Letters to the editor
Milpitas’ homeless plan too expensive, unwise
Are the local leaders serious about spending $80 million to house 132 homeless in new studio apartments (“Judge rejects bid to block sale of hotel for homeless,” Page B5, Nov. 20) that will cost over $600,000 each? The true cost will probably be at least $100 million because $50 million will be bonds or loans. There will probably be yearly costs for people to run the faculty, electric, water, gas, grounds upkeep and maintenance costs for another $750,000 to $1 million per year
Most of the valley’s taxpaying workers cannot afford a place to live that costs $600,000-plus. This boondoggle is why I stopped voting for almost every tax/bond measure that comes up for votes. The elected people are not coming even close to spending the hard-earned tax money in a wise or sane way. The people need to rise up and demand better. — James Hallum, Gilroy
Explanation owed on gun-permit scandal
The county grand jury’s probe of the alleged scheme to trade concealed weapons permits for donations to Sheriff Laurie Smith’s 2018 reelection (“Undersheriff Indicted in corruption probe,” Page B1, Nov. 21) alleges that one select recipient of a gun permit was Supervisor Mike Wasserman.
I believe Supervisor Wasserman should account to his constituents why he needed to pack a concealed weapon. And why he was exempt from legally required proficiency exams.
— Ken Colson, San Jose
Self-driving car ruling a boon for safety
A recent decision from the California Public Utilities Commission approved a permitting program for self- driving companies to begin commercial operations in the state. This is a significant step forward for fully autonomous vehicles in the Golden State, which is home to so many of the world’s leading innovators. California’s status as a major testing hub will help to pave the way for the future of selfdriving technology.
Self- driving vehicles hold the tremendous potential to save lives and enhance mobility for the elderly and disability communities. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated yet more examples of how AVs can provide residents with medications, food and transportation, while still mitigating exposure to others. By embracing the commercial use of self- driving technology, the California is helping to lead the way on realizing all of the safety and societal benefits of fully self- driving vehicles.
— Ariel Wolf, counsel to the Self-Driving Coalition
Washington, D.C.
Trump never learned to act presidential
As a retired Republican U.S. congressman from Silicon Valley, I observe that the 2020 voter turnout war with President- elect Biden was lost by President Trump.
That was his giant blunder. The very same “thunder on the right” that resulted in 8 million more mostly Republican votes over 2016 also caused Biden to be rewarded about 10 million more mostly Democrat votes over Hillary Clinton in 2016.
In parting with Trump I conclude that while I enjoyed his four years he never learned to act as if he was, in fact, the president of the United States of America.
— Ernie Konnyu, former
congressman, San Jose
In defeat, Trump’s con job continues
Donald Trump is perhaps the greatest con man in history. He even now continues to fraudulently gather funding to support his delusional, losing “legal” effort to undermine democracy in order to redirect most of that money to other self-serving causes.
The election itself would have been even more dominant for the Democratic ticket had it not been for the Republicans’ efforts at voter suppression, and the “defund the police” movement and street violence in a few areas of the country which scared voters and most probably resulted in the Republicans retaining control of the Senate and gaining seats in the House.
The whole Trump presidency and his chronic pathological lying and refusal to acknowledge the election results reflect not only his amorality but also raise tremendous concern regarding the amount of support he receives from 47% of voters.
— Steve Baron, Cupertino