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Palo Alto Airport growth
threatens neighbors

Re: “Plans to expand Oakland airport draw criticism” (Page A1, Sept. 15).

Airport expansion plans in the Bay Area aren’t just limited to Oakland. On Sept. 16, proposals to expand Palo Alto Airport to accommodate larger airplanes per FAA recommendations were brought to Palo Alto’s City Council.

Many alternatives could devastate the nearby Baylands preserve and increase noise and air pollution, particularly lead, impacting Palo Alto, as well as historically marginalized East Palo Alto and Belle Haven communities that already endure constant pollution from planes overhead and bear the brunt of current climate impacts.

While the Palo Alto City Council quickly responded to overwhelming community opposition against the expansion, the airport expansion debates in both Palo Alto and Oakland highlight the harmful effects of aviation-related emissions on our climate and vulnerable Bay Area communities. Until we can mitigate these detrimental consequences in the aviation industry, there should be no airport expansions.

Avroh Shah
Palo Alto

Electing Ballard is
a commentary on board

Re: “Elect Ballard in only election at Valley Water” (Page A12, Sept. 22).

This editorial is an example of why local newspapers play an important role in our lives of bewildering messages from chaotic media.

As well as an endorsement for Shiloh Ballard, who is well qualified, to a seat on the Valley Water Board, this article is an indictment of the current affairs at the district.

Elections are an opportunity to discuss and debate key issues confronting the district — which is in desperate need of new leaders.

The staying power of board members such as Richard Santos and Tony Estremera is due to Measure A which was worded to suggest that it was reducing the number of four-year terms a member could serve when it was actually increasing the limit from three to four terms, or a total of 16 years on the board. And the date for counting service didn’t start until 2010.

Rita Norton
Los Gatos

Volunteering can ready
teens for leadership

Volunteering with government agencies offers teens a unique, hands-on way to learn about the challenges facing their communities. As future leaders, it’s crucial for young people to understand issues like poverty, crime and homelessness through real-world experiences.

My time with the Campbell Police Department gave me a firsthand look at these complex problems and how public safety efforts go beyond law enforcement. I learned that supporting the community is about trust, empathy and actively listening to those in need.

As we approach the elections, it’s more important than ever to engage with local institutions early so teens can gain a deeper understanding of how decisions are made and what our leaders promise in order to bring meaningful change. This involvement empowers the next generation to step up as informed, compassionate leaders who are ready to address the needs of their communities.

Sia Gupta
Saratoga

Trump and Vance will
set nation on right track

We have witnessed almost four years of destruction by the Biden-Harris administration. From the disastrous withdrawal of Afghanistan to illegal crossings at the southern border, this has thrown our country into a tailspin. The cancellation of the Keystone pipeline and unmitigated spending have taxed us with inflationary prices on all goods.

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Car theft and nonresidential burglaries are up and Fentanyl deaths are now commonplace.

And yet, the Democrats want to gaslight us into voting for an unqualified candidate in Kamala Harris. During the debate with Donald Trump she lied and was very vicious.

Our republic needs someone with not only experience but with gravitas and intelligence. Trump and JD Vance will get our country back before it is too late.

Irene McGovern
Los Altos