Here’s what public schools, desalination, and Madonna all have in common: they can all elicit pretty strong opinions from Santa Cruz Weekly readers.
Notes On A Desal Vote
In “Let My People Vote” (Currents, Feb. 29).html the Weekly inaccurately states, “While two separate proposals to bring the controversial desal project to the public for a vote would guarantee a say for Santa Cruz city residents …” Only the Right to Vote on Desal ballot measure would, if passed by the voters, guarantee city voters a say, because only that proposal would put the requirement of a vote in the city charter, thus making it impossible for the city council to repeal. By sharp contrast, the city council's proposed ordinance, if enacted, could easily be repealed at any time by the same or a future city council.
Jeff Alford
Santa Cruz
Madonna Fan
I bet Christina Waters (“Couture Cinema,” Film, March 7.html) knows most of the following things: that despite its obsession with clothes, Madonna's W.E. is a splendid first film; that protagonist Wally Winthrop's “salvation” is not hooking up, but escaping from her rotten husband; that what the Duchess grants Wally is ultimately not hope, but motivation; that a movie that melts in your mouth like chocolate doesn't need a lot of plot, drama, intrigue or character development; and that affecting to look down one's nose at a versatile artist like Madonna fools no one. Madonna 1, Santa Cruz 0.
Richard Flacco
Santa Cruz
Not The Right Time
[RE: “Lesson Learned,” Briefs, March 7.html] The real issue here is not the Montessori video, but the fact that this charter school will take away resources from the existing schools in Santa Cruz. There are already two great public school options for parents who want a free Montessori-based education for their children (Monarch and Pacific School).
The school district is facing horrible budget cuts due to the state budget crisis. How could there possibly be money to create a new school right now? This charter will take away resources from all other students in the district, to serve a very small group of children.
Santa Cruz City and County have a wealth of great public schools, including many alternative programs. This is not the right time to be creating a new school.
Vivian Larkins
Santa Cruz
From The Web
Insensitive Parents
[RE: “Lesson Learned”] The problem is not lack of political savvy. The problem is lack of sensitivity. The fact that Whitney Smith didn’t GET that this is offensive is a problem. This is the same reason they continue to push their charter when they have been told repeatedly and in no uncertain terms that this will hurt current SCCS programs. It will take money away from current students and will compete for school site space that is already too overcrowded. They are insensitive to needs other than their own and cannot see outside their own experience. And they want to start an inclusive school? I think they have shown they do not have the credentials to be inclusive.
VF
I Mean Mean!
You say it yourself…who would choose to send their child to an overcrowded resource-limited classroom that you describe. Who wouldn’t look at their beautiful pre-school aged child and try to figure out a way to improve the system? Yes, they are thinking of their own children and others in the future, just as you are. The difference is that you are pushing the status quo and these parents are trying to make the world a better place.
You and your self-serving group of mean-spirited parents should all be ashamed of yourselves. Mean, mean, mean!!!
Bruce Block, MD
