Letters

'Conservationists' were no animal rights advocates

I have been a subscriber of your newspaper for 11 years--the entire time I have lived in this area. I was extremely disappointed with the extensive coverage you gave Tom Preisser and Kristin Nowell representing them as protectors of wildlife on the cover page of your July 14 issue.

Anyone who says "hunters are all right" and who is petitioning our government to allow the importation of murdered cheetahs is no animal supporter in my view.

What hypocrisy! I suspect that they have an entirely different agenda than animal protection. How could you give such uncaring people such good publicity? I am really disappointed.

There are so many people that are truly out to protect animals and ensure that animals are treated right. I'm sorry you couldn't find one of them to focus your story on.

Betty Skatoff
Los Gatos

Thanks to all and especially ...

As I look back over my first year as chairwoman of Community Against Substance Abuse, there are many people I want to thank. The CASA board member have been extremely supportive, and many are returning next year, for which I am most appreciative. I am thankful for all the funding we have received this year, and hope the community continues to keep us in their thoughts (and checkbooks!).

The schools, their administrators, A Place for Teens, Triad and The Teen and Family Counseling Center have all worked well together, and the children benefit. The police department is always helpful and informative.

At this time, however, I want to thank some special people who have been very helpful to me. These women no longer have children in the schools, but believe strongly in our mission. Joanne Rodgers, Sue Tuttle, Sherry Benz, Diana Bond, LD Hirschklau, Kathy Tumason, and Celia Bell, our fantastic graphic artist, have all been very supportive of CASA in general, and me specifically.

Volunteers make organizations like CASA, and the town of Los Gatos, special. To them, and everyone else who has helped me this year, my most sincere thanks.

Kim Bidermann
Chairwoman, CASA

Senate Bill 335 discriminates

If you're following the current debate surrounding stricter testing for California drivers age 75 and older, you're aware of the difficulties posed when society must balance the rights of all its citizens.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles certainly has a valid point in wanting to keep state roads safe; however, the arguments against Senate Bill 335 are also valid. The American Association of Retired Persons opposes the bill on grounds that it discriminates against senior citizens; AARP lobbyists say other states have resolved this issue without enacting laws that target seniors.

About 830,000 of California's licensed drivers are above age 75; 106,000 of those are older than 85, according to DMV records. SB 335, introduced by Sen. Tom Hayden (D-Los Angeles), includes a provision authorizing the state to develop alternative transportation programs by Jan. 1, 2002, for seniors who lose their driving privileges (but no funding is included for that provision).

As president and CEO of American Baptist Homes of the West, one of California's oldest providers of senior housing care, I know intimately the balancing act that is required when serving seniors who are independent while also providing care when necessary. Most of the residents in our residential facilities still drive, and competently driving symbolizes independence.

Striving to balance our residents' desire to remain independent with our mission to safeguard their health has made us more innovative in how we provide customer service. State lawmakers are now caught up in a similar balancing act.

Also known as "Brandi's Law," SB335 is named for 15-year-old Brandi Mitock. Ms. Mitock died in November after being struck by a car driven by 96-year-old Brian Cox of Santa Monica. Mr. Cox was sentenced to five years probation.

California drivers with clean records receive automatic renewals, but that practice would end when drivers reach age 75, if SB335 passes. If passed, the bill would impose mandatory behind-the-wheel driving tests for drivers age 75 and older when renewing licenses.

The bill won a narrow victory in the California Senate and is now in the Assembly Transportation Committee. Disagreements about it do not fall along age lines. Sixty-seven-year-old senators Richard Mountjoy (R-Monrovia) and Betty Karnette (D-Long Beach) argue opposing views. Mountjoy says the "bill punishes one group of people simply because of their age." Karnette counters that it protects that group. "It's because we care about them," she says.

Truly caring about senior citizens requires being sensitive to their needs, especially that dearest one of remaining independent in their final years.

Jen Linhart
CEO, American Baptist Homes

Local Excite@Home service plagued with bugs

Food dominates the conversation of columnist's family

Photo: SJCMT presents 'Chess'

Picture From the Past

Sports Briefs

South defeats North in Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star Football Game

Los Gatos Pony League All-Stars win tournament

Little League All-Stars lose to Almaden

LG United Soccer League hosts camp