Letters

Editor,

Belmont Interim City Manager Jack Crist will end his tenure in Belmont on March 30. We are sorry to see him go. It is not often that a city administrator can effectively manage a city and make the tough decisions while, at the same time, earning the respect and admiration of a labor union. Jack Crist has done it. Jack has been respectful, honest, forthcoming, and direct in his dealings with union representatives. We have been quick to criticize public officials who have been less than adequate to the task so we think it’s only fair to complement those who do a good job. Jack Crist has been a tremendous asset to the city of Belmont. We will certainly miss him.

Ed Hawkins

Belmont

The letter writer is the president of the San Mateo County Firefighters Association.

Disappearing teachers

Editor,

In regards to James Geranios’ recent guest perspective about teacher’s wages ("Teachers make a good wage” in the March 20 edition of the Daily Journal) I wonder why Mr. Geranios is not a teacher.

Since his perspective of a teacher’s job appears to be a piece of cake and easy money, I can’t image why he has not pursued the soft job of the teaching profession. Of course maybe he knows that 5 percent of perspective teachers quit the profession the first year. And 40 percent quit the teaching profession after five years. According to my middle school math, rounding off, that means about 50 percent of perspective teachers are saying bye-bye to a profession that pays too much and has too many free days.

Maybe Geranios’ middle school math is bogus? For most teachers to make $45,000 a year he or she has to have taught at least five years. And to be at the top of the salary schedule, he or she must have taught 20 years in most cases or over 20 in many school districts.

Apparently, Geranios "assumes” ever teacher arrives at 8 a.m. and leaves at 3:15 p.m. every day. During my school days, I don’t recall any teacher "winded” as he or she opened the classroom door for the first period of five classes of math to teach. Why do about 50 percent of people who pursue a teaching career leave within the first five years? There are two reasons: 1) pay is low and 2) it is not a piece of cake teaching kids. Again, Mr. Geranios can sign up to teach any day and have that "racket job” that makes a person wealthy.

Leroy Dinges

San Mateo

Teacher grievances negotiated calmly

Editor,

I am writing to clarify a few possible misconceptions regarding the article of March 16, "Teacher Grievance Halted.” While I’m sure Ms. Murtagh didn’t decide on the headline, it is a bit misleading.

The grievance was not brought to an abrupt stop as it alludes but rather was satisfied. The teachers of the Millbrae district did not want the district to honor the grievance but rather honor their written agreement that they would give us a long overdue raise (three years).

The grievance was filed because the district did not honor its agreement. It was not something we did as part of the negotiation process but something we did because of the failure to honor the agreement. Our contract negotiations are not for the current year but for the next school year, 2006-2007. We teachers always wish to work amicably with the district, but I’m afraid that the article portrays a rather contentious negotiation scenario which is not necessarily the situation. Last year negotiations were very calm and and amiable. We hope to continue in that vein this year as well.

Louis DeZutti

Millbrae

Troop withdrawal

Editor,

Another liberal San Mateo resident has criticized George Bush for being "optimistic about the prospects of success in Iraq.”

After forgetting that Iraq has had two successful elections and formed a new government in only three years, this writer complains that the insurgents just return and the cost continues. These liberals are repeating that we need to just bring the troops home no matter the consequences.

I seem to remember only a few years ago that our Democratic President Bill Clinton put a hundred thousand police on the streets to fight crime. Since that time, crime has not stopped, in fact, it continues unabated at a huge cost, along with gang violence, burglaries, car thefts and even murder. Police have lost their lives in the line of duty and others have been maimed. Most criminals do not even want the police there. As soon as the police apprehend a criminal, another takes his place.

Many people have indicated that we may need a police presence in San Mateo indefinitely. Does anyone want a date for police withdrawal from his or her neighborhood?

R. M. Parkhurst

Redwood City

Outrageous

homeless program

Editor,

Bill Silverfarb ("Homelessness plan is too ambitious” in the March 17 edition of the Daily Journal), hits the nail on the head when he says: "I understand when federal grant money is dangling out there you want to reach out and grab it...” My only regret is that I didn’t write this masterpiece! Where do the Fed’s get this money? Ultimately, it comes from your wallet.

Why do elected officials propose such outrageous programs? I have a theory, which goes like this: Secular Humanists have gained control of our elected bodies. They are the modern day socialists. They see the human species (except for their anointed followers) as the source of world problems. They seek to reduce the population of those exhibiting anti-social behavior. I have been exhibiting anti-socialist behavior for as long as I can remember.

Their domination of the schooling market, left unchallenged, creates a cadre of followers ensuring establishment of their religion. Children of welfare recipients have become their key to success. Tax paying families struggle to educate their children in a manner consistent with their values. Please join me in this challenge to restore family values.

John J. "Jack” Hickey

Emerald Hills<