We received a letter from Kim Hanrahan shortly after reading Gloria Wang's profile in the Los Gatos Weekly­Times (Oct. 9).

We found her attitude to be appallingly arrogant for a new resident in Monte Sereno. Since we've owned our property, we've planted several dozens of trees on our property over the past 28 years—just the tone of her quote is enough to turn us away from voting her into the council.

If cutting down a tree is such an issue, does planting a tree account for something? Just how many trees did Ms. Hanrahan plant to make such "sanguine" statements?

We sincerely hope that Ms. Hanrahan will grow up someday before she sets her sights on political status.

—Sandor Drobilisch, Monte Sereno


Residents support Wasserman

We ask the Los Gatos Weekly­Times to endorse Mike Wasserman for Los Gatos Town Council.

Wasserman has a true sense of the community. We will not find anyone more qualified and devoted to serve Los Gatos. He has already displayed a true commitment of enormous time and energy to our town. Wasserman was voted best volunteer last year.

Mike possesses a rare ability to see things from many sides and displays a real sense of fairness. We know that Los Gatos will greatly benefit from his participation on the town council.

—Lee and Alice Royall, Los Gatos


Scholarships given to all LG schools

In response to the letter from Debbi Behrman (Oct. 16 Los Gatos Weekly­Times), the Los Gatos Community Foundation is pleased to report that our board awarded scholarships in each of the three high schools where Los Gatos residents attend school.

One thousand dollars per student was awarded to Rachel Dodson at Los Gatos High School, Leila Sarraf at Leigh High School and Scott Hermanson at Westmont High School. Each scholarship was presented by a Los Gatos Community Foundation board member at the respective school's award programs.

—Michelle Nelson, scholarship chairman, Los Gatos Community Foundation


Board spends too much on legal fees

It is time for the current West Valley­Mission Community College District (WVMCCD) Board of Trustees to quit spending our tax money on legal fees! The California Appellate and Supreme Courts have declared it illegal to build a stadium on the West Valley College campus. In spite of that, the board majority has and continues to spend hundreds of thousands of our tax dollars on lobbying and legal fees to get a stadium at WVC.

In spite of the legal decision, on the college's behalf, Elaine Alquist is sponsoring AB 3046; that bill, if passed, will circumvent the law and allow WVC to construct a stadium.

Even the new chancellor of West Valley­Mission College has stated that Mission College is the best location for a stadium, if one is ever built; Mission College has the space and the easy access. Chancellor [Stan] Arterberry rightly wants to focus on improving education and fiscal responsibility.

But the majority of the current WVMCCD board isn't willing to obey the law, nor support its new chancellor. It is time to elect board members that support the new chancellor's goals.

—Marcia Fariss, Saratoga


Letter about 'exclusion' was right on target

I think Debbi Behrman's letter titled "Inclusion vs. Exclusion" in the Oct. 16 edition hit the nail on the head. I couldn't agree more with just about everything she stated in her letter. I have lived in the northwest section of Los Gatos for 30 years and I have always noticed that we seem to be forgotten when it comes to our students being recognized, council decisions regarding the community and articles in the Los Gatos Weekly­Times.

Although we have been left out in the past, I am optimistic that the future will bring us closer together and we will become more of an inclusive town.

A few examples I have seen of this is that we actually have someone from the northwest part of town running for town council. Paul Dubois lives in Rinconada Hills, and I'm hopeful that if Paul wins, he will work to represent our neglected part of town and help bring us all together.

Another good example is candidate Mike Wasserman. Mike lives in the downtown area, but has spent a good deal of his time walking and talking to the people in the neighborhoods of Bicknell, Old Adobe, Wedgewood, More Avenue and other streets along the northwest edge of town.

I was also delighted to see the Weekly­Times' article featuring the Old Adobe neighborhood in the Oct. 16 edition. I'm not sure if the article was a result of Debbi's letter or just coincidence, but it is nice to know that Weekly­Times' is listening to its readers.

—Carla Dougher, Los Gatos


Don't overlook Dubois' service to community

The voters of Los Gatos should know that Paul Dubois has worked quietly on their behalf as the planning commission's representative on the Architectural and Hillside Standards Committee, of which I am a member. I have observed his steadfast commitment to improving the fire safety of our hillsides, to cite one important example. Paul comes to our meetings prepared—he has often researched specific issues, but he remains patient and open to other opinions.

In a race in which all five candidates are qualified, Paul Dubois' dedicated service to our community should not be overlooked. He will make an informed, accessible council person.

—Peggy Dallas, Los Gatos


Editorial lacked history

I wish to compliment Ms. Gloria Wang for her follow-up article on the proposed skateboard park. Although she is still reluctant to independently contact residents for their views, she showed more care in balancing her article.

As for the editorial in the Oct. 9 issue, you need to do your history homework.

If you reference an article written by Nathan R. Huff and carried in your Dec. 20, 2000, issue, you will learn that residents of Blossom Hill Park had strongly opposed the proposal to put a skateboard park there. So, almost two years ago it was known by the town council that this idea was going to be strongly opposed.

Instead of defending the town council members for making their current proposal, your editorial should be blasting them for wasting taxpayer dollars, and polarizing residents by trying to float the same proposal once again.

For almost two years the council members—[Steve] Glickman and [Joe] Pirzynski—have been dragging their feet on this skateboard park issue. Last summer Vasona was picked as the best solution. The full town council knew this and the rubber-stamp parks commissioners knew this.

Your editorial should criticize these town council members for being out of touch with the neighborhoods and trying to reinvent the wheel.

If anyone is to blame for dashing the skateboarders' hopes, it is Mr. Glickman and Mr. Pirzynski and not the town residents, as you infer.

—Marte Hall, Los Gatos