The Cupertino Courier

Letters & Opinions

Speak Out

Santoro responds
to campaign
mailer 'hit' piece

In my first political race I find myself running for Cupertino City Council, and it has been a real learning experience. The good news is that people believe I am going to win this election. Why else come after me? The bad news is that some people are not telling the truth.

It started a few weeks ago when Santa Clara County Board of Education trustee T.N. Ho was quoted in a local paper, the Sing Tao Daily, stating the only reason I was running was because I was unable to get a permit to build my house. This is simply not true. I live in my fully permitted Cupertino home and I have no intention of building another house.

In the latest attack, a nasty "hit" piece was sent through the U.S. mail. This flier claims to have been paid for by the "Residents for Quality of Life in Cupertino." I checked with the Fair Political Practices Committee (FPPC) and they could find no such group. This person (or persons) chooses to hide, apparently too chicken to come out into the open.

This misleading flier displays the Cupertino Courier logo not just on one side, but on both sides. I checked with the Courier and they said they had nothing to do with it. It appears that these chickens were attempting to gain credibility by using the Courier's logo.

Basically the flier has my picture (reprinted from my flier without my permission) with a red circle around it and a red line through my face. It claims I am a "one-issue candidate" who benefits "himself, builders, cement quarries, and the super-rich." Nothing could be further from the truth.

My website, fliers and public appearances have talked about many issues such as traffic congestion around the schools, needing more transparency in Cupertino government, and a lack of vision for the future. However, my main issue is that government should be "For the People."

Unlike other candidates, I have taken no endorsements. I have also taken no money from any special interest groups. The only public statement I have made about the quarry was when I was asked at a Rotary Club debate if I would support the proposed quarry expansion as it stood. I gave a one word answer: No.

I have also spoken repeatedly against rezoning and excessive condo projects in Cupertino. Anyone can view the candidates' 460 filings at the city website and see where the candidates have got their money. It is interesting reading and I highly recommend it.

Dirty politics on the part of "chickens" is yet another reason we should take our city back from the politicians.

Mark Santoro

Candidate for Cupertino City Council

Reader backs
Wang, Chang
for council

Most voters I've spoken to appreciate Kris Wang and recognize the fine job she has done on the city council so far. She is for conservative growth that allows for affordable housing, but not dense housing. And she cares about not having our schools overcrowded and our streets congested. She is fiscally conservative, but supports our wonderful public gatherings such as the July 4th fireworks and other city-endorsed community festivals, public park development and extra library funding.

But many are not so knowledgeable about Barry Chang, who is the other fine choice we have this time. Barry has given his life to public service in Cupertino. During the eight years he spent on the school board we had national recognition for the quality of our academics. He also served on the PTA Board and Site Council at Lincoln and advocated for quality programs for our elementary kids there. Some also know him from AYSO soccer where he was a regional board member.

Barry has a master's degree in civil engineering, but I have seen him here in "people engineering." He is an advocate for social justice, and a force for good. He brings people together, and rolls up his own sleeves to work on community projects. He opposes unchecked development and wants safe neighborhoods, clear streets, and a library open when people want to use it. Add to that his focus on seeking community input and using that when he is voting on issues and you will see why I am behind him.

Andrea Harris

Tuscany Place

Wong's vision
for Cupertino
shared by many

After reading Steven Scharf's letter [Oct. 24, 2007] I have to say that he is really confused about the Sierra Club's position on sprawl and smart growth. Of course the Sierra Club is against sprawl, but it also believes in smart growth that includes building affordable housing close to transit, jobs and shopping.

The letter goes on to say that Gilbert Wong is supported by anti-environmental groups when, in fact, he is supported by both the Sierra Club and the California League of Conservation Voters, among many other organizations and citizens that represent a wide array of experience and affiliations.

I would claim that his vision is, in fact, shared by very many Cupertino residents.

Helen Wiant

Westacres Drive

Re-elect
Andrews to
sanitary board

I support Steve Andrews in his bid for election to the Sanitary Board of Cupertino. Steve has been on the board for the past 2 1/2 years and has made 98 percent of the meetings, as well as the educational conferences of the district.

He is committed to the safety and welfare of our community. As a lifelong resident of the Cupertino area, he has served as the president of Cupertino Community Services, a director for the Chamber of Commerce, president and current board member of Cupertino Educational Endowment Foundation, board member of Organization of Special Needs Families, co-chair of the Lunar New Year Parade for two years, and as past president of Cupertino Rotary. I am proud to support Steve.

Gilbert Wong

Cupertino planning commissioner

Wong has an
impressive list
of supporters

Gilbert Wong will make a great city council member. He is caring and passionate about our city and its future. He is also a good listener. As a planning commissioner his door and his e-mail has always been open to discuss issues and concerns with residents. I have personally witnessed him devote many hours to helping residents resolve conflicts with the city.

Gilbert is a moderate when it comes to the debate over important issues in the city, including the environment, housing construction and future commercial development. For example, while Gilbert has approved some housing projects, he has also voted against many others. He voted against the Oaks Shopping Center condo project, the Bubb Road townhouse project, the North Vallco condo project and the Crossroads condo project. Gilbert has also publicly advocated for years for protecting our open space and hillsides.

The fact that Gilbert is the only candidate endorsed by every group offering endorsements, including the Sierra Club, the California League of Conservation Voters and the Chamber of Commerce is clear proof that Gilbert's positions reflect the views of an overwhelming majority of our community.

Claudette Miller

Clay Street

Wang, Chang
will bring
needed change

Cupertino is in a difficult situation today. Please stop electing pro developer city council representatives like Gilbert Wong who continue to dig Cupertino into a deepening economic hole.

This might seem like simple common sense after the recent D & E referendums, when the majority of our residents voted to stop Cupertino from becoming Condotino just a year ago. We are under the illusion that D & E saved our city and things will change. They won't. If you are not getting the results you want, it is because you are not taking the right actions.

Let Gilbert Wong do something else, anything else! Gilbert Wong's voting record as a planning commissioner is "pro developer." He supports the rezoning of our last commercial areas for more high density housing, adding to urban sprawl, overcrowding of our schools, and a worsening quality of life. Gilbert Wong has not taken the hard steps that are required of a true leader.

Stop and ask yourself what are you doing to create this situation too. It might seem like you are an innocent victim, but the truth is there are very few innocent victims. It can be like staying in a job we hate, or letting a friend treat us poorly, or not standing up for ourselves--are we doing something wrong ourselves?

Stop! If you can't do this on your own, seek help from a trusted friend.

Gilbert Wong is creating a deepening hole--Condotino!. Please stop this. If he can't do this himself, decide what actions you are doing that also contribute to the situation and consider a new vision for Cupertino. The next step is to take action. Knowing what to change and not changing it doesn't help you or our city, so you have to act.

Please elect Kris Wang and Barry Chang for change--stop Condotino. Let proven leaders fill in the growing hole and bury Condotino once and for all.

Keith Murphy

E. Estates Drive

Wong gets backing of vice mayor

In this age of expensive energy and global climate change, Gilbert Wong is committed to conservation, sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint. He strongly supports hillside protection, creating a walkable community and furthering the city's environmental protection guidelines. I look forward to working with Gilbert on these tough issues.

Gilbert is knowledgeable and thoughtful, and will serve the city of Cupertino with integrity.

Dolly Sandoval

Vice mayor, Cupertino