Saratoga News

LETTERS

Mayor's answers were reassuring

This letter was previously sent to Mayor Paul Jacobs. --Editor

Thank you for your letter of Jan. 5, concerning the disaster readiness of Saratoga. Your answers reassure me that the city did indeed do everything expected of it during the storm and outages of Dec. 11-16.

A thorough investigation into liaison with PG&E, or lack of same, is of major importance, not only to Saratoga, but to all the cities in California. I am glad to see you vigorously pursuing the problem. Solving the problems of communication in today's technology should not be difficult, but apparently there was a glitch in communication between the California Public Utilities Commission, all the cities, and the state Legislature governing these bodies.

I really appreciate your inclusion of the testimony you gave Jan. 4 to the legislative committees. That should make them all sit up and take note. It was clear, concise and impressive.

We are most fortunate to have you as our mayor.

Kathleen D. Harrington

Roble Court

Signs will help people find us

At their latest board of trustees meeting, the board of the Hakone Foundation noted with great pleasure that the signs directing the public to significant destination places have been installed. The board wanted me to express their thanks to the Saratoga Business Development Council for taking the lead in this effort.

Many times, people get lost or mighty confused in their attempt to find a certain destination in Saratoga, especially Hakone Gardens, when there is a business meeting or wedding with guests not familiar with the local area. Not only will people be better able to find Hakone Gardens and other destinations, but hopefully the direction signs may create added business for all of Saratoga. It seems that this was a win-win situation.

Keep up the good work.

Kay Duffy

President, Hakone Foundation

Hillside plan will protect our views

On Jan. 17, the city took a giant step forward in protecting our beautiful green foothills.

The council unanimously agreed to work with the county and three neighboring cities to prevent excessive growth and building on our hillsides. Together, we will write guidelines for development in the hillsides--guidelines that emphasize cooperative planning and limited growth.

The decision to work together is itself a victory.

Why? On a daily basis, Saratogans look at and live with county-based planning decisions in the foothills. In the future, the new planning strategy will give Saratogans a strong say in what these decisions are.

Working together will also promote a stable, long-term plan with clear objectives. Future developers and applicants will know what the plan is and that the county and the city will follow the plan. With everyone working from the same guidelines, residents are assured that their development concerns have been included in the plan, and developers know in advance what projects are feasible.

The new guidelines also include a growth boundary beyond which suburban development will cease. Large areas of our foothills--the highly visible greenbelt that enhances Saratoga--can remain forever green. A key objective is to prevent visually obtrusive development in the hillsides.

Where do we go from here? First, we'll confer with Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Cupertino and Santa Clara County to hammer out details. Then, in a few months, the final plan will come before the council at a public hearing.

Saratogans, come join the discussion as we try to finalize this important collaborative effort. Watch the Saratoga News for information on when future meetings will be held. We need to hear your views.

Gillian Moran

Vice Mayor, Saratoga

Our schoolchildren are unsafe at busy intersection

Sometimes I wonder, where is our city government when we need them? Our city has a major safety hazard affecting many Saratogans and our children. And even though there have been discussions, suggestions, letters and phone calls, nothing has been done to make the situation better.

Are our children expected to be able to cross through an intersection on their way to school either on foot or on bike when most cars cannot safely navigate their way through the traffic? As a parent with one child at Argonaut Elementary School and another at Redwood Middle School, I daily have to risk getting through the intersection at Scotland Drive and Saratoga Avenue. With the increased traffic flow, you take your life in your hands just to make a right onto Saratoga or a left onto Scotland from Saratoga.

I have scouted alternative routes through neighborhood streets, but there are no lights to help residents in the Golden Triangle get out onto Saratoga Avenue. This has become a problem since the opening of Highway 85.

I have personally observed four accidents at this intersection since the opening of Highway 85. I wonder how many I haven't seen. I was told that a light would be put up at this intersection after some other work was done, but it isn't there. I have written letters to Larry Perlin, city of Saratoga, who I was told was the person who could help. Nothing.

What is it going to take before somebody listens? I certainly hope not a child getting hit by a car. That would be criminal!

Melinda Ghavi

Via Grande Drive