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Chavez allegations force us to examine heroes

Re: “Officials mull Chavez fallout” (Page A1, March 19).

I am stunned, angry, betrayed and bewildered. As a relatively young man, I was moderately engaged in supporting Cesar Chavez and the cause of farmworkers. I demonstrated. I boycotted grapes. I contributed what I could — $10 at a rally — which felt meaningful at the time.

Like many, I believed deeply in the righteousness of the farmworkers’ movement and in the moral clarity of its leadership. But history has a way of complicating our heroes.

Time and again, we learn that even great men and women are capable of actions that conflict with the ideals they champion. This realization is deeply unsettling. It forces us to reconcile admiration with disappointment, and inspiration with disillusionment.

Perhaps that is the price of seeing history more clearly — not as a collection of heroes and villains, but as human stories, filled with brilliance, flaws and uncomfortable truths.

Larry Stone
Assessor ret.
Sunnyvale

Practical changes could streamline elections

Re: “Here’s how to streamline voting in California” (Page A7, March 26).

California’s current drawn-out counting process leaves voters uneasy and erodes confidence in outcomes. Californians shouldn’t have to choose between easy voting and trustworthy results. We can have both without the convoluted approach suggested by Mark Barabak.

First, start with a clear, common-sense standard: all mail-in ballots must be received by Election Day. No ambiguity, no days of uncertainty. For those who wait until the last minute, simply drop off ballots in person at designated polling places on Election Day. Every vote still counts, but the waiting — and the doubt — end.

Second, strengthen confidence and speed by encouraging in-person voting with voter ID. Verifying identity at the point of voting eliminates the slow, error-prone process of signature matching after the fact. The result: ballots validated instantly, counts finalized sooner and greater public trust in the outcome.

Efficiency and integrity aren’t competing goals. With straightforward rules like these, California can — and should — deliver both.

Brian Suckow
Palo Alto

Vote no on additional vector control tax

Re: “Fees weighed to fight invasive pests” (Page B1, March 24).

I received a ballot from Santa Clara County Mosquito, Vector and Disease Control asking me to accept or reject an additional tax of $15.75 for my home in San Jose.

I looked at this year’s taxes and discovered I already had two special assessments: 1052 and 1053, Santa Clara County Mosquito-Vector Control, SCCO Vector Control, for $5.08 and assessment No. 2 for $9.82, respectively. A Mercury News article on March 24 about the ballot explained that a new aggressive mosquito has come demanding more action. A spokesman stated the department would be facing a possible $3 million shortfall this year, even with an $11 million budget. It also stated that this new assessment would glean $8.5 million annually.

I believe that my existing tax assessment of $14.90 is part of their existing budget, and they want $15.75. I am voting no and looking forward to the other advancing taxing proposals.

David Eisbach
San Jose

ICE agents at airports has an ulterior motive

Re: “ICE officers go to TSA checkpoints at Trump’s direction” (Page A4, March 24).

ICE agents in our airports? Donald Trump says they are there to help TSA agents.

It might make sense if they were seen offering assistance to unpaid TSA agents. Rather, we see images of groups of them standing around the airports, unmasked but armed, holding cups of coffee and chatting. They continue to draw their salaries, but they are of no use. They cannot check IDs nor can they screen luggage. So why are they there? They are there so Americans become accustomed to seeing them in a variety of locations, so they are not shocked when they appear at the polls in November.

Don’t listen to what Trump says. Watch what he does. There is a method to his madness.

Lorraine D’Ambruoso
San Jose

San Jose airport should do better by customers

Mineta San Jose International Airport should care for its travelers.

At Terminal B (Southwest), they reduced one-hour parking, limiting space to pick someone up without driving around in circles. Lot 5 has no small shuttle to take to get to the terminal. In 90-degree weather, I parked at the far end, and with a small grandchild, maneuvering two pieces of luggage, a backpack and a purse, I know why it’s called a terminal. I’ve asked them to have a small shuttle for Lot 5. Nope.

Recently, I made an economy lot reservation to find out that there are no restrooms there. So after a long trip to get there, we will wait 12 to 15 minutes to get the shuttle back to Terminal B. That’s unacceptable for seniors, kids, anyone.

Traveling should be easy and seamless, especially at an international airport. Why aren’t they stepping up for their customers?

Christa Moore
Ben Lomond