I guess in a town of 25,000 or so, there's just not much going on. But when the front page headline, in large font and caps, "Anti-war protest attracts a crowd under Saratoga's Memorial Arch" (Aug. 24), is followed by the big story about a gathering of approximately 50 people in Blaney Plaza protesting the war, and the secondary headline "Event sparks discussions" is followed by "a bicyclist stopped and debated ... " Wow, we are beyond sleepy, and we all need an espresso from Starbucks! The real question is, do we need a paper?

Belinda Heerwagen

Wildwood Way

Council members should
worry about a recall

The streets of Saratoga are abuzz with discontented residents.

Saratoga seniors are upset with the city council over the sale of the North Campus; Kevin Moran Park neighbors are displeased with the council over the possible soccer fields in the lovely residential park filled with beautiful redwood trees; citizens that are affected by the De Anza Trail are unhappy with the council for pushing this unwanted trail; now, the Starbucks issue in the Village of Saratoga.

How many signatures on petitions does it take for the Saratoga City Council to listen to its constituents? Between the seniors, Kevin Moran Park, De Anza Trail and Starbucks, thousands of signatures have been collected in opposition; yet, the council has ignored them all.

If voters can recall the governor, seems like the Saratoga City Council should be worried about the same.

Rita Witmer

Fredericksburg Drive

Make up of task force
is out of balance

After reading the announcement regarding the make up of the Kevin Moran Park Task Force, I would request that the city council adjust the balance immediately to enforce the fairness, which is incumbent on their responsibilities as the Saratoga City Council.

If they are going to invite two members from a soccer organization to participate on this task force, then I would insist that tennis and other suitable sports also be represented by an equal number of persons.

I did not realize that there was already such an innate bias toward soccer (on the city council) that even the task force itself would be made up of soccer representatives. This is neither fair nor transparent and is highly objectionable behavior on the part of our council members.

Please correct this imbalance by either adding advocates of other sports and activities vying for use of this space or by removing these soccer representative from the task force as should have been the case all along.

James Williamson

Newport Court

Already enough soccer
in Moran neighborhood

I want to add my voice to those who are complaining about the make up of the task force for Kevin Moran Park and to go even further in stating that I wish the city council would listen to those who live near and enjoy the park just as it is and not try to improve what doesn't need improving. Is there no room left for tranquility in our small city?

The influences that want to change the park for their purposes are selfishly taking away the beauty of the park and have no concern how the traffic will impact this neighborhood.

As stated by many others--we already have a lot of soccer fields in this area, more than our share.

The Kevin Moran Park neighborhood is not anti soccer. In fact Kevin Moran park currently supports two practice soccer fields, Blue Hills Elementary School currently supports two practice soccer fields and Christa McAuliffe Elementary School currently supports two soccer fields. Six of the 10 Saratoga AYSO soccer fields are in our neighborhood.

Jacqueline Cathcart

Ladera Court

Plenty of possible uses
for Kevin Moran Park

Recently the area director for AYSO, Mark Linsky, had written a letter describing the organization as a recreational league in which the philosophy is "everyone plays."

Mark neglected to mention how fortunate the AYSO must feel with Saratoga building a beautiful sports complex, Congress Springs, with seven fields completed in 2001. What a tribute to the league as well as the city.

The city of Saratoga spent well over $1.7 million of city funds--not grant money--to build this park. I wonder how many streets or community building repairs those funds may have enabled? The city has also added $200,000 recently to upgrade various "needs" at Congress Springs.

Our neighboring town of Los Gatos has virtually the same population and over 2 1/2 times the budget. Has Los Gatos spent town dollars to build a sports complex? The answer is no.

Why must yet another Saratoga park be converted to accommodate the desires of AYSO/CYSA and other flat grass organized sports? AYSO players are already practicing on the Kevin Moran Park grass field that accommodates several teams a day.

The neighbors of Kevin Moran Park are not an exclusive group, but an inclusive group. Soccer is already being practiced here. The neighbors are asking to develop the neighborhood park that they have waited 30 years for with activities that can be used by youth, adults and senior adults.

Picture this: Shade of over 100 various mature trees to sit under, read a book under, play hide and seek behind, build a fort under; the current grassy area to run, play volleyball, play catch, fly a kite, and, oh yes, have soccer practice; a tennis court, a large pathway for walking, a bocce ball court, a tot lot for those mothers with several young children, a specimen orchard/native plants to reflect the nature of our city's/valley's heritage roots and reflect the natural beauty of our city, a quiet reflective meditation area, a basketball court, picnic tables, chess tables, a par course, and, most importantly, a safe access for children going to and from Blue Hills Elementary School as well as Miller Middle School. Wow, that sounds like a park to fulfill many interests.

These are some suggestions for improvement that the neighbors of Kevin Moran Park presented to the council a year ago. It is time for the council to listen to the neighborhood residents and not the special interest groups.

Mary and Brian Robertson

Sculley Avenue