In continuing the discussion concerning the Sobrato development on Winchester Boulevard. The Sobrato Corporation, which does not have an office in Los Gatos, was the largest contributor to Councilwoman Diane McNutt's campaign, giving more than any normal donation made by a resident.

As a matter of ethics, should Councilwoman McNutt have recused herself from voting on the Sobrato development? Could she honestly be unbiased in her decision to vote for the approval of a design that was rejected by the Los Gatos Planning Commission?

Similarly, Joe Pirzynski is the vice chairman of the Valley Transportation Agency Transit Planning and Operations Committee. It is my understanding that the VTA can now make a case for securing monies for extending light rail down to Los Gatos given the go-ahead of this large development. The question is not whether a new light rail station will increase usage of public transportation, but whether given the ties between the VTA and the Sobrato project, could Mr. Pirzynski be unbiased in his voting on this matter? Once again, morally and ethically should he have recused himself from voting on this development?

This is a major concern for all residents of Los Gatos. While there is no law that says council members McNutt and Pirzynski had to recuse themselves, what we are talking about are moral ethics. Now that this is known, it would be very interesting to replay the broadcast of the council meeting where the approval was granted to see the interaction and dialogue exchange between Sobrato Corporation representatives and each member of the Los Gatos Town Council.

Kyle Lanza

Monte Sereno

Dog owners need
to clean up their
act on Creek Trail

The good news is that the portion of the Los Gatos Creek Trail running from Main Street to Lexington Reservoir is open for public use again. The bad news is that it is already becoming littered with dog feces.

I want to send out a plea to my fellow dog owners to start cleaning up after our dogs before it's too late. Let's get our act together before we are forbidden from taking our dogs on these trails. Most people do clean up, but the ones who don't are going to ruin it for everyone!

Over the last few years we have already lost access to public and private fields in and around town because of people who don't clean up after their dogs. I don't want to see dogs banned from the Creek Trail, because I love to run along the trail with my dogs.

Bring bags to scoop up after your dogs, feed them after you exercise them, take the proper precautions and let's try to preserve the remaining privileges open to us as dog owners.

Marty Dart

Los Gatos

Measure B
takes on a
personal touch

I am writing in support of Measure B. I support it because I personally can attribute my current academic and professional achievements to the effective use of the library.

I was born in California of an American mother and a Nigerian father. My father took me to Nigeria when I was 2 years old, following the passing of my mother. My father died a couple of days later in Nigeria, leaving me to be raised by my grandmother, who passed away when I was 12. Since then, I became an independent thinker.

The library became my major source of information to fulfill my lifelong dream of coming back to the United States and becoming an aerospace engineer. Information on U.S. universities, foundations and names of business leaders helped me to return to the U.S. to accomplish my goal.

The library continued to play a significant role in my life. After graduating, I was advised not to seek work as an aerospace engineer. I was told that my accent and background would make it impossible for me to be hired. I was rather advised to seek a job with Burger King.

Again through the use of the library, I was able to locate the Lockheed Missiles & Space Company in Sunnyvale, now known as Lockheed Martin, who hired me on the spot. As a result, I was the first in my graduating class to land a job with an aerospace corporation. I did this with no résumé or formal scheduled interview.

Raymond Chukwu

San Jose

Local AAUW urges support
for Measure B

The board of the Los Gatos­Saratoga Branch of the American Association of University Women has voted to endorse Measure B on the March 2 ballot. One of AAUW's missions is lifelong education. Our Saratoga Library, along with eight other branches of the Santa Clara County Library system that has been named No. 1 in the nation for the last three years, certainly helps us do that. We want to keep it that way.

But the voter-approved library bond passed in 1994 expires next year. Measure B only proposes a raise of $8.34 for a total of $42 annual increase for a single-family home to make up for that loss. This would keep existing library hours and service, buy more books, continue the Book Mobile and literacy programs, and stave off expected cuts caused by the state's budget crisis.

Every vote is very important, as a two-thirds countywide vote is required to pass this important Measure B.

Sue Boyd, president

Los Gatos­Saratoga AAUW

Patriot Act gives
too much power
to police

Regarding Mr. Kavanagh's recent letter to the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, which expressed concern about government's possible overreaching in the Patriot Act:

The library privacy issue is not minor. But the Patriot Act's main flaw is that it would allow law enforcement officers to invade the privacy of an individual's house before any probable cause for suspicion had been established. Blanket police power doesn't come much more complete than that.

Alan Rosenus

Saratoga

Better leaders,
but no new taxes
for Union

The Union School District has placed an ultimatum in the hands of the community—more taxes or close two elementary schools. If the Union School District managed better fiscal responsibility, this would not be an issue again.

This district has the luxury of leasing five sites as revenue-generating income. How many districts have this benefit? Still, the district continues to operate in the red. This temporary fix proposed by the district is just that. What happens in four years when the additional revenue expires? Another tax increase? Where does it all end? I again ask for an independent audit of all district spending—also, the resignation of Superintendent Phil Quon and CFO Nan Wojcik. As incumbent board members come up for reelection, vote these people out of office. New, fiscally responsible representatives are what this district needs. It is a very serious gamble that they have waged, new tax revenue to cover the costs of an expensive election.

The district manages 15 schools in total—five of these are currently leased as private schools. Of the five leased schools, only one is currently unoccupied. The Howes School site receives rent of nearly $1 million annually. The private school occupying the property has done very well; the district has shared in this financial benefit. Other sites are occupied by one or more shared private schools, and the district also shares in their success. Any of these sites can be returned to district public use if the need arises. Also note that these sites are available for after-school hours community use. This is of major importance for community sports leagues requiring fields and gymnasiums use.

However it is very difficult to arrange permits for this use. The district is not community friendly, in respect to sports leagues needs and use. One example is the need for girls basketball teams to travel all the way to Loma Prieta for use of a gymnasium, this even with the new Union Middle School gym available for use. Quite an injustice.

Another example is the closure of the Union Middle School fields to baseball and soccer leagues for two years—reason, safety during modernization project. During this same time, Union Middle School used these fields for their team sports. Interesting that a dangerous location was deemed safe for school-use only.

Another example is the need for teams to play on safe, maintained fields. The district continues to maintain fields at a minimal level; occasional mowing, occasional watering, no fertilizing, allowing holes and dangerously uneven surfaces. The Los Gatos United Soccer League negotiated to renovate fields at its expense, with the condition of continued use at these locations. One of these locations was at the Howes School site, where the LGUSL provided a premium location for its girls program of training and games—at a cost of $16,000. The district is now not allowing soccer use of this site, another injustice.

I am not heartless. I want the community children to be well educated. I want the community children to have available locations for safe recreational use. I want the very best for our children and our community. I believe that this will require major changes within the Union School District with new leadership, and no additional taxes.

Jeff Brown

Los Gatos