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Right time for Mahan’s gubernatorial run
Re: “Mahan mulling gubernatorial run” (Page B1, Jan. 14).
I am thrilled to learn that San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is considering a run for governor. The time is right for him — and us.
His age, energy and accomplishments in San Jose place him a cut above all others in this crowded race. When I saw him running up my street distributing flyers announcing a community meeting on the topic of a homeless encampment in my neighborhood, I thought, this man is destined for greatness. When I heard him speak to a crowded audience, his focus and passion stood out. He sold me on his ideas moving forward.
He did not sit back and wait. He stood up and took action. I am certain this is the kind of governor he will become.
Susan Carothers
San Jose
Mahan should finish job as SJ mayor first
Re: “Mahan mulling gubernatorial run” (Page B1, Jan. 14).
Matt Mahan is a great mayor for San Jose, but his job here is not done.
I understand that he is frustrated when he sees that county, state and federal government policies often thwart the incremental progress that we are making in San Jose. If Mahan waits until the 2030 election cycle for governor, he will have a solid record as mayor and loads of support from San Jose citizens.
However, if he runs for governor rather than finishing his term, many of his supporters will be unable to continue their support. Like a contractor who leaves the job before the house is finished, Mahan will be leaving his position before he has finished the job.
He was criticized for not completing his term as council member and then running for mayor. If he decides to run, will he abandon the governorship in 2028 to run for president? Stay and finish the job.
Cindy Vinson
San Jose
Growing AI power thirst requires accountability
Re: “Meta lines up massive supply of nuclear power” (Page C7, Jan. 10).
If you are troubled about the increase in electricity rates over the last few years, wait until these AI data centers are built. The AI competition between large companies like Meta, Google and OpenAI is ramping up demand for electricity and the infrastructure to support it.
The tens of gigawatts planned by Meta by 2030 will require the equivalent of about ten 1,000 MW nuclear power plants. Generation from nuclear power is being planned because it’s hard for renewable energy sites to produce such large amounts of electrical power. But the cost to generate electricity from nuclear energy is higher than the cost from renewables.
Whatever PG&E promises with respect to stabilizing electricity rates is unlikely to happen unless legislation requires substantially more accountability for electricity rates from the CPUC, the investor-owned utilities and the AI companies.
Rob Hogue
Menlo Park
Later start time not enough for sleepy teens
There’s always that one kid who runs into first period having just rolled out of bed. I’m that kid. It’s not laziness; our biological clocks have been rewired. As many as 80% of American teenagers don’t sleep enough, and I bet your teen is one of them.
This isn’t just a feeling most of us have. Research backs up the negative effects that early wake-up times have on our growth. Conversely, later start times are associated with higher attendance, reduced risk of car accidents and improvements in students’ physical and mental health.
Sleep is not a luxury. It’s a necessity. In 2022, a California law mandated that high schools start at 8:30 a.m., but that’s not enough. Schools across the nation must follow what science has made clear: The school day should reflect students’ natural sleep cycles. We must give teens the foundation they need to succeed, both in and beyond the classroom.
Elaina Huang
Menlo Park
Trump’s Tehran entreaty is height of hypocrisy
Re: “Trump calls on Tehran to show protesters humanity” (Page A3, Jan. 14).
This is really rich. Donald Trump’s ICE agents, masked and armed, are landing on apartment buildings in full tactical gear, arresting citizens and noncitizens, attacking citizens who are observing ICE actions, slamming people to the ground, shooting rubber bullets, which cause injury, and outright killing observers. Yet the president declares he is contemplating military action against the Iranian government because it is “acting without humanity toward protesters.”
“Iranian Patriots, keep protesting and take over your institutions if you can. Save the names of the killers and abusers that are abusing you. You are being badly abused.” Shall we heed his advice?
Carol Zink
Redwood City
Greenland threats are taking toll on NATO
Re: “Denmark, Greenland leaders stand united against takeover” (Page A3, Jan. 14).
President Trump’s insistence on taking Greenland, one way or the other, is about to fracture the entire NATO alliance.
Vladimir Putin is probably sitting behind his desk in the Kremlin laughing, saying, “I don’t have to destroy NATO, Donald Trump is doing it for me.”
Let’s hope Trump comes to his senses and backs off his demands.
Joseph Rizzuto
Los Gatos
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