{"id":6820,"date":"2026-08-14T23:07:05","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T23:07:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=6820"},"modified":"2026-08-14T23:07:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T23:07:05","slug":"letters-palm-trees-belong-in-la-not-valley-of-oaks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=6820","title":{"rendered":"Letters: Palm trees belong in LA, not ‘Valley of Oaks’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Palm trees have no place in \u2018Valley of Oaks\u2019<\/h4>\n

Re: \u201cDying trees close Circle of Palms Plaza\u201d (Page B1, Aug. 12).<\/p>\n

San Jose is not Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

Palm trees do not belong here. Before it was Silicon Valley, before it was the Valley of Hearts Delight, early explorers called it Valley of the Oaks.<\/p>\n

Read more Home of Chicken & Waffles to close in Oakland\u2019s Jack London district<\/a><\/p>\n

Once the palm trees are gone, oaks or some other native tree should take their place.<\/p>\n

This valley is a special place and should not be imitating Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

Jane Power<\/strong>
\nSan Jose<\/em><\/p>\n

Shanahan\u2019s car crash is an example for all<\/h4>\n

Re: \u201c49ers coach admits causing Palo Alto crash\u201d (Page A1, July 29).<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

When 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan took his eyes off the road to reach for a dropped phone, it resulted in a severe head-on collision. Humanizing this critical safety issue is a powerful way to raise awareness and turn this story into something positive for distracted driving awareness.<\/p>\n

I urge all media outlets to replace the word \u201caccident\u201d with \u201ccrash\u201d or \u201ccollision\u201d in future reporting, as distracted driving is a preventable choice.<\/p>\n

Our family has experienced the devastating, long-term consequences a single moment of inattention can have on our roads. Just two months after his wedding, our 28-year-old son, Kevin, was killed by a distracted driver.<\/p>\n

I will endeavor to advocate for Kevin and give a voice to victims who have lost their lives due to a distracted driver.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

Terri Yost<\/strong>
\nSanta Rosa<\/em><\/p>\n

Payment to Owens is a bargain for radio show<\/h4>\n

Re: \u201cRonn Owens\u2019 bankruptcy case dismissed amid scrutiny of $137,000 GoFundMe\u201d (Aug. 11).<\/p>\n

I echo the support expressed for former radio host Ronn Owens and contributions to his GoFundMe campaign.<\/p>\n

I contributed and do not feel misled or ripped off as the U.S. Trustee attorney asserts. Owens\u2019 boundlessly entertaining and informative show was broadcast for many years over the air for free. By comparison, I pay about $25 a month for SiriusXM.<\/p>\n

I feel my contribution, however it was used, was a bargain, and I hope it eased his pain, be it physical, mental or financial.<\/p>\n

Read more Woman killed in Oakland hit-and-run is identified<\/a><\/p>\n

Eric Rice<\/strong>
\nScotts Valley<\/em><\/p>\n

Aid to Israel benefits US in variety of ways<\/h4>\n

Re: \u201cExcessive aid to Israel hurts U.S. citizens\u201d (Page A6, Aug. 12).<\/p>\n

The aid to Israel directly and indirectly aids us. Nearly all of it is required to be spent with our military\/industrial complex, providing jobs for Americans and income for American companies. Since Israel needed to use this equipment in actual combat, they provided feedback that led to improvements for a wide variety of equipment on which our soldiers will have to depend. Denying this aid might cost us more.<\/p>\n

Focusing on only one side guarantees that the Middle East conflict will continue. Peace between Israel and the Palestinians will not be possible until changes are made on both sides. <\/p>\n

Richard Kroll<\/strong>
\nSan Jose<\/em><\/p>\n

This election, end GOP control of government<\/h4>\n

The control of the executive and legislative branches of government by the current Republican administration and Congress has accelerated a deeply concerning decline in our nation\u2019s foundational systems and global standing.<\/p>\n

Economic policies favoring tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy have worsened wealth inequality, putting an unsustainable financial strain on the middle and working classes while ballooning our national debt.<\/p>\n

The administration\u2019s isolationist foreign policy and erratic approach to international diplomacy have severely damaged our relationships with our global allies.<\/p>\n

We urgently need to return to balanced governance that prioritizes long-term economic equity, environmental stewardship and responsible global leadership.<\/p>\n

This year, let\u2019s choose leaders who will defend our democracy and build a country that works for all of us, not just a few. I encourage everyone to vote Democratic in this year\u2019s elections.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s move our country forward \u2014 with hope, with unity and with a commitment to justice and opportunity for all.<\/p>\n

Read more Mailbag: The finances of CFP expansion, the ACC\u2019s future, how the Protect College Sports Act impacts realignment and more<\/a><\/p>\n

Becky Green<\/strong>
\nAtherton<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Also: Distracted driving | Payment a bargain | Aid to Israel | GOP control. Mercury News reader letters to the editor for Aug. 16, 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6614,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6820","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinion"],"yoast_head":"\nLetters: Palm trees belong in LA, not ‘Valley of Oaks’ - Next City Digest<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=6820\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Letters: Palm trees belong in LA, not ‘Valley of Oaks’ - Next City Digest\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Also: Distracted driving | Payment a bargain | Aid to Israel | GOP control. 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