Editorials

What's needed is a good idea--and lots of money

At the risk of resorting to clichés to describe the current state of affairs in the Lexington Basin, we can only say that things aren't always what they seem; you can't count your chickens before they're hatched, and if there's any chance of keeping those tree-covered mountains safe from statement houses and golfers, someone's going to have to figure out how the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District can put its money where its mouth is.

When MROSD announced several months ago its agreement to purchase 811 acres from Arlie Land and Cattle Co., what everyone seems to have heard was the possibility that the district could purchase the entire 1,071 acres and turn it into the Bear Creek Redwoods Regional Preserve.

It went immediately from remote possibility to likely scenario in many people's minds.

Local cities, including Los Gatos and Monte Sereno, have dutifully endorsed the concept, and environmental groups are already envisioning trails through the area.

The problem is, the dream was riding on the largess of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, whose track record on environmental issues has been innovative and dramatic.

Unfortunately, the needs of the district don't meet the guidelines for foundation funding.

In the convoluted contract the district entered into with Arlie, the Oregon-based company has tied its own ability to obtain development rights from the county to the preservation deal. Failing to get those rights, Arlie could back out entirely and try to sell off pieces of the property to developers.

Any way you slice it, the open-space district seems to be taking all the risks.

With all the brilliant minds--not to mention money--in Silicon Valley, it seems a pity that the good guys stand so little chance of doing the right thing.

Lights, cameras, action

The Volunteers in Policing have another feather in their cap. In addition to the many office and community service duties these volunteers perform for the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department, they're now in show business.

And according to KCAT-Channel 6 station manager George Sampson, the VIPs have enthusiastically learned to handle cameras and other equipment at the local public-access TV station.

The show offers an opportunity for local residents to learn more about their community and the people who help keep it safe.

It's exactly the type of show that makes sense for public-access television. In addition to providing free air time to keep the community better informed, the station offers training in the production aspects of putting on a TV show.

It's a perfect example of how volunteerism works not only to help the community, but to enrich volunteers.

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Los Gatos Little League season officially opens

LG athletes compete in CCS Top 8 Track Classic

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