Many people are complaining about the rising cost of gasoline—soon maybe it will hit $3 per gallon. We see this as expensive when we pay it at the pump, but we don't seem to mind paying for oil when it comes out of our taxes, or at the price of the lives of our sons and daughters.

Outside of the billions of dollars we're spending in Iraq right now, our country spends a great deal of money each year—more than $100 billion—protecting oil supplies in the Middle East. This means that, on average, American families are paying roughly $2,000 each year for the oil that produces the gas we use for our cars.

Another price we pay, and it's a heavy one, is the loss of life of the brave men and women in our armed forces who protect that oil supply.

So the next time you click off a full tank, please remember there is a price that our country is paying that is beyond what you're seeing at the pump.

Marty Dart

Los Gatos

Helping save
4-H will benefit future youth

The current state budget crisis will cause the elimination of the Santa Clara County 4-H Youth Development Program. The 4-H program, in conjunction with the Master Gardeners program, Farm Advisor, Small Farms program, Natural Resources/Livestock program and the Expanded Food and Nutrition program serving low-income residents under the University of California Cooperative Extension, will no longer exist in Santa Clara County beginning July 1, 2004, due to county budget constraints.

I am asking county residents for your help in fighting to keep the 4-H Youth Development Program. Santa Clara County has always had a rich agricultural heritage that 4-H continues through its varied livestock projects.

Today's 4-H youth program encompasses so much more. Our children, ages 5 to 19, develop their leadership and citizenship skills, build self-confidence, participate in hands-on experiences and gain fundamental knowledge in a wide variety of projects. These children work hard and work together as a community. The 4-H program provides opportunities for any child. They are our future CEOs, doctors, scientists, teachers, leaders and parents.

Evelyn McGarry

Homesteaders 4-H Club Co-Community Leader

San Jose

Old Town looks
better than
Saratoga Village

What is happening, or should I say not happening, in Saratoga Village? Last week, I enjoyed dinner in one of our fine restaurants, but to my dismay the Village itself looked quite tired and sad! Weeds growing on the sidewalk, lamppost tops hanging askew and a general unkemptness around the Village.

There were few people in the restaurants, which I feel was a genuine reflection of the environment! Tender loving care appears to be a definite requirement!

In contrast, I had lunch the same week in Old Town, Los Gatos. What a delight—a truly uplifting experience, with planters overflowing with beautiful, welcoming flowers. I wanted to linger and soak in the ambience and beauty of it all.

Come on, Saratoga Village. Pick yourself up and dust yourself down!

Anne Jones

Saratoga

Officer should
be held
accountable

As a retired police officer, I agree 100 percent with [A. Mitchell's letter about Judge William Danser, May 5 Los Gatos Weekly-Times] and I also feel everything stated applies equally to the police officer involved, if not more so.

As an officer, he is the initial contact people have with the judicial system, and who knows what else he has pulled off in the past that has gone undetected. LGPD is a fine department, and the officer involved has crippled the efforts of dozens of dedicated people. In the past few years, the department has undergone a change of administrative personnel, assuring a much better and ethical operation.

Whatever these two get as punishment isn't enough to make up for how they compromised the American judicial system and the faith the normal citizens have in it and in the Los Gatos Police Department.

Randal A. Villata

LGPD retired

Twain Harte