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Letters
Local businesses support local organizations
Merchants in this area are pestered a lot by nonprofit organizations seeking freebies of merchandise or cash donations. That's why the generosity experienced by the Los Gatos Horseman's Association recently is so remarkable and appreciated.
The horse group holds a fundraiser once a year to pay for special philanthropies and for its insurance which covers the participation of members and nonmembers in various events. Even the off-beat and spontaneous situation we might encounter such as the wait on Tait for the Los Gatos Christmas Parade to begin finds some participants with especially mellow mounts giving little kids in the waiting crowd an occasional ride. We're all liable these days, and the risk of being a good neighbor unfortunately requires the backup of good insurance. All of those areas are covered for the next year thanks to some generous folks doing business here.
As the president of LGHA, I represented the group by walking door-to-door in downtown Los Gatos and in several other local shopping centers seeking a grubstake in the form of merchandise from whomever would turn a receptive ear to me. The point was to garner some interesting prizes to be used in our annual fundraising Trail Trials, a competitive event for trail riders who travel from several counties for the event.
Lots of good folks heard me. I want everyone to know who helped: Safeway on N. Santa Cruz Avenue, Pet People, La Hacienda Restaurant, Sur La Table, ACE Hardware on Los Gatos Boulevard, The Bird House, The Cotton Works, EMFI, Beauty Avenue in Kings Court Center and Shaw's Saddlery in Saratoga.
Our members are eager to do business with these neighbors whenever they can. We thank them, and we thank you for allowing us to draw attention to their generosity.
Carole Reames,
President
Los Gatos Horseman's Association
The neighboring community does welcome Longs
We need a Longs Drug Store at the Rinconada Center! I was one of the 150 or more to sign a recent petition--it was not a secret petition; it is not nonsense. I will assist in obtaining 1,000 more signatures if necessary! Why?
* No one in our community (Rinconada Hills) expected a "petition group" to oppose Longs' first request for a store.
* The previous drugstore would not honor my insurance card for drugs. "Too much trouble," he said. His prices were high. Longs honors every card available. Longs' prices are very reasonable.
* My wife and I use four prescription drugs per month and I'll be able to walk to the new Longs rather than driving a five-mile round trip.
* A "Longs boutique" drug store with no food, alcohol beverages, etc., will be an asset and solve needs for the community and shopping area.
This time all the voices of the community will be heard and not a contingent loyal to the former proprietor.
Yes, the community does welcome Longs!
W. A. Wolff
Los Gatos
The local petition supporting Longs Drugs is no scam
I am responding to Del Riesenhuber's letter in the Aug. 9 issue of the Los Gatos Weekly Times, which stated that the petition supporting Longs Drugs was a scam. Copies of signatures and addresses of more than 150 people who felt Longs would be a valuable addition to our shopping center are in my hands and are also on file with the town council as well as the planning commission.
These signatures were not gathered at the request of Longs, but by neighbors who felt a strong need for a drug store that would honor our HMO prescription plans and offer extended hours of service. There are many seniors and families with young children in our area who need the convenience of such a drug store. It is unfortunate that Ms. Reisenhuber would choose to write such a letter without first confirming the accuracy of her statements.
Marie Lawrence
Los Gatos
Dueling couple brought smiles
We just wanted to say how much we enjoyed the "banter" between Phil and Sandy regarding their vacation! It brought many smiles and much laughter--in ways that many of us can relate to. Thank you for sharing!
Carol and Peter Sandman
Los Gatos
The letter writer made assumptions that weren't true
Regarding the letter from Del Riesenhuber about Longs Drug Store in the Aug. 9 issue of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, the writer makes inappropriate assumptions and accusations about the neighbors who signed the petition to allow Longs Drug Store to occupy space at our local neighborhood shopping center.
I doubt it was difficult to get 1,000 customers to sign a petition while making purchases at the former pharmacy.
There is nothing "secret" about the petition 150 north Los Gatos neighbors signed. We are very open about our desire to have a pharmacy with extended hours nearby, and we don't want to be inconvenienced or fight traffic to drive to San Jose or Campbell to pick up a prescription. It would be nice to have a pharmacy that honors most health insurance programs, too.
The former Bank of America building at the center has been vacant over two years. If the old pharmacy building remains empty much longer, the center will not be able to attract and keep the many small shop owners who depend on the foot traffic the big stores attract.
Eleanor Butt
Los Gatos
Planning process makes it hard on small businesses
Congratulations to Suzanne Cristallo on her article in the Aug. 2 issue of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times (Los Gatos Blvd. Coffee plans for its Grand Opening). The only problem seems to be nothing has changed as far as the town planning department is concerned.
The Olvera family has rekindled the old nostalgia for some of us that was downtown Los Gatos in the '60s. Sam LaCastro's coffee shop across from the Los Gatos Market was the morning gathering place for the likes of Lincoln, Crall, Whalen, DiDuca, Wilkey, Thoms, Argall, Lazaneo and many others, where the goings on of the town would be debated.
Today, for many of us, the Blvd. Coffee Shop has become a great place to do the same. We were all looking forward to the enlarging of our meeting place. It is hard to believe that to make a move in the same center is so complex that the planning department cannot get to this for months.
Why has this family been placed in such a position to warrant loss of income and mental stress?
Where do we find the answers? By the way, did Starbucks have to get a new "use permit" when they moved in the same center?
John O. Estruth Jr.
Retired Public Works Maintenance Superintendent,Town of Los Gatos
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
