I just wanted to mention about people not making a stop at the stop sign at all. I live on Chesbro Way and I use the street off Kern Avenue to go to my mom's house every day - the one that is kitty corner to Rod Kelley School.

In the last month, I've witnessed three people who have run the stop sign. I could have been hit all three times. Can you imagine if this happens when the kids are coming and going at school time? These people just wave at me like saying, "Oh, well," and also the speeding is out of control. Can you please look into this?
Adriana Pineda, Gilroy

Golden Quill tarnished, and a golden award opportunity missed
Dear Editor,

While I support the Golden Quill's mission of recognizing the "well-written letter," I find that too often letters given "Golden Quill" status are worthier of a "Leaden Pencil'" or perhaps a "Mercury Crayon." Indeed, in the last year, while there have been some truly good letters given this award, the overall value of the Golden Quill has depreciated precipitously, as it has been used to endorse everything from narrow-minded bigotry to bad grammar.

The letter by Patrisia Garcia Martinez (published Friday, May 2) had the potential to restore some luster to the Golden Quill. Rarely does anything make me misty-eyed over a bowl of Cheerios, but Ms. Garcia Martinez's letter did just that. Not only did her heartfelt gratitude shine through her simple and expressive prose, but the letter brought to light two community organizations - The Eliot Book Stop and the Gilroy Foundation - whose work supporting childhood literacy is certainly worthy of more recognition.

Letters that convey thoughtful sentiments rather than knee-jerk reactions, letters that abound with community pride rather than civic disdain - letters that are written in complete sentences! - good letters to the editor are rare on these pages. Today a good letter slipped through the cracks, but while it missed getting the Golden Quill, know that it scored a Diamond Stylus in this reader's mind.
Kathryne Bevilacqua, Gilroy
The Golden Quill is awarded occasionally for a well-written letter. We look forward to Ms. Bevilacqua's forthcoming community pride missives.

Possible poacher certainly not a member of CalTrout organization
Dear Editor,

In your April 22 article regarding illegal steelhead poaching by landowner Luke Brugnara ("Poaching fish or playing the water market?"), the reporter referred to Brugnara as "…a professed conservationist and member of CalTrout." 

According to our organization's records, Brugnara is not now, nor has he ever been a member of California Trout. If he in fact poached endangered steelhead on his property, those actions would fly in the face of California Trout's mission of protecting and preserving our state's native trout, steelhead and salmon.
Scott Feierabend, conservation director, California Trout
Editor's note: Mr. Brugnara referred to himself as "a professed conservationist and member of CalTrout." Indeed he is not a member, and we appreciate Mr. Feierabend setting the record straight.