Saratoga News

Letters

Why not Starbucks?

Why not? The merchants on Big Basin cry that they have no customers. It seems to me that Starbucks would bring people to the Village without making it a fast-food mall. After all, they don't serve junk food and are a far cry from Burger King. This all assumes that Starbucks' customers would venture four to five blocks up Big Basin from their seats overlooking a green gas station, a firehouse and the hoards of cars on Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road. Maybe some of the local businesses feel that Starbucks will be too much competition. So what? Isn't that what free enterprise is all about?

T. M. Blaisdell
Junipero Way

Reconsider the use permit for shelter

The Rotating Shelter, established in 1991, accommodates 15 men and one supervisor. It rotates to a different church each month. Cupertino Community Services administers this program, hires a program manager to screen the men--who must be drug- and alcohol-free--and assists in their search for permanent employment and housing. Funding is sought from grants, private companies, churches and individuals.

The shelter guests are allowed a 90-day stay. They enter the shelter at 8 p.m. and leave by 7 a.m., so church activities can progress as usual. The supervisor is there with them.

There are 10 churches in the Cupertino/Sunnyvale area. Thank you to Beth David and Ascension Catholic Church for joining our team.

As a Saratoga resident I wish to express a concern to the new City Council. Please reconsider the $2,200, five-year use permit each church is now required to pay for the one month it houses the shelter.

Joan Greene
Goleta Avenue

Denial of Starbucks use permit is urged

The following letter was sent to the Saratoga Planning Commission and City Council.

We are writing to voice our concern about the application for a conditional use permit submitted by the Starbucks coffee company to the city of Saratoga. We read in the Saratoga News that Starbucks is applying to move into the space presently occupied by Corinthian Flowers at the corner of Big Basin Way and Los Gatos-Saratoga Road in downtown Saratoga. As residents of Saratoga who go frequently to the village, we do not believe that this location is an appropriate one for a Starbucks coffeehouse. There is frequent heavy traffic at this intersection, which would be worsened by additional cars entering and leaving the area as they patronize Starbucks. The parking situation is already problematic and would be worsened by adding large numbers of Starbucks customers. We think people would end up parking on Oak Street since parking is limited on Big Basin Way, especially around the intersection in question.

In addition to traffic and parking concerns, we believe the addition of a Starbucks would denigrate the character and integrity of Saratoga Village. The village is one of the few places left that has not become overly commercialized in recent years. There are many "modern" shopping centers replete with Starbucks (from Westgate Mall to Cupertino Crossroads), but shopping areas offering a small-town flavor have become a rarity.

We urge the Planning Commissioners to deny the conditional-use permit application submitted by Starbucks.

Pamela and Richard Montgomery
Charters Avenue

Valet parking is the dumbest thing

The idea that the city would even think of allowing another valet parking outfit on Big Basin Way is the dumbest thing I've heard in years. We now have two valet parkers charging $5 a pop. One is taking up parking spaces behind his restaurant that remain empty unless they pay him $5. I realize he owns the lot, but so do other restaurants in the area, and they don't monopolize their lots. The other valet uses the public lot down the Fourth Street (heart attack) hill. If the restaurant owners really want to have parking for their customers, then have their employees park down the hill, carpool etc.

Come on, Saratoga City Hall: Use your head and solve the parking problem at night in the Village instead of giving in to some limo service that will take up more public places and charge $5. We need another valet like we need another big earthquake!

T. M. Blaisdell
Junipero Way

Rotary gives thanks for sleeping bags

On behalf of the Rotary Club of Saratoga, the Homeless Care Force and the homeless of the area, please accept a note of thanks for your publicizing Operation Sleeping Bag in the Nov. 20 issue of the Saratoga News.

A literal burst of activity at the collection site was apparent in the days following.

A note of particular thanks is extended to your reporter, Torre Peña. He was prompt to his appointments and exhibited a perfect degree of politeness to all with whom he spoke.

The operation ended locally Nov. 23, when the second load of sleeping bags was transported from the collection site at the Quito Shopping Center to the distribution warehouse. However, the operation will not end until every bag has a new owner.

Donors of the community should take heart in knowing that through their generosity, others less fortunate will benefit. Nothing could be as important as Rotary International celebrates "Rotary Gives Thanks," and the community celebrates the Thanksgiving holiday.

Fred Peterson
Saratoga Rotary Club

Good Samaritans offered thanks

On Tue., Nov. 19, I took a nasty fall while jogging on Saratoga Avenue. I want to express my appreciation to all of the kind people who offered help and emotional support. In my distress, I did not get anyone's name, but you know who you are and I thank you deeply. The two women with the beautiful Golden Retriever brought me a towel and ice for my bleeding lip, and an extremely kind women took my dog home. The Sheriff's Deputy was so helpful, and the Emergency Medical Response Team was wonderful. Thank you all so much. It is great to live in a community with so many caring people.

Sue Wingerter-Bogosian
Lomita Avenue

The Inter-Act Club treated many kids to a delightful event

The Odd Fellows Home of Saratoga would like to thank the Inter-Act Club for its assistance and support of the haunted house event at the home. Numerous children were treated to the adventure of exploring our special haunted house and trick-or-treating our residents. A delightful time was had by the participating children of all ages. The residents are looking forward to next year already. Thank you again for this community support.

Charles Gascoigne
executive administrator,
Odd Fellows Home of California