Letters

Email group focuses on town

Your readers may be interested in an email group that I created to foster discussion about Los Gatos. We're talking about plans for the North Forty, alternative transportation, the Neighborhood Alliance--anything that matters to Los Gatans.

Email is usually one person writing to one or more people, one-to-one or one-to-many. An email group, on the other hand, enables many-to-many discussions. Anything sent by a member to losgatos@listbot.com is transmitted to everyone on the list. When list members reply, everyone sees the dialogue. Becoming a member is free, and one can unsubscribe at any time. Readers who are interested should email me at adallas@infospect.com.

Alastair Dallas
Los Gatos

Video Era was a part of the necessary village

By now Video Era has closed, a victim of the approved intrusion of large corporate franchises into Los Gatos. I think the saddest thing about this loss is not necessarily that of a video store, but a loss to both our community and my family of a small-town business and a part of our "village" if you will.

Those of you who have read Hillary Clinton's book, It Takes a Village, are familiar with the idea that our kids all need persons in their community whom they listen to and respect. People in their community who actually help raise them by participating in their lives.

The owners of Video Era were such people. They were a part of my son's village. My son has had the good fortune of knowing several people in different businesses in downtown Los Gatos--all of them small businesses.

On any given day Max could ping-pong down Santa Cruz Avenue and visit several different businesses: Laura and Andy at Interior Services, the man who owns the TCBY, Bears in the Wood, Purrsnickety and finally end up at Video Era to pick up posters or rent movies and talk to Jerrie or Bob or Melissa.

They were always quick to ask if Max's parents would approve if they thought his choice of movie was inappropriate.

Video Era was a small business that tried to accommodate the needs of its customers, and Max couldn't wait until he was 15 to work there.

Now, we have no video store to go to. I once made the mistake of going into Hollywood Video. I was disturbed by the generic layout of the store and complete lack of customer service. This store could be Anywhere, U.S.A.

You see, it's probably not all that horrible a video store, but it really doesn't contribute anything to the village of Los Gatos. It fit the demographics for a corporation trying to gain visibility. Big deal. Who needs that! Our town needs good service-oriented businesses that care. Not corporations seeking demographic toeholds.

I will not go into the gory details of Bob and Jerrie's personal loss, which was considerable, but I do know that their business dropped by 40 percent the minute Hollywood Video opened its doors.

Don't get me wrong, I am not against competition, but I do think that Los Gatos, as a town, needs to balance the fiscal needs of the town with the needs of the village.

While economics sometimes dictates our choices, the village is made up of people, not corporations. These people who own businesses in Los Gatos give back to our community and contribute to its uniqueness. If we allow financial need too often to dictate who or what we allow into our village, we are in serious danger of losing our uniqueness, becoming generic and building ugly buildings like that housing Hollywood Video.

Betty Benesi
Los Gatos

Many contribute to success of the Art Docents

As the Art Docents of Los Gatos Inc. enters its 27th year of service, I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the many community members who made the 1998-99 school year a success.

The program offers sequential visual art education to more than 2,700 Los Gatos Union School District students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Seventy-five dedicated docents volunteered 7,968 hours of service this year to provide our schools with 500 art appreciation classes, 214 hands-on art workshops and a student art exhibition.

Many individuals and families, too numerous to name, have supported the efforts of this nonprofit organization with generous donations. They recognize that fostering creative learning through art education is a fundamental part of a well-rounded education.

The following civic groups and businesses have also contributed to make the Art Docents a viable community organization:

The town of Los Gatos; the city of Monte Sereno; Los Gatos Union School District; Los Gatos Elementary Educational Foundation; the History Club of Los Gatos; Blossom Hill School Home and School Club; Daves Avenue School Home and School Club; R.J. Fisher Middle School Home and School Club; Lexington School Home and School Club; Louise van Meter School Home and School Club; the Valley Foundation; Ralph Edwards; Pacific Gas & Electric; Caere Corporation; Mark Dawson--Frame It Art & Design; Thomas J. Ferrito, attorney at law; Thomas Lackovic & Associates; Infotel--Gary Daum; Los Gatos European; Mabel's Lantern House; Maxxim Medical Inc.; Alan Pinel Realtors--Jeff Barnett; Los Gatos Porch; Ann Walton--Classe Acte; and the Wild Bird Center.

Alison Ahmed
Board of Directors 1998-99

Downtown turns into a carnival for teens at night

This letter is prompted by my experience in downtown Los Gatos this past Friday night. I left Borders Books about 10 p.m., after listening to some very enjoyable music, to walk home. I live three blocks on the opposite side of Santa Cruz Avenue from Borders. Upon approaching Santa Cruz Avenue I could see hordes of people hanging out on the sidewalks. While briefly on this street I could see most of these people were in their teens.

I passed two girls that looked like they were in the 13 to 14 age range. In places there was barely enough space on the sidewalk to pass. While I was attempting to cross Santa Cruz Avenue using the crosswalk, a wreck of a car full of hooligans did not stop, and sped right by me, squealing tires while turning the corner.

I had no idea downtown Los Gatos has turned into such a carnival. I called it a cesspool but my partner, a 27-year resident of this town, thought that was too distasteful.

Perhaps Los Gatos should have a curfew. I don't see why any high school-age kid should be hanging out near bars past 10 p.m. anyhow. Don't parents care where their kids are?

These kids can't be adding anything to the character of Los Gatos and certainly not to the economy, since about the only things open at that time of day are the bars.

I suspect that the residents of Los Gatos who are aware of this situation might go downtown for dinner and leave before the carnival atmosphere begins. How sad.

I see letters concerning situations intent on keeping Los Gatos with its past charm (mom and pop shops vs. chain stores, annexation and the like).

Isn't anyone concerned about what's happening on our streets at night?

Joseph Poppo
Los Gatos

Young residents in county could serve the town

My wife and I want to thank you for the well-written editorial on the proposed annexation of county islands that appeared in the Oct. 6 issue of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times. As 37-year residents of Blossom Hill Manor, the thoughts expressed, as amplified by other writers expressing support for annexation, covered our thoughts on this subject quite well.

We would only add one additional consideration. We have seen many energetic young people move into our neighborhood. Some of them could be contributing Town Council members in the future. The only way they could do that is to be a part of the town. We hope the annexation succeeds.

Keith and Patricia Baker
Los Gatos

Bill DuSel story was a winner

I always look forward to each edition of the Los Gatos Weekly-News. The information about the community and events is important, but perhaps more important is learning about our local residents, such as Bill DuSel in the Sept. 8 issue.

What a great story about a great person. He is leading, and has led, a full life with much generosity. Thank you for writing about him.

Kit Menkin
Los Gatos

Georgia Travis story was great

A special thank-you for the article on Los Gatos' most distinguished elder, Georgia Travis, in the cover story, "Activist Vision," in the Sept. 15 issue of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times. Both the article by Sandy Sims and the photographic double image by George Sakkestad are exemplary!

Those of us working on the issues and realities of homelessness continue to be inspired by her intelligent and compassionate leadership. The Georgia Travis Day Center for Homeless Women and their children is a superior model in what can be achieved through one woman's vision, determination and superior communication skills.

Bravo to the Weekly-Times for telling her story for the benefit of our greater Los Gatos community!

Jo Greiner
For the Los Gatos Interfaith Outreach and St. Luke's Food Pantry/Soup Kitchen

North Forty offers opportunity for school, civic uses

I have recently reviewed both the town's plan for the 40 acres of land known as the North Forty. I've also looked at Monte Sereno resident Mark Brodsky's ideas that he has posted on www.northlosgatos.com.

Neither plan addresses the overcrowding we have in our elementary and secondary district schools.

With the possibility of the North Forty development, I think the Los Gatos Union School District needs to demand the site include a school. With an additional school, overcrowding would be alleviated, perhaps even bringing the sixth grade from the middle school to the elementary schools and thus alleviating the overcrowded situation at Fisher.

If the LGUSD fails to voice an opinion, backed with facts of projected increasing elementary school population, our schools, children, teachers and quality of education will be negatively impacted.

The answer to overcrowding at the elementary and secondary levels is not to add more portables on available school grounds. That solution reduces the amount of free space for physical activity and also reduces the community benefit or open space for after-school sports. Another solution, additional remodeling to create second stories, is not viable.

One solution is to use the funds from the sale of Berry School as well as a bond to build a school which would create more "Los Gatos" community. Maybe this new school could include a large enough stage/auditorium area to serve as a community theater as well as a site for districtwide concerts, art exhibits, and science fairs.

We have an opportunity to further bring Los Gatos schools to the forefront of education as well as provide a community benefit of theater, playgrounds, sports fields and smaller schools which enhance our overall community feel.

We cannot afford to put our heads in the sand and ignore the opportunity to further improve our schools and community.

Jennifer Gifford
Los Gatos

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The school district sold Berry School in 1986 to the Jewish Community Center. Funds from the sale have been earning interest ever since. Such funds can be used only for capital expenses.--Editor

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Did band snub Los Gatos?

At the Saratoga-Los Gatos football game on Oct. 8, we were disappointed by the Saratoga High School band. At half-time the band played facing only the Falcons' fans and ignored the Wildcats' side.

How rude to only see the back side of the Saratoga band. We would like to think our community could show more respect and sportsmanship.

Richard and Anthony Ruh
Monte Sereno

There's a way to show AT&T your displeasure

Unhappy TCI Cable subscribers who have AT&T as their primary long-distance telephone server may effectively express their displeasure by canceling their AT&T service as I have done and telling AT&T why (800.222.0300). AT&T owns TCI. You might well also save money by doing so.

While TCI can apparently get away with being non-communicative and indifferent to customer complaints about the public-access channel switch and programming suggestions, I would think that numerous AT&T cancellations would eventually get TCI's attention, particularly if the reason is made known. My own cancellation will cost AT&T well over $1,000 per year. Now I am shopping for a satellite dish for commercial-free classical music since TCI won't supply it (they like rock better).

Don McCleve
Monte Sereno

What's better, the devil or the deep blue sea?

Annexation offers a choice between two service agencies--the county so involved in paperwork it can no longer afford to do the useful work it was formed to do, or the town which seems to have developed the ability to not see what goes on.

A storm sewer discharging into the roadway is not only a traffic hazard but can also cause erosion.

Traffic striping when delayed several weeks can be an invitation to a bad accident. Traffic hazards dangerous to bicycle riders should be corrected, not just painted.

Land boundaries should be checked before planning decisions are made. A name change will not change the width of a road right-of-way from 40 to 66 feet. Before the town sells land it should check the public record.

To issue a "use permit" over road right-of-way land may be a cute way to encourage acquisition of title by adverse possession but is it honest?

Fee-title owners should be responsible for public nuisances on their land such as fire hazards and garbage piles, even though they may be government agencies.

Annexation or responsibility?

E. C. Steffani
Monte Sereno

Clarification

The story in the Oct. 13 issue of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times about the tally to determine if a vote will be required for the town to annex county pockets stated that the filing deadline for annexation protests was Oct. 4. This date referred only to the county pockets mentioned in the article. The protest date for county pockets Peacock Lane #2, Shannon Road #20, Marchmont Drive #1 and Robie Lane #3 was Oct. 18. Protests for the La Rinconada area are due Nov. 1.

Police Report

Editorial: North Forty Specific Plan

Wedding: Jennifer Gaddis, Chris Haas

Picture From the Past

Sports Briefs

Los Gatos field hockey team begins winning streak

Wildcats pull out thriller against Trojans

Cats run to victory over Milpitas frosh-soph

Tigers, Panthers post football victories

Photos: Local soccer teams