I beg to differ with Mr. Snyder ("Roberts Road Bridge serves no purpose," June 1). I used the Roberts Road Bridge, and never to "speed through a residential street to cut a few seconds off [my] commute." I found the bridge beautiful, in part because it is one lane. I agree with Snyder that replacing it makes no sense, and further add that replacing the bridge would actually defeat the purpose.

All the projects Snyder believes would benefit more residents are important. But I believe that so is the preservation of the bridge.

Approach the bridge from downtown Los Gatos toward Blossom Hill, the stop sign signals a threshold. Roll all the windows down. Turn the air conditioner off. Cross over to a quiet, sheltered place under the trees. The sound of the creek fills the air. In that moment, time slips away. The bridge serves a valid and valuable town purpose to remind us what a magical place Los Gatos is.

Martha Alderson

Los Gatos

Consider ways
to save oil,
lower pollution

I am a Boy Scout with Troop 501 and I have learned about the oil issues in the United States and the world. I have learned that the amount of oil is dropping and the pollution is rising. I think that we as Americans should try our best to lower the pollution and save oil.

China is now starting to use a lot of oil and is part of why the oil supply is dropping. The U.S. is also using a lot of the oil supply. To lower the use of oil, we should be using cars that use much less oil, biking or walking to places and carpooling.

The main reason why oil is dropping is because of popular demand. Some people say that we only have 50 years of oil left; when we run out, how will we run the earth's economy? If we can find alternative sources of fuel and slow the rate of consumption, we could research a way to find a solution.

The main question is, how do we slow the consumption rate? To slow the rate of consumption, the government could connect two- and four-lane roads only for people using carpools. Not only would they be saving gas and oil, but the roads would have easier access to other places.

Brian McCoy

Los Gatos

Pit bull a danger
in Los Gatos
neighborhood

In the wake of recent pit bull attacks, and the death of an 11-year-old boy, I feel it is appropriate to bring to your attention a situation which exists across from my home.

A full-grown, male pit bull is being kept by a 70-year-old couple in a rear yard enclosed only by wooden slat fencing. This dog was "inherited" by this couple from a son who is in prison, and they have not a clue as to the potential for injury or death which this animal presents to our entire neighborhood. I have made the town officials aware of the situation, and they feel that they are powerless to do anything until the dog bites someone.

At the very least, this dog should be confined within chainlink fencing. It should be muzzled when it is on a leash, as the owner must rear back at a 45-degree angle just to control the animal when walking it. He perceives that he has control of the dog, but he does not.

When the dog gets loose, and it will, when it bites someone, and it will, and the lawsuits come, and they will, the town cannot say they were unaware.

Chuck Weber

Los Gatos

Car windows are
the targets of
town vandals

Someone threw two rocks into my daughter's new car, parked in front of my house. It shattered the two windows and spewed glass throughout the car and into the street. My daughter is a teacher and teaches her students to respect themselves, their neighbors and their neighbors' property. How sad that the disgusting people who did this cowardly deed in the dark never learned that lesson.

A neighbor walking by with her dog said the same thing happened on Farley Road, not far from here, last week. The police officer who came out said, "Last week it was a Mercedes." I'm wondering why this is a growing problem and what we can do about it?

I think more attention needs to be given to this vandalism so that neighbors will be warned, and be watchful for themselves and others.

I wish the consciences of these children are pricked when they think of their disrespectful act. Parents, do you know where your children are and what they do when driving around
at night?

Lucy Amico

Los Gatos