Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Letters

Len Pacheco does his homework on the Planning Commission

Thank you for covering the recent reappointment of Leonard Pacheco to the Planning Commission. It saddens me to think that the town could have lost a valuable resource because Leonard is too much of an expert in his area. Integrity and quality are words that come to mind when I think of Leonard's work. Power and politics are the least of his concerns.

Design and aesthetics are very subjective in nature. Los Gatos has unique planning and historic issues that it confronts regularly. In the past, these issues were centered around the loudest agendas or short-term planning. Leonard and others have recently made strides in setting up standards, guidelines and processes that let quality, not personal agendas, guide the solution to planning issues. Continued leadership from experts like Leonard will allow these processes to become established within the planning commission.

Having supported a spouse who volunteers for the town, I have firsthand knowledge that the work is hard and the rewards few. Still these people work and strive to make Los Gatos what it is today. Los Gatos, like other communities around the area, has changed a lot in the last several decades, but its change has been unique and its own.

This is due in a large part to the people in the town who take the time to care and share their expertise. Please take the time to thank these town volunteers, and remember at future polls to evaluate the candidates for their sense of quality versus their political intentions.

Harrison R. Dill
Los Gatos

Got milk? Claravale does

I wanted to offer my congratulations and my admiration to Ron Garthwaite, the capable man who has taken over the Claravale Dairy from the still-capable, 90-year-old hands of Kenneth Peake.

Dairy farming is obviously not something everyone would enjoy, but (almost!) everyone enjoys either milk, cheese, ice cream or other dairy products. Small, locally run dairies might not impact the overall market if they close down, but they do impact local communities.

I for one have never been to any functional dairy in my life, save Claravale. I also know of no other place to buy raw milk that is more convenient or has a better reputation.

Although I have a definite soft spot in my heart for animals, farming and the "country-style" way of life, if I possessed the advanced college degrees that Mr. Garthwaite does, I highly doubt I would have the wherewithal to give up my career and put on the overalls of a dairy farmer. It seems like Mr. Garthwaite, with a little help from the Claravale Preservation Foundation, is in it for the long haul, and for that I'm very pleased.

L. E. Brooks
Los Gatos

Downtown is looking better

With the downtown beautification project under way, I'm happy to see there are finally lots of places to sit and do some people-watching.

I'd like to express my appreciation to everyone who has donated benches to the cause. Los Gatos is a place where people like to stroll, and, finally, we strollers can now sit down, stretch out our legs and catch our breath.

Now if a few good citizens or merchants would only get as enthusiastic about donating trash receptacles!

I'm looking forward to watching the improvements downtown as they begin to take shape.

J.C. Stewart
Los Gatos