Saratoga News

Letters

Road collapse creates a dangerous situation

After the recent rains, Villa Oaks Lane collapsed close to Mt. Eden Road, also severely impacting the home that was newly built there. This is part of Mount Eden Estates. Right now, this creates a dangerous situation. The people living in this development now have to use the emergency exit through Quarry Road.

For the sake of all the homeowners (including those who own Quarry Road and had big expenses for repair in the past and now suffer heavy traffic), please come up with a speedy plan for road repair on Villa Oaks.

Even more importantly, avoid future disasters like this by proper planning. Insufficient geological studies were made for Mount Eden Estates at the time. On top of that, it seems that the sad story of neglect to mitigate against unstable land repeats itself over and over again. In May 1996, the Planning Commission gave the green light (over my written and verbal protests) for a lot line adjustment resulting in two extra lots in this development without an environmental impact report. These two lots are in the worst part of the development, in a flood zone and slide area.

Big trucks for the repair of Villa Oaks using the fragile Quarry Road in itself will give problems. But these repairs have to be done. However, any truck traffic for further development of this area is irresponsible at this time.

As City Council, you are responsible to avoid further personal and financial damage to this area. Therefore, I request urgently that you put a total and full moratorium on any further development of this area (Mt. Eden Estates) until the road is fixed and proper environmental and geological studies are done.

A copy of this letter was sent to the Saratoga City Council.

Willem A. Kohler
Via Regina

For the true facts, send for a report

Three major newspapers have exposed the falsity of the charges that the CIA was responsible for the introduction of crack cocaine into the inner cities of America. But those charges, first published by the San Jose Mercury News, are still being discussed on the airways, doing immeasurable damage to race relations in this country.

If you would like to know the true facts, send for "The CIA and Coke--Media Malpractice," a new report by Accuracy in Media. Just send a stamped, self-addressed #10 envelope to AIM, 4455 Connecticut Ave., N. W., Suite 330, Washington, DC 20008.

Walter J. Ballard
Swarthmore Drive

SHS class of 1982 gets its own Web page

I wanted to let the Saratoga News know of a Web page I have created for my graduating class, Saratoga High School Class of 1982.

This page lists all the alumni and teachers with any information that I have been able to find, either from newspaper accounts or from the people themselves. It is very interesting to find out what people are doing, where to send them email, etc.

The page is at http://home.sprynet. com/sprynet/davlo/class82.htm.

I would love it if there was a way to mention it in the Saratoga News, as the more people who see that this resource exists, the more alumni information there will be on the page. Class members who want to email me information can do so at davlo@sprynet.com.

David Lober
Saratoga High School Class of '82
Los Angeles

Postmaster invited to explain problems

The Saratoga Good Government Group has been trying since late October to schedule the acting Saratoga postmaster to speak to our members so we could better understand the problems of late mail delivery.

One of the purposes of our organization is to inquire into issues brought up by our members and to become informed before taking any needed action. GGG directors were concerned for the hardworking postal carriers and the difficulties of delivering mail so late. For example, we live on a very dark, steep hill, and neighbors have expressed concerns about our outstanding female carrier having to make deliveries so late. Hopefully, Mr. Holbrook will take the time to attend the GGG board meeting when the postmaster finds time to talk to us and learn both sides of this issue. The problem is not compassion but expectation and mail carrier safety.

Marlene Duffin
Treasurer, Saratoga Good Government Group
Canyon View Drive

Volunteers wrapped, packed for the poor

Volunteers from the Saratoga Ward of the Church of Latter-Day Saints joined with other volunteers from various Christian churches from Morgan Hill and Cupertino to spend an evening wrapping toys and packing family food boxes for the poor at City Team Ministries Dec. 19. Thank you to all who helped.

As the poor and hungry need help throughout the entire year, any who wish to continue helping City Team Ministries, a nondenominational charity focusing on promoting personal responsibility and self-help, may call 232-5600 for further information.

Teri Jones
Saratoga Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
19100 Allendale Ave.

On 'Hello' and 'Bonjour'

I found it interesting that according to Carl Heintze's article ("Canada grapples with separation issue," Jan. 1), Canadian secretaries are required to answer the telephones by saying both "Hello" and "Bonjour." In our stay in Paris, we had breakfast several times near the hotel clerk who always answered the phone with "Allo" (hello) and never "Bonjour," even though the rest of the conversation was in French. It does not seem possible that the Canadians are more strict than the Parisians when it comes to the French language.

Norman J. Martin
njmartin@juno.com

Postal service still late, but improved

We're still having some difficulties with late delivery on our street, but they are considerably less than previously.

We are still not receiving some of our bulk mail (I'm not certain that I should complain about that!), specifically the coupon books being sent by Gene's Market. According to them, they are mailed to everyone in Saratoga, and we have never received ours. When I rechecked with Gene's (as well as the P.O.), I was told that the booklets are given to the P.O., and it's up to the mailmen to deliver them. So, there we are; we still aren't receiving ours.

Another note is that we have had the same difficulties with mail delivery for at least five years--long before the recent staff shortage that the temporary postmaster mentioned. We've also had only one steady mailman in the past 15 years and he was on this route for approximately one year--he was good, but he quit to pursue another career.

Thank you again for your recent article; it certainly stirred the pot in this neighborhood and, from the letters in your paper, apparently a few others' pots as well. Keep up the good work!

Marcia Fariss
Saratoga Glen Place
Marcia@Gizmology.com