January 1997 Newsletter

    [single article excerpted]

    DEFINING MOMENTS

    In the history of the Rose Garden Neighborhood, there may be only two defining moments. One, of course, was the development of the Rose Garden Park itself back in the 1930s. This truly was the birth of our neighborhood. The next defining moment may be the Planning Commission and City Council vote on the San Jose Airport expansion. These votes could be the death of our neighborhood.

    Not too may things can have such a drastic effect on an area. This is one of them. The airport expansion would severely impact the Rose Garden Neighborhood. Here are just a few things to consider:

    • The number of jets taking off would be at least doubled to about 700 flights a day. Thats an average takeoff or landing every 90 seconds from the moment the airport opens at 6:30 a.m. to when it is SUPPOSED to close at 11:30 p.m. Can you handle that? The noise in the neighborhood will get so much worse. There are pockets of the neighborhood less affected by the noise now, but that all may change with a dramatic increase in air traffic. Additionally, studies have shown a significant decrease in property values as airports in the vicinity have expanded. Is this what we want for the Rose Garden?
    • The air pollution in San Jose would increase dramatically. You know how there are these spare the air days, Smog Check II and promotions encouraging car pooling so there would be less cars on the road polluting? We spend a lot of time thinking about ways to reduce pollution caused by automobiles. But did you know that according to research by the National Resources Defense Council, one 747 landing and taking off produces as much smog as a car driven 5,600 miles and as much polluting nitrogen oxides as a car driven 26,500 miles? But heres the catch: airports have largely escaped environmental regulations. Toxic emissions from factories and refineries must be carefully calculated and reported under federal law, yet airlines and airports are exempt! Airports are not held accountable for their ground level aircraft emissions! So, we all suffer trying to clean up the air pollution caused by an unregulated airport.
    • Traffic around the airport (in our neighborhood) will be unbelievable. Most people use various access roads leading to the airport every day. The backups during commute time would be incredible.
    • The airports plan is to more than triple the number of cargo flights. And when do most cargo flights occur? In the middle of the night. Pressure will be put on the curfew by these companies. Could the curfew be broken to allow cargo flights in the night? Not if the airport isn't expanded.

    The bad part is that the votes in the Planning Commission and City Council will happen very quickly. It will be over before we know what hit us. Maybe thats the way the airport wants it? It is imperative that you attend the following meetings if we are to show a strong force against the airport expansion:

    Planning Commission Meeting

    Meeting called to certify the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the airports Master Plan.

    City Council Meeting

    Meeting called to accept above EIR and adopt the airports master plan

    * Please call the CAAPS number below for updated information on the dates of these meetings. Both meeting dates have changed since this newsletter was completed. Both meetings will be held in City Council Chambers at San Jose City Hall. It is advised that you arrive at these meetings by 6:00 p.m. to assure you get a seat.

    CAAP (Citizens Against Airport Pollution) needs your support. Become a member by calling them at 297-9753.

    What else can you do? Call on the Council members listed below and let them know you do not support the airport expansion. Remember, many of these council members will be running for mayor soon. Let them know you will remember how they vote come election time. Its up to you. Lets all do our part to save the Rose Garden Neighborhood. - Terry Reilly

    Mayor Susan Hammer

    277-4237

    Pat Dando

    277-5251

    Manny Diaz

    277-5157

    John Diquisto

    277-5275

    Margie Fernades

    277-5320

    Frank Fiscalini

    277-5166

    Trixie Johnson

    277-5438

    David Pandori

    277-5231

    Charlotte Powers

    277-4282

    George Shirakawa, Jr.

    277-5226

    Alice Woody

    277-5242

    ©1997 RGNPA