The Cupertino Courier

Letters & Opinions

Speak Out

Give us downtown,
not 'Pie in the Sky'

Regarding the May 16 column "A Grand Vision for Cupertino: It's Up in the Air" so is "Pie in the Sky." We attended the first two community meetings on the future of North Vallco until we realized that neither HP nor Apple needs us to form a vision for their property unless and until they ask for our opinion. The city paid a hefty fee for someone to stand before us and, as one attendee described it, sound like professor Harold Hill from The Music Man. Can you see the uniforms, see the parade and hear the music?

And now we read about a bridge over the freeway and a luxury hotel to define Cupertino. Shades of "76 Trombones." We already have the Cypress as a flagship hotel. What we need is a downtown--even a small one--in order to have an anchor spot to unite the city and to promote urban tourism. That's what the Rose Bowl was supposed to be. Where is it? Give us a downtown, give us a midtown and give us an uptown, but don't try to distract us with bridges over freeways or over troubled waters.

Ruby Elbogen

Cupertino

Leave trees, creek
at Blackberry Farm

Wake up Cupertino residents! The powers that be have decided to rebuild, restore, move a creek, tear down our beautiful park, oaks and other trees that have been in Blackberry Farm for more than 100 years and that Mother Nature put there for us to use and enjoy. We are told that the trees are in the way of a footpath. What is wrong with people who will walk this path? Can't they go around the trees?

The people voted to buy Blackberry Farm for a park. I don't think we have paid off that debt. Why put another $12 million on our overburdened shoulders? I am sure that if we have to spend that amount of money it could be put to better use in our city. Why can't we pay off our existing debt and then let the citizens of Cupertino in the park for free? At Alum Rock Park in San Jose there is no entry fee for residents.

People, let your voice be heard to the city council! Bottom line, don't touch our trees or creek. We don't need to put more mortgages on our grandchildren's shoulders. We don't need a change in Blackberry Farm. Repairs, yes, but don't tear the trees or move the creek. We can't remove a twig from our backyard without city permission, and the city wants to tear down 100-year-old oak trees!

Wake up, citizens. If the council won't do our bidding, then vote them out of office.

Peter J. Camarda

Cupertino resident for 88 years