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Letters
School is not for political lobby
First of all, I appreciate the time that some Los Gatos Weekly-Times readers took to express their thoughts on comments made by several concerned parents at recent school board meetings regarding the "Day of Silence" event.
Tolerance is indeed a very important lesson to learn. It helps to know the definition. Unless words and terms are defined, informed debate is not possible.
Tolerance is a proper framework for healthy debate. Every sane person wants tolerance. Tolerance is a two-way street, or it is not tolerance. Tolerance means to hear things you don't like, and to allow people to make their own decisions, even if you do not agree with them. Tolerance is agreeing to disagree.
Tolerance, however, is not acceptance. To accept means that you find something admirable and good. We all have much we tolerate, but comparatively little we accept. In a free society, tolerance is the rule, but free people cannot be forced to accept anything. Tolerance may be regulated. Acceptance is a matter of conscience.
Hatred is the desire to see people harmed. No sane person desires hatred.
Schools should be safe places for students to learn. This is common sense. There should be a universal code of decent conduct that applies equally to all students. Student may debate, they may disagree and disapprove. However, if they can agree to disagree, and put up with one another despite their differences, a framework of tolerance has been achieved. When acceptance becomes enforced, the framework of tolerance has been broken.
When debate turns to enmity and a desire to harm others, this is hatred, and this may not be tolerated.
Pointing out that the so-called "Day of Silence" is an abuse of the school day for the benefit of a political lobby is not a criticism--it is a statement of fact. This nationwide event was organized by GLSEN, the Gay-Lesbian Straight Educator Network, an organization run by adult gay activists from its head office in New York City. Whether you support or oppose their goals, one should go visit their website at www.glsen.org and examine their objectives. One sees a group that is dedicated to the aggressive homosexualization of schools, from high school to kindergarten. Dissent from their party line is branded with slurs like heterosexism and homophobia. Take a look and then make up your own mind whether this is what you want for your own child and the school system your tax dollars pay for.
School is about the joy of learning within the framework of fact, sound logic and common sense, and hearing both sides of the issue. No side of the debate should be silenced. Let all sides be heard, let all the facts be aired, and let the better ideas win. This is quality and integrity in teaching.
Ted Kucklick
Parents for Quality and Integrity in Teaching (PQUIT)
Los Gatos
Group says thanks for the flowers
We would like to personally thank the town of Los Gatos for its generous donation of dozens of rhododendrons to Redwood Mutual Water Company. They truly enhance the landscape for the Redwood Estates Pavilion. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
Board of Directors
Redwood Mutual Water Company
Commercial area is place for antennae
We understand that the Los Gatos Town Council has established that all future building bordering Los Gatos Boulevard north of Los Gatos-Almaden Road is to be business-oriented. It is to be hoped it will not become an auto mall, which would give visitors a distorted first impression of our attractive town.
That said, behind the present car lots, offices and stores, there are a number of residential neighborhoods. Case in point, Live Oak Manor, established before the commercialization of the boulevard was begun but perhaps envisioned by the builder. For 44 years it has remained a quiet, well-maintained location. Many of the houses have been updated or in some case entirely rebuilt within the established perimeter. Probably the main attraction is the easy access to town or freeway.
We sincerely hope that the council will not allow MetroPCS to burden us with their visually, acoustically and possibly hazardous telecommunications equipment at the entrance to our small park when it could so easily be situated in the commercial area, a solution which would no doubt be endorsed by many other residential communities.
W.A. Bilkienwicz
Los Gatos
Response to prostitution arrest
The recent arrest of a 55-year-old Campbell prostitute by a brave Los Gatos Police Department sure makes me feel safer. Exemplary joint police work, guys! Your post-Sept. 11 priorities are really starting to inspire some serious confidence.
Joanne Hall
Los Gatos
Condition of street 'shabby'
I was visiting Los Gatos during the month of March. As we drove up N. Santa Cruz Avenue, I was surprised at the shabby condition of the street surface. Cracks were numerous and pothole patches were visible as I drove from Main Street north along the most central part of town on N. Santa Cruz Avenue. I presume that the street is not going to be resurfaced until some unknown project is launched.
I was showing a friend of mine the beautiful town, and the condition of most visible street in the town let the wind out of my sails. I worked in Los Gatos for many years until my retirement and moved out of the area.
Moe Soto
Manchester, Wash.
Thanks-- Cat's Hill a success
On behalf of the Los Gatos Bicycle Racing Club, we would like to thank the Los Gatos Weekly--Times, the town of Los Gatos, and the residents and merchants of Los Gatos for supporting the very successful 28th annual Cat's Hill Criterium bicycle race. The race was held on streets in the Almond Grove, Glenridge and Bachman Park areas on Saturday, May 11.
The mile-long course attracted approximately 400 North American professional and amateur racers, not to mention a couple of thousand spectators. Only the most fit racers and adventurous public riders attempted to endure the multiple laps, which include the famous 23 percent grade Cat's Hill on Nicholson Avenue. The course has national recognition due to this well-known and well-feared feature of the course, which was designed by local residents Bob and Lorine Tetzlaff in 1974.
Lorine was the one to name the race Cat's Hill when she and Bob were first organizing the event for youngsters, such as Greg LeMond, who won it in 1978 as a junior racer.
This year the race was kicked off by Mayor Randy Attaway at 10 a.m. and racing continued until 6 p.m., with racers in 10 different race categories based on age and skill level.
Local merchants added to the excitement by offering "primes," or prizes, to the first racers to cross the finish line on pre-announced laps, and by setting up booths in the exhibitors' area. Racers from ages 10 and up were cheered up the hill, around the park, and down to the finish line at the intersection of Tait and Nicholson. Road construction on Belmont during the week prior to the race was monitored closely to ensure safe conditions for the racers.
Residents living along the course added to the festivities by holding yard parties and barbecues. Young entrepreneurs got in on the action, too, by setting up traditional lemonade stands and not-so-traditional mocha frappachino and Krispy Kreme stands along the course.
Special thanks go to deputy clerk Jackie Rosie for making sure that the insurance complied with town requirements, senior engineering inspector George Garcia and the very sympathetic contractors (West Valley Construction and Glades), who made Belmont rideable, including sweeping it with a street sweeper prior to the race, and to Sgt. David Gravel and his officers, who kept smiles on their faces while ensuring the crowd and traffic were always under control.
Thank you for allowing this sports tradition to carry on year after year, for supporting the Los Gatos Bicycle Riding Club, and for participating in the annual Cat's Hill Criterium by donating prizes for the racers, for setting up vendor booths and for cheering the racers on all day long.
Barry Gordon, president
The Los Gatos Bicycle Racing Club
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
