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Letters
Town Council just doesn't seem to hear
After hearing Video Era had closed because it couldn't compete with the huge video chain store the Town Council allowed in (not to mention the ridiculous building they approved), it occurs to me that our "small town" is fading away a piece at a time. One after another our small town businesses are being replaced by big chain stores that are not a part of our community.
Many of us actually know the owners and the people who work in the small businesses by name and they know us; this is community.
It is obvious the Town Council has total disregard for its citizens' wishes--note the North Forty plan. No matter what we as the citizens want, the Council has already stated they will not amend "their plan."
Our community is fading from small-town shops into chain stores and strip malls.
I guess we have two choices--move to another small town, although there really isn't another small town like Los Gatos, or replace the Town Council with some folks who are more in tune with our wishes.
I purposely left out the third choice--ask to be annexed into the county.
Dennis McCarney
Los Gatos
'70s may have been bad, but not for baseball
After reading of coach Joe Winstead and coach Wayne Senini's retirement from coaching at LGHS in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, I think many former students were surprised as it was assumed they would both go on coaching far into the next century.
As the shock gradually wore off, I realized, leafing through coach Winstead's famous year-by-year team compilation book, that I am the only former player ('78) to have the necessary firsthand knowledge to compile a '70s dream team.
I played with many of the players from the mid- to late '70s, and I acted as batboy, dugout visitor and spectator at my older brothers' athletic endeavors--Jim, Class of '72, ran track during baseball but played in many summer leagues, and Matt, Class of '74, played in Little League, Pony, Colt, Babe Ruth, PAL and other summer leagues over the years. I saw nearly all of the players in the 1970s while consuming an equally uncountable number of Red Vines, sunflower seeds and Mr. Freeze pops.
With little to no knowledge of anything that has come before or after, I find myself trapped in a 1970s time warp in Los Gatos baseball. One may think the much-maligned decade of the 1970s a rather unfortunate time and place in history to be trapped in. On the contrary, it was a very good place to be concerning baseball in Los Gatos.
I had great fun playing with and watching these players over the years. I could have selfishly named myself to finally be on the same team as my brother Matt, however mythical the team may be, but to maintain the integrity of the selection process and to not diminish the deeds of the players named, I will fulfill my predestined legacy to merely transcribe for history this impressive team.
I give advance apologies to those players not selected. However, if you peaked playing at the late, beloved Balzer Field or at Fisher Junior High, you did severe damage to your chances of being named, but can seek consolation in knowing you played in this decade.
Legitimate and well-founded debate to this list is left for late-night discussions with the beverage and location of one's choice. Please do not bore wives and friends, however, with this discussion.
Eligibility is based on playing in the 1970s. It should be noted that the '70s players were the last to play on the all-dirt infield before it was "softened" up for later generations with a new grass infield, so this will also double as the Los Gatos Team of the Millennium. The starting lineup and batting order is as follows.
Los Gatos Varsity Baseball 1970s Dream Team: Don Sanford '73 CF; Sean Everton '76 2B; Glenn Williams '72 LF; John Baggerly '72 1B; Gary Lynn '74 RF; Danny Mullins '76 3B; Ron Hansen '79 C; Mike Denevi '71 SS; Mike Couchee '76 P.
Reserve Pitchers: Dan Dolen '70; Rick Urbano '70; Dave Wright '70; Rick Bauer '73; Jeff McClain '77 and '78; Dave Niemec '78 and '79.
Utility: Bob Johns '72; Tom Rodriguez '72; Doug Teese '74; Matt Vaughan '74; Steve Hosmer '75; Holden Smith '76; Jeff Petulla '79; Greg Kolte '79; Tom Beck '79.
Manager, coach Winstead; assistant manager, coach Senini; mentor to all, Mr. Dilles.
A final congratulation to coach Winstead for being inducted into the San Jose State Baseball Hall of Fame.
Dan Vaughan
LGHS Class of '78 Oakland
Thanks for the Best of vote
I would like to thank those who took the time to vote for me as Best Bet for a 2000 Council Seat. A representative government like that of Los Gatos can work only if communication between those being represented and those representing occurs.
My decision to run will depend on my being sure that I've heard and can act on the many needs of the people of this wonderful community I've lived in and loved for more than 30 years.
Sandy Decker
Los Gatos
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
