Los Gatos Weekly-TimesLettersPG& E attorney looks at sites as alternatives This past week, PG&E attorney Charles Lewis submitted an aerial map identifying 16 alternative sites for the placement of transformers, 230 kV wires, and towers originally proposed for the PG&E property at Lark Avenue and Winchester Boulevard. Needless to say, the residents of Los Gatos and Monte Sereno are extremely optimistic, as eight of the alternative sites would finally allow for the removal of 230 kV wires and towers from Courtside, Newell Avenue, Lark Avenue, and the Vasona residential area. Although PG&E must still evaluate each of the 16 alternative sites, the volunteers who have put in hours of work and contributed to the legal fund can see some light at the end of the tunnel. Meanwhile, PG&E is engaged in completing a project [CPUC Application No. 1701-E] designed to "ring" Silicon Valley by connecting the Dixon Landing Substation [Fremont area] to the Monta Vista Substation in Cupertino and the Metcalf-Monta Vista 230 kV transmission line that runs from Saratoga through Los Gatos to the Hicks Substation. The transformers proposed for the Los Gatos area and Zanker Road [San Jose] will be a vital part of this project to generate "greater electric capacity" and complete the circle around the valley. The next step in the "transformer story" will be to wait for the final PG&E recommendation of a "reasonable" site. We thank PG&E attorney Charles Lewis and chief planner Robert Masouka for their dedication in looking for a solution that will benefit the residents of Los Gatos and Monte Sereno. In addition, attorney Patrick Power [representing the residents and Boccardo Corporation] must be commended for his outstanding effort.
Bill and Ann Burns CASA represents parents who care I take exception to the letter from Harriet Meshke in the Oct. 15 issue of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times alleging that Community Against Substance Abuse (CASA) represents itself as the entire parent community. In fact, CASA represents only one segment of the parent population, the one that believes that something should be done about the teen drug and alcohol problem. There is no purpose in standing idly by, criticizing, while the problem persists because no one can agree. CASA, along with members of the entire community, is seeking answers to this serious problem, but unfortunately the problem is complex and the answers are not so easy. The canine drug-detection program has been tried in other communities and has shown some success. We understand that it is not a panacea and that drugs will not halt if this program is adopted, but students do refrain from bringing drugs onto campus. In addition, if Ms. Meshke had done her homework, she would have found that this program does not involve the police department, nor does it necessarily involve the criminal justice system. It is completely up to the discretion of the administration to deal with students that are found to be in possession. The breathalyzer and drug-sniffing dogs are both ways that we can teach our children that we stand for zero tolerance on drugs. The bottom line is this: drinking is for those over 21 and drug use is illegal at any age. Neither belongs on a high school campus. Regarding fairness, I think it's extremely fair that our students should expect to have a drug-free school and drug-free events. In a recent random poll by the LGHS newspaper, 57 of 93 students agreed that the drug-sniffing dog was a good idea. Believe it or not, there are students who believe that parents and the community should take this problem out of their young hands. That is the ultimately fair solution.
Kathie Friedland Homeowners group objects to PG&E's substation plans As president of the Wimbledon Place Home Owners Association, I am writing on behalf of our board of directors. We represent the residents of 111 households in the immediate area of Winchester Boulevard and Lark Avenue. Our board strongly objects to CPU Application No. A97-04-043. Our community is very concerned about the potential fire danger, additional wire noise, property value reduction, EMF effects (unknown), aesthetics of the area and general quality of life the substation and associated electrical wire systems would bring to our residential area. There are at least nine reasonable alternative sites that have been identified in the CPUC ruling dated Aug. 28, 1997, where PG&E can place its transformers, 250kV wires and towers in locations that are not in a high-density residential and recreational area. I encourage the California Public Utilities Commission and PG&E to listen to the reaction of the local community. I am confident that with additional research and planning, a mutually agreeable solution can be reached that meets the needs of both the community and PG&E.
Eric Lynch
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This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, October 22, 1997. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||