Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Letters

High school owes the community some answers

As a near 50-year Monte Sereno/Los Gatos resident who relies on marijuana to cope with the cramps, pains and nausea of HIV and related conditions, including, presently, tuberculosis, I would like to thank all who voted for Proposition 215.

You voted with your hearts to help the weaker, often poorer, members of society who often have little strength or energy left to defend themselves.

Regrettably, among those subjected to a heavy-handed display of domination by forces opposed to Proposition 215 were the students of Los Gatos High School, who became the unwitting objects of a macabre pre-Halloween night staged by self-promoting politicos, a rightist klatch pandered to by a morally incontinent school administration.

School officials need to explain this abrogation of civil rights and whether school funds were used for this conference.

I would also suggest that the school board carry out an investigation of this sordid affair with an eye to creating a sense of ethos where there is now seemingly none.

Jacob Schurman
Monte Sereno

Letter writer thinks his way is the only way

We have heard Larry Arzie speak on and on about how poorly this town is run. Judging by his letter to the editor in the Oct. 30 issue of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, he seems to think he's the only one with a sense of the direction that this town should take. My suggestion to Mr. Arzie is that he should "put his money where his mouth is," and place himself under the public's scrutiny.

Chris Rollice
Los Gatos

Thanks for making me the best clergyman

I wish to express my appreciation to the Los Gatos Weekly-Times for listing the "Best member of the clergy" as a category in Best of Los Gatos 1996 for our wonderful town. Your newspaper is to be saluted for bringing out the best in and among us. Thank you.

To everyone in the area, I invite you to meet the fantastic folks of the Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. worship, and education at 11 a.m. The congregation of friendship and joy made it possible for me to be an effective minister and the "best."

Rev. Jeffrey L. Kane
Presbyterian Church

The spirits say thanks, Los Gatos

The spirits of Halloween are alive and well and living in Los Gatos. Our extended family of old witches, dead fisherman, pirates, road-kill and a dead archer wanted to let you know how very much we appreciated and enjoyed our night among the living.

Los Gatans did more than rise to the occasion. The reception was spectacular! Haunted houses, dancing ghosts, eerie choirs, fantastic pumpkins and unbelievable generosity not only fed the tummies but the imaginations. What fun! What joy! What a town! Thanks from the resurrected. Charles, Kendall and Chris Phillip-Self, Mallory and Cecelia Burda, Scott Brown, Michael and Michelle Johnson and Carol Schrager.

Chris Self
Los Gatos

Book on slurs, building shapes could be helpful

I was surprised to learn from a recent letter in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times that the term "bohunk" is an ethnic slur. I had heard the term before, but never was it intended to hurt or offend someone. I am sure that most people, including the writer who used the word, would never knowingly use an ethnic slur.

Maybe someone should come up with a book of ethnic slurs to prevent us from accidentally offending people, since some people are looking, hoping to find something "offensive."

While we're at it, perhaps there should be a book showing acceptable shapes for buildings, so people with their minds in the sewer won't be offended by domed towers. I guess everything is offensive to someone on the planet.

Rachel J. Bingham
Los Gatos

Elections provided message beyond winners and losers

I agree with the Nov. 13 editorial in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times that the rumors that circulated around the just-completed council campaign were mean-spirited. I also believe that these rumors helped to scare many voters away from Jensen and Jones.

Instead of clouding issues with rumors, what is a truth is that a sizable chunk of the voters wanted a change toward a line-item budget, full disclosure of all town-related budgets and protection of services.

In the election, Jensen and Jones received thousands of votes. There could only be two winners, and Jensen and Jones were not them. But, is our community's future based completely on win or lose?

What about the thousands of voters who wanted Jensen and/or Jones? Will their voices be silenced or ignored? Will the issues of creating a line-item budget, full disclosure of all town-related budgets and protection of services not be addressed? I hope not.

Carol Ann Weber
Los Gatos

Maybe UN flag should fly over Council Chambers

Newly elected Los Gatos Council member Jan Hutchins was quoted in the Mercury News saying, "I am a citizen of the universe. Why shouldn't I pledge allegiance to all of humanity?" His pronounced plan to not salute the American flag at council meetings will surely trouble many who understand and respect just what the stars and stripes represent to the people of the greatest nation on earth.

As a talented young communicator coming out of the political starting gate, Mr. Hutchins will hopefully reconsider his position and include Old Glory in his activities. Or perhaps the United Nations flag will fly over Town Council Chambers, and Los Gatos Boulevard will become Boutros Boutros Boulevard?!

Ron Fink
Los Gatos

Support is step toward citizen- friendly council

I want to express my appreciation for the even-handed editorial in the Nov. 13 issue of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times regarding the results of the Monte Sereno council election.

It was particularly refreshing in view of some of the invective being spread during the election campaign.

By the same token, it was indeed gratifying to receive the votes of so many of our citizens.

This show of support is a great encouragement as a first step along the path toward a truly citizen-friendly council and demonstrates the interest and involvement of the community in their city representatives.

I certainly intend to do my very best over the next four years to justify the confidence placed in me by the voters.

Gordon Knight
Monte Sereno

It's time to roll up sleeves and get back to work

It is no secret that I would have preferred another result to our local Town Council races. I have made my views known on this subject in the pages of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times and elsewhere. I will not now unsay one word.

However, I would like to extend my congratulations to the victors. As colleagues, we will face many difficult decisions. Let us confront them together instead of separately. Let us devote our energies to issues, not invective. Let us work cooperatively on behalf of all of our citizens. I extend my hand in congratulations and friendship.

Steven Blanton
member, Los Gatos Town Council

Hutchins wants to bite the hand that fed him

I have had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Jan Hutchins on a few occasions. He certainly seems like a nice enough gentleman.

Then I read an article in the Mercury News discussing his quirky "Zen-like" personality.

I naturally got all misty-eyed by reports of his "veering from mud-slinging" and "brotherly love," but Mr. Kumbaya has something figured out very wrong.

Hutchins plans to refuse to salute the American flag. He claims to take oaths very seriously, and the issue concerning the flag is too complex for him. What? Are you kidding me? What does he think gave him the opportunity and freedom to now serve as a elected councilmember?

In the article, Hutchins asks, "Why shouldn't I pledge allegiance to all humanity?" Well, pal, humanity didn't vote and elect you, people who understand the complexities of the American flag did. (Try running for council of all humanity and see where that gets you.)

The refusal to honor our nation's symbol is a slap in the face to all who voted for or against him. The right to run for office, fly to Hawaii or around the world, and live life comfortably in Los Gatos is courtesy of the American flag, complex or not.

This is not an issue about the flag, this is an issue of an elected official using and benefiting from our democratic process and our rights given to us as Americans, and then biting the hand that just fed him!

I'm not trying to rally the nation. I'm not even old enough to have served in a military draft. I just think his position is self-serving and certainly does nothing for humanity, let alone the voting people of Los Gatos.

Bob Smithe
Los Gatos