Los Gatos Weekly-Times Letters Support is needed to pay for upgrades in Town Plaza Thank you for your wonderful editorial in the Dec. 16 issue of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times on the new lights surrounding our Town Plaza. When fully lit it truly looks like a winter wonderland and is absolutely beautiful. When the Town Council agreed to go ahead and fund the lights for this Christmas season, I made a promise to them and the town that I would go on the fundraising trail and raise $30,000 of the total cost of $60,000. While the lights are beautiful, the funding for them had not been originally included in this year's budget, nor were they always contemplated as part of the overall plaza master plan (which also has not yet been funded). And the project included much more than just lights. Power has now been extended to the tree wells throughout the plaza so that we will have added power for Music in the Plaza this summer, and so that groups such as the Town Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club, the Los Gatos Community Foundation and others will not have to use generators to power booths used at special events at the plaza. I want to report that the Los Gatos Community Foundation has already stepped up to the challenge of helping to fund this project with a pledge of $5,000. We will be talking with other groups and individuals during the next few months to reach our goal of $30,000, and the Community Foundation hopes that other groups and individuals will agree that this is a worthwhile endeavor--one that members of the community should help fund. The goal for next Christmas is to "restring" the big tree with better lights (more lights). The Community Foundation has collected funds toward this project over the last couple of years and welcomes donations for the project. Again, thanks to all the staff and my fellow councilmembers who made many of our dreams come true. And if you are interested in helping us reach our goal, call me at 399-0570 or contact the Los Gatos Community Foundation. Linda Lubeck Town Council Member Thank goodness for ZIP codes It is fashionable to bash the post office during the Christmas rush, especially when there is a lot of last-minute shopping and mailing. My own experience with our local post office is that Postmaster Kathie Faupel and her staff do an outstanding job. The most recent example is a letter my son received from a former Fijian student of his addressed to: Steve Knap, 68 Mariposa City, Los Angelas, Gakosca, USA 95030. Thanks to the post office for going the extra mile! Dave Knapp Los Gatos Thanks to community and a special friend We would like to take this opportunity to thank our community for the astounding love and support you have shown toward my son, Brian Lillie. While his life was hanging in the balance earlier this month, the ICU lobby at Valley Medical Center was continually filled with those who have touched his life at some time during the 21 years we have lived in Los Gatos. Your concern was most certainly appreciated. We love each and every one of you for taking time from your busy schedules to either call or visit. We feel this has propelled his remarkable recovery thus far. We would also like to publicly thank Matt Murphy, another Los Gatos friend. Matt witnessed Brian's car accident and ran to his aid. Without concern for his own safety, Matt pulled Brian from the burning car and carried him within a safe distance and called for help. Because of you, Matt, our family celebrated a most joyous holiday season. There are no words that can express our eternal thanks for saving my son's life. Melody and Ken Lewis Los Gatos Let Andrew Fanelli do his job on board For weeks I have been reading the letters in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times from readers opposed to Andrew Fanelli. These people and their views have gone beyond reason, hurting those associated with Mr. Fanelli. It appears as if some of these people have a personal vendetta against Mr. Fanelli and are out to hurt him or his family. Please let this issue rest. Leave Mr. Fanelli and his family alone. His family did not have anything to do with the election. Let him do the job to which he was elected. The anger and animosity are destructive and serve no one. Dan O'Gorman Los Gatos Tom Campbell was a voice of reason Does America want to make decisions based on the rule of emotion or rule of law? The rule of emotion easily allows us to give our president a pass just this one time. Did the question of impeachment stand solely on an extramarital sex escapade and poor judgment? No! Mike McCurry and many other past employees of Mr. Clinton tell us this man is reckless and indecisive. His history and inability to tell the truth speak volumes. Thanks to the concerns of Tom Campbell and other sound minds in Congress, this disappointing individual will be subject to the rule of law like everyone else. All of America knows he cannot be believed. The facts and our constitutional rule of law conclude William Jefferson Clinton must resign now. Ron Fink Los Gatos Mayoral elections were 'bush league' I am a firm supporter of Joel Gambord and Gordon Knight. I applaud their past efforts and the philosophy they have followed regarding the kind of community Monte Sereno should be: small town, fiscally conservative, flexible "common sense" management, no "new age" frivolous experiments. The mayor and vice mayor elections were "bush league," petty and wrong. I urge the city council to right this mistake. Ray C. King Monte Sereno Mayor must have proper qualifications As I have been in the hospital since August, thereby leaving the Monte Sereno City Council short one member, I wasn't at all aware of events prior to mid-November. Since then, I have followed the dispute over the naming of the new mayor. It isn't a question of who is the best qualified to be mayor, but whether a councilmember has the necessary qualifications. A mayor conducts the meetings, sets up the agenda (consulting with the city manager) and represents the city on various local and county boards. He has no independent power, and on all occasions must have prior council approval before acting. On numerous occasions, Joel Gambord has taken matters into his own hands, thereby putting the city in an uncomfortable position. As mayor he would have even more opportunities to do this. All councilmembers are supposed to treat staff with respect during public meetings. Joel was very critical of our former city manager, berating her, for example, because the antenna on Monte Sereno City Hall was not straight. The mayor needs to attend meetings of other government boards and commissions regularly. Joel refuses to attend meetings that don't interest him. Also, he would not participate in the preparation for last year's goal-setting session set up by a 3-2 vote. Gordon Knight, in his two years on the City Council, has voted only once in opposition to Joel, and he changed his vote later. For these reasons, I believe that the council took the logical action in electing Jack Lucas mayor and Suzanne Jackson vice mayor. Joel has always shown an interest in citizens' problems, a good quality. He has made many valuable contributions to the city, such as the use of story poles before new construction. I hope that the City Council will be able to work out its differences and progress in an orderly fashion for the betterment of the city. Dorothea Bamford Monte Sereno Miles project creates 'wrong side of tracks' The state has mandated the cities of California to create a certain number of low-cost or what some prefer to call affordable housing units. A number of cities have chosen to ignore this mandate. Los Gatos has tried to adhere to the wishes of state legislators by creating low-cost housing and has done it in such a manner that the developments have been able to blend in and become part of the community. There is, however, a proposal now before the Planning Commission and Town Council, which, in my opinion is a disaster in the making. The proposed site on Miles Avenue is the most undesirable piece of property in Los Gatos. It is in close proximity to the town's corporation yard, a PG&E substation and very close to the freeway. The noise from the freeway at this site is rather intense. I'm afraid that by trying to solve our housing problems, we may create another by placing people on a site no one in his or her right frame of mind would build a residence. If this project is allowed to proceed, the future residents in this proposed development will undoubtedly come before the council seeking relief from the noise and demand a better environment than this site can provide in which to bring up their families. Past experience has shown that concentrating low-cost housing creates social problems. I grant you that this development is not on a large scale as we would see in the big cities. We are not a big city with big developments, and 12 units of low-cost housing may be the biggest development of this kind in Los Gatos. It will have a negative social impact. I am a product of the inner city, and I have seen first hand what it means to have been brought up on the "wrong side of the tracks." Please let us not be part of so-called social engineering, where the proponents of this development can pat themselves on their back and say that they helped these unfortunate people to settle in Los Gatos, while they are staying snug in their big houses, well-insulated from future problems this may create. I may not agree with the state mandate, but it is the law. Let us continue the policy of spreading the affordable housing throughout town, assuring as much integration as possible, without any social stigma attached to the residents of these units. Egon Jensen Los Gatos Gambord, Knight should be in charge of city One crooked hand shakes the other. I think what Jack Lucas and Suzanne Jackson have done by appointing themselves once again as mayor and vice mayor of Monte Sereno is despicable, and it goes along with the self-centered way they have run our city for many years now. The way they self-appointed themselves seems to many of us unethical, unbelievable, borderline illegal, and simply another bad decision by these two. Joel Gambord and Gordon Knight deserve a chance to better our community, and with Suzanne and Jack running things, nothing will ever change and nothing will ever improve. First of all, neither one of the two understands city government. They only want their own selfish needs and desires to be satisfied and met. Nothing else matters and no one else matters. These two have created more harm, rivalry and discord than any two people have ever done in Monte Sereno. Simply put, they are totally unfit and unqualified for the positions they hold in our community. These two should have some class and step off their self-appointed seats and let two bright, enthusiastic, and intelligent people, as Joel Gambord and Gordon Knight are, run the city for a change. We will have a better city government and a much more cohesive city where people get along and work together if Jackson and Lucas are removed. We need people like Gordon and Joel to make good decisions. Bea Johnson Monte Sereno Inter-district transfers help people 'belong' I am 13 years old and have lived in Los Gatos for four years. I feel there is a need to correct the misinformation that has been circulating, saying that the people applying for inter-district transfers are doing so because they are trying to increase their property values. This is very incorrect. I live in the neighborhood and know for a fact that this would be the last reason for our request. We do not care about property values. Our houses are the same as the other houses in the district. They are worth the same and built the same. They are inhabited by the same type of people as the Los Gatos district houses are, except for one difference. We support inter-district transfer for the reason that our taxes go to things that the adults of this area and the children, like myself, cannot use. We don't get to fully participate in our community, and don't feel like full members of our community. And I am very upset by the tone of elitism and selfishness that was expressed by people in the district. Brandon Behrman Los Gatos Some still find old tokens are valuable I am a lover of history and I have a somewhat unusual hobby. I collect old tokens used by stores, barber shops, pool halls, bakeries, saloons, forts, and other businesses years ago. The tokens were good for trade or merchandise or for a loaf of bread, one drink, one shave, one ride or whatever. They were usually made of metal, and while having the general appearance of a coin, they were made in all shapes and sizes. I know that this request is relatively unimportant, but as our elderly pass away, and the younger members of the family inherit their possessions, tokens and other items are considered junk and thrown out. I do get a great deal of enjoyment from my hobby, and I do believe that these concrete reminders of our great heritage are worth preserving. I have reason to believe that some of these tokens were used in your area and I would be most interested in obtaining some of them for my collection. I would like to hear from anyone having one or more of these tokens or from anyone that might be able to help me. Any help that you can give me of any kind is greatly appreciated. My address is: Travis Roberts, Box 1168, Bellaire, Texas 77402. Travis Roberts Bellaire, Texas Tom Campbell voted legal and moral position on Clinton In response to Toni Blackstock's letter attacking Congressman Tom Campbell's position on impeachment, I contacted Campbell's local office, and I was told that the calls to his office were about evenly split pro and con. When Tom Campbell took office, he swore an oath to uphold the constitution and the laws of the country, which is how he voted. Perjury, lying under oath, is against the law. Some say "Yeah, but Clinton was just lying about sex." Well, the sex was with a subordinate. Many corporate officers and supervisors, school administrators, teachers, military officers and enlisted persons have found this is against the law as they have lost their jobs, paid big fines and some are doing time in prison. I congratulate Tom Campbell for voting for the legal as well as the ethical and moral position. Phil Knopf Monte Sereno [ Back to Contents Page | Los Gatos Weekly-Times Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, January 13, 1999. ©1999 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.