Letters
Letter writer's reasoning appears to make no sense
The May 16 issue of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times contains a letter that, in view of the writer's scientific background and training, I find rather amusing. First, the writer asserts that a "newspaper that is 80 percent advertising and only 20 percent local and general news is not worth reading."
The criticism reminds me of the old doctor joke (which should have a special significance to the complainant, who identified himself as a medical doctor)--Patient: "Doctor, it hurts when I move it." Doctor: "Then don't move it!" In other words, if you think the paper is not worth reading, don't read it. And certainly don't waste your time calculating the space allocated to advertisements vis-á-vis news.
Second, the scientifically trained writer hopes that the editor of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times realizes that "there are many letters to the editor that are of great interest, which, apparently, are never published because of the excess of advertisement." What a novel deduction.
Unfortunately, it strikes me as a spatial version of fallacious reasoning generally seen in a tortured effort to determine cause and effect over time. The writer assumes that, because there were so many advertisements in the paper, it follows that there wasn't enough space to print all the letters submitted (post hoc, ergo propter hoc).
I always thought that the size of any edition of a newspaper is determined by the amount of material to be published. If there is a specified number of advertisements that must be run, and also several interesting and provocative letters that deserve to be published, the editor simply increases the number of pages to be printed.
Frank Stagnaro
Los Gatos
Elks' plan for office building is a bad idea
For over 30 years, the Elk's Club has been a guest of the La Rinconada residential area, by virtue of a conditional-use permit granted by the town. Today, the Elks have fallen on hard times, as have most fraternal organizations, due to declining and aged membership. The Elk's Club at Lark and Winchester Boulevard now faces the economic reality of obtaining the funds to preserve its chapter.
In order to achieve this end, they have applied for a zoning change and modification of the General Plan, in order to build a 7,755-square-foot, 2-story medical building with only eight underground parking spaces on Lot 3 of Rinconada Estates (1/8 of an acre)--10 feet from a Newell Avenue home--which violates the town's 40 percent coverage code.
Spot zoning, or allowing a business in the middle of an established residential neighborhood, would set an extremely dangerous precedent for the town of Los Gatos. We have been told by Realtors and developers, that property values in the La Rinconada, Monte Sereno, and La Montagne areas would be reduced by 20-25 percent ($300,000-$700,000), if a zone change to office was approved. (Most of the neighbors in our area have their entire life savings invested in their homes.) The Elks can still make a substantial profit by building six custom homes on their property.
Winchester Boulevard is the dividing line that separates residential from offices. To approve an application from the Elks to convert three lots to office zoning would open the door for an office corridor through residential neighborhoods extending from Lark Avenue to Blossom Hill Road.
We ask for your support in our effort to stop the Elks from attempting to build an office complex in the middle of a residential neighborhood. If it happens in La Rinconada, it can happen anywhere in Los Gatos!
Barbara & Max Periman
Los Gatos
Politicians, big business should respect nature
In response to the letter from Jeff Coykendall in the May 16 "Letters" column, Mr. Coykendall evidently does not realize the health benefits of freshwater fish, particularly salmon, to humans. If salmon were simply a sport fish, I would possibly agree with his stand.
Siphoning off water to generate more electricity, however, and putting the salmon at risk, especially during spawning season, would be very detrimental to humans.
What is needed is more rainfall to feed the watersheds and reservoirs, which we might get, if big business and politicians would stop interfering and start cooperating with Mother Nature!
Jan Ewers
San Jose
The 'New Los Gatos' has too many SUVs and too little parking
We have been covered with sugar, placed in the broil and Carmel-ized. Like the very large woman devouring her last super-rich meal, only to keel over, we have done ourselves in. We have overlooked an entire town. I can no longer go to the Los Gatos Café for lunch, unless I'm willing to circle the blocks endlessly, looking for parking, which for me takes the fun out of it.
Perhaps those architects, property owners and builders, the parents of what might be called "The New Los Gatos" will now design for us cars, no, SUVs that can be stacked on end.
Ah, that bitch success!
Gone, the little grocery store across the street from the theater, the gas station at the south end of town, right off 17, the lumberyard.
It may be easier to park in Carmel than Los Gatos.
Gluttony has done us in.
Après moi le déluge, parking meters.
Dan Cooper
Los Gatos
Reader can relate to column about long marriage
I would like to compliment Mr. Carl Heintze on his great column in the May 16 Los Gatos Weekly-Times entitled "The Routine of Marriage is Hard to Shake." He and his wife have been married for 48 years in June, and since my husband and I will be married 62 years in June, I find the article so endearing and true to life, and do thank him for taking time to share his innermost thoughts on the important things in life.
P.S. I cut the article out to reread occasionally!
Beth Cunningham
Monte Sereno
Cartoonist was 'over the top' in recent cartoon
As an editor for El Gato, the student newspaper at LGHS, and, most important, a human being, let me tell you how DeCinzo's political cartoons turn my stomach every week.
In my opinion the newspaper's purpose is to present truthful reporting of the community news, as controversial as it may be. However, DeCinzo's cartoons capitalize on controversy, polarize the community and compromise the integrity of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times.
The only beneficiary in this cartoon is smug DeCinzo's own "sense of humor." His cartoons do not measure up to political satire nor are they worthy of being on the editorial page. For instance, the cartoon printed on May 2, was over the top. In our small community where we pride ourselves on morality and civility, why is it comical to ridicule and humiliate two influential role models at the high school?
Elizabeth Goheen
Los Gatos
Principal thanks all involved in benefit
On behalf of Lexington Elementary School, I would like to offer thanks to the community of people who participated in our annual "Spaghetti Western Dinner" and silent auction on March 31. This event was a huge success as our annual fundraiser and appreciation is due for a number of wonderful volunteers. I would also like to mention the following people who offered a variety of services:
Sue and Dave Dailor, Kim Gardner, Jenny Burger, Janell Wilcox, Dana and Matt Tollick, Gina Marshall, Tristan Harris, Terry and Will Clark, Norm Pfund, Cathy Douglas, Carol Anderson, Therese Harmon, Kim Arnold, Kim Vestal, Marj Prows, Karen Gustafson, Tricia and Steve Hemminger, Caitlin and Chuck Weber, Kareta Nobel-Bartlett, Polly Armond, Amy Hight, Kim Roberts, Kris Rowell, Dave and Suzanne Davis, Jackie Lytton, Lisa Orcutt, Helen Stone, Paul Bui, Bob Marshall, Pamela Killeen and Kim Buller.
We also received tremendous support from local businesses, as well. Without their phenomenal support, our fundraising event would not have been so successful. Nonno's Pizza donated the food and catered the dinner, which was enjoyed to the last bite! Many other businesses made important contributions:
Wilson Veterinary, Summit Veterinary, Barbara Spenser's Mountain Shiatsu, Summit Stables, Dr. Kyle Frandle's Los Gatos Dog and Cat, Mountain Woman Pet Sitting, Becky Levine Writing Services, and Lindseys at the Summit.
To all who took part in the "Spaghetti Western Dinner" and auction, we offer a hearty thanks and tip our hats to you!
Raf Strudley
Principal
Lexington Elementary School
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
