Los Gatos Weekly-Times Letters Removal of flag brings shame on the town Shame on the town of Los Gatos decision-makers and the few neighbors that complained and had the Los Gatos Elks remove their sign "Honor Our Flag." It is time to look at the state of the world, folks. For those who complained, why are you in America? Are you just takers? Who is protecting you, your family, your freedom and our country? If you don't like those who have pride and display their pride to be an American, the door swings both ways. Don't let the door hit your backsides on your way out! I am born in America and proud to be an American! I display my pride of being an American with American flags in all my vehicles. Love America or leave it! Joan Bohl San Jose Planners want only the best for the poor Three members of the Los Gatos Planning Commission are vastly concerned about the quality of life for people needing low cost housing. Their sensibilities revolt at the thought of anything but the best for Los Gatans of whatever economic level. Accordingly, on Jan. 13, these three good people rejected the construction of a modest, 12-unit, single-room-occupancy project at 71 Miles Avenue because it would be (horrors!) adjacent on two sides to industrial establishments, too close to Highway 17, too far from other residences, etc., etc. Yes indeed. If any low-wage people live within the political confines of the town of Los Gatos, these three comfortable, concerned folks want them, also, to enjoy the best. And since that isn't possible, then let low-income people continue to make out as they now do--doubled and tripled in apartments built for one family in order to pay the rent. Furthermore, housing a handful wouldn't be fair. Is taking care of 12 families or individuals fair to the rest of the 30,000 who suffer from the Silicon Valley housing crisis? Obviously not. Let them all suffer; it's the only fair way. Forrest Crumpley Los Gatos Jones Road Trail needs trash can We live near the Jones Road Trail and use the trail on an almost daily basis, either to walk to Lexington or down the Creek Trail, or sometimes just to "make the loop" in the meadow. We walk our dog, and always clean up after her. Because there was no garbage can at the trail entrance, we put a clean one of our own there for plastic bags and other trash. It was placed against a fence, out of the traffic flow and so as not to interfere with closing the gates. It remained there for a few weeks, then someone started moving it, up the hill or behind trees. Just when we were considering anchoring it, it disappeared completely. Now there is a sign posted on the gate stating that garbage bins are only available at the main trail entrances, and that anything packed in has to be packed out. First, if anyone witnesses the come-and-go of joggers, walkers and bicyclists on a weekend, there would be no doubt that this is a main entrance. Also, people are reluctant to carry a bag of dog crap around for a three-mile walk! They are much more likely to not clean up after their dogs at all, or to clean up, then discard the bag in the bush. If the reason for not having a garbage can on Jones Road is economic, we will donate a clean can. If maintenance is the problem, we pledge to empty the can before it overflows (unlike the one at the entrance on Main Street). Please help us resolve this issue, and keep our trails clean! Jeff Barringer Karyn Barringer Los Gatos Campbell should be commended I was appalled with the letter in the Dec. 30 issue of the Saratoga News in which Alan Rosenus criticizes Tom Campbell's impeachment vote because he "defied 70 percent of his electorate." Since when are such constitutional issues to be settled by public opinion polls? Mr. Campbell said, "I came to the conclusion I did based on the law and the Constitution, which I am under an oath to uphold and protect." Mr. Campbell went on to say that he did, in fact, withhold his decision on the matter until only a few days before the vote in order to hear the President's latest version of the facts. At that point Mr. Campbell's honest judgment was that the pointed most certainly to "an impeachable offense under our constitution." Mr. Campbell's courage to vote his conscience and honest judgment is to be applauded. This does not imply that he is impervious to the will of his constituents. He did receive voluminous e-mail, phone calls, and other communications, so his office tells us, and digested it all. The "70 percent" figure quoted by Mr. Rosenus is not representative of the Republican constituents of Mr. Campbell's district. We feel quite certain that his vote was, in fact, supported by a majority of his constituents. The more important fact is that Mr. Campbell's vote was based on constitutional law and his desire to uphold it despite severe pressure from the opposition. Ronald and Patricia Knapp Saratoga [ Back to Contents Page | Los Gatos Weekly-Times Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, January 27, 1999. ©1999 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.