Saratoga News Letters Setting the record straight on Streit The Nick Streit for Saratoga City Council campaign has been a homegrown campaign run from the heart, with integrity, honesty and respect for my fellow candidates. I have told the citizens of Saratoga not what they want to hear, but what they need to hear to make the city of Saratoga a better place to live for all our citizens. In the Oct. 21 issue of the Saratoga News, three of the candidates for Saratoga City Council placed an insert in the paper comparing the candidates on selected issues. It is on this comparison of the issues I want to set the record straight, to not only protect my integrity, but to show the citizens of Saratoga the kind of campaign these candidates have chosen to conduct. Of Highway 85 interchanges, the question was asked, "If you had to do Highway 85 over again and wanted to relieve traffic on Saratoga Avenue, what would you do? Common sense indicates one or two additional exits off 85 would greatly relieve traffic on Saratoga Avenue. I believe the previous City Council made a mistake by only giving the voters two options to vote on regarding Highway 85 exits. The options were one exit at Saratoga Avenue or three exits and now the citizens of Saratoga are paying the price. Regarding the repaving of Highway 85, everyone who has seen my campaign fliers knows that I'm the only candidate endorsed by Congressman Jim Cunneen, and with Jim's help we will convince Caltrans to speed up their normal timetable for resurfacing on Highway 85. Proposed plans to control future traffic growth in Saratoga? My entire campaign focus on this issue has been to control growth of traffic in Saratoga, i.e., proposed staggered start times for the schools on Saratoga and Fruitvale avenues (Sacred Heart, St. Andrew's, Redwood Middle School and West Valley College). I have been concerned from the start about the additional traffic and noise in the neighborhoods resulting from the proposed expansion of the Mountain Winery venue and the West Valley football field. Support neighbors' desires about their own neighborhood? From the start, I have supported Saratoga citizens' right to upgrade their '40s, '50s and '60s style homes into 21st-century homes. However, these improvements must meet city requirements and have the approval of neighbors. Saratoga Creek cleanup and lawsuit? I will work not only to clean Saratoga Creek, but all creeks in Saratoga which do not meet current health standards. However, it will be done in conjunction with all the appropriate and responsible parties in a fiscally responsible manner. Regarding the lawsuit? As a businessman, I won't make any decision that could affect the city without reviewing all the pertinent facts. This allows me to make an intelligent decision based on the facts, and not emotion. It is unfortunate in a small, rural, family-oriented town like Saratoga that some candidates feel it is necessary to conduct misleading, out-of-context, dishonest campaigns. I'm proud of my homegrown campaign! I addressed all the issues with integrity, honesty and respect for my fellow candidates. I also believe the citizens of Saratoga are intelligent enough to see through the campaign rhetoric. If not, then we as citizens will have to live with the consequences. I would like to thank everyone who plans to vote for Nick Streit for Saratoga City Council on Nov. 3. Win or lose, I'm proud to be a citizen of Saratoga, and I plan to continue my service to our community so we all have a better place to live. Nick Streit City Council candidate Moran has courage to take on all issues I am wholeheartedly in support of Gillian Moran in the City Council race. She is always a thoughtful, fair-minded and courteous person with the best interests of this wonderful community. I supported her four years ago and have been well pleased with her positions. Gillian Moran is the only councilmember who took enough interest in the workings of the creek oversight committee, of which I am a member, to discuss it with me. (This despite the cartoon in the Oct. 14 Saratoga News.) I have served on the UCAP Committee almost from its beginning. I was appointed to replace someone who attended only the first meeting. It has been a long and difficult two years. Gillian has the courage and perseverance to do what is necessary regarding the creek as well as other matters. Please join me in voting for Gillian Moran for City Council. Marjorie Foote Canyon View Drive Baker would provide a strong leadership I ask all Saratoga residents to vote for Evan Baker in November for the Saratoga City Council. As a retired business executive with GTE and a former Navy officer, Evan has a history of strong leadership. Evan is also a fiscal conservative. He will make sure the city's budget is balanced and the city's financial situation remains sound. Evan is also president of the Saratoga Woods Homeowners Association and he has been a strong and effective advocate for his neighborhood. Please support Evan Baker. Judith Gremer Saratoga 'King-makers' are back to old tricks Election time is approaching, and the "king-makers" are back again. In 1996, Frances Stutzman, Vic Monia and Morris Jones spent $4,774 to elect their hand-picked candidates (Jim Shaw and Stan Bogosian) to the Saratoga City Council. So far, this time, Monia, Jones, Meg Caldwell and Stutzman have paid $5,466 to support their three candidates--Evan Baker, Erna Jackman and John Mehaffey--who have chosen to run as a "package deal" (like three peas in a pod). Don't you wonder why the "king-makers" are willing to spend that amount of money when they are already assured of controlling the council? There are three openings and only five candidates running, so they know they will have a majority. Their vicious and nasty attacks on anyone who didn't submit to their demands has caused good citizens to decline to take the abuse they would be subjected to if they ran. Only the very brave and strong are willing to subject themselves to such mean-spirited attacks. Is it in the best interest of Saratoga to have the council controlled by these wealthy contributors? It must be vital to them since they will control it by 3-to-2 even if they did not spend a penny. What do they expect as payback for their investment? Do they need total control without any dissension to accomplish their objectives? Frank Patten Carniel Court Streit is the right choice I met Nick Streit while serving on the Saratoga Finance Advisory Commission. We have worked together during commission meetings and on subcommittee tasks. It has been a pleasure working with Nick in the interest of all of Saratoga. Nick studies the available materials, does his homework and withholds forming an opinion until the facts are in. He asks tough and incisive questions in the search for appropriate factual material upon which to form decisions and courses of action. He has a firm understanding of Saratoga's financial structure, sources of funds and control of expenditures. Also, as a parent of youngsters, he has a vital interest in quality of life in our town. He is clearly a best choice for City Council. Please join me in voting for Nick Streit on Nov. 3. Al Roten Finance commissioner Wolfe is the best choice for trustee How fortunate we are that Don Wolfe is a candidate for the West Valley-Mission College Board of Trustees. He has committed his life to public service and opening doors of opportunity for young people in our communities. Don is a guest lecturer at the university level and has first-hand knowledge of our college needs. He is completing his term as mayor of Saratoga and has demonstrated community leadership and financial management that are so critical to the growth of our highly valued Silicon Valley community college system. Many educators, community leaders and legislators endorse Don, including Ron Adolphson, board president of the Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District, and Dr. Leo Chavez, former president of the West Valley College. State Assemblyman Jim Cunneen and Ted Lempert, the chairman of the State Assembly Committee on Higher Education, also support Don. Your vote for Don Wolfe on Nov. 3 for trustee will assure excellence for the college district. Frank Jewett San Jose The city needs Streit We need fiscal responsibility on our new council. As a CPA, Nick Streit is the candidate with the vision for our future problems of adequate funding. He is currently the chairman of the Saratoga Finance Commission. The city is now living off of the fund balance, which will not last. We need more funds for our children's recreational activities, as well as seniors, street maintenance and administrative functions. The slate of the three candidates appear to have the creek cleanup as their No. 1 objective. The creek cleanup and pseudo lawsuit must be solved, but it is not the most important of our problems. This primary subject of the slate shows the lack of understanding of all three of the fiscal problems we will be faced with. It is obvious that the intention of the three-person slate is to solve their personal problem regarding the creek. We need more objectivity, especially in the fiscal arena. We need Nick Streit as a councilmember. Richard Dennis Russell Lane Cunneen provides support to Saratoga From the moment it opened, the noise from Highway 85 has been a source of distress and anger for the residents of Saratoga and Cupertino. It has disrupted the lives of thousands of residents. We sought the help of Assemblyman Jim Cunneen, who was the first state legislator to recognize the problem and offer his support. With his leadership and support, $100,000 was obtained to do a study of the Highway 85 corridor and to research on the possibility of noise abatement. The Acentech study does point out several solutions. We are working with Assemblyman Cunneen to continue the process and to go forward with the implementation of these solutions. Without this help, we would never have reached this point. I urge you to vote to re-elect Assemblyman Cunneen on Nov. 3. Joan Hershkowitz Co-chairwoman, Freeway Noise Abatement Committee Moran looks at all sides of all issues Gillian Moran is the right choice for our city government. Those who take the time to examine the issues will clearly see she cares deeply about Saratoga and its future. Her environmental concerns go directly to the quality of life in our community. She has openly expressed her concerns about traffic congestion, over-development, air quality and, yes, creek pollution. Her answers seek to strike a balance that serves all of the community, and not one group at the expense of another. Gillian asks that we honor our general plan, that we seek to identify the problems before we commit to the solutions. She opposes sending millions of dollars out of our community to settle litigation, when that course brings us no closer to identifying and solving problems for which the litigation was allegedly brought. She wants us to engage in a traffic study that will provide a forum for real debate and relief, not simply oppose every action that might have a traffic impact. She wants us to be judicious in our land use, and not simply oppose every project that comes before the city. Moran is the kind of thinking person Saratogans want to represent them. Jim Guthrie Saratoga Voters: don't get confused by slate As an average citizen, I am somewhat perplexed regarding a three-person slate in an election with three seats open, each one a separate entity. This implies an all-or-nothing approach, which seems to me to undemocratic. I am curious why these candidates don't run individually, standing on their own merits. My concern is that there is some form of collusion here--a stacked deck, a block vote--that makes me wonder if there is not some sort of hidden agenda. To the uninformed, it might appear that one must vote the slate. Let us make it clear that these are single seats and should be voted as such. Reid May Marilla Drive Moran will serve all residents well Gillian Moran should be returned to Saratoga's City Council for a second term. Among her long list of qualifications are four that are outstanding: Gillian studies issues carefully, seeking added information and listening to the concerns of all citizens before reaching her decision. She does her homework. Gillian considers her constituency all of Saratoga. Elected officials in Saratoga are often besieged by the articulate, vociferous demands of small groups of citizens focused on issues relevant only to them. While listening to their concerns, Gillian makes certain she understands all sides of the issue before reaching her decision. Gillian is a team player. She understands she is the one voice and has one vote among five people. Gillian serves our community with enthusiasm, a spirit of good will and a sense of humor, rising above the tumult. Her attitude is necessary and valuable given the heated debates and sometimes-contentious relationships that characterize the relationships among those who represent us. Mary Ellen Comport El Camino Grande Experience counts for council choice The experience that Gillian Moran has had on various boards, the Planning Commission and council are a great asset for Saratoga. When the Morans arrived in 1985, Gillian, as a former college political science professor, opted to volunteer and "hit the road running." I worked with her on the VITA Shakespeare Festival Board. She was an excellent, observant and fair decision-maker then, and has continued to be that caring, strong, positive person serving on other boards. She impressed me in the 1997 budget hearings; willing to make hard decisions about staffing and cuts. As a Hakone Foundation Board member, I felt she helped save the gardens for Saratoga and the Silicon Valley by her support and risky vote to make the Hakone Foundation responsible for maintaining the gardens (which has proved successful!). I think we need Gillian's background of in-depth understanding of the issues. Vote for Moran. Marjory Bunyard Miller Avenue Commissioner backs Moran for council I have served with Gillian Moran for seven years in the Saratoga city government. She understands that we all live here together in a small residential community. As a Planning Commissioner and as a councilmember, she has been courteous, compassionate and strongly committed to environmental protection. She has carefully guarded our neighborhoods from intrusive in-fill development. She listens with attention to what people say and she acts decisively to protect and preserve Saratoga. Vote for Gillian Moran on Nov. 3. Henry Murakami Planning Commissioner Moran has proven ability for council Gillian Moran can be trusted to protect the unique character of Saratoga's neighborhoods and to continue to keep our city fiscally sound. The quality of her leadership has been thoughtful, nondivisive and reflective of her rock-solid personal integrity. She has proven herself to be a council member who articulates the city's issues carefully and represents all Saratogans fairly. How lucky we all are that she chose to run again! Jan Birenbaum Sunset Drive Three candidates share sentiments "You must be vigilant, you must be vigilant today!" No doubt only those of a certain age will recall the ditty which ascended to the upper reaches of the hit parade shortly after we entered World War II. On a more subtle--and yet still valid, if localized--level, these words still ring true today. And, of all places, in Saratoga! But why? Precisely because the qualities that collectively contribute to Saratoga's much-celebrated charm are at stark and imminent risk: a sylvan, semi-rural ambiance; unstained skies; an unsullied mountain backdrop; a leisurely, small-townish mode of life; familiar and friendly merchants; uncrowded schools; low-density traffic; ample parking facilities; and tree-studded, mainly single-family neighborhoods, not to mention a myriad of appealing intangibles. Beyond doubt, these are core assets which most of us would protect at all costs. Indeed, they are mainly the reason we chose to live here. Just how, then, is much of this mode of life at risk? Because it can be argued, and persuasively, that there are counter-forces abroad which would challenge or even erase many of our more endearing advantages. Worse still, there is an ominous phalanx of special interests who would encourage such dubious--or, more accurately, ugly--facets of our time as these: congested (albeit "sophisticated") shopping malls; high-density neighborhoods; lax controls on stream pollution; chain business outlets; a Planning Commission which is friendlier to outside investors and multiple-housing projects; and more high-flow traffic arteries. In sum, we are increasingly confronted with a bigger-is-better, growth-at-any-cost mindset ( a mindset with friends in high places and no little political/economic clout), which might readily topple the preservation-and-nature loving majority of Saratogans. And it is one of the persistent ironies of our post-industrial times that such vested interests all too often run roughshod over the public will. I trust that my personal response--how dare they?--is shared by virtually all of my fellow townspeople. A final word. The better to combat the anything-goes, pro-growth crowd, is a little short of imperative that we address this threat at the polls--that we cast our ballots in November and reaffirm that smaller is indeed beautiful. Most of those in the running for City Council seats would seem to be on the "keep Saratoga as it is" side of the equation. Three candidates in particular seem to have persuasive credentials in this regard: John Mehaffey, Evan Baker and Erna Jackman. If, I hasten to add, the other candidates are demonstrably in tune with the sentiments I've expressed here, I'm all for them, too! Harold M. (Hal) Hodges Park Drive Moran deserves residents' votes My vote goes to Gillian Moran, councilmember, for her outstanding contribution on the council. She is community-oriented, listens to the people, works on the problem and does something about it. She has a sincere interest in our town and is able to win community support. She will help resolve issues that result in cooperation on the council for the people. Jeanne Holst Kosich Court Balanced budget is thanks to Moran I would like to express my appreciation for Ms. Gillian Moran, for her fine contribution as both a City Council member and mayor. During her tenure as mayor, she provided leadership and made many hard decisions. Among them: a balanced budget, making city staff cuts due to much lower revenue and making key city management changes. Gillian put together a strong budget that allowed the city to continue providing essential services; to include keeping street maintenance and police protection a top priority. She has also restored civility to public debate in our city, with her good perspective and sense of humor. She makes it look easy. These are the reasons I will vote for her reelection. I urge you to vote for her, too. Cora R. Henderson Lexington Court Moran does consider neighbors' concerns When we needed her help, Gillian Moran came through for our neighborhood. A year ago, when a Cupertino school attempted to relocate to the Immanuel Lutheran Church site, my neighbors and I were confronted with the possibility of still more traffic on a narrow stretch of Saratoga Avenue near our homes. After the Planning Commission ignored our concerns, our appeal brought us before the City Council. Since Gillian Moran had visited both the current site and the proposed site at the church, she was able to bring an informed perspective to the discussion with the school's administrators and with her fellow councilmembers. She had even called the school's current landlords to determine more details about their situation and to help offer other alternatives. After listening to Gillian's comments, I felt renewed faith that we do, in fact, have some say in the direction our community takes. Gillian Moran took the time to listen to our concerns about increased traffic on our city streets. Thanks, Gillian. Debbie Pienkos Loveland Court Civility, independence will be kept by Moran Gillian Moran's experience on the Saratoga City Council will enable her to effectively promote issues important to all residents of Saratoga. Gillian is independent and has received support from a broad spectrum of the members of the Saratoga community. She is not beholden to any special group of citizens. Instead, she will fairly represent all members of the Saratoga Community. Gillian has brought integrity and civility to the Saratoga City Council. She has demonstrated that she understands the complex issues facing our city. She listens to diverse opinions, thoughtfully asks questions and decides issues in a responsible and professional manner. She has acted to preserve and protect the quality of life in Saratoga. Gillian has demonstrated that she will be an independent, thoughtful voice on the Saratoga City Council. Judy Johnstone Saratoga Moran should be the choice for Saratogans I would like to urge the citizens of Saratoga to vote for Gillian Moran for our City Council. Other candidates may concentrate or make statements on highly charged topics that are before us now, but how will they act on other issues of our future? In my opinion, which is shared by many others, Gillian is purposeful and methodical when it comes to difficult issues. She takes the time to ask good questions and she really listens to a wide range of input. She doesn't jump to conclusions, but acts only after all the facts are in and all the choices are explored. Gillian Moran has demonstrated that she had the skills to listen and lead. She is my choice to face the challenges of the community I love, Saratoga. Carol Hardy Tricia Way [ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Saratoga News, October 28, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.