I need to thank [the Los Gatos Weekly-Times] for the great editorial on Dec. 3, for the merchants, encouraging our townspeople to shop here.

Our council and staff have been a great help also, allowing us the money to hang beautiful new banners, paying for the free valet parking, installing as many new lights as possible and, most of all, halting all construction at this time.

Thanks to the merchants and families for the beautiful shop and home decorations. It is such a pleasure to drive down Santa Cruz Avenue and Main Street at night.

This is the first year we have had such banners on Los Gatos Boulevard. The car dealers there are so nicely decorated too.

—Shirley Henderson, Chamber of Commerce, Beautification Chairwoman, Los Gatos


Union residents should act cooperatively

I am writing in response to the letter by Jeff Brown [Dec. 17] regarding the Union School District board's decision to delay announcement of which schools may be slated for closure until after the parcel tax election.

Mr. Brown states, "Wouldn't it be prudent to explain now which schools were at risk?" Why would it be prudent? So that some people can base their decision not on what is best for the district as a whole, but rather on how their own schools [and possible property values] may be affected? I have not yet decided whether I think the parcel tax is a good idea, but I don't believe I need to know whether or not my own school will be affected to make this decision.

On the issue of whether or not any of us were called to be part of the survey, I didn't really expect to be called. I certainly didn't attribute the fact that I didn't get called to some conspiracy. And I'm sure if I have questions regarding the anticipated cost of the election, I could get these answers with a little homework and maybe a call to the district.

Finally, Mr. Brown states that "families that pay to send their children to private schools get hit once again with another tax increase, even with their non-use." Yes, this is true. It has always been true that parents who choose to send their children to private school do so knowing they will also be paying taxes to support schools their own children don't attend. We all support the schools through our taxes, whether we use the schools or not, because most of us believe quality public education is a necessity in our society. I'm not saying that this tax wouldn't be a burden for some, but it should be noted that seniors, the group that may be hardest hit, are eligible for an exemption from the tax.

It may sound trite, but I know we all want what is best for our kids. I would love to see the residents of Union School District work cooperatively.

—Cathy Wittig, San Jose


Supporting Union's parcel tax

I am not a political person. However, when I became informed that the Union School District was considering closing two elementary schools, I quickly became involved.

With cuts in funding from the state, the resulting gap in the current budget is significant. In order to maintain the wonderful education provided to our children, additional monies would have to be raised, or cuts in addition to the $1 million already cut earlier this year would result. Over 200 parents signed questionnaires showing their support for a parcel tax, and based on this show of support from the community the board voted its confidence in the parents and put the measure on the ballot for March of 2004. This is where the board's cost and involvement end and where the will and determination of the parents begins.

I have a first-grader and soon-to-be kindergartner in the Union School District. My husband and I purchased our home in the Los Gatos area based on the school we wanted [our children] to attend. School closures would not be due to declining enrollment, but rather declining funding, which means all the children displaced from the closing schools would be moved into temporary structures on the property of the remaining schools.

I am not just concerned that my school may close. I am also concerned that any schools may close. My vote for the parcel tax is not just a vote for my school; it is a vote for all schools, a vote for my neighborhood, my community and the future and education of the children. I also wish to protect my property value and the wonderful area in which we live.

—Joanne Lewis, Los Gatos


New Sobrato plan is a 'clear win'

As a resident of Los Gatos and a strong advocate for homes that Los Gatos families can afford, I was pleased to see the editorial in support of the revised Sobrato development proposal. Thank you for such a clear and well-articulated message.

I have been following this development proposal since it was originally introduced and supported the rendition with less housing and more office. However, as is currently proposed, swapping out some of the office space for more homes is a clear win for the town of Los Gatos. By using our valuable infill parcels more efficiently, we will be better able to meet the housing needs of the people who make the economy and quality of life of Silicon Valley strong.

Again, thank you for your articulate voice on this issue.

—Carl Guardino, Los Gatos


Sobrato, town should help youth soccer

The Los Gatos United Soccer League has more than 1,700 children playing through the volunteer efforts of parents, coaches and staff. Last week, the league presented a petition asking the Los Gatos Planning Commission and Town Council for help in addressing the lack of public soccer field(s) for the soccer-playing children of Los Gatos. Our goal is to work cooperatively and creatively with town government, local companies and groups.

Just as it's unreasonable to expect Sobrato to solve 100 percent of the problem of affordable housing, it's also unreasonable to expect Sobrato to solve 100 percent of the town's problem with its lack of soccer fields. However, to be clear, the community should expect developers to consider and address the needs of the community in planning applications and to work cooperatively with the community and local government to help address those needs.

The town's General Plan (July 2000) is explicit in stating: "New development must keep pace with the community's needs and must reflect the community's values. The next 10 years will be a crucial time in the evolution of Los Gatos. Extreme care must be used in approving all new development applications. The impacts of new development must be evaluated in light of the development's overall community benefit."

It's that "community benefit" that the planning commission has asked Sobrato to consider further in working towards approval for their revised plan. As a developer, Sobrato has knowledge, experience, know-how and resources. LGUSL is looking forward to town government and Sobrato finding ways to move forward on the development and to help address real community needs by applying resources and creativity to the goal of a public soccer field.

—Ed San Juan, Martin Hall and the LGUSL Board, Los Gatos

The Los Gatos home of Jim and Maggie Creighton, 142 Tait Ave., was pictured in the Dec. 17 Los Gatos Weekly-Times and published along with a story stressing the importance of safely decorating homes for the holidays. The Creightons' home was selected because of its beautiful holiday display, not because there was anything unsafe about the decorations.