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Letters
Coverage made builder appear unresponsive
The editorial the Los Gatos Weekly-Times ran in the Aug. 29 issue regarding our new home community, Heritage Grove, disappointingly lacked editorial balance. The editorial writer did not contact SummerHill Homes to address his or her concerns regarding Heritage Grove. The editorial made SummerHill appear unresponsive to resident concerns. In addition, the reporting in the separate news item that appeared on August 29 was dated. The reporter took her notes from the planning commission meeting on August 8, and yet the story did not appear for 21 days. In the interim, SummerHill initiated additional remedial steps to address construction, customer service, and common area issues at Heritage Grove. Although the reporter contacted several homeowners, she did not contact us to identify the actions we are taking to improve customer satisfaction.
To the residents of Heritage Grove, we have heard you and will work relentlessly to complete the community we started. And to the Los Gatos community at large, be assured that we have not established a 25-year track record of award-winning excellence by shirking from our responsibilities as a homebuilder. We will finish what we started.
SummerHill has adopted an action plan to repair the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems at Heritage Grove. We have implemented an inspection program of every home, hired a new HVAC subcontractor to do the necessary repairs, appointed an internal team to oversee the work, and have commenced repair work.
Regarding the landscaping and common area issues, in cooperation with the HOA, the town, and our landscaping team, we have agreed to work above and beyond that required by the project approvals. This work is underway.
Creating a new community from a previous land use, or in the case of Heritage Grove, an orchard, is not a small task. Solutions that may appear simple on their face have turned out to be more difficult to execute than expected. That is not an excuse, but it is part of our challenge. We hope that the residents of Heritage Grove and the community of Los Gatos will be patient enough for us to address these issues. Personally, I've worked since 1996 to see this community built, and I won't rest until all homeowners are satisfied.
Elaine Breeze
Vice President SummerHill Homes
Working poor don't share in refund money
Near the bottom of these United States Treasury tax refund checks they say, "Tax Relief For America's Workers."
Those who pay taxes are entitled to a refund from taxes they paid. That's fair.
According to a recent issue of Barron's, there are 30 million working American poor who, because of their deductions, don't pay taxes. So, no tax refund for this large segment of American workers.
If it is the avowed intention of the government to say, "Tax Relief For America's Workers," then, as its purpose is to help jump-start the economy by the spending of these checks, how about giving these workers checks for $300 from the money that was withheld by their employers as their contribution to Social Security?
Either that, or the Treasury refund checks should say, "Tax Relief For America's Workers Who Paid Taxes."
Vern Hansen
Campbell
Details about town's program misinterpreted
There needs to be some clarification about the new Leadership Los Gatos program. It is not a series of meetings describing how residents can be volunteers in the town, which is how at least one Los GatosWeekly-Times reader interpreted your recent article.
Leadership Los Gatos is a 40-hour education program that covers a broad range of topics related to government operations and community issues. There is also specialized training on communication and leadership skills. The $250 fee is charged to help cover expenses such as bus transportation for tours of regional facilities and refreshments. Scholarships are available for any participant who qualifies.
Many cities in the Bay Area have long-standing Leadership programs and their graduates have found them to be valuable in improving their knowledge and skills to be more effective leaders in all aspects of their lives. All charge tuition for their programs, with the average among cities in Santa Clara County close to $1,000.
Any resident who has questions about Leadership Los Gatos is welcome to contact us for more information.
Diane McNutt & Phil Johnson
Co-chairs
Leadership Los Gatos
Closing of repair shop is a loss for the community
I, too, used to take my car to the automotive repair owned by Jack Wu and was always pleased with the constant high quality of work. He and his staff were always very accommodating. It will be a loss to our community for this small business to be closed. I hope that Mr. Wu will be able to relocate somewhere nearby so he can continue to operate his business, a much needed service, and support his family.
Due to Jack Wu's honesty and integrity he lost me as a customer because my auto needed extensive expensive repairs. His suggestion was to purchase a new car. So I did, but I still recommend Los Gatos Foreign Car to people who are looking for a reliable mechanic.
Lisa Meddows
Los Gatos
Everybody, not just alumni, is invited to auction
There may be some misunderstanding about the upcoming events this weekend that are sponsored by the Los Gatos High School New Millennium Foundation. I have heard several comments that the Live Auction on Sun., Sep. 16, at the Opera House is only for the Los Gatos High School Alumni. This is certainly not true. The whole community is wholeheartedly invited and encouraged to attend all or any of the events planned.
On Friday night there is a football game; on Saturday tours of the high school renovation project; and on Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. there will be a Silent and Live Auction at the Opera House at 140 W. Main St. With the entry fee of $25 you will receive a wine glass, unlimited beverages, delicious hors d'oeuvres and an opportunity to bid on some terrific auction items. Our wonderful Los Gatos store merchants and community members have generously donated items such as a diamond pendant from The Diamond Source, a diamond ring from Teel's Jewelry, sports memorabilia such as a baseball signed by Barry Bonds, dinners at local restaurants, vacation houses at Santa Cruz beach, Tahoe and Wyoming, trips around the world, gift certificates from almost every store and service in Los Gatos and much, much more.
The purpose of the auction is to raise money to set up an ongoing endowment fund to which Los Gatos High School teachers can submit grant requests for their specific needs. The allocation of funds will be administered by a committee of involved parents and community members. Over time these funds will benefit all LGHS students by helping to bring the interior of the school up to the standards of the new millennium. "A new building is not a classroom." There is more to do.
We hope you will join us for a great weekend of activities.
Joanne Rodgers
LGHSMF Chairwoman
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
