Letters

There's no conflict in Barry's appointment to Planning Commission

Ann Marie Burger's letter in the Jan. 26 issue of the Saratoga News complains that the appointment of Dr. Cynthia Barry to the Planning Commission is a conflict because she is my wife and I am a member of the Governing Board at the West Valley-Mission Community College District.

Setting aside the fact that people who know us as a couple are rolling on the floor laughing at the suggestion that I dictate political decisions, or any other decisions, to my wife, the reality is there is almost no overlap between the items considered by the Saratoga Planning Commission and those items in front of the West Valley-Mission Community College Governing Board.

Ann Marie Burger's letter, however, goes on to raise the question of the "pillow talk" that occurs between myself and my wife, no doubt an effort on her part to raise the level of political discourse in Saratoga. Although I could claim privacy and remain silent, I will admit that most Saratoga residents would be shocked, just shocked, if they could hear the salacious discussions that occur in our home about applications for variances from side set-back limits, college partnerships with the Eastern European Social Services Agency, and the like.

At first blush, I thought that Ms. Burger's complaint about the council action in appointing Dr. Barry was sour grapes about her resounding defeat in her own re-election bid. But then I realized that her discussion of "pillow talk" in our house was consistent with her long-term status as one of Saratoga's most high-minded and positive residents.

I have taken Ms. Burger's concerns to heart and written to Jerry Springer suggesting that he do a show on "City Planning Commissioners whose husbands are College Board members." Surprisingly, I have not had a response yet, but when I do hear, Ann Marie Burger will be the first person I notify.

Jeffrey A. Schwartz
San Marcos Road

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