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District should have dealt with harassment
Re: “Report: Group CEO harassed employees” (Page A1, Feb. 25).
The article about the conclusion of the investigation of Rick Callendar, CEO of Santa Clara Valley Water District, contains this quote from the investigating firm: “Callendar engaged in severe or pervasive conduct that violated the District’s prohibition on sexual harassment”. (Details of the conduct follow in the article.)
In spite of that, the district’s elected board voted 6-1 to keep Callandar on public payroll for another year as an adviser at a salary of $520,000. In addition, the board has paid legal fees of $577,926 and crisis communication fees of $275,000. Tony Estremera, the board chairman, said the settlement agreement is “designed to save the district and its ratepayers money over the long term,” and he warns of future litigation.
As a “ratepayer,” I am more concerned with the ethics of the agreement and the lack of concern regarding harassment of women in the workforce. Isn’t everyone?
Judy Barbeau
San Jose
Deal with CEO is best choice for Water District
Re: “Report: Group CEO harassed employees” (Page A1, Feb. 25).
As much as I hate to say it, the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s board did the right thing by striking a deal for $500,000 with their former CEO Rick Callender.
From what is reported, it doesn’t look like the harassment case against Callender is open and shut by any means. Continuing litigation could cost the district into the millions.
Far better to spend the money on improving infrastructure and service.
Stan Bogosian
Saratoga
SJSU students can’t wait for future improvements
Growth at San Jose State University is impossible to ignore. With enrollment climbing towards 40,000 students, campus life feels more crowded than ever. Growing pains are inevitable, but how much longer are we going to endure the packed classrooms, long lines for parking and full study spaces? What was once manageable now feels stretched to its limits.
Students can see the promised plans of a modern, improved campus in the future, but for now, we are stuck with unfinished projects that bring noise, detours and disruption. As a campus made up of 85% commuters, they feel the pressure most as they circle the garages and navigate the heavy downtown traffic to make it to class on time.
As a whole, the university could better balance enrollment with available resources. This could include increasing hybrid and online course options to ensure the success of not only students but professors as well.
Kaviana Jurries
San Jose
State of Union unveiled our failing leadership
Re: “Trump seeks to calm country’s economic jitters” (Page A1, Feb. 25).
Donald Trump’s State of the Union was more spectacle than substance, relying on emotional staging, exaggerated claims and self-promotion rather than honest leadership. The speech was filled with misleading statements about the economy, jobs, inflation and global respect, while avoiding real national problems. Republican lawmakers showed enthusiastic support while Trump exploited patriotic symbols and individuals to elevate himself.
Overall, the speech was dishonest, self-serving and dangerous, less a report on the nation’s condition than a warning sign of deepening political decay and failed leadership while reinforcing political polarization, undermining democratic norms and reflecting growing concerns about America’s stability, credibility and global leadership.
Paul Osborn
Morgan Hill
Speech put focus on president’s self-delusion
Re: “Trump seeks to calm country’s economic jitters” (Page A1, Feb. 25).
Did anyone else see a petulant old man claiming empty victories, spitting accusations and rambling on for over a hundred minutes in the State of the Union?
Isn’t it obvious that this man has no grip on reality and is only frantically trying to maintain a grip on power, as he adores no one but himself?
He is a self-deluded man who doesn’t realize he’s not wearing a crown.
Claudia Parker
San Jose
AI robs students of critical thinking
The normalization of generative AI in educational settings has damaged students’ critical thinking skills and creativity.
Instead of utilizing the resources we are given (which are much more credible), I’ve noticed that many immediately consult ChatGPT because it is quick to generate a response. However, its responses are often soulless and blatantly obvious. As a college student, I can only imagine how much it has negatively affected the learning experiences of K-8 students.
In times like these, I believe that reading, doing your own independent research and engaging in discourse with peers is more important than ever. Education and creativity are weapons that a bot cannot replicate.
Kate Sandoval
San Jose
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