Letters: San Jose council | Vote for Liccardo | Low for Congress | Saratoga schools | Measure Q | Board of education | Campbell Union board | Santa Clara council

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Mulcahy is leader that
S.J. City Council needs

I’ve known Michael Mulcahy for over 40 years. He’ll be an outstanding San Jose City Council member for District 6.

Michael and his family have consistently shown a deep and genuine commitment to our community through their support of our youth, the arts, our neighborhoods and through their own economic development.

Michael was born in District 6. He’s a third-generation San Josean.

Michael led the Children’s Musical Theater San Jose — a nationally acclaimed organization benefitting our city’s youth and families. Michael led as the head of the Willow Glen Business Association, helping to create one of the most vibrant neighborhood business districts in our region.

Michael led as a founder of the Monterey Corridor Business Association. Michael led as founder of Team San Jose, an innovative partnership of business, arts, government and labor generating tourism and jobs for San Jose.

He’ll now lead for safer, cleaner neighborhoods, streets, parks and creeks while leading on vital economic development.

William B. Baron
San Jose

Principled Liccardo is
best pick for Congress

I’m a strong conservative who worked for Sam Liccardo during his tenure as mayor of San José. Here’s why you should vote for him.

I was a policy analyst in his office — my first job outside of college — for nearly two years. I expected Sam, as I would any elected leader, to have narratives about how things work and why he was the right man for the hour. I was proven wrong. It became clear that Sam established a team committed to ideas, not hierarchy. He always sought the perspective of everyone on our team with curiosity and sincerity. In my work with him, he wanted to know what other cities, states and countries were doing; he was always ready to hear any idea from any side of the aisle. He chased verifiable data, evidence-based practices and commonsense principles.

He’s hardly a politician — he’s a principled and discerning problem solver.

Trevor Eckhoff
Salt Lake City

Low will be effective
leader in Congress

As a former Assembly member from San Jose, I know what it takes to be an effective leader, and that’s why I’m proud to support Evan Low for Congress.

Evan has a proven track record of bringing people together to find solutions. Whether it’s working with small business owners or advocating for families, he focuses on collaboration, not division. In the Assembly, he’s shown his commitment to making positive change by partnering across party lines and building successful coalitions.

Evan’s campaign is people-powered. Evan is focused on listening to everyday people and tackling our challenges.

Evan Low is clearly the right choice for strong, thoughtful leadership in Congress.

Jim Cunneen
San Jose

Vote for Vasu for
Saratoga school board

I support Ramya Vasu for election to the Saratoga Union School District board.

Ramya is driven by a deep commitment to building our community, ensuring academic excellence for all students and promoting the arts, music and extracurriculars. She is the candidate who will be a voice for our students.

Vasu is a parent of a fifth- and an eighth-grader in the district, a special education teacher in a neighboring district, on the executive board of Saratoga Music Boosters (giving her insight into the high school district), the PTA New Parent Liaison at Redwood Middle School, a member of the Saratoga Girl Scouts leadership team, and a city of Saratoga Library and Arts Commissioner. She’s a past PTA auditor (she has a background in finance) and as site representative for Saratoga Education Foundation spearheaded a district-wide art show.

Karen Fredericks
Saratoga

In Santa Cruz County,
vote no to Measure Q

For many reasons, the Santa Cruz County Fire Chief’s Association opposes Measure Q.

Despite the feel-good title, “Santa Cruz County Safe Drinking Water, Clean Beaches, Wildfire Risk Reduction, and Wildlife Protection Initiative,” our local fire chiefs call this “misleading and irresponsible branding” because they have painfully witnessed that the county, which would forever administer the anticipated $7.3 million collected annually should Measure Q pass, has historically failed to follow through on past promises to voters to actually fund fire reduction activities. “There is no guarantee any funds will be spent to reduce wildfire risks.”

We should rightfully listen to our local fire chiefs, not the large nonprofits who paid to qualify this measure for the ballot and stand to reap great financial benefit while bolstering the county’s funds.

Measure Q is a forever money grab.

Becky Steinbruner
Aptos

Speiser for county
Board of Education

Re: “Questions around Dewan’s firing grow” (Page B1, Oct. 16).

I’m no expert on the work of the Santa Clara County Board of Education, so the recent Mercury News article shed light on the institution. The incumbent, Grace Mah, is in the press for “willful violation” of county policies and open meeting laws under the Brown Act and stating, “I don’t care if I break the law.”

If that’s not enough to vote for the experienced challenger, Jessica Speiser, look to the 29 trustees of the six schools in Area 1. Those elected citizens want what’s right for the students in our schools. They know the incumbent, yet 27 of 29 support Jessica Speiser. We should too. The support and reasons for electing Speiser are overwhelming.

Curtis Cole
Former mayor, Los Altos

Reelect Snyder to
Campbell Union board

Campbell Union School District is a highly effective and award-winning district that is doing wonderful things for the students in our area. I strongly believe my district’s ability to continue this work and move forward in an optimal manner is contingent on the reelection of Michael Snyder in Trustee Area 2. I am not alone in this belief, as demonstrated by all four of Michael‘s governing board peers and our CSEA union supporting his reelection.

Our students deserve an effective governance team. On behalf of CUSD students, please reelect Michael Snyder in Area 2.

Danielle Cohen
Campbell

Elect Harbir Bhatia to
Santa Clara City Council

Re: “Elect Bhatia, Park, Jain in Santa Clara” (Page A8, Oct. 6).

I fully support your endorsement of Harbir Bhatia in the recent editorial for Santa Clara City Council. Having worked alongside Harbir in the Rotary and at the Sikh Gurdwara in San Jose, I can vouch for her dedication to community service and leadership.

Her ability to unite people and drive positive change is inspiring. Harbir’s activism and commitment to helping underserved communities make her a standout candidate.

I strongly encourage voters to support Harbir Bhatia for Santa Clara City Council. She will serve with vision and dedication.

Baltej Mann
Professor, San Jose State University
San Jose