Letters: Sargent Ranch purchase is the result of teamwork

"The recent announcement that the Peninsula Open Space Trust has purchased the final 2,284 acres of Sargent Ranch marks a historic turning point for Santa Clara County. This acquisition officially ends the decade-long threat of the Sargent Ranch Quarry, an industrial project that would have irreversibly damaged one of our region's most sensitive landscapes. This victory is not just a win for land conservation, but a monumental achievement for the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, which has long fought to protect Juristac, a sacred ceremonial site."

"The article about San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan entering the governor's race pointed out that California could be faced with choosing between two Republicans for governor in November 2026. That is because the many Democrats in the race could split the vote, and only the top two go to the general election. The long-term solution is obvious send the top four or five candidates to the general election, instead of just two."

Peninsula Open Space Trust purchased the final 2,284 acres of Sargent Ranch, ending the decade-long threat of the Sargent Ranch Quarry and protecting one of the region's most sensitive landscapes. The acquisition preserves Juristac, a sacred ceremonial site, and prevents an open-pit mine from damaging the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band's ancestral homeland. The success resulted from a broad coalition, including Green Foothills, which co-led the Protect Juristac campaign, mobilized thousands, and secured opposition from multiple city councils. California's top-two primary can allow vote-splitting to send two Republicans to the general election; expanding the field to the top four or five with instant-runoff ranked ballots would help ensure majority support.

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