I would sincerely like to thank the Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and Saratoga communities for all of their trust and support over the last 13 ¹/2 years. Working at both the Daves Avenue and Van Meter clubhouses as director along with the day camps, summer camps and Catpaws camps, I've had the privilege to serve your families and watch them grow. I will miss the teachers and administrators I've come to regard as friends and the terrific staff I've had the pleasure to work with over the years. It is hardest to say goodbye to the parents and children of the Daves Avenue Clubhouse. As much as I worked hard to make Clubhouse a home away from home for your children, you were my family away from family.

I have been reassigned to another Clubhouse site and am therefore leaving the Daves Avenue Clubhouse. I have chosen not to take the position offered and am leaving the recreation department. Thank you for sharing your children's lives with me. I consider it a great honor.

Sandy Eaton

San Jose

Bond measure is
wrong tax at
wrong time

Responding to Lisa Toth's Aug. 4 "Time to Bond" article on the West Valley­Mission Community College district's upcoming $235 million bond measure, I respond it's the wrong tax at the wrong time!

The article does not make clear this is another "creatively labeled" parcel tax homeowners only are asked to repay (if an assessment is added to your property-tax bill, what difference does its label make?). Nor does it point out that property taxes already fund the district. Nor does it point out last March, Prop. 55 authorized $12.3 billion for community colleges like the district to upgrade/build new facilities.

Nor does the article disclose that over 50 percent of district enrollment consists of nonresidents.

Homeowners are on a property-taxing merry-go-round (counties, schools, libraries, fire protection, hospitals, parks, open space, etc.). How many "different" homeowner-only taxes are necessary; when is enough, enough; why are homeowners being taxed for higher education which benefits nonresidents; and, when do nonresident students pay their fair share?

In addition to Saratoga's utility tax and Campbell Union High School's parcel tax, countywide there will be 11 other such "homeowners only taxed" measures on November's ballot—many within the district's territory.

Although just like Saratoga, the district could tax all residents, it refuses because it knows tenants won't vote to tax themselves. Since tenants make up 42 percent of the district's adult population and its bond measure requires only 55 percent voter approval, why the artifice of an election? Although this wasn't Prop. 13's intent, according to the district, the ends justify the means.

Although only homeowners will repay the district's bonds if approved, the district's voting scheme excludes nonresidents. If you are a nonresident landowner, how would you feel being taxed yet disenfranchised?

The district's bond measure is regressive because it impacts those on fixed incomes, like seniors—the most who can afford it the least. Further, it's unfair because it does not tax uniformly. Because bond repayment will be based upon a percentage of assessed valuation, those with higher-valued parcels will pay more.

The district's bond measure is a waste of money. With underwriting, servicing and interest costs, its bonds will actually cost homeowners closer to $700 million, whereas a comparable parcel/residency tax would cost $235 million. The district would rather call an election requiring 55 percent versus 67 percent voter approval, even if it unnecessarily costs homeowners $470 million extra.

The article doesn't answer why the district hasn't planned for infrastructure repairs with a sustained capital improvement program over its last 40 years. Nor does it explain why ongoing maintenance does not appear to be a budgetary line item, yet the chancellor's annual salary with benefits of $200,000 does?

The issue isn't education's importance; nor the district's increased enrollment or needs; nor the deal with Saratoga which prevents stadium construction; nor Sacramento's budget cuts; nor keeping up with the district's neighbors. It's telling the truth; being fair, responsible and competent, and defining who determines who pays what.

Aaron Katz

Saratoga

LG­MSPD's
action was
acceptable

Thank you Los Gatos­Monte Sereno Police Department for showing some of the youth in town the consequences of larcenous behavior.

Mr. Russ Klein wrote last week that he was quite incensed that the police would arrest a 14-year-old who "swore she didn't steal anything." I suppose Mr. Klein expects a shoplifter to readily admit to their stealing. The police department engenders my trust and security when I know that they do their duty professionally for both the suspected as well as the accuser. I thank them for their courteous and professional service.

George Havelka

Los Gatos

Granddaughter
wasn't treated
well by police

Our granddaughter was the subject of the Aug. 11 article about the 14-year-old girl arrested for shoplifting. We believe additional facts are needed to provide a complete picture.

She was accused by a teenage sales clerk who found an empty hanger in a dressing room at Watergirl after our granddaughter and two friends shopped there. The girls didn't even enter a dressing room. Is an empty hanger proof of a theft? Or, are teens easy targets? The storeowner claims "the skirt is still missing." There is no evidence it was stolen.

In the case of misdemeanors, California Civil Code 836 only allows an officer to arrest if "the person to be arrested has committed a public offense in the officer's presence." In this case, the store forced the arrest. Where was the probable cause? Do investigations begin with an arrest?

Four officers arrested and handcuffed her 10 days after the alleged theft. Her friends were asked if she "bragged about her shoplifting." They were told they didn't need "friends like her." Is slander appropriate when fishing for evidence?

The officers tried to coerce a confession from her by isolating her and repeating the same questions, from different angles. The officers said she was caught on video, although no cameras existed. Once they concluded she was innocent, they demanded she choose which friend stole the skirt. A full hour after the arrest they finally called her father.

Days later, the LG­MSPD asked her parents to extend an apology to her. Our advice: Educate your children. If arrested, they must immediately demand to call their parents. Police Chief Scott Seaman states the LGPD "acted within the law," but "will evaluate if officers should handle future incidents in the same way." All parents and grandparents should hope he is sincere. Perhaps a Police Oversight Committee is needed.

Robert and Eunice Oldham

Monte Sereno

In the Aug. 18 story about the Isla de Fiesta Spanish camp, the contact information for The Atheneum Center was omitted. More information about the program can be found at www.theatheneum.org.

CLARIFICATION

The story in the Aug. 18 issue of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times about Loma Prieta Joint Union School District Superintendent Henry Castaniada may have created confusion about the changes in the district. The story should have said that Castaniada is replacing former superintendent Mary Ellen Johnson, who also served as principal of Loma Prieta Elementary School at the same time. Diana Hallock has taken over Johnson's role as elementary school principal, and is additionally now the principal of C.T. English Middle School, replacing the previous principal.