Editor,

When voters have the opportunity to vet candidates, understand the policy perspectives of candidates and to have their voices heard, our Democracy is enriched. That is why I believe it is essential that the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors call for a special election to fill the county supervisor seat vacated by Jerry Hill. Voters have not had a real opportunity to shape county policy for over a decade as there have been no seriously contested elections since 1997. So many years without an election has prevented a thoughtful dialogue on the many issues our county government faces. That is why I support the notion of a special election and a true Democratic. Yes we can.

Gina Papan

Millbrae

The letter writer is the mayor of Millbrae

Save money — no election

Editor,

I read with interest your editorial about the vacancy created by Supervisor Jerry Hill’s election to the State Assembly. However, I respectfully disagree with your determination that the supervisor seat should be filled by a special election. As you pointed out, the election would cost residents approximately $1.7 million. While you may be right that this “only” amounts to “one tenth of 1 percent of the total budget,” it is still a lot of money that could be better used in the county to offset losses sustained by our budget resulting from state and federal government financial crises. You claim the appointee would be assured a victory in 2010 because of the “power of incumbency.”

Perhaps you should talk to some of the Republicans who are currently cleaning out their desks in Washington, D.C. I agree incumbents have a huge advantage; however whoever fills the vacancy will certainly be tested between now and the 2010 election. Let’s also consider the fact that a special election wouldn’t necessarily reflect the wishes of the electorate at this time. I would wager turn-out would be very small this soon after the interminable Presidential election we just endured. Our present board is certainly aware of the issues confronting our county. I trust them to exercise due diligence to select the best candidate for this important job. Let’s use common sense and save our money for issues more pressing than this vacancy.

Bob Stine

San Mateo

Supervisorial election needed

Editor,

Editor, I agree with your editorial in the Nov. 18 edition that the “Supervisor vacancy deserves an election.” I also agree that district-wide and not county-wide elections would attract more candidates. The Board of Supervisors has an opportunity to accomplish both in one special election. They should place a charter amendment posing the issue on the same ballot as the election for Hill’s replacement. If district-wide elections prevail, they could be made to apply to the election at hand. Then, perhaps, when Don Horsley runs for Rich Gordon’s termed-out seat in 2010, we might see a “horse race.”

Jack Hickey

Emerald Hills

The true heart of Thanksgiving

Editor,

I would like to encourage all readers of the San Mateo Daily Journal to read George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation. It reveals the true heart of the founders of our country. Washington’s intent for Thanksgiving was not merely a day of general good will and thankfulness but the “acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God…” Washington goes on to say, “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits and humbly to implore His protection and favour.” Lastly, Washington believed that Thanksgiving ought to be a day of national repentance of saying, “We may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions.” The separation of church and state laid out by our forefathers was not intended to keep religion from influencing government but from government corrupting religion. It is very evident when you read the writings of our founding fathers that they knew leading our country according to Judeo-Christian values would lead to blessing and prosperity.

Chris Davidson

Redwood City

Iranian threat

Editor,

I would like to remind Pat Gray in her Nov. 16 letter in the Daily Journal that the resolution of Nov. 11, 2002 “to authorize President Bush to attack Iraq if Saddam Hussein refuses to give up weapons of mass destruction as required by U.N.” was accepted by a 296-133 majority in the Congress and 77-23 majority in the Senate. It is highly unlikely that our elected representatives,’ including late Tom Lantos, “pro” or “con” votes were based on their submission to or rebellion against AIPAC and Israel’s interests.

As for a nuclear Iran, of course, it presents an existential threat for Israel. But one would be truly naïve, or blindly anti-Semitic, to believe that Iran is spending its wealth and working tirelessly just to annihilate the Jewish state. There will be incalculable and unpredictable problems for the world, in general, and the United States, in particular, with a nuclear bomb in Iranian hands.

Vladimir Kaplan

San Mateo

The reasons for Proposition 8

Editor,

Firstly, traditional marriage won in other states too. Proponents of same-sex marriage label, for Proposition 8 voters, as bigots, haters and discriminators, which is far from the truth. Lest they forget — They were born of heterosexual parents.

Marriage is the state of being married, the mutual relation of husband and wife, the institution whereby men and women are joined in a special kind of social and legal dependence for the purpose of funding and maintaining a family.

Creation — the act of creating, the act of bringing the world into ordered existence. Whomever our creator that put a male and female on the land, in the sea and in the air. The pair, a male and a female re-produced in all species of life. If the creator had put a pair of homosexuals on the planet there would have been no life.

Those who voted no on Proposition 8 are/were using reverse discrimination against traditional marriage. Gay “marriage” as a civil union, if they so desire, is probably the answer. Ironically, on both sides of homosexuality, there is a “Mr. and Mrs.” I voted yes on Proposition 8 because tradition, creation, life and Mother Nature told me so — not hatred, bigotry or discrimination.

Walter Haag

Millbrae