I was disappointed by the May 26 Cupertino Courier article on the R1 ordinance survey, especially vice chairwoman Angela Chen's quote: "We saw a 50-50 split on all major issues in the survey."

My evaluation of the survey indicates a clear majority of residents favor keeping the current ordinance or making the ordinance more restrictive for all major issues except the second-story proportion (question 7).

For example:

• Question 8--58 percent oppose changing or support reducing the second-story minimum allowed area.

• Question 9--84 percent oppose changing or support increasing first-story setbacks.

• Question 10--65 percent oppose changing or support increasing second-story setbacks.

• Question 11--73 percent oppose changing or support reducing building envelope.

• Question 12--68 percent oppose changing or support decreasing entry height.

• Question 13--82 percent oppose changing or support increasing privacy protection.

Based on these numbers, how did Commissioner Chen conclude that half surveyed say the R1 ordinance is too restrictive?

Larry Mattheakis

Cupertino

City needs to focus on
developing a nightlife

I read the front-page story of the June 9 issue of the Cupertino Courier about the three initiatives by the Concerned Citizens of Cupertino. I have been listening to all the pros and cons on these issues.

I have to admit I don't really know that much about setbacks or height or slope/line ratios, etc. But I do notice a lot of people in the Courier's letters section and Jody Hanson, the CEO of the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce, in the Courier's June 9 story, trying to compare Cupertino with cities like Los Gatos, Saratoga and Los Altos and how nice and quaint they are and, as Ms. Hanson said about Los Gatos, "a nice feel to it."

The one thing that these other cities have that Cupertino doesn't have is fine dining and entertainment places. The only two that I can think of are the Blue Pheasant and maybe Fontanas. Maybe someone can think of others I don't know about.

The rest of the restaurants, like BJ's, Chili's, T.G.I. Friday's and Hong Fu, are really only fast-food restaurants where you can get your order in 10 minutes. So if you want to go to a nice restaurant, most of us invariably go to these other cities.

Instead of worrying about stuffing Cupertino with more high-rise corporate headquarters or apartments, maybe a little attention could be given to having a nightlife in Cupertino.

Jim Carlisle

Cupertino

Initiatives would have
prohibited new stores

I am very concerned about the initiative petitions being circulated.

Currently Cupertino, like all of California, is facing severe revenue shortages. This is sure to result in municipal service cutbacks. The best way to address the revenue problem is to increase sales taxes in Cupertino. We can do that by attracting new businesses here that not only serve our residents, but also bring in much-needed tax revenue.

Two recent projects serve as examples.

The renovation of the old vacant Wherehouse Music store at the corner of Stelling and Stevens Creek boulevards has attracted three great new businesses, a Starbucks Coffee shop, Panda Express and T-Mobile.

All three businesses appear to be doing well and are certainly generating lots of new revenue for Cupertino. This renovation could not have been done if the initiatives were in place today.

Last Monday, the city council approved the renovation of the old Good Earth Restaurant, vacant for years. It will be the new home of Pinero Bakery and Peet's Coffee. These two retailers will provide new choices for our residents and more tax dollars.

This renovation would have also been prohibited by the growth-control initiatives, and we'd be stuck looking at the deteriorating Good Earth building.

I urge people to not sign or support the initiatives. They will kill good projects, and the services and revenues that new businesses could bring.

Jack Hubby

31-year resident of Cupertino

Clean and safe creeks
are becoming a reality

In November 2000, Santa Clara County voters approved a ballot measure known as the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Program. It created a countywide special parcel tax that promised specific accomplishments over a 15-year period.

The Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Program is designed to protect, enhance and restore bay ecosystems, improve water quality, help keep neighborhood creeks free from trash and develop 70 miles of creekside trails in the county.

The ballot measure also created an independent monitoring committee to annually review the progress of the voter-approved program and report its findings to county residents.

We have just completed our second annual report on the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Program. The district's efforts to keep the creeks clear of graffiti continue, and 32,000 square feet of graffiti were removed in the West Valley area.

The program also cleaned up more than 700 cubic yards of trash and debris from local creeks. Areas by major creek crossings, trails, local parks and schools have been given top priority. These high-visibility areas collect heavy loads of trash. In addition, a half-mile of creek trail has been added locally.

Don Burnett, Committee Member

Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Program

Soldier represents the
best of our community

I was deeply moved by the Cupertino Courier's June 9 story on Cpl. Bumrok Lee of Sunnyvale, who gave his life while serving in Iraq.

Cpl. Lee represents the best of our community with his selfless dedication to his family, friends and country. Our community has suffered a tremendous loss. But we can feel grateful to live in a country that is made great by the goodness of men like Cpl. Bumrok Lee.

Nolan Chen

Cupertino Public Safety Commissioner