As an Almaden Valley resident, I was very curious to read your new newspaper. After reading the first issue, I think it's an attractive paper with interesting stories and good coverage. And I love the Quail logo.

But, I find something offensive in your "letter of introduction" so to speak, to the Almaden community. The letter as a whole is fine, but not this part: "Beginning today, with the inaugural publication of the Almaden Resident, the people who live in this community have a reliable source of local news."

Excuse me, but our Valley has had a reliable source of local news since the mid-1980's, it's the Almaden Times. Granted, the Times only came out once a month until just last month, when it became weekly, but that doesn't mean that monthlies are not "reliable sources of local news."

Maybe I'm wrong, but your words seem to be "hinting" that the Almaden Times was basically NOT a reliable or a good newspaper, and that the Almaden Resident is better than the Times ever was or will be. I don't think a "new kid on the block" should join the neighborhood with that type of attitude.

There's nothing wrong with healthy competition, but please do it honorably.

—Elizabeth Andrews, Almaden Valley


What I was missing

I didn't know what I was missing not having a real local paper. It's great to be able to keep up on the local news that I care about. The quality of the writing is great also. Keep it up. The print was great, too, in the second issue.

—William Allfrey, Park Ridge Drive


Keep up the good work

Congratulations on your new paper for Almaden. I am somewhat familiar with your other publications, and have read both of the issues for Almaden. I'm not really sure our area is in need of two weekly newspapers, but when I arrived home yesterday they both were there.

I was interested to see the difference in the two. So I compared stories and content. What I found, in my opinion, was superior coverage, writing and story content in the Resident. Starting with the front page and the story on the District 10 candidates. This is, to me, the most important issue in our district. Pat Dando has been an outstanding advocate of the Almaden area for the last several years and her replacement is of the utmost importance to our area.

A story that was covered in both publications was one on the mountain lions. Again I think the story in the Resident was more informative. The sports section was extensive, including coverage of the Leland JV game. In general it just seems there is more "reporting" going in the Resident publication. Keep up the good work.

—Nate Deaton, El Prado Drive


Off to a good start

Congratulations on printing a fine newspaper. Looks like you're off to a great start with the Almaden Resident.

—Ernie Messmann, Springpark Circle


Our kids are worth covering, too

I just wanted to let you know how disappointed I am that you seem to be following the same rigid, uncompromising pattern set by the Almaden Times in your attempt to be "very local" with your new newspaper, the Almaden Resident.

I hope I am wrong and that this is just a glitch that will be cleared up as your newspaper comes of age. As a parent living in Almaden for 20 years whose children have attended Branham and Leigh High Schools, I have very much resented the fact that Almaden Times coverage of school activities was automatic for Leland and Pioneer High School—though many of the students attending these schools don't even live in Almaden (and Pioneer isn't physically in Almaden Valley any more than Branham and Leigh are). Conversely, our attempts as Almaden parents to get coverage of our children's events and activities at Leigh were consistently rebuffed.

When I saw your newspaper for the first time, I though maybe we would finally see some fairness in how the school activities of Almaden students are covered, but I see from the first issue that you are pretty much copying the Almaden Times in their narrow mindedness. What gave me initial hope was that I saw Branham mentioned in an article headline. When I looked more closely, I saw that the only reason you had mentioned Branham is that they were the "opponents" in sports events with Leland.

We tried to interest the Almaden Times in Leigh's activities a few years back, but we were given a flat refusal; they were not interested in covering any Leigh activities, regardless of the number of Almaden students involved in the activity or event. But they saw no conflict in doing feature articles on Leland students who didn't even live in Almaden. This is local?

You call your publication the Almaden Resident. I hope you will live up to your name and broaden your coverage to include articles of interest to ALL Almaden residents, not just those who happen to send their children to Leland or Pioneer.

—Ann Bethune, Montellano Drive

The Almaden Resident would love to cover young people who live in Almaden Valley and attend schools outside of our coverage area, such as Leigh High School. Please let us know who they are and what they are doing.

—Editor