As a legal immigrant teacher from Hong Kong, I arrived in the United States during the Umbrella Movement with my 14-year-old daughter and no external support. After settling in Santa Cruz, I acquired a Kumon tutorial business and observed a compelling pattern: the majority of my most dedicated students come from first-generation Asian immigrant families. For these families, academic excellence is a cornerstone of their culture and remains a priority even after immigration, as they strive for Ivy League admissions and future job security.
This dedication is reflected in the 2022 PISA rankings, where Asian countries dominate the top five spots. While the United States has made progress, climbing from 25th in 2018 to 18th in 2022, there is still significant room for improvement. I have personally witnessed how the U.S. offers a comparatively fair platform for those who work hard, regardless of race, gender, or social status. This meritocracy enables individuals to achieve the American Dream, for which I am profoundly grateful.
As an educator, I am honored to play a role in fostering academic excellence among my students. However, I firmly believe that as the wealthiest nation, the United States must unite and collaborate with hardworking immigrant communities to sustain its global standing. If we fail to embrace and maximize the potential of all who contribute to this society, another nation may rise to surpass us in the future.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my perspective.
BATTERY FIRE DANGER
The battery facility fire still burning today in Moss Landing is directly relevant to issues around the City of Santa Cruz construction plans for a new parking garage which will have housing on the floors above the garage.
In December 2022 I prepared a report on safety issues related to lithium battery fires and the city’s design for the new parking structure downtown. The new Moss Landing incident again serves to highlight the need for the city to take seriously the amazing power of a lithium battery fire. But to date, I have NO indication that the city is taking the issues seriously. I am very worried that the city is creating a potentially tragic outcome for itself and the future residents of the new housing.
The city may be able to build a safe structure for the residents, but if they ignore the very real issues related to these powerful batteries, they will be multiplying the risks for residents. If the city blindly accepts the assurances of their contractors that all is well—nothing to worry about here—that willful blindness makes it even more likely that serious problems are being designed into the planned building rather than being mitigated. I very much hope you are not ignoring these issues.
Since I sent the report to the city in 2022, battery fires in electric vehicles have continued in California and worldwide. There was a recent lithium battery fire in a parking structure in Korea. I have sent several follow-up emails to city officials since December 2022, but still I have never received any response from any city official.
I have not told the City they must not build the planned structure. But I am worried that real safety issues are being ignored, and I am very worried about the safety of the future residents.
Richard Stover | PhD
