The idea that someone who can't afford to live in Los Gatos would have a messy porch is an uninformed and biased view.

I encourage the Los Gatos Weekly-Times to act responsibly and print material that encourages people to better understand one another, not to indulge in prejudice.

—Keith Emmons, Los Gatos


Cartoonist owes apology to town

I read DeCinzo's cartoon weekly and I am often humored by his witty—yet sometimes rude—cartoons. Editorial cartoons are meant to stir us and make us think. I thank him for his often enlightening illustrations. I am, however, taken back and upset by his cartoon depicting the Sept. 11 remembrance in Los Gatos, and especially the last section, where he ridicules the people of Los Gatos for holding religious memorials on that day.

The first section of his cartoon is right on—many acts of violence have been justified "in the name of God." All intelligent people, people of faith or not, know that acts of violence cannot be justified in God's name. DeCinzo has, however, really missed the point of why these memorials are taking place and in turn has shown his ignorance of the true meaning of faith. His cartoon depicts these memorials with the wording "Religion Will Save Us!" Does he really believe that this is why the religious memorials are taking place? Does he really think intelligent people do not realize that we could all be obliterated from this world in a split second? Does he really think we pray and hope that God will save us from terrorists' harm?

People of faith go to church and pray together not to ask to be saved from future violence but to pray for some end to this violence. They are praying on Sept. 11 for those innocent people who lost their lives and for their families left behind. They are praying for you and me. DeCinzo depicts people of faith as unintelligent people who think God will save us from all harm. Based on his cartoon, I assume he is a person who does not hold religious beliefs, and that is fine. However, because he does not, he should not assume he knows why people of faith and even those who do not believe have decided to have religious memorials to remember Sept. 11. He has lost my support of his cartoon editorials because he has chosen to mock a good number of people with the last part of his cartoon. He has, in turn, lost my respect for him. I believe he owes the town of Los Gatos and those who have chosen to pray together on Sept. 11 an apology.

—Marlene Johnson, Los Gatos


Foundation praised for pool support

Kudos to the Valley Foundation for their unwavering support of the new Los Gatos community pool. Without the support of these extraordinary individuals—in particular Dr. Ed LaVeque and Ervie Smith—there would be no community pool.

We are very fortunate that the Valley Foundation has come forward to be the lead swimmer in this final 50-meter race. As the parents of two hardworking swimmers, we will be eternally grateful for this lasting gift to them and the community. Thanks a million.

—Sandy and Christine Nichols, Monte Sereno


Tennis and skateboarding don't mix

The plan to eliminate tennis courts from Blossom Hill Park and replace them with a skatepark is unbelievable to those of us who regularly enjoy the courts. As a Los Gatos resident and avid tennis player, I have played on many courts (both public and private) in the South Bay.

The Blossom Hill tennis courts are by far the best public courts in the area and attract players from all over the local tennis community. Local tennis groups such as the South Bay Tennis League frequently use these courts for their events. The Blossom Hill courts are in a beautiful and peaceful setting. Locating a skatepark here would put an end to this, as well as discourage use by regular players. The last thing a serious tennis player wants is to have a group of loud, obnoxious skateboarders nearby who will wreck havoc on their concentration. This idea is as ridiculous as putting a skatepark in the middle of a golf course. Simply put, tennis and skateboarding just don't mix.

While your article said the courts are "underutilized" during the week, I can't imagine how anyone could get this impression. In fact, most players must wait up to 45 minutes for an available court on weeknights. Just show up on a Tuesday night at 7 p.m. and you'll see large groups of players sitting on the bench waiting their turn.

Maybe the town council members can give up their Courtside memberships for a week and play here? That should be enough to convince them that these courts need to stay as is.

—Marianne Cohn, Los Gatos


Thanks for DeCinzo's cartoon

Before the customary, and unfortunate, DeCinzo-bashing starts, I'd like to thank the political cartoonist for reminding us that more people have died in the name of religion than in all the just wars that mankind has endured.

—A.J. Nespole, Monte Sereno


Sept. 11 cartoon is ironic

On July 14, the Los Gatos Weekly-Times carried a letter to the editor I had written about the uproar surrounding the inclusion of the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. It was my contention that invoking the name of God to achieve a desired objective has always been used by individuals, religious leaders and nation-states to dubious effect. Against the backdrop of our current angst over international terrorism, I suggested that all nations have constantly tried to get on God's good side throughout recorded history. I concluded that if I had the artistic talents of the Weekly-Times' Steven DeCinzo, I'd whip out a cartoon depicting God in heaven being beseeched by representatives of nations holding signs and placards praising Him and asking for an advantage in these bellicose times.

While I might not have the capability of capturing in art the inanity and hypocrisy of appealing for divine intercession, DeCinzo certainly does. This was evidenced by his cartoon in the Sept. 11 edition of the Weekly-Times. Panel one of the cartoon shows the World Trade Center being attacked "in the name of God." Panel two has an easily identifiable national preacher calling for a crusade "in the name of God" against "evildoers." Panel three depicts an American bomber unloading bombs as the pilot cries "God bless America" and while a surface-to-air missile is honing in on the bomber encouraged by the words "God is great." All this is real good stuff, and, unto themselves, the three panels would probably not cause DeCinzo serious grief. I'm not so sure about panel four, which shows an American flag­draped woman holding a burning candle during the Los Gatos Sept. 11 religious memorial and proclaiming, "Religion will save us." I'm afraid most people will have missed the delicious irony contained in panels one to three, which, of course is only intensified by panel four. The net result might very well be that a few Los Gatans (whose religion, of course, stresses tolerance, understanding and acceptance of diverse opinions) will want to run DeCinzo out of town on a rail. I will pray this does not come to pass. But my confidence level that it won't is pretty low. I think I could use a little help.

—Frank Stagnaro, Los Gatos


New council feature is good idea

I was happy to see the Los Gatos Weekly-Times publish the vote count from the last town council meeting in its Sept. 11 edition. Is this something new that has been added to the Weekly-Times? If so, I really like it. It is a great, quick way to keep people informed of the local issues, and it also allows the public to track how their council members are voting on the agenda items.

I think you should go a step further and start publishing the upcoming council meeting agenda topics in a similar format. Thanks.

—Carla Dougher, Los Gatos