Letters

Team with most fans should get biggest bleachers

It is my understanding that approximately one year ago an agreement was made between Los Gatos and Saratoga High schools that would allow Los Gatos fans to sit on the home-team bleachers at Los Gatos High School when Saratoga is the "home" team and playing against Los Gatos. This agreement was made due to complaints of overcrowding of Los Gatos fans on the visitor side of the stadium.

I have recently learned that the superintendent of the district and the Saratoga High School principal are not going to abide by the agreement to switch sides.

I am very disappointed that the superintendent refuses to acknowledge the seating problem that occurs during Los Gatos vs. Saratoga games when Los Gatos fans have to sit on the visitor side. More Los Gatos fans attend these games than do Saratoga fans.

Approximately 3,000 people are being placed in an area that seats 2,000, and 2,000 fans are given the side of the stadium that seats 3,000. If a Los Gatos fan can get a seat, they have to sit shoulder-to-shoulder in a small area that cannot safely and comfortably accommodate them. Egos and politics need to be set aside and common sense should be used. Let the team with historically the largest fan attendance sit on the side with the most bleachers.

S. Michael Ferla
Los Gatos

Nearby quarry leaves scars on landscape

How many Los Gatans are aware that just beyond the ridgeline of our town there is a working quarry? It's operating in a 100-acre hillside parcel in the triangle of land between Lexington County Park, The Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve and St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve. It is surface mining unspoiled forests and leaving utter devastation in its wake.

The operators of the quarry have a long history of violating the provisions of its use permit. Some of these violations present a nuisance to the neighbors. Others threaten the environment and the integrity of the hillsides and local water quality. Notably, the quarry operator has failed to revegetate the completed cuts as required by the use permit. These huge ugly scars are bare and nearly devoid of vegetation a decade later.

They have now applied to expand the excavation all the way to the boundary of the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. They predict that mining in the new area will continue for 17 years. This expansion will increase the quarry's visibility from our local parks and Open Space.

Silt from the quarry runs off into Limekiln Creek, and from there it goes directly into Lexington Reservoir. Lexington is the water supply for the residents of Los Gatos.

The Santa Clara County Planning Department is considering the application for expansion, as well as a separate application to continue mining in the older areas of the quarry for another 10 years. Residents of the Los Gatos area, users of the parks and hiking trails, and anyone who is concerned about the long-term quality of life and our environment should raise their voices now, before the county of Santa Clara unleashes the quarry for 10 more years of uncontrolled destruction.

JoEllen Fishman
Los Gatos

New light will be costly and risky on Daves

Perhaps a restatement of the facts can clear up some mistaken opinions about the redesign of Winchester Boulevard near Daves Avenue.

The average road speed is 42 mph. A pedestrian, adult or child must cross 78 unprotected feet of road. Both traffic consultants stated we were lucky that no pedestrian had been killed yet. Many two-lane roads are designated "arterial," such as N. Santa Cruz Avenue and Highway 9.

There are no sidewalks on much of Winchester near Daves, and pedestrians have to walk and bike on a busy roadbed.

The wide two-way turn lane is sometimes used by impatient drivers as an unsafe passing lane to get around cars doing the 35-mph speed limit.

Both traffic consultants stated that a single northbound lane is more than sufficient to carry current and proposed traffic loads at the speed limit. Adult pedestrians, high schoolers on bikes and schoolchildren are all in jeopardy because the unnecessarily wide boulevard promotes speeding.

So what do we know for sure can promote safety? These are the facts about a light:

* A light will stop traffic, but we all know people speed up to make lights, and commuters race off from a stop.

* A light will not eliminate the 78 feet of wide-open road a pedestrian will cross.

* A light will not eliminate the need for all pedestrians to walk on the busy boulevard roadbed.

* It is the opinion of many neighbors that a light will be an attractive hazard, because it will offer a false sense of security as more people try to use it.

* It is also the opinion of many that bringing traffic to a full stop at Daves will just cause drivers to rush down Vineland Avenue.

We do know for a fact that there are other safety remedies.

* It is a proven fact that road design can calm traffic and promote safety. Removing one lane provides room for sidewalks.

* It is a proven fact that a modern roundabout will maintain traffic flow.

Detailed government studies show this to be the safest alternative.

A publication (Pub FHWA-RD-00-067) by the U.S. Department of Transportation clearly shows that there is plenty of room at Winchester/Daves for a modern roundabout.

* The roundabout design reduces the distance pedestrians cross unprotected and eliminates the dangerous extra northbound lane.

* The modern roundabout design slows traffic to 25 mph in this school area, and there is room for large 18-wheel moving van trucks to make any turn.

Studies have also proven that in-ground flashing lights are the most effective method to alert drivers to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk.

The Monte Sereno City Council did not get the factual information they requested; they paid nothing and got nothing of value in return.

It is the opinion of many that the only safe alternative is a removal of one lane between Bruce Avenue and Vineland, a modern roundabout at Daves, and in-ground pedestrian-activated flashers.

The sad fact is that putting in a light will cost the most and still leave the community at risk.

Mark Brodsky
Monte Sereno

Recent theater fundraiser a hugh success

On behalf of the Friends of Los Gatos Community Theatre committee and the Los Gatos Community Foundation, I would like to thank all those who support bringing live theater--in the form of The Los Gatos Shakespeare Festival--back to our town.

Our recent fundraiser at Mirassou Champagne Cellars was a tremendous success. Actors from the Festival Theatre Ensemble performed Airship of Fools, a comedic murder mystery, while we all enjoyed a sumptuous Bavarian buffet.

At the entrance to the dining hall, guests were thrilled by the elaborate model of the Lyndon Carriage House Bandstand and the portable Shakespearean stage, which we hope will grace Oak Meadow Park for the festival's planned 2002 opening season.

I would especially like to thank all the volunteers who spent many hours planning for the fundraiser and our many guests who shared in the evening's festivities, and all those who gave so generously in spite of not being able to attend.

We are planning our next fundraiser for March. To liven up those dreary months of winter, the champagne cellars will be transformed into an Elizabethan castle with wandering minstrels, jugglers, swordsmen and Renaissance merrymakers galore.

Mary Tomasi-Dubois
Los Gatos

Architecture committee to be changed

Monte Sereno is considering modifying the structure of its site and architecture committee. The site and architecture committee, which reviews new development and home remodels in the city, currently comprises two council members. If these council members are unable to agree on the project, the project is sent to the full council for final approval or denial. The council is currently considering changing this structure, such that the committee would be made up of three to five residents of Monte Sereno, appointed by the council. This new structure would enable an item to be heard by at least two people. If the item is appealed, the council will hear it for the first time, with no council members already committed to a particular point of view on the project.

The proposal to change the structure of the site and architecture committee is largely based on a desire to make the process more formal and fair to both applicant and affected neighborhood.

Barbara Nesbet
Mayor, Monte Sereno

Thanks to all who sold unity buttons

The week of Nov. 12, a check for $7,200 was mailed to P.S. 234, located three blocks from the World Trade Center in New York City. In addition, 700 unity buttons were sent so that these students could wear their buttons and know that we in Los Gatos are also wearing ours and thinking about them. The purpose of the project was not just to help provide monetary support, but, more importantly, to foster a sense of unity with and compassion for those who have lost so much.

The response from the Los Gatos community has been overwhelming and has really helped all of us with the healing process from the tragic events of Sept. 11.

The Operation Button Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the organizations that helped to sell the buttons.

Jan Blasberg
Los Gatos

Police Report

Carl Heintze: The Summer of Love

Community college district narrows redistricting scenarios

Local Home Sales Listings

Obituary: Heinz Reich

Picture From the Past

Sports Briefs

Wildcats win CCS football championship

LG boys prepare for Wildcat Shootout

Vikings win at East County Bowl