First, columnist Scott Herhold (Page 1B, Aug. 20) asserts that people who question condo developments at Vallco Fashion Park and elsewhere must also be opposed to job creation, home construction and helping the poor. And then Cupertino Mayor Richard Lowenthal (Letters, Aug. 23) asserts that these people are also responsible for congested freeways and an undesirable work environment.

But, with no significant objection, the retail portion of Vallco is currently under renovation, and the Cupertino high-rise condos, built so close to the street, are not affordable by any reasonable way of thinking.

And when did it become inappropriate for residents to influence the neighborhoods in which they live?

Charles Taubman
Cupertino
San Jose Mercury Letters
Mon, Aug. 28, 2006