By Prison philosophy not conservative

Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Charles W. Hayden’s favoring of rehabilitation over incarceration for drug offenders (June 20 Town Crier) is anything but liberal. The drug war is big government at its worst.

With violent crime rates continuing along a downward trend, this never-ending war without victory is the primary reason the United States now has the highest incarceration rate in the world.

At an average cost of $25,071 per inmate annually, maintaining the world’s largest prison system can hardly be considered fiscally conservative. The punitive Nanny State is causing tremendous societal harm, while failing miserably at preventing drug use.

Putting Americans with substance abuse problems behind bars with hardened criminals is a dangerous proposition.

Prisons transmit violent habits and values rather than reduce them.

With Proposition 36 set to take effect July 1, the growing number of Americans who favor public health approaches to substance abuse are looking to California to lead the way.

Robert Sharpe, M.P.A.Program OfficerThe Lindesmith Center-Dru Policy FoundationWashington, D.C.

Utility overtaxing

The city of Los Altos is abusing its citizens by keeping the utility tax at its present percentage.

Last year I was charged an average of $7 per month. This year it has jumed to an average of $22 per month thus far. That is over a 300 percent increase in the tax the city has piggybacked from my utility bills.

I resent the city’s lack of concern for its citizens. This small town certainly appears to have the big government mentality of getting more money and funding more ways to spend it regardless of how it affects those who are overtaxed.

The callousness of our city officials is truly incredible and I, for one, will be voting against them in the next election unless they revise the utility tax

Meredith ReynoldsLos Altos

Newcomers still going strong

Forty-six years ago this past May, 12 ladies were invited to join others in Los Altos Newcomers Club to play bridge and meet other newcomers to Los Altos. The year was 1955 and five women from Julie Lane met for coffee, between moving boxes and babies, which started friendships that have lasted over the years.

The Los Altos Newcomers Club met once a month and formed many activities which helped us meet other new home owners. We played bridge in the evening every other Thursday. Of the original 12 ladies, five are still playing: Pat Woodley,Ruth Nelson, Gloria Buckley, Ruth Ulhammer and Wynn Williams.

Throughout the years, we talked about raising our children, athletics, music, etc.

Now, still later, we are enjoying our grandchildren. There are a total of 15 children, 33 grandchildren and 2 great- grandchildren.

About every two years we have a dinner at one of our homes and invite the husbands.

Well, it’s Thursday evening, the cards are out; shuffle, cut for dealer, bid, play, score!

We score friendship!

Gloria Buckley

Sumnyvale