opposed. Nighttime light harms wildlife and has been shown to harm human health too. The structure would have been 75 feet tall with a 672-square-foot display area, adversely affecting our environment, safety, energy consumption and health, and impairing our view of the universe too.

Gilroy, along with San Jose and other cities, should develop a dark sky ordinance to guide light pollution decisions. Approving an electronic billboard project without a dark sky ordinance fails to consider its overall impact and the proper management of light pollution. The city of Cupertino has such an ordinance, and residents of other cities deserve the same level of protection of their sky.

Rani FischerSanta Clara Valley Audubon SocietyJuan EstradaGreen FoothillsPalo Alto

Mahan making effortto improve San Jose

Re: “Stricter stance on homeless camps?” (Page A1, March 22).

As a lifelong resident of San Jose, I have been disheartened in recent years by the decline and deterioration of our once great city and place to live. I need to applaud Mayor Matt Mahan for his approach: “back to the core basics” for the city.

Earlier this week, I read the column regarding his strategy for the many encampments that exist in our city. What has been attempted isn’t working. (Just drive almost anywhere in the city to see that.) Wishing him the best with a new game plan.

That said, I am dismayed at the quick negative reaction by District 4 Councilmember David Cohen. What has he done during his time in office to find a solution to this issue? You’re either part of the solution or part of the problem.

Mayor Mahan was elected to make a difference for our city. At least he’s trying.

Mark Milioto Sr.San Jose

Call for cuttinggoalie intolerant

Re: “Sharks should cut intolerant goalie” (Page A6, March 23).

Intolerant Nino Repetti demands the San Jose Sharks cut “intolerant” James Reimer, the goalie, for refusing to wear LGBTQ gear.

All players are required, by league rules, to wear the standard equipment; some other items can be optional but not mandatory.

Reimer’s decision may not be palatable to Repetti and others, but — in our free society — it is his full right to agree or disagree with social issues based on his own personal and religious beliefs.

To connect his personal choice to his on-ice performance is ridiculous and hateful.

Peter LigetiSan Jose

Federal incursion makesfor bad government

In “Government, big or small, is essential” (Page A6, March 23) Ron Harmon asks how big is too big? A better question is essential for what? Much of Hanson’s reasons for government expansion, service demands, fire and police protection apply to local governments. Federal incursion, especially in education, is a prime reason for calling it too big. American democracy is generating poor leadership, incapable of coping with decline in either domestic living standards or world hegemony.

Capitalistic corporations, though not perfect, do a much better job of wealth distribution than government. Government as a backstop against financial crisis is only half right. As Keynes pointed out, government should stop deficit spending to rebuild a positive balance during better times.

History shows that when government takes on the function of wealth redistribution in place of corporations and charities, it has become too big and is primed for a fall.

Fred GutmannCupertino

Let’s use commonsense on gun control

Our laws limit what some people can own and operate because we’ve learned of the damage caused.

1. Only designated people can acquire certain drugs.

2. Dynamite cannot be purchased by anyone who wants it.

3. It is illegal to purchase machine guns.

How in the world did we switch gears and delude ourselves that we have a “right” to own nearly any weapon we choose? Are we nuts? Yes.

Let’s require training and insurance for gun ownership. Let’s get rid of high-capacity magazines. Let’s get our heads screwed on right about gun “rights.”

Allen PriceMontara