Letters: Rishi Kumar is best pick for Assessor’s Office

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Kumar best pickfor Assessor’s Office

Re: “Fligor is ready to be assessor. Her rival is not.” (Page A8, Dec. 7).

Rishi Kumar is a tax reformer, not a pencil pusher with a pro-tax agenda. The Mercury News editorial mischaracterizes Kumar as unqualified, but the truth is opposite.

Kumar has served in Saratoga city government and won a City Council seat with that city’s highest vote count in 70 years. With his high-tech background in engineering and AI, he thinks differently, bringing a fresh, bold approach to the Assessor’s Office. He is focused on efficiency, modernization and making sure your tax dollars are used wisely. He has explained his plan clearly. He is pushing a statewide initiative to exempt homeowners 60 and over from property taxes. It’s already with the California attorney general. Kumar is a community organizer fighting for the people he represents. Win or lose, he will continue advancing the 60-plus measure. Check the facts — join us in making Rishi Kumar our next assessor.

Daniel RhoadsSaratoga

Parallel stories paidoff for couple, country

Re: “Stress of war leads to love” (Page A1, Dec. 8).

There is an interesting historical parallel in the story of Dean Darrow.

On April 17, 1942, as surgery was performed to remove the bullet fragment, the Doolittle Raiders were preparing for their bombing raid on Japan (April 18 in Japan). The surgery made it possible for the Darrows to live a full lifetime, just as the Doolittle Raid began a chain of events that led to eventual victory.

Ted AtlasCampbell

Bad advice couldsteer reporters wrong

Re: “Improve training for mandated reporters” (Page 6A, Dec. 5).

Manuel Prado urges better training for mandated reporters. Prado states, “Professionals should be better equipped to call Child Protective Services, and they should ask the correct questions when children report possible abuse.”

I have been a mandated reporter for 41 years and have been through many trainings. CPS phone numbers are readily available; those hearing the statement are obligated to report regardless of school administration saying otherwise, and those answering the phones at CPS are very helpful as to whether or not to report and, if so, how to do that.

Furthermore, we are called “reporters,” not “investigators.” We are not supposed to ask the children questions. We are only to report what they say to us. We are explicitly told to leave that to the professionals. There have been high-profile cases locally and nationwide where these protocols were not followed to the detriment of abused children.

Tom FarrellSanta Clara

Op-eds paint a pathto healthier democracy

Re: “Two-party rule is not serving our nation well” (Page A6, Nov. 21) and “Utah governor pleads for healthier debates” (Page A7, Dec. 4).

Inter-party conflict is destroying our democracy. Two Mercury News op-eds show that we can be better.

“Two-party rule is not serving our nation well” suggests that one way to decrease the destructive polarization in our government is proportional representation. It is a form of representation in government in which “a party’s share of the vote equals its share of seats. If a party earns 30% of the vote, it gets 30% of the seats.” Proportional representation allows three or more political parties to be represented. The result is inter-party coalitions and, therefore, greater cooperation.

The other editorial, “Utah governor pleads for healthier debates,” warns that the result of unending inter-political conflict is an inability to achieve any common goal. The better alternative is to practice civility; to believe that politics does not define us; and to believe that, regardless of political beliefs, we can work together.

Nick DellaportaSanta Clara

New controversies takelight off old controversies

Remember when U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ unethical behavior was big news in Washington, D.C.?

If he were to do something as horrible today, it would be nothing but noise and wouldn’t even register as news.

James KelleyMilpitas

Community should helpthose without legal status

Immigrants in our city without legal status face many challenges every day. They often have limited access to health care, education and legal support, and many feel unsafe because of discrimination or fear of deportation.

These challenges make it harder for them to fully participate in the community, even though they contribute in many important ways. Many residents without legal status work, pay taxes and help support their families, yet they don’t always have the same protections as other members of the community.

The city could make a big difference by creating programs that allow these residents to access essential resources safely. Providing support like health care access, legal aid, educational opportunities and protection from discrimination would show that everyone in the community is valued and respected. That support will strengthen the entire community and help build trust, safety and inclusion for all residents.

Citlaly VillelaSan Jose