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Letters
DeCinzo ought to listen first
I would like to address the DeCinzo "cartoon" that appeared in the Jan. 12 issue of the Saratoga News. How sad it is that a person would, so publicly, display his lack of knowledge on so many subjects.
I was taught in Catholic school that the first rule of "engagement" was to read and know what you are talking about before opening your mouth. After seeing Mr. DeCinzo's work, one can see why the education system in California got such a bad report card. He does not know of what he speaks.
I would suggest that he do several things: listen to Sr. Helen Prejean; hear what she has to say; and disagree if he chooses.
She is not here to force anyone to agree, she is simply sharing why it is important to be open to life and live the Gospel message. It is obvious to me that Mr. DeCinzo has an ax to grind and is afraid to face the issue with a priest, a religious or a layperson of knowledge. We must treat one another with respect and dignity in order to bring peace and justice to this weary planet.
Sandy Sifferman
Greenmeadow Lane
A donation better than building a sports center
I read the article in the Jan 19 issue of the Saratoga News regarding Nemat Maleksalehi's generous offer to build an indoor sports facility for the city. As a city of Saratoga Child Care Coordinator, I'd like to commend and thank him.
The Los Gatos-Saratoga Department of Community Education and Recreation has been conducting a strategic study in regard to the community's needs. One major area of need has been established to be a sports center for the youth. However, to have an individual build and run such a facility for the youth, with the intention of making money (in the short or long run) will create more of a hassle than not.
On that note, once we are ready to build a facility, we'd like to receive the $200,000 suggested gift donation from Mr. Maleksalehi, without troubling him for the building or management of the facility.
Marjan Sharifnejad
City of Saratoga Child Care Coordinator
Board Member, LG-Saratoga Dept. of Community Education and Recreation
Cheer team isn't all frills and pom-poms
Our community consists of many organizations, some of which benefit our community directly. The Los Gatos Tigers Cheer team (which includes members who live in Saratoga) is one of those groups. The Tigers provide an avenue to build smart and athletic leaders within the community. The Tigers also encourage sportsmanship, spirit and education through cheerleading.
Los Gatos Pop Warner Cheer is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the youth of Los Gatos, Saratoga, Monte Sereno and Campbell with the fundamentals of cheerleading and an opportunity to participate in the sport of football as cheerleaders in an adult-supervised, organized and safety-oriented manner.
A few facts about the Los Gatos Tigers: The 1998 season was a very trying and successful year for The Tigers. With only four returning and 24 new members, the team took 2nd place at the Regional Invitational Championship in Reno, Nevada. In 1999, the team had 43 members: 20 returning from 1998 and 23 new members. For the first time in the history of Los Gatos Pop Warner Football and Cheer, the Tigers were the only team to advance to the National Championship Tournament in Orlando, Fla. The Tiger team took first place in the 1999 Invitational Championship Tournament, Conference Championship Tournament and Regional Championship Tournament.
The Tigers did this without a mat on which to practice or an indoor facility in which to practice. The girls practiced on asphalt, dirt and lawn, no matter what the weather conditions were. The Los Gatos Tigers are desperately looking for an indoor facility in their community in which to practice. Cheer isn't all frills and poms; it is gymnastics, tumbling, dancing and stunts. The practice mat is needed for the girls' safety.
We, as a community, can help in the development of these young women. Help them achieve their goals and strengthen our community ties.
Rusty Wackermann
Akwacke@aol.com
Barry's decisions are not made by husband
I am writing to strongly protest Ann Marie Burger's letter in the Speak Out! section of the Jan. 26 issue of the Saratoga News. Ms. Burger suggests that the decisions of our newest planning commissioner, Dr. Cynthia Barry, will be influenced or made by her husband. Ms. Burger presented no evidence that this has ever happened or will happen.
I have known Dr. Barry for many years. Dr. Barry holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. For more than 20 years, she has worked in a consulting capacity with large corporations, both public and private, across this country and Canada. To the best of my knowledge, Ms. Burger does not know Dr. Barry personally, and her assumption that Dr. Barry's decisions are made by her husband are demeaning and insulting to all women.
Ann Marie Burger owes an apology to Dr. Barry.
Ms. Burger's reference to the "pillow talk" between Dr. Barry and her husband is inane and offensive. For that, Ms. Burger owes an apology to all Saratoga residents.
Dora Grens
Old Oak Way
Fire District's study of the city to begin
The executive board of the Saratoga Firefighters Local Union 3875 would like to inform the citizens of Saratoga that the board of Fire Commissioners and our union have agreed on the company DMG Maximus to be the consultant that will conduct the "level of service" study for our fire district. DMG will conduct the study process beginning the second week of February.
During the Fire District's initial interview with DMG, the consultant informed us that they would need to study the whole city of Saratoga due to the unique situation of having two fire departments in one town, as well as a separate city government. Their job will be to look at all facets of the Saratoga Fire Department and the Santa Clara County Fire Department and to interview members of our city government. DMG also mentioned that they intend to go out into the community and interview local groups and business owners.
DMG's projected timeline to finish the level of service study would be three to four months. Once completed, the consultants will recommend what they feel is the best solution that would help increase the level of service in our community as well as several alternative solutions.
It has been reported in the Saratoga News that the Board of Fire Commissioners and our union have agreed to take the consultant's findings and act accordingly, so that we may best serve the community. Our union will work very hard to ensure the best solution is chosen and implemented in a timely manner.
The executive board of Local Union 3875 would like to thank the citizens of Saratoga for all the support and encouragement given to us over the past few months. We also appreciate the support we received from the business community when we conducted a "door-to-door" survey.
The union would also like to thank all the citizens who logged onto our website and called our union phone line.
We will keep the community informed on how the level of service study is proceeding over the next few months. The union's goal is to ensure that the citizens of this community receive the best level of service possible. If you have any questions or need any additional information, please feel free to contact us at 408.535.0244 or log on to our website at www.saratogafirefighters.com.
Executive Board
Union Local 3875
Azule: Citizens need to support local business
I would like to thank the citizens, working and living in Saratoga, for the support we received in working with the Planning Commission and City Council. I would like to say I do realize what difficulties the city has inherited by lack of revenue. It is a problem that should have been dealt with 30 years ago, but we the citizens wanted a rural atmosphere and failed to realize that revenue was needed for this luxury.
I like what is happening with the Quito Shopping Center, Argonaut Center and the Village, but don't forget what we are attempting here at Azule Crossing and the gateway. It is now up to us, the citizens, to support our local businesses so the city of Saratoga gets its needed, long-past-due revenue. Good will come from all of this. Thanks again to all.
Zorka Ficovich
Zorka Avenue
Schools articles have reopened old wounds
Your articles on the state index for schools in the Feb. 2 issue of the Saratoga News and on volunteers phoning in for education has reopened old wounds.
I have seen the school rankings and I have followed the annual efforts of the Saratoga Education Foundation raising enormous sums of money from this community for the schools.
I think it is wonderful that Saratoga schools are among the best in California, and I think it is wonderful that this community is supporting Saratoga schools.
Yet, at the same time, all this fills me with tremendous sadness because I know that one third of Saratoga children do not have access to these excellent schools.
The efforts of parents to include all of Saratoga in the Saratoga School District has met with incredible resistance from administrators and the final words of the Santa Clara County School Officials: "It cannot be done!"
I don't understand why, in this age of undreamed of break-throughs in almost any field--where nothing seems impossible--the school boundaries cannot be redrawn to allow all of Saratoga's children access to these excellent Saratoga schools.
Ruth Nielsen
Cyril Place
Library will keep Saratoga a 'first class' community
What is a community library? It is a convenient place where people can read, relax, find a book, CD, educational video, newspaper, search the Internet, do research, or study. In our society, it is "free," that is, it is supported by everyone, not just those who use it. It quite often is the centerpiece of a town center or complex. It should be quiet, yet provide a place where those studying or doing research in a group can talk softly together.
It, obviously, should be well lit. The materials should be placed so that all, short or tall, young or old, or handicapped can reach them. It should keep up with the library technology of the current times, not have that technology put together with baling wire and chewing gum. It should have a place where community groups can meet and discuss their individual goals.
When our family first moved to Saratoga 27 years ago, the library was housed in a small building on Oak Street which now serves as a used book store for Friends of the Library. Some 20 years ago the city wisely built a new library at the corner of Saratoga and Allendale avenues.
It was and is an architectural masterpiece fitting the character of the city. It is, however, not a very functional building for a library. The employees of the award-winning county library system do an outstanding job under some of the poorest library conditions in the country (the city owns the building and the county runs the library). Although the city's population has not grown substantially, Saratoga Library usage has increased dramatically.
The stacks now contain 75 percent more books than the building was designed for. Interestingly, in spite of the growth in the Internet over the past few years, library usage has also increased.
Here we are today. A beautiful, affluent community with superior schools and a second class community resource for a library. The city has placed a bond measure on the ballot for March 7th to increase the size and upgrade the building. The county says that it can staff the upgraded building.
A local citizens committee will ensure that the setting in the Heritage Orchard will not be turned into a vast parking lot (take a look at what Los Altos did in a similar situation--They made their orchard and library meld together as one.) What's the cost? About $1 per month of assessed (not market) valuation. Vote 'yes' on measure N.
T. M. Blaisdell
Junipero Way
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
