Animals snuggle in blankets at the shelter
On behalf of the animals that seek shelter at the Humane Society of Santa Clara Valley, I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the community for their tremendous support and show of love during our holiday blanket and towel drive.
An overwhelming 8,000-plus blankets, towels, sheets and rugs were dropped off with words of kindness and love for the animals.
The bedding is much needed as the Humane Society of Santa Clara Valley cares for approximately 40,000 homeless animals each and every year.
They'll certainly be put to good use, as each animal will be bedded down with a warm, snuggly blanket as they await a new home. Ninety-five percent of the animals who are placed for adoption find new homes.
Thanks for making their stay at the Humane Society more confortable.
Leslie Baikie
Humane Society of Santa Clara Valley
What's wrong with the word "competition"?
I am pleased that the Planning Commission decided not to approve Starbucks' application on Jan. 22. However, I am disappointed that the issue of competition was not allowed to enter into consideration for the basis of their decision. The Planning Commission and Planning Department were so opposed to the use of the word competition that they both are in denial of so basic a consideration when it comes to approving a conditional use permit.
Chapters 15-19 of the zoning regulations state that the purpose of the zoning ordinance is to (a) provide appropriately located areas for retail and service establishments, (b) to implement the Saratoga Village Plan and achieve the following objectives: encouragement of a town-center mix of specialty shops, restaurants, convenience shops, services and residences.
The idea of selecting a concept and choosing proper business mixes is supported in the Saratoga General Plan of May 5, 1983. In resolution #430.2, it adopts the General Plan guiding the long-term development of Saratoga (pages 1-15). "The economic viability of the Village would be strengthened if the city did not permit more competing shopping areas to be built elsewhere in Saratoga."
The Economic Development Plan prepared on May 26, 1996, for Saratoga's commercial areas says to "consider competitive issues for the long-term benefit of Saratoga." The Saratoga City Council had made a commitment to a viable business climate throughout the city. To this end, the Saratoga Business Development Council was established to develop strategies that would implement this commitment. The City Council authorized the preparation of an Economic Development Plan by Dave Kilbourne of Downtown Revitalization Consultants at a cost of $17,000. It provides specific recommendations regarding the attraction of appropriate new business uses in the area. It emphasized the small town, quaint, friendly, community atmosphere and ambiance of Saratoga and the need to emphasize this uniqueness (page 4). It emphasized the lack of diversified stores and limited selection that Saratoga offers (pages 5 and 13). It recommends the expansion of the diversity of the current business mix (page 19). All of these recommendations involve the choice of one business over another. They imply responsibility to select from appropriate concepts on the basis of what will serve Saratoga the best.
If we deny the argument of competition as being a factor for decision-making at the planning level, we choose to allow our town to develop according to the worst kind of free-market philosophy. Make no mistake about it, I do not intend to denounce the free-market system, rather to apply its great capacity for growth and variety by choosing what is right for our town.
Liz Singer
Houston Court
What else to do with humongous tire dumps?
The opponents of burning tires as part of the fuel at the Kaiser Cement Plant apparently refuse to look at the data collected by an independent company; this attitude is exemplified by Barbara Kilburn's letter in your Jan. 29 issue. The fact is, if anyone cares to look, that there is virtually no difference in effluent from the cement plant whether tires are burned or not. Furthermore, the emissions that do leave the filters are insignificant--barely above the limits of analysis. Ms. Kilburn suggests Seattle's tire reef as the alternative. Come on! We're talking about adding 260,000,000 tires per year, every year, to already humongous tire dumps!
Anyone actually interested in the factual numbers is welcome to call me.
Robert Wallace
Foothill Lane
Put Starbucks in Argonaut Center
I understand and empathize with the Village merchants who are in favor of Starbucks' opening there. And I am not opposed to any other "chain" business coming to the Village, so long as the neighboring residents are not disturbed. But I do not believe we need another coffeehouse in our downtown; we already have several fine ones which serve the Village very well.
Why not open a Starbucks in the Argonaut Shopping Center? I think it would do a great business. There's plenty of parking, and there's an actual need in that location!
Charlotte Sparacino
Springer Avenue
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, February 12, 1997.
©1997 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.