 |
|
|
|
|
Letters
Classics are great, but TCI could still do something
Thank you for the editorial--"Classical Notes"--in the May 19 issue of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times and for Jeff Kearns' news article, both supportive of our successful community effort to show commercial-free Classical Arts Showcase on KCAT (community-access station-Cable Channel 6). Thanks to George Sampson's great individual effort, excellent support by mayors Jack Lucas and Jan Hutchins and town councils, this full-time, nonprofit, beautiful video/music channel can be watched through the daytime hours.
Time magazine in January called the channel "a feast," and "MTV for gourmets" and urged readers to search for it. It does not interrupt regular evening programming on KCAT.
Although neighboring communities, including Redwood Estates, can receive this channel as part of their routine cable service, our efforts to enlist our cable server TCI's support in doing so along with other classical music service, was met with their characteristic indifference and total non-response. TCI could greatly enhance its image by resuming carrying the KDFC FM signal (the only classical FM station in the Bay Area, poorly received in Los Gatos because of mountains), resuming their optional analog music service (both of which they once provided but arbitrarily discontinued), or at the very least, adding classical channels to their digital music service instead of three rock channels they selected for us versus one "light classical" station.
Both George Sampson and I have had numerous supportive phone calls from readers who have enjoyed the new programming on KCAT. Readers may express their views to Cecilia Dodge, customer relations TCI, 3450 Garrett Drive, Santa Clara, Calif., 95054 or to George Sampson, manager KCAT-TV, 20 High School Court, Los Gatos, 95030 (donations are welcome), or to their respective city governments. Thanks again for your paper's excellent support.
Don McCleve, M.D.
Monte Sereno
Something to ponder
If the library is still in need of expansion plans, has the town considered moving the present police department quarters to a new location next to the fire department at Winchester and Lark? That would, of course, require a new building. However, expanding the library into the abandoned quarters would keep the current building intact and convenient to the high school and downtown area.
There is also a large vacant parcel on Winchester, near Daves Avenue, which is the last sizable site available in town for possible use as either senior and/or low income housing development.
Shirley Stanger
Los Gatos
A fine-reduced or not-is still a fine
I was very disappointed at the Los Gatos Town Council meeting recently. Donna Courtright was, once again, appealing the council's prior decision not to waive the $1,350 fine she supposedly incurred during the last election cycle. She had new evidence, which she pointed out, but Mayor Hutchins was in no mood to listen to new evidence.
Ms. Courtright pointed out at least three instances where the town failed to comply with their own procedures. The town compliance officer must take photos of "offensive" signs as proof before removing them. The town also must give the candidate three days after notification to remove the signs. This was not done.
Councilmember Randy Attaway was the lone reasonable voice when he stated that due to the town's lack of compliance, the fine should be waived. Mayor Hutchins would have none of that. He cut off supporters who wanted to speak on Ms. Courtright's behalf, saying that they didn't have anything relevant to add.
The town planning director, Lee Bowman, had earlier stated that past candidates had been fined as much as $4,000. When one supporter asked where the proof was, Hutchins told him that he was rude, and he should sit down! Maybe Hutchins felt that he was in the hot seat, as he did suggest a reduction in the fine to $675.
He said that the reduction was what Councilmember Steve Blanton had suggested at Courtright's first appeal. Technically wrong, Mr. Mayor. Blanton had suggested the fine be reduced to $500, but I'm sure Hutchins couldn't be bothered with checking the minutes of past meetings. In my opinion, a wrongly imposed fine, reduced or not, is still wrong.
Mandy Nelson
Los Gatos
It's past time to approve the development at 330 University
Your article on the development proposal at 330 University Avenue (May 5, 1999) was short on facts.
The Town's traffic consultant determined that the traffic for existing and new development downtown and Hirschman's project at 330 University Avenue will not significantly impact the intersection of Highway 9 and University Avenue. Hirschman plans to improve the intersection and alleviate future traffic conditions for the benefit of the entire community.
I have been following the housing proposal for nearly three years now. Town decision-makers and neighbors have made a litany of suggestions for developing the site. These recommendations have ranged from over 50 units to meet the Town's Housing Element to 15 houses to meet a few neighbors' unrealistic expectations. Despite staff recommendations for approval, the numerous plans that have gone before the commission and council have not yet been accepted.
Planning Commissioner Laura Nachison said it best, "The commission is now scapegoating this particular project for the larger, perceived ills in the Town." I hope the Planning Commission and council will review the facts and approve the proposal.
Bernie Greenfield
Los Gatos
Massive tourism is the solution in Kosovo dilemma
Our present actions cost us dearly. Billions of dollars for the military effort, billions of dollars of reconstruction needed, and hatred of the Ugly American that will last long. There is sadness, not joy, in destroying the infrastructure of another country.
A better way--offer to all people of the United States, and people around the world, an all-expenses-paid round trip to Yugoslavia, and the environs, as tourists. These tourists are asked to spend just several hours talking to the people of Belgrade, Serbia and Kosovo. The joy of personal contact and some friendly exchange is the only obligation. The Serbs generally speak English, but there will be bonus pay for all tourists who speak Yugoslavian.
Let hundreds of thousands, millions, of Americans and other nationalities visit the Balkans. Let them travel by plane, train, boat (up and down the Danube), car and bicycle. The United Nations observers will return and continue their professional observing and reporting. We can personally tell the Serbs why our government and the American people feel strongly about stopping the aggression in Kosovo.
Our tourists may say, for example, to the Serbs, "Why do you do this to Kosovo? It looks bad."
People of all ages would volunteer for such an outreach trip and to establish people- to-people relationships. Let these tourists bring gifts, bring rock bands, soccer games, jokes and aid with rebuilding. I would go happily.
Conversely, invite Serbs and Kosovars to visit other countries, expenses paid. Let churches extend hospitality to those of the same and those of differing faiths. A church get-together always works and has special appeal.
The Serbs and Kosovars need us and we need them. The residue of hatred now accruing will be dispelled.
The cost of government-paid tourism is less than the military cost. Casualties will be zero or very low. The Serb people, even the Serb government, do not have a reason to object to tourists. A few Marines can accompany the early waves just in case someone is trigger-happy.
Cell phones will be distributed amply to protect against kidnapping. Tent cities are feasible for overflow housing.
This approach will work today where it wouldn't work in the past, because in economic strength, the United States is 10 to 100 times stronger than Serbia, so that we can afford to underwrite massive tourism; and we are not waging a "no holds barred" "win at any cost" type of war.
Now we are attempting to improve behavior by material destruction of assets, and this effort is slow to pay off. In this struggle, the worldwide majority of humans wants the Serbs to stop ethnic cleansing and join in peaceful alternatives.
People-to-people contact as I suggest will have to come as a demand from the people themselves. There will be resistance from some sectors, such as the militants and the military, if they believe their way of life or budgets are threatened.
The tendency of governmental leadership is to do it all from the top down, and this habit needs to be overturned. Let's do a big tourist action--Operation Tourist Deluge.
Charles Walton
Los Gatos
Drivers ignoring new stop sign
The newly installed three-way stop sign at College Avenue and Main Street is being ignored by drivers traveling on Main Street. They very well may not be aware the stop signs are there.
Perhaps they can be placed higher, or a temporary flashing light could be installed until people get used to stopping there. Or maybe a community service officer can hand out warning tickets to people failing to stop.
I just hope something is done before there is a serious accident.
Karyn Barringer
Los Gatos
|
|
|
|
Los Gatos, California Since 1881
