Dear Editor:
I read Wendy Spohr’s recent letter published in the June 10
Dispatch with interest. I too am a longtime resident of Kern Avenue
(more than 25 years) and have seen the area change drastically over
time.
Dear Editor:
I read Wendy Spohr’s recent letter published in the June 10 Dispatch with interest. I too am a longtime resident of Kern Avenue (more than 25 years) and have seen the area change drastically over time. Not all of the changes have met with my approval, but I have tried to take them in stride.
I am appalled that the mayor would even consider suggesting using the power of eminent domain to force people from their homes to build the new high school. I have been told that eminent domain is only used as a “last resort,” so to even consider this in light of the fact that other sites are available is unconscionable.
Kern Avenue has always had problems with traffic (speeding and volume) and this would do nothing but make the problem considerably worse. All one needs to do is sit in front of Gilroy High when school is dismissed to see what a terrible mess Kern Avenue would become. This is not to mention the fact that traffic would also increase on Wren, Farrell and Mantelli, which also have school traffic because of the three elementary schools and Mt Madonna High School on those streets. (These schools are within a one-mile radius of one another.)
I cringe to think of the added danger this would pose to our youngest citizens on their way to and from school. As it is I have seen many “close calls” in front of Rod Kelley over the years and this is with day-to-day residential traffic.
I do hope Mayor Tom Springer will reconsider his stand on using Kern Avenue as a site for the new high school. Not only do we not need to put their lives of our elementary school students in jeopardy, but it is a “misuse of power” to force people from their homes when other sites are available – not to mention the fact that we already have four schools in our neighborhood.
Diane Petro, Gilroy
Submitted Friday, June 13 to ed****@****ic.com
