Saratoga News

LETTERS

Thanks for holding Decorate! contest

Many thanks to the Saratoga News and to the Odd Fellows Home for again sponsoring Decorate Saratoga! It was gratifying to learn that each year more residents participate in the contest.

To our family, entering the contest is a secondary issue. Our greatest satisfaction in decorating our home is knowing that we are celebrating a glorious time of year with fellow Saratogans.

We hope that the Saratoga News and the Odd Fellows Home will continue this worthy community activity.

Adrian Stanga

Carnelian Glen Court

Caldwell has earned Saratoga's respect

A belated congratulations to Clarence Cromwell for his excellent article on Meg Caldwell! He covered all of Meg's accomplishments--and previous attempts to put her in a bad light. Meg's record, however, has always spoken for itself. Saratoga will be poorer for its loss of Meg Caldwell as a planning commissioner.

I first met Meg in a political setting. But, as with many others I've met politically, I've gained a friendship I treasure. I admire a person who will adhere to her (or his) moral principles in all endeavors. Even planning commissioners (and, surprisingly, even the present mayor) who have disagreed with some of her convictions sincerely express their respect for this outstanding young lady.

Meg has more than earned that respect, and she has more than earned the additional time she will have with her husband, Bob, and their growing family. One more kudo is deserved in any comments about Meg. That would go to her mother, June, for raising not only Meg but also her sister, Jennifer Crotty, who is presently serving Saratoga as a parks and recreation commissioner. June and her husband must have had a super formula for parenting these daughters, as well as three other fine children.

Do I hope Meg might run for city council? For the sake of Saratoga, yes! For her own sake and that of her family, absolutely not. No person should bear the brunt of unfounded public vilification to which she was exposed two years ago.

Have a great time with your family and all of your interests, Meg. You deserve it.

Dora Grens

Old Oak Way

Accusations against Caldwell unfounded

The vitriolic, misguided letter [Saratoga News, Jan. 3] directed against one of Saratoga's most environmentally caring, knowledgeable individuals, namely Meg Caldwell, was nothing short of appalling. It is amazing that the author of that letter, who was instrumental in the election four years ago of two of the members of the city council--co-conspirators of hers in carrying out the dirtiest smear campaign in Saratoga's political history--is once more trying to dredge the myth out of the gutter that Meg Caldwell was a racist. Despite admitting in the wake of the election that she was not a racist, they lacked enough character to apologize for their malicious allegations.

Ms. Caldwell is now a professor of environmental law at the prestigious Stanford Law School. She is moral, dedicated, skilled and could have been one of Saratoga's most valuable assets, had she been elected to the council. She has given much of her time and expertise to the Saratoga Planning Commission. I feel certain that she no longer cares to once more become involved with the muck and grime of Saratoga politics, but will benefit society on a higher plane where her contributions will be recognized and appreciated. As her mother, June, has said, "She can look in the mirror each morning and be proud of what she sees."

F.L. Stutzman

Park Drive