Guest column Arnim Nicolson: San Martin resident says Cordoba Center will serve South Valley

Published in the September 26 – October 9, 2018 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Arnim Nicolson

Arnim Nicolson

Fear, threats, and intimidation have been an issue for some of us San Martin residents who have received unsolicited letters designed to instill fear in us in members of the Muslim faith.

One letter was from the Thomas More Law Center from the desk of Richard Thompson, Esq., president and chief counsel dated June 2018. The other was signed by William J. Murray, chairman of the Religious Freedom Coalition. We received this the day after the Santa Clara County Planning Commission’s July 18 meeting permitting the public to voice their concerns over the building of the Cordoba Mosque. Another letter was given to me April 8.

About two months ago, my wife observed a car parked in our neighbor’s driveway. People got out of the car and began to blow trumpets. Our neighbor asked what they were doing. They started verbally bashing our Muslim neighbors. She told them to leave the property.

I would like to address the people who are opposing the Cordoba project. I do not condemn them or their opinions or concerns or hold them accountable for the letters. I have read the comments and concerns that the San Martin Neighborhood Alliance submitted to the Santa Clara County Department of Planning and Development.

Whoever did the investigating and reviewing of the Draft Environmental Impact Report did their homework. We have also done the research offered by the county and suggested by the SMNA and SMPAC.

There is no question in my mind that each of the terms that were addressed were researched and documented, giving me time to study the concerns and not be blindsided by fear or intimidation.

Our neighbors are of the Muslim faith and have lived across the street from our home for 30 years. Our children grew up together. Seventeen years ago, they invited others who live in Morgan Hill, Gilroy and San Martin as guests of their faith to join them at worship on their property.

During the years we have never seen any problems. There are no loud noises, bright lights or disruption to our neighborhood. Traffic and parking were never a problem.

They have a desire to build their house of worship called the Cordoba Center. They are Americans and have respected the law of this land and did what was required by the county — not once, but twice — to satisfy the requirements for the needed permits.

I am quite familiar with building codes. As a firefighters and fire inspector for the city of San Jose, I have dealt with approving projects and followed the codes pertaining to the project.

I also was a contractor following codes dealing with water, wells and water storage tanks.

I know the ramifications and obstacles dealing with and providing quality water needed for human consumption.

Let me reassure anyone who might have a concern about the water at the Cordoba Center or in your area pertaining to the cemetery or any other issue on the site as to contaminating the underground water strata.

I know the codes surrounding the underground water strata. It is my opinion that the county and the state have sufficient codes and standards and they have been met.

Flooding: There may be water in places that will cause short-term flooding, but not on the Cordoba site.

Cemetery: It has been researched and documented, and my opinion is it will be as safe or even safer than many industries already located in San Martin.

Traffic: Entrance is on the west side of Monterey Road and no side streets will be used for access.

I have confidence in the county personnel to identify any issues and provide the necessary requirements to provide a safe and functioning facility at the location that has been identified as the Cordoba Center.

Whenever I meet someone trying to live by a set of moral standards and to obey the laws of the land, they always meet with my approval and support. So, it is with the people who are trying to build their worship center.

I know many of them and their beliefs, even though they are different from mine, and they are the kind of people I want I my community. It is my opinion that the Cordoba Center and the South Valley Islamic Community will serve as a great asset to the San Martin community.

Arnim Nicolson is a resident of San Martin. He has six children and 27 grandchildren and started writing poetry in 2008. He wrote this column for Morgan Hill Life.