This is the time to make merry, and West Valley College has much to celebrate. On behalf of the West Valley College students, staff and faculty, I'd like to thank our community for passing Measure H, the first bond measure in our history. We needed 55 percent to win on Election Day and we received 60 percent of the votes! We are grateful to have a community newspaper that takes the time to research and report on the reasons a bond measure for West Valley College is necessary.

So many people generously contributed money, resources and time to make sure West Valley would have the funds to repair and renovate buildings that I don't have room to name them all. We greatly appreciate your support of the college and look forward to informing you of our progress as we move forward.

Thank you again for investing in your community college.

Philip L. Hartley

President, West Valley College

Family thanks
community for
its support

Wow! We always knew we were lucky to have Shirley Henderson as the matriarch of our family, but the outpouring of affection from the community has made us so proud! It is so true that this appreciation of her personality, talents and contributions has made our loneliness for her more bearable. Thank you all for the accolades and memories. Thank you to the entire community that she cherished so much. Thank you to everyone for loving her so much and being so kind and thoughtful to us. We are honored.

Ed, Denise and Jemima Harr

Los Gatos

Open mic at LG
Coffee Roasting
was a success

The Under 21 Club hosted yet another successful event on Friday, Dec. 10 at the Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company. Thanks to the generosity of Teri Hope and the Roasting Company staff, kids from more than 10 different schools piled in to enjoy free specialty coffee and to listen to teen musicians and comedians on the open mic. We would like to thank Round Table for the donation of pizza that the teens finished to the very last slice, and big thanks to Patrick Lynch, Jenn Hoyt, Chris Miller, Marsha Palitz-Elliott and John Elliott for helping out. The night would not have been possible without the support from the Los Gatos police department as well. The success was all because of the gracious donation of time and energy. Thanks!

The Under 21 Club

Los Gatos

Hours for new
skatepark aren't
good for all

I just finished reading the Dec. 15 article regarding the Los Gatos skatepark being constructed in the (hopefully) not-so-distant future, and I have a few comments.

The first is regarding the all-consuming pad issue. Can someone tell me what the problem is with simply posting a sign saying, "Skate at your own risk"? Or how about requiring a form be signed that binds anyone skating to full responsibility for injuries they sustain or injuries they inflict upon others? I just don't see why there isn't a simple way for the town to avoid all liability for injuries acquired at a park that they are essentially (and generously—don't think I don't appreciate it) giving to the community. I can somewhat understand requiring minors to wear a helmet, but adults should be free to decide how they wish to punish their bodies.

The "I've got a conscience to live with" line was the most laughable thing I've read today. That much concern sure is noble. Is Commissioner Burke really such a sensitive fellow that even after providing the kids with a $1 million skatepark, he'd feel guilty if one of them became injured while breaking the rules (he was referring to the risk of skaters using the sloped portion of the street outside of the park)?

The second, and most important (to me, anyway) issue I'd like to address are the hours of operation. As a person who works full time, I've been going insane trying to find ways to skate since the closure of the Vans Skatepark in Milpitas. I've found the only feasible solution is to drive to Sunnyvale or Scotts Valley at the first sign of light for uncomfortably freezing pre-work sessions. I can't tell you how stoked I am at the thought of being able to skate somewhere nearby in the early morning. Since Los Gatos is getting a Wormhoudt, Inc. park, I assumed it would be open whenever there is light in the sky. That's how every Wormhoudt park I've skated is run. Only cheap temporary ramptech parks with angst-ridden teenagers working the door operate on an "after-school-gets-out-we-open" basis (ahem, Campbell).

Now I discover that the Los Gatos park won't be opening until 3 p.m. during the week! What's the deal? I thought Los Gatos would be way above that amateur stuff. I was hoping there was a possibility of having lights (you have no idea how much that would mean to me!), but now it looks like I'd better start out by praying for reasonable hours of operation.

The last thing I'd like to do is recommend that anyone who has anything to do with the park's creation take a look at the commentary, "An Accident Waiting to Happen," by Steve Crowley, found on Sonoma West Times & News. There are some very important points made there that get overlooked all too often.

Brent Pearson

Los Gatos

Paper should
not focus on
political conflict

It was with some humor that I read Mayor Wright's comments that I "had a challenge with relationships with other agencies" and "difficult time making the transition from citizen advocate to councilman." Perhaps these comments were just part of Curtis' vetting process to recommend me for the Santa Clara County Cities Association and re-nominate me to the VTA Policy Advisory Committee.

As Plato said, democracies are "coats of different colors" and discussions to improve VTA and Winchester did ripened more than one cheek.

Just as our town is varied, it should come as no surprise that Mayor Wright and I have very diverse views. What may be surprising to many is that Curtis and I voted together approximately 75 of the past 80 votes. This is because Monte Sereno's general law government does not need to be political. We do not have parties or voting blocs and all council members are granted the same powers.

Our mayor is selected from among us to take on even more tasks, meetings, and committees to voluntarily serve the city.

There is plenty of work for the mayor and council to consider: modifying the new citation ordinance, pedestrian safety on Highway 9 and Winchester, extending BART to Berryessa and preventing a new half-cent sales tax. And, of course, ruling on trees, fences and special events.

So let's cut some slack and give Curtis the opportunity to be the focus of our city for the next year. I will be honored to call him Mr. Mayor regardless what gets reported in the papers.

Mark Brodsky

Vice Mayor, Monte Sereno

Horse-drawn
carriage rides
successful

Two thousand four marked the 15th year for the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce Annual Holiday Carriage Rides. This year was exciting for many local residents; some took the opportunity to ride in the "Sweetheart Carriage" with the hopes of receiving a "Yes" as they proposed marriage. Others enjoyed the ride with out-of-town guests as a way to show them our beautiful town. The Chamber would like to thank the town of Los Gatos for working with us to offer such a nostalgic addition to our town's holiday charm. We would also like to thank the residents who offered their beautifully decorated homes along the carriage route.

Our community volunteers are essential to the success of this program. Thanks to Maaria Bajwa who coordinated the student volunteers from Los Gatos High School; Elanah Entin, Kathy McHale, Ronee Nassi, Rei Yamakawa; Discovery Shops; and the Los Gatos Bicycle Racing Club.

We have many local business sponsors to thank as well: the Community Hospital of Los Gatos, Sobrato Development, Silicon Valley Auto Group, The Spa-Los Gatos, Los Gatos Weekly-Times, InfoGain, Camera Cinemas, Willow Street Pizza, Domus, ImageSnap, ProSigns, The Tollhouse Hotel, and Heritage Bank of Commerce.

Last but not least, thanks to the almost 2,000 riders who made it such a success. Thanks for coming into town and we look forward to seeing you again next year!

Brenda Hammond

Major Events Chairwoman

Town of Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce