The Cupertino Courier

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Surprised? No, shocked at Burnett's re-election

Councilman Don Burnett was "surprised" to come in third in the election. I was shocked that he didn't come in 10th. He voted for the water bill.

I think it is astounding that 2,238 voters thought it is just fine to have their water bills go up 22 percent--forever.

Burnett also felt he would have garnered more votes if he hadn't voted for so many housing projects.

Again, I was astounded that 2,838 voters thought it was just fine to build more houses in Cupertino, regardless of where they are to be located. Wasn't "slow growth" a campaign favorite just recently?

But here's what really surprised me, and, I'm sure, the folks who live on Ricardo Road, in regard to Burnett's re-election.

Just prior to the election, there was a story in The Courier (Oct. 29) concerning Mr. and Mrs. Dor, who want to build a home off Stevens Canyon Road at the top of a ridge line.

Our City Council heard the case at the end of October. Residents of Ricardo Road who live at the base of the Dors' property expressed their concerns about future landslides because 3,300 feet of earth will be moved to build the house.

An expert, however, hired by the Dors, said, "Not to worry." When he was asked about the recent slide on Mercedes Road that resulted in a 28-year-old home being condemned, the expert said this wasn't caused by the construction of the new home at the top of the hill two years ago.

The Mercedes home stood through heavy winter rain for more than 20 years, then a house is built at the top of the hill and we have a landslide--and we have to ask why? Coincidence? Want to buy the Bay Bridge?

My concern is not only for the residents in these two neighborhoods. My concern is also with the city if found liable--in court--for approving an unsafe building project.

But the election is over, and we have to live with Councilman Burnett's statement: "People have a right to develop their property."

W.J. Dunn
Cupertino

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