SANTA CLARA'S SMALL TOWN CHARM

Pursuit of profit at any cost, now bringing us environmental degradation, has influenced Santa Clara's City Council.

Ignoring the Unavoidable Significant Impacts of traffic, noise and pollution listed in the Stadium EIR, our Council issued a Statement of Overriding Considerations, as required by law. It repeats the promises of jobs and economic benefits. Tellingly, it adds this: "The Project will encourage shared parking . . .and promote creative parking arrangements that are compatible with activities on nearby properties."

Santa Clarans for Economic Progress, sponsored and major funding by Forty Niners Stadium, LLC, sent us a mailer. "Few are lucky enough to live in a community like ours", it sings honestly, and cynically evokes our "tree-lined neighborhood streets" and "small town charm". Thousands of yelling fans, bringing traffic and pollution, mock the song's refrain: "Once you call Santa Clara home, few want to leave."

Wanna bet?