Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Letters

Church project would enhance family life

On June 26, the Planning Commission voted to deny the application of the Los Gatos Christian Church to expand their junior high school and to build a family life center on their facilities.

Thank you for printing a commentary by Dale Evans which was in support of the project. I felt the article was well-written and presented a balancing position of the issue.

As a longtime resident of Los Gatos, I think it is quite apparent that it is just this type of church facility that could enhance family life in our neighborhoods. Having been a teacher on the Los Gatos and Saratoga high school faculty since 1963, I know the needs of activities for youth development. A facility of the type proposed to promote wholesome family activities would enhance the greater community.

Harold J. Dueck
Los Gatos

Expansion will benefit community

My wife and I have been residents of Los Gatos since September 1962. When we moved to town, we attended a church in San Jose. It was our sons who found and encouraged us to join the Los Gatos Christian Church in July 1976.

They found that the church fulfilled their need for social, recreational and sports activities, as well as their spiritual needs. Our children's Los Gatos playmates, though not members of LGCC, participated in the many church activities with them.

Our oldest son was president of the Los Gatos Youth Commission, was active in a Los Gatos Boy Scout troop and won a town youth achievement award.

Today, he and his brother are both foreign-service missionaries. Their character, community concern, and commitment to service to God and country were largely influenced by the ministry of the Los Gatos Christian Church.

As one who served in law enforcement for 30 years, I cannot stress strongly enough the importance and value of churches such as Los Gatos Christian Church.

Their contribution to the quality of life of the community is beyond financial measure.

I urge the Town Council to approve the appeal to overturn the decision of the Planning Commission and to grant the request of the LGCC to expand its junior high school facility, and to build a family life center which can be of great benefit to Los Gatans whether they attend the church or not.

David E. Lagasse
Los Gatos

In the interest of promoting community dialogue about local issues, we are running letters about the Los Gatos Christian Church's appeal to the Town Council even though the hearing was scheduled for Mon., Aug. 5, the day before our publication. We will run the story about the council action Aug. 14. --Editor

Publicity paid off for Double D's

On the subject of the Double D's controversy: I cannot believe that anybody can really seriously have a problem with the name; so, I say hats off to one of the best publicity stunts I've seen in a long time. Good luck, guys!

Sue Balzer
Los Gatos

More places for teens can only be good

I remember reading over a long period of time how important it is to get a place for teens where there can be a wholesome environment for them.

I should think there would be an equally positive reaction to the Los Gatos Christian Church effort to build a youth center.

Edith Roberson
Los Gatos

Cars aren't only means of getting around town

With all the talk about parking fees and the costs of creating more parking, I find it very interesting how much the focus is on cars. It's as if no one can creatively conceive of any other way to get around!

I would like to see a trolley car (like the one used in the town for weddings, etc.) run continuously down Santa Cruz Avenue across Highway 9 looping on Blossom Hill to Los Gatos Boulevard to Main Street, and so on. If people knew the car was regular, it would get used (say every half hour or less).

Maybe some of that "leftover money" no one seems to be sure what to do with could be put toward this. It would be a lot more charming than more cars tooling up Santa Cruz Avenue, to say nothing of the increased pollution from cars.

I'm not totally opposed to one more parking structure, but I don't believe the fees are a great idea, especially for the working poor who staff the downtown businesses. Many of these businesses are small and cannot afford their employees' parking.

I know it's easy for the Town Council or whoever votes these decisions into existence to forget that poor people actually work in Los Gatos, but these are the people who serve you with a smile and make your day (hopefully) just a little better.

Parking fees will force these people into the neighborhoods and then you'll have another problem. Everyone feels they can't afford more expenses. In the case of these people it is really true.

There are many creative alternatives. I named one. Portland, Ore., has a fleet of scavenged free bicycles available to all for the using.

Rhonda Hoefs
Los Gatos