Letters

Perhaps town should reduce Planning Dept.

As an unsuccessful candidate for a seat on the Los Gatos Town Council a few years ago, I have been careful in writing letters questioning the action of the council as I did not want to appear to be a sore loser. But, after the 4-1 Town Council vote favoring the illegal expansion of Campo di Bocce, I could not sit still any longer. First I will say thanks for the excellent editorial, "Broken Rules," in the May 26 issue of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times and to councilmember Joe Pirzynski for voting no, thereby showing he is in favor of "the rule of law."

The vote by the majority of the council to allow Campo di Bocce to make a legal use of what was a clear violation of the original permit sends a clear signal to the business community. The message is, that if a business in Los Gatos does not like the town's zoning regulations, all it has to do is buy influence and then they may do as they please.

The proof in the pudding can be found in the statement by Councilmember Randy Attaway, quoted in the same issue of the Weekly-Times: "I feel as a councilmember I've been taken advantage of because I was here when the application came in [and] it was clearly stated on the drawings that it was a 'snack bar,'" he said. "I think Los Gatos is getting a reputation that, as long as you get past the council, you can do whatever you want and then go back and ask for forgiveness.

"On the first day of the grand opening, it was clear that it was never intended to be a snack bar."

In order to have a level playing field, may I suggest the council work out some kind of formula whereby a business will know how much money it will have to spend to buy influence in order to make whatever illegal use it may contemplate legal.

By clarifying the new policy as applied to Campo di Bocce we may be able to cut back on the Planning Department, since money and not good planning will be the determining factor in the future of Los Gatos.

Egon Jensen
Los Gatos

Letter reassured audience member

I'm grateful to Fred Moody for his letter, "Mayor's speech denigrated a dignified evening," in the May 26 issue of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times. When the people I was with at the May 14th Police Recognition Dinner asked "Did you enjoy the party?" I said, "Yes, very much, all except the mayor's speech." When they made no comment, I worried that maybe I had missed something; so Mr. Moody's letter reassured me that I wasn't the only one who was offended.

Otherwise, it was a very pleasant and even inspiring occasion, and I thank my hosts for it.

Virginia Halmos
Los Gatos

Kenneth Peake epitomized a better time

It is an honor to have visited the Claravale Dairy and to have known Kenneth Peake and his wife Margaret, and I cherish their spirits.

They were a symbol of a time that is rapidly diminishing--a gentle, sweet, slower time. A gracious time--when we actually took a moment to be considerate and polite to our fellow humans.

A kinder time--when we actually thought it best to be respectful and loving of our farm animals, the creatures that give us sustenance.

At 91 years, he was the epitome of the image we have of the rural farmer, an image that will disappear completely in this country before long, as factory farming and agribiz become the norm.

He quietly held onto his lifestyle despite the pressures of the booming, busy area that encroached upon him. The dairy was an oasis for all who visited it--a peaceful, relaxed place where one could take a break from the frenzy of life in Silicon Valley.

We have truly lost a treasure.

Marie Strom
Los Gatos

There are some options for receiving KDFC

I agree with the editorial in the May 19 issue of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times. Congrats to George Sampson at KCAT Channel 6 for making available Classical Arts Showcase. However, for those who cannot get cable reception to receive Channel 6, there are two alternatives that would permit improved transmission of KDFC, the classical music radio station.

First, KDFC is moving its antenna to San Bruno from Sausalito in June or July which should improve signal clarity here in Los Gatos.

Second, I purchased an FM antenna, locally and inexpensively at $12. It is attached to my standard household AM/FM radio, and I receive static-free KDFC signal daily, all day at work.

Readers are invited to hear and see in the event they might prefer to do the same.

Alan Caras
Los Gatos

Writer answered her own question

In the letter that appeared in the May 26 issue of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, the writer referred to an incident concerning a student at Los Gatos High School. The student, as reported, had brought a loaded gun to school.

We have been hearing much about violence in our schools lately and have been struggling for an answer. I think the writer of the letter has provided us with that answer in the last paragraph where she states, "I am really not interested in this student's problems."

Bob Rosenthal
Los Gatos

Senior housing at 330 University ignores reality

In the May 12 issue of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, Barbara and Ira Spector suggest that the proposed housing project at 330 University Ave could provide a benefit to the community if it were a senior retirement complex.

It is not a panacea and it does not need to be.

The small property in question isn't The Villages in San Jose, a sprawling retirement community with a golf course, dining/care services and multiple employees. For a senior retirement housing complex to work downtown, it would require much higher density on the site and include below-market-rate housing, market value housing, dining and care services and other amenities. Also, to suggest that seniors stop driving or don't leave their houses in the morning and afternoon after age 55 or 62 years old is an oversimplification and ignores the facts.

Many people in today's work force are working well into their 60s. And isn't walking to amenities in the downtown more likely to occur with younger families?

With improvements proposed by the developer, traffic was a non-issue with the 32-home proposal. With even just 22 homes now planned, traffic is negligible.

I strongly support seniors and senior housing. However, this housing idea for 330 University Ave. is just one more roadblock from people who don't want anything.

Carolyn Moniz
Los Gatos

An open letter to dairy farmer Kenneth Peake

Dear Mr. Peake,

I called last night--May 20--wanting to come say goodbye. It wasn't until this morning at seven that Martha called to tell me that the angels had come to take you to your own heavenly dairy.

Please, never stop welcoming our children with your smile and soft voice to come see and feed the calves.

Please, never stop giving them cream to shake in their small jars until they found the ball of pure sun in their own jars.

Please, never stop letting us stand in your barn and sit on the bales of hay and listen to your stories of your cows that you called by name.

Please, never stop sharing your wisdom with all the apprentices that come from the Saratoga Community Garden wanting to work with you.

Please, never stop walking down the road bringing your quarts of cream in the wire carrying containers for the strawberries on May Day.

Please, never stop delivering milk to our door in your old green truck, and putting it into our refrigerator.

We knew someday the angels would come and carry you away, but we have been blessed with family friendship for so long, beginning in your Berkeley days before you came to Saratoga. We remember when you bought your first cow and came to Willys' mother and asked her if she would be a customer. She was already taking two quarts from a dairy. So she took one quart from you and one quart from her old dairy.

Do you remember before your trip to England, how we used to talk about making your now small piece of land into a model productive farm where children could come visit again? We would dream of all that could be done to help people experience the beauty of life by being close to the richness of the earth. You never lost your dream.

Our hearts are filled with gratitude on every level to have known you. You have blessed our lives throughout all these years.

Willys and Betty Peck
Saratoga

Police Report

Columnist notes differences between writers, engineers

LGHS seniors prepare for grad night

Obituaries

Picture From the Past: Orchard heritage

Sports Briefs

Los Gatos sophomores star at CCS track championships

Wildcats lose heartbreaker at CCS volleyball semi-finals

West Valley baseball player named MVP