Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Letters

Monte Sereno heeded people

Once again the Monte Sereno City Council has listened to its constituents and heeded the great majority of Ridgecrest neighbors by unanimously turning down permission to construct a two-story home that was completely out of tune with the neighborhood.

These councilmembers work long hours at no pay. It was evident at the meeting how seriously they soul-search before arriving at a decision. They had hours of work left before them when we left at 9:30 p.m., with several more complex issues left on the agenda.

We all could have sympathy with the owner; however, he had a number of opportunities to change his plans to conform to the area, but he, of course, has a right to build a home that meets his expectations, but in an appropriate neighborhood.

I hope he heard the majority of the council say that it would probably not be worthwhile to resubmit plans for a similar structure unless there were radical changes. Councilmembers said this because they felt that they could not ignore the overwhelming opposition of the large number of neighbors opposed. After the meeting, many in our Ridgecrest neighbors group wondered with some anxiety just how long this could go on? But one thing we did agree on is that we felt strongly enough to continue our efforts to preserve our neighborhood for as long as it takes.

Sherbie Gangwere
Monte Sereno

Character issue rears its head in Monte Sereno

During the last election in Monte Sereno, I raised the issue of the principles and character of Joel Gambord and Gordon Knight. Ohhhhh, they were steadfast that they had an abundance of both. Recently, we have seen that they change their principles and lack the character of their convictions.

In the election, both Gambord and Knight were emphatic that property owners had the right to do as they chose within reasonable limits, even if they violated the building code. Recently, they chose to deny a property owner the right to build a two-story house, even though it met the code. The first time their convictions got tested, they failed the test.

Another of their targets was the size of city government. Here their spiritual leader is Rosemary Pierce, the former city manager responsible for the hiring that produced the current staff level. Apparently what was good enough for Rosemary is too good for the successors, so she wants them to roll back government to a size that was unsatisfactory for her.

This is another of those character issues.

At the time of the election, I did a statewide survey of city-government staff and expenditures for comparably sized cities. And guess what? Monte Sereno government was lean and mean compared to all others. So what will Gambord and Knight do now? Cheat Monte Sereno and lack the character to represent the people.

It's the character thing. Does that sound familiar or what!

Bill Ferguson
Monte Sereno

Community will miss David Wolf

I read Bob Aldrich's column with deep regret today, for he announced that David Wolf is leaving Los Gatos after being such a great asset to our community.

David's emphasis on helping others is so much needed in Los Gatos where we have so much more than others in our world. His working to promote Volunteers in Mission has made a big difference in many young people's lives.

I hope David will be able to do even more in his humanitarian work as the head of the Sacramento office of his church's Volunteers in Mission, but Los Gatos will dearly miss him and his visions.

Don Wolf
Los Gatos

Position reported not the one that was stressed

I would like to respond to the article and the editorial in the May 28 issue of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times.

In my short discussion with reporter Clarence Cromwell, a totally different position was stressed than was reported. I did say "my gosh, that's a lot" in reference to $275,439 budgeted for salary for five employees, not six, as reported. Salary and benefits for those five employees plus part-time personnel will cost $414,859. The sixth employee will get only $20,460 in salary with benefits and part-time help costing an additional $13,890. The total personnel costs then are projected as $449,209.

When asked how we came to the conclusion that there would be three vacancies in the City Council, I responded that there will be three seats up for election and if just a few people that read the letter [from "Citizens FOR Monte Sereno"] get involved, we would feel that we had accomplished a goal.

People need to get involved and know what is going on in their city and in their neighborhood.

To the editor's reference to my post-retirement career as one of criticizing my successors, I say that I have never criticized [current City Manager] Ms. [Gay] Strand. My limited contact with her has been casual and social. I know nothing about her policy and position as manager.

Your reporter's selective and incomplete quotes and the editor's perception of my activities make much better type than any quote I could have made.

Rosemary Pierce
Monte Sereno

[ Back to Contents Page | Los Gatos Weekly-Times Home Page | Archives ]