I've lived in Los Gatos all my life. I'm a concerned native, and a third-generation townsman. May I say, it bothers me greatly when I hear the town called a city, especially by the media.

We all work hard to keep it a loving township. I hear it all the time [during the live telecasts of] council meetings on our KCAT; I've heard it from our council members. It seems to slip out--even the townspeople, they don't seem to care. All over town there are signs, banners, a town flag--we are a town. Can we all get it right, for once, please.

Jack Sorenson

Los Gatos

Saratoga mayor
enjoys lunch
in Los Gatos

We in Saratoga, the good neighbors we are, are here to support Los Gatos businesses during the downtown road reconstruction. My five children, my brother and my mother are on their way to the new hamburger place on Santa Cruz Avenue and I will be joining them after I finish this letter. Because my mother lives in Los Gatos, we can walk from her house.

Neighbors help each other whether they live 20 feet away or whether they live one city apart. Thanks for being a good neighbor to the city of Saratoga. We love you, Los Gatos (almost as much as Saratoga).

And if there are any Saratogans reading this, I did eat lunch in the Village today.

Mayor Kathleen King

City of Saratoga

Many have spent
time to create
new skatepark

This letter is in response to the July 13 letter, "Too much money, not enough hours for skatepark." The town of Los Gatos and interested parties have worked together for well over a year, speaking to design experts, contractors, other local city representatives, parents and skaters.

During numerous meetings, the few issues raised by this concerned citizen and countless of other concerns were thoroughly discussed, options were evaluated and decisions were made. These meetings included design and planning workshops held at the future skatepark site and many Los Gatos Town Council and Planning Commission meetings held to approve the skatepark.

The operating hours suggested represent a starting point the planning commission and town council felt they could support. This is a new type of recreational facility for our community and the town has thoughtfully taken a conservative approach to begin the operation of the park. The town needs to balance the best interests of all of its residents, from skaters of all ages to neighbors and retailers.

To the point that kids outgrow skating, of course most do, just as they outgrow playing soccer or baseball. The group that moves on from skateboarding is replaced by the next generation. Those ages 6 to 18 rate skateboarding as the third most popular sport in America. Researchers estimate there are approximately 14 million skateboarders today, and as the number of skaters increases, so too does the need for safe designated facilities for our children.

To suggest the current design for the Los Gatos skatepark is poor, the cost too expensive and that a modular park should be installed are unjustified. The town of Los Gatos provided funding for the design services. After interviewing several qualified firms, an architect was chosen whom the town felt was most qualified for this project and someone they could work with.

The original plan was to build a lower-cost modular park similar to Campbell's. However, the town heard loud and clear from local skaters and other communities that this type of park was not as functional, skateable and long-lasting as a concrete park.

The estimated cost to build this park is between $725,000 and $775,000. We realize this figure is significant, but it is only likely to increase as concrete and construction costs rise in the future. These costs are in line with the price tag to build comparable skateparks in other communities. Los Gatos has donated the skatepark site and $125,000 for design services. Monte Sereno has committed $100,000 of its park funds to help build the skatepark. Community members have donated to the park and we are actively seeking material, labor and monetary donations from possible donors to help keep costs down and make the skatepark a reality.

The skatepark will be a wonderful asset to our community. We have overcome many hurdles including finding a suitable site, obtaining an approved design and gaining the council and planning commission approval.

JoAnne Peth

Monte Sereno