I am a neighborhood resident near the Christmas light controversy and I feel there is more to say on this issue. My home is on the other side of Bicknell and was not directly impacted by the heavy traffic, however I saw firsthand why the Nguyens were frustrated.

My children have taken music lessons at the Nguyen home for eight to nine years. No music parent has ever blocked or made it difficult to get in or out of the street. The Nguyens are not the "bad guys" in this situation. How many people would want to come home at night and have to get in line to get to their home? I have waited in line to drop off or pick up my kids for music lessons on Friday evenings and changed their lessons since I was tired of waiting to get into the cul-de-sac.

Our family knows the Nguyens, especially Susan who has taught music with a passion to our children. She and her family do not deserve this publicity as the bad guys. I think it is in such poor taste for the Aertses to put up that Grinch. I feel they are just begging for more public attention. It is also sad to see people who make Toys for Tots a venue to gain media attention.

I personally know the good side of the Nguyens. They are quiet, thoughtful, generous people who do not want to make a public spectacle. They just want the right to also enjoy their own freedom.

I would challenge anyone who wants the Christmas light extravaganza to have the Aertses put it on their street for a season. How many people would welcome it back the following year?

I love Christmas lights and my children do as well. We decorate every year but are always aware of being respectful to our neighbors. We cherish our relationship with them. It is too bad Mr. Peake, who owned the Aertses' land when it was the dairy, couldn't be here to give his opinion. My years of purchasing milk from Mr. Peake showed me a sweet and simple man who would have never imagined such animosity existed in his neighborhood.

Sally Baum

Los Gatos

Area paramedics
need additional
resources

A few days ago while doing some chores around the house, I could hear the sirens from emergency vehicles loud and clear. After I finished my chores, I decided to get in my car and run some errands. About two blocks away I came upon the scene of an accident. As I passed, the ambulance arrived. I'm not sure of the time frame from when I first heard the sirens and seeing the arrival of the ambulance, but considering I finished what I was doing, locked up the house, got the car out of the garage and drove two blocks to the scene of the accident, we are dealing with more than just a few minutes. I wonder if there is anyone who monitors the level of service provided by the emergency ambulance services in and around Los Gatos?

To some of the readers of this letter, this question may seem to be superfluous. But let us not forget in an emergency every minute counts.

The paramedics are doing a wonderful job, but they don't have the resources available that a hospital can provide.

Egon Jensen

Los Gatos

Wasserman goes
above, beyond
to honor soldier

I would like to express my family's appreciation to our new mayor, Mike Wasserman for his kindness, toward our son, Ben Dickinson, upon his return home from combat in Iraq. Ben is a member of the United States Marine Corps and was wounded in the assault on Fallujah in November. Mike was among the friends and family to greet Ben the night of his arrival home.

Mayor Wasserman spearheaded the effort to present our son with a commendation from the town in recognition of service to his country. Mike presented Ben with this honor during the town council meeting earlier this month. It is a refreshing change to have a mayor so willing to publicly recognize those who serve in the military.

Martha Dickinson

Los Gatos

Numbers don't add up in town clerk story

Forgive me, my college degree was in something other than math. Let's see if I understand the situation:

Town Clerk Marion Cosgrove received $56,001 for doing two jobs. Those two jobs were split up, and Ms. Cosgrove now receives $1,800 for doing one of those jobs. The second job is being done by someone else (Ms. Rasmussen) for $91,750? Is that last salary figure a misprint? Or is this an example of "fuzzy math?"

B.M. Thompson

Los Gatos