Convert closing schools into homeless shelters

It seems like a travesty that we as a community won’t buy into homeless housing. There have been numerous NIMBY responses from those that don’t want housing in their neighborhoods. One of the main issues with housing the homeless was that it was too close to schools, but we need more beds.

Franklin McKinney School District is closing three schools, and Alum Rock district is closing six by the end of the year, so proximity to those schools is no longer an issue in those neighborhoods.

Why not use the schools for new homeless housing sites? The classrooms could be converted into barracks-type shelters for overnight stays and accomodate hundreds of beds.

It’s just an idea. I believe these schools could be beneficial in the long run for the homeless problems.

— John Bingham, San Jose

Editorial discounts district’s concerns

Re: “Elect Quevedo for San Jose’s council vacancy” (Page A8, March 2).

I read in The Mercury News that Matthew Quevedo is the best City Council pick. My question would be, for whom?

Here are some clues from the editorial:

• “Which is why the upcoming special election in District 3, encompassing most of downtown, is so important to all residents of San Jose.”

• “The balloting in this one district (one of San Jose’s 10 council districts) could provide Mahan with a clear council majority.”

• “To keep the city of San Jose moving forward, District 3 voters should elect Matthew Quevedo because he is articulate, well-versed in city issues.”

At no point does The Mercury News consider the issues specific to District 3.

— Bart Narter, San Jose

Trump should encourage Zelenskyy against Russia

Re: “Shocked by Trump, Zelenskyy and Ukraine try to forge new path forward” (Page A4, March 2).

Mr. President: Your behavior was disgraceful toward President Zelenskyy. You acted like a bully and extortionist. Are you doing the bidding for that bully, coward, murderer and liar, Vladimir Putin?

As a woman, grandmother and mother, I’ll be damned if I want a World War III to protect Putin’s plan to seize Ukraine. Putin started the war by invading Ukraine.

You are our president and represent all of us to the world. Are you and JD Vance ready to send your sons and daughters to war for the likes of Putin?

I say let Putin get out of Ukraine. His own citizens left instead of going to war, so he used prisoners, and now he is using North Korean soldiers.

Please, Mr. President, don’t let Putin push us around.

— Elisa Lindley, San Jose

USAID saved lives and built goodwill

Re: “USAID bomb clearing must be restarted” (Page A6, Feb. 25) and “USAID cuts are already hitting countries around the world. Here are 20 projects that have closed” (March 2).

Anyone still not convinced that USAID is extremely important and beneficial should read the Associated Press story on the effects of the Trump administration’s cuts.

Not only does USAID save millions of lives, but it builds goodwill for the United States throughout the world.

— Max Steinke, San Jose