About wonderful DeCinzo's Sept. 28 cartoon--Chris Wiley, you need a little sense of humor. That cartoon was funny no matter where NetFlix sends the DVDs from, and I'm glad they are so successful. Get a life, Chris Wiley. The cartoons are so on and so funny.

Eleanor Bartschi

Los Gatos

U.S. never has
been 'one nation
under God'

To correct Julie Howe's letter of Sept. 28 ("Analysis flawed in 'under God' editorial"), I would like to point out that the United States never has been, and never will be, "one nation under God." Such a state has never existed here for one moment culturally, legally, mathematically or philosophically. In addition, the heavily precedented practice of separating church and state throughout the course of U.S. history has been one of the outstanding factors in the economic and civil success of this country, relative to the rest of the world.

William Lorton

Los Angeles

Editorial works
to divide us
against each other

I was saddened to see your long editorial (Sept. 21, " 'Under God' unconstitutional in the Pledge of Allegiance?") where you work so very hard to divide us against one another. For many years it has been acceptable to just be quiet if one did not want to say "under God."

History shows that the founders of this country did acknowledge God as they established this country. Why must we deny that and then agree with you and your ungodly friends? Can't you see that "tolerance" should go both ways? Speak or don't speak, but please don't try to make me say that you are right.

Frank Patten

Saratoga

Harris' project
offers benefits
for community

Your Aug. 31 story, "Hillside residents dive in to support development near Shady Lane," is misleading as it inaccurately suggests developer Sandy Harris is buying support for his Highlands Development in exchange for water.

His planned 19 lots on 66 acres is in an area tucked into the hills and less visible than most of the other homes existing in the area. Lots are zoned for 2 ¹/2 acres, and 38 acres will be dedicated scenic open space, making it one of the lowest density areas in Los Gatos. Mr. Harris is planning on living in one of the homes he builds in this development, and has garnered the support of the neighbors by meeting with us to share his proposed development, and listening to our concerns.

In addition, Mr. Harris is offering valuable community benefits to the residents of 30 homes on Drysdale Drive, Gum Tree Lane, Francis Oaks Way and Shannon Road, if he is able to build all 19 proposed lots. He is bringing needed utility and safety infrastructure nearby, and is offering to enable the neighboring homeowners with access to the aforementioned improvements.

In many cases, these pre-existing homes suffer from utility access that would be considered substandard today. Residents on these streets are living with low water pressure, aging water systems and inadequate fire protection. Harris is building a multimillion-dollar water system for his development and has offered to provide direct connections to San Jose Water Company, and fire hydrants backed with adequate water pressure, to all these residents.

This opportunity to bring infrastructure up to modern day standards is an opportunity hillside residents do not want to miss out on, and expect planning commission members and town council members to do the right thing when working out the implementation of this development--recognizing the resultant benefit and improvement to the constituents and town at large.

San Jose Water Company will not accept our current water infrastructure in its present state. There is not enough water volume to add additional homes on their current main on Shady Lane. The only solution for improving our water situation is to spend millions of dollars for a new water system, an unaffordable proposition for the residents of this area. This is an opportunity to correct a problem that has been uncorrectable.

Sandy Harris' Highlands development is well planned, low density and preserves dedicated scenic open space, and for those reasons we are in support of it. The added benefit of updating water infrastructure for all his surrounding neighbors shows a commitment to improving the community in which he plans to reside.

Lynn Waters and David Sinofsky

Los Gatos

What's the whole
story on the
logging issue?

OK, I have seen enough of the letters to the editor regarding the local logging issue saying what a horrible thing this will be, how it will cause added traffic, fire danger, water problems, etc. I don't claim to be a "bird expert" or a "water erosion spokesman" nor any other spokesperson that the opponents to the logging proposal feel they need to have speak to get their feelings heard.

I am, though, a person who feels that the whole issue should be heard. I am a firefighter in Santa Cruz County, with a degree in forestry, and have over the years seen excellent logging practices and equally poor practices that lead to erosion, loss in habitat to wildlife and increased fire danger.

When a logging proposal is developed it goes through many levels of approvals before it is even brought up for bid. Rest assured it's not like going down to the county to get a permit for a fence in which the owner pays a small fee, goes to the lumber yard and purchases redwood to build the fence. Did I say redwood? I wonder where that lumber came from?

As far as the bid goes, apparently it went to Big Creek Lumber. I guess the opponents to this logging failed to mention that Big Creek has one of the best track records in the West--not in California, but in the western states--when it comes to logging practices and the demands that are put on the company to adhere to all environmental requirements as well as fire suppression capabilities while on the logging site.

Logging in Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties and the environmental issues that must be met is no easy task. So I say to you opponents out there--tell the whole story or at least educate yourself.

I have not been to the site, and I don't claim to be an expert. I do know that thinning of the forest leads to reduced fire danger--more like when a fire does start in a thinned out area it has less chance of getting into the tops of trees and "crowning out," which leads to catastrophic results. It also allows for smaller trees to reach maturity.

The logging company will be required to remove the slash. They will also be required to install water bars and other erosion control measures. If they don't, they pay heavy fines. The work is done and the company is billed--I don't think Big Creek works that way.

As far as increased traffic--give me a break, it's already maxed out. Loss of habitat to local wildlife--what do you think happened in the Lexington fire? Water pollution due to runoff at Lexington--last time I checked that water was used for drinking, thus it goes through the treatment facility first.

I understand the valid concerns the opponents have to this issue and I don't take them lightly, nor should you. I do know that these concerns have been reviewed and must be adhered to for all those involved. What I don't like is the whole story not
sbeing told.

Ron Carson

Los Gatos

CORRECTIONS

In the "Beer Here" story published on Oct. 5, the founders of the Los Gatos Brewing Company were incorrectly identified. The founding fathers of the brewery were Tom Earle, Bob Keller and Tedd Wallace.