Two recent news articles have prompted me to write this letter. The first article regards a hit-and-run accident that resulted in the death of an elementary school­age child. The second is the potential establishment of gateways to the community to "boost the town's identity" in an attempt to give the business sector a lift.

Well over a year ago, I sent a letter to the Los Gatos Department of Parks and Public Works regarding the safety of kids walking, biking, skateboarding, etc. to Fisher Middle School along Blossom Hill Road. There is a full sidewalk only on the north side of the street. There are stretches on the south side where only a painted white line separates frequently aggressive and/or distracted drivers from distracted adolescents. It is an accident waiting to happen.

The department did not even bother to acknowledge my letter. I watched with dismay as many cosmetic changes took place downtown: new street signs, sidewalks, planters, etc. I realize the importance of the sales tax revenue to the vitality of the town, but enough is enough. These children deserve a safe route to school, and it's time for the town to take care of it.

The business sector gets more than its fair share of attention. If the town has enough money for new fountains and gateways and free calendars, then the town can find a way to extend the sidewalk on the south side of Blossom Hill Road between N. Santa Cruz Avenue and Fisher Middle School.

—Darlene Scher, Los Gatos


Sign to warn of new stoplight needed on Farley

Before the new signal, when turning right (from Farley Road) north onto Winchester, I needed only to look left to see if it was clear of oncoming traffic. Now, with the new stoplight, drivers, after turning right onto Winchester, must also heed the signal.

(Personally, I favor the new signal. I've not experienced any serious inconvenience or traffic backup. And if residential impacts are evidenced by diversionary traffic overflows, then the town should study it.)

True story, from my own personal experience: Once, while fully stopped, looking left and edging out to see around a car parked on the street near the corner by Green Thumb Nursery, the coast was clear, and I turned right onto Winchester. Immediately—abruptly—I hit the brakes for a red light. Luckily, I wasn't distracted. Yet I'd completely forgotten the new signal.

I am still so used to the old intersection, I haven't fully adjusted mentally 100 percent. So, for any interested town traffic planners, a suggestion: Why not catch the attention of drivers and advise of the upcoming new signal at the stop sign, before they make their turn? Some type of flashing notice at the stop sign to remind drivers of the new (immediately proximate) signal might encourage drivers to look both ways before turning and be aware of a potential hazard just ahead after turning.

—Greg Hall, Los Gatos


Winchester light helps some, does not calm traffic

Bill Ferguson is absolutely right. The traffic light at Winchester Boulevard and Daves Avenue is not calming traffic. It only allows the traffic on Daves to exit onto Winchester. It met warrant requirements to be installed due to the traffic backups on Daves. It also stops traffic (hopefully) to allow kids to cross Winchester on their way to Daves Avenue School or Fisher Middle School.

The pedestrian refuge in the middle of the intersection does provide a limited "calming" effect, but it could have been better if that refuge had some landscaping to provide more "side friction."

If Ferguson and other interested community members would like to see what traffic calming is, they can come to the Los Gatos Neighborhood Center on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 7 p.m. The talk is free and open to the public.

—Marc Jensen, Los Gatos Peds, Los Gatos


Actor article calls attention
to the arts

I want to commend your features editor, Shari Kaplan, for the well-written and interesting Jan. 29 article she wrote on Lee Actor, assistant conductor and composer, and Geri Actor, president and violist, for the Palo Alto Philharmonic.

When you focus articles on musicians and composers such as the Actors, you help all of the arts, many of which are struggling in these recessionary times, by calling attention to arts performances.

Your special weekly Steppin' Out section is especially appreciated. Thank you for supporting the arts.

—Maxine Goodman, Palo Alto Philharmonic