Letters: Undemocratic choice | The right pick

Submit your letter to the editor by way of this way. Learn extra Letters to the Editor.

Council’s undemocratic
alternative is regarding

Re. “It’s not too late to let voters choose councilmembers,” Web page A8, Jan. 22:

The Metropolis Council in San Jose appears to have forgotten that we dwell in a consultant democracy. Which means our authorities is elected by its residents.

Over the robust objections of residents together with these in Districts 8 and 10, the council determined to nominate new members as an alternative of letting voters in these districts resolve who ought to signify them.

So as a way to save $11 million in a $6 billion price range, my Metropolis Council is chucking democracy by the wayside. One wonders if our Metropolis Council gained’t discover a option to slowly transfer away from democratic elections when we’ve a price range deficit or when it’s politically expedient.

Each citizen on this metropolis has a proper to resolve who they need representing them in metropolis issues.

Nina Seth
San Jose

S.J. council selected
proper on appointments

As a resident of San José and somebody who has labored intently with our communities, I do know an appointment course of to decide on representatives for Districts 8 and 10 was the best alternative. It assures continuity of illustration for these districts because the fiscal yr begins, and it’s the truth is extra consultant, clear and democratic than a particularly low-turnout particular election.

Throughout race and place, first-generation immigrants, renters, and low-income households confirmed up and voted for the candidates who make up our Metropolis Council at present. We’re assured within the Metropolis Council’s means to nominate representatives who’re dedicated to the values of our metropolis and might work with the group to advance our collective imaginative and prescient for fairness in jobs, housing, security and our democratic freedoms.

This week, let’s take this chance to decide on councilmembers who take care of the various individuals of San Jose.

Gabriela Chavez-Lopez
Government director, Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley
San Jose

Reform complicates
probation official’s job

Congratulations to newly appointed Chief Probation Officer Nick Birchard (“Probation chief attracts on East San Jose roots,” Web page B, Jan. 22). Sadly, the Legislature has made an already tough job extra so. Most misdemeanor defendants are restricted to a most probation interval of 1 yr and most felonies to 2 years until a statute supplies for an extended interval of supervision. The probation division supplies life-saving companies serving to these below their supervision enhance their lives and giving them hope. They’re an essential operate of presidency and deserve our assist.

Limiting the interval of probation which was once for much longer, makes this mission rather more tough bordering on unattainable. Moreover, restitution to victims of crime is much less possible as properly.

Chief Birchazrd will want each little bit of his “completely different lens” to assist these below his cost.

Eugene M. Hyman
Retired Santa Clara County Superior Court docket Decide

Take holistic strategy
to local weather change

In two latest letters to the editor relating to local weather change, one advisable private motion by lowering air journey (“Finish pointless journey to save lots of the planet,” Web page A6, Jan. 18), a second countered that the higher resolution was to move a carbon charge (“Voluntary acts gained’t cease local weather change,” Web page A6, Jan. 20). The purpose that’s lacking is that local weather change is an extremely complicated downside, and there isn’t one silver bullet to resolve it. We should always applaud all constructive actions.

Motion might be taken at completely different ranges; particular person/household, authorities, and enterprise. Begin with one space and increase over time. Every motion makes a distinction in bending the carbon emissions curve and also you’ll really feel higher for it. Failure comes each from inaction and diminishing the constructive actions of others. Any criticism must be centered as an alternative on these like Exxon, who’ve understood local weather change science because the Nineteen Seventies however have spent many years denying it.

Tom Calderwood
Los Gatos

Trump didn’t deserve
Warriors’ respect

Fan Jiao writes criticizing the Warriors for visiting the White Home with Joe Biden in workplace however not when Donald Trump was there (“Warriors forgot to respect the workplace,” Web page A6, Jan. 20). They are saying the workforce must respect the workplace.