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Willie Mays made
Magic with young fans

In the summer of 1959, I was 9 years old and living in San Jose. One afternoon, my friend Kathleen and I were riding our bikes down Stevens Creek Boulevard. We passed a used car lot with balloons hanging and a sign that said, “Meet Willie Mays!” We thought, “Let’s do it.”

We parked our bikes and walked over to three men in suits. Luckily, we were the only people there at the time. In front of us were Willie Mays, Willie McCovey and Orlando Cepeda. Everyone was interested in baseball back then, so of course we knew who all three were. A little shy, but not too shy, we introduced ourselves and shook their hands. Then we got their autographs.

After Willie Mays’ recent passing, I remember this magical moment and am glad to have met these three wonderful Giant legends.

Christine Borror
San Jose

County makes enviable
Housing construction costs

Subject: “Project must be started from scratch” (page A1, June 24).

I am deeply saddened by the news that a fire has destroyed the Middlefield Junction project, but encouraged by the County’s continued support and commitment to rebuilding the complex.

In an area rich in resources, those in need are often overlooked. I am grateful that we are working to alleviate the housing crisis by providing affordable housing.

Isabella Bian
Palo Alto

Golf course project
is a bad use of the land

Subject: “Redesign of San Jose golf course receives public support” (page B1, June 24).

The affordable housing project in Alviso across from Top Golf will include 780 units on 3.2 acres – 243 units per acre.

Pleasant Hill Golf Course is being redeveloped with only 4,000 units on 114 acres. That’s 35 units per acre. How absurd. This site was supposed to have at least 18,000 units plus other amenities.

Here we have a great opportunity to address some housing issues, and we’re simply giving in to the residents of the east side of San Jose because they just want low density. It’s no wonder we have a housing crisis and a homeless crisis when we’re giving in to the interests of residents when we should be creating mass housing for people.

It is a disgrace and an embarrassment for San Jose and California. I will vote against the $20 billion bill to combat homelessness in November.

Michael McWalters
Alviso

Google search loses
his way with AI

Google is no longer a trustworthy research tool.

I’m a published author and I’m finishing the draft of my second biography. For many years, I could type phrases into the Google search bar and find documents I needed on my topic. Sometimes I even stumbled upon real gems after browsing through several search sites.

Yet in the last few months, Google has decided that I don’t want sources and clues – I want answers. And the AI ​​answers are ridiculous. Even when I scroll down to find sources, I’m faced with so many suggested “answers” and questions other people have asked – it’s like shoveling pillows to find an actual object.

Not cool, Google.

Lisa Francesca
San Jose

Digital voting guides
Save money, environment

In Santa Clara County, and probably other counties, you can forgo receiving a printed voter information guide and receive an email notification that you can view it online.

I unsubscribed several years ago, but since the other voters in my household have not, I still have the option of reading a print copy.

If every household did this, the financial and environmental costs would be much lower.

Susan Elgee
Palo Alto

VP hope should
Keep an eye on the legacy