Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Editorials

Chamber orchestra deserves a chance

Too often it happens that a worthwhile community activity becomes so closely associated with one person that separating the activity from the person seems inconceivable. Such is the case with the Los Gatos Chamber Orchestra and Minty Brown. As one of her friends said recently: "She's really the heart and brain of the orchestra."

Now Brown is gravely ill with cancer, and the orchestra seems to have lost its heart and brain. The concerts have ceased and the group made no request this year for funding from the town.

Founded in 1982 by Richard Schaus, the chamber orchestra languished until 1988 when it staged a successful concert at Old Town Theater. Slowly, performances increased.

In recent years, under Brown's stewardship, the orchestra has presented five annual concerts and received funding from the town. An annual chocolate-tasting fundraiser became a popular event for music lovers, as well as for lovers of chocolate.

For Brown, though, it was the opportunity the chamber orchestra afforded young high school and even middle school musicians that fueled her passion. Bringing them into the orchestra for specific performances was a way to encourage them while bringing a cultural experience to the community.

Brown contacted the Los Gatos Weekly-Times several weeks ago to express her concern that the orchestra would cease to exist unless someone in the community would step forward and take it over.

It's possible that no one has done so because Brown's self-imposed job description seems overwhelming. Some have called Brown a "one-woman show." And when there's a job to be done, there's nothing nicer than someone who will roll up her sleeves and take over.

The danger, however, is that when that person is unable to continue, there's no one who knows how to do the job, or who feels able to take on so much.

Certainly five fewer concert performances a year would be a loss to the community. Without a chamber orchestra, there will be missed opportunities for young musicians from local schools.

Hopefully, those who have been a part of the chamber orchestra--whether as board members, musicians or appreciative audience members--will come together and decide how they might divide up responsibilities to keep the orchestra performing.

Green Valley challenge

A little more than a year ago, Green Valley more than doubled its rates. Back then, a curbside recycling program to help the town meet state-mandated landfill requirements justified the increase. Now Green Valley wants to increase rates again.

This time, the increase isn't so easy to swallow.

All four West Valley cities agree that Green Valley should earn a 5 percent profit. Green Valley wants to include state and county surcharges as part of the base rate. The cities disagree.

Green Valley is suing the cities over the rate structure, but the company also has decided to test its theory with a rate increase, based on its preferred rate structure.

The May 6 Town Council meeting at which the proposed increase will be introduced is likely to be a lively one.