The Cupertino Courier

Letters & Opinions

Speak Out

Hillside safety
needs more study

Dear city council members: Why did you exclude the Stevens Creek flood plain area from the15 percent RHS overlay ordinance when your concern lies with building safety on slopped lots?

According to Appendix E in the General Plan (Geologic and Seismic Hazards) "Intense seismic ground shaking from a nearby earthquake could trigger new slope failures or movement of pre-existing landslides. Steep to precipitous banks adjacent to the flood plain of Stevens Creek may be particularly susceptible to seismically induced land sliding. Landslides are expected along the high steep embankments that bound the Stevens Creek flood plain, confined to local sites along the stream channel alignment extending from the front of the hillsides across the valley floor. This hazard can be reduced significantly by restrictive building at the base and top of the embankments.''

It appears that you've missed the real target in matters of hillside protection and building safety. I urge you to remove this ordinance in its entirety and review the matter more thoughtfully in three years during the next General Plan update.

Sherry Fang

Lindy Lane

Media coverage
isn't 'balanced'

I was bemused by the pieces in the August 15 issue stating that Fox news slants to the right and is not ''fair and balanced'' as advertised. My question to them is: Name a news broadcast or newspaper in this fair state that is "fair and balanced.'' The L A Times, the Sacramento Bee, the San Jose paper, ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, PBS and CNN all lean left and do not give a balanced view of world issues or national politics. So in my opinion, you are in denial and may not be watching Fox with an open mind and listening to other opinions.

As an aside, the afore mentiond news outlets are falling to the wayside as of late, and Fox news is surging in listeners. They must be doing something that people like.

Harry Vandevort

Cupertino

Appointing Wei
was right choice

I wanted to say congratulations and thank you to Hung Wei Chien for her recent appointment to the FUHSD Board of Trustees. The board had a hard decision picking between 10 highly qualified candidates, but in the end you stood out above the rest. Your love for the community, your care and respect for others, and your open heart and mind will be a great asset to the board and our school district.

Thank you so much for your willingness to serve.

Cathy Gatley

Cupertino