Letters

Merging with county makes financial sense

There are many parts of Saratoga that would be more quickly served by a county station than Saratoga's. When it's your house that is on fire, every second counts. Efficiency saves time, and merging the Saratoga Fire District with the county is mainly about improving the efficiency of the firefighting service provided to Saratoga residents.

Most residents of our fair city would immediately and intuitively recognize that improving efficiency and increasing the safety of the public at the same time as the service providers is always a good idea for any business. So why not for the firefighting business?

I find it unfathomable that the main argument against the merger is that everything has been fine just the way it's been for the last thirty years. Such an attitude would never be tolerated for long in the business world. Houses are bigger now and it costs much more to rebuild them than 30 years ago.

Merging with the county would improve the quality of the firefighting service to Saratoga residents while lowering the cost, and at the same time increasing their safety and the safety of the firefighters. Before we embark on building a new fire station, let's make sure it represents the best use of our tax dollars.

Dale Walter
Blauer Drive

No improvements since bond passed

Nearly four years has elapsed since the passage of the Measure D bond issue and still the Saratoga Unified School District schools have not received the refurbishment and improvements that we were promised. Prior to floating the measure, the district hired HMC Architects to evaluate construction needs, and to determine the amount of money required, without considering any future state funds that may become available. At the same time, the district developed a master plan identifying the improvements needed, within the $40 million proposed budget.

The Measure D campaign literature clearly states that Measure D will provide funds for:

* Seismic upgrades
* Providing adequate electrical service and lighting for classrooms
* Removing remaining asbestos
* Repairing leaky roofs and damaged ceilings
* Replacing defective plumbing
* Repairing old student bathrooms, including new toilets, sinks and urinals
* Renovating classrooms
* Replacement of antiquated heating and ventilation systems
* Enlarging and upgrading school libraries
* Adding classrooms (4 at Argonaut, 9 at Saratoga, 10 at Foothill, 11 at Redwood)

Thus far, only a small fraction of the promised work has been completed, and other work not revealed to the taxpayers has been completed or is planned, such as adding multipurpose buildings, music and art rooms, and administrative space. At Redwood, 16 classrooms were added, not the 11 promised, and the new science lab workstations that were promised have not added due to cost overruns.

Instead, we have excuses and reasons why the money is inadequate, how construction costs are higher than expected, and how unanticipated renovations (such as the foundation work at Saratoga) have been required. These excuses raise a series of important questions. Why didn't the architects anticipate the state of the buildings at Saratoga School? Why didn't the basic classroom renovation, electrical, plumbing and roofing work begin as soon as the bond issue was passed, thereby reducing the risk of increased construction costs? Why are buildings being built that were not in the Measure D bond issue and not in the original master plan? Who is managing the taxpayers' money, and what are their qualifications and special interests?

As a taxpayer and a parent of an SUSD student, I am appalled at the lack of accountability of everyone involved, including the school board, HMC Architects and Turner Construction. I hope the community will come together to demand a complete audit and accounting of how our tax dollars are being spent, and to explain how we will receive the renovations we were promised.

Alison Humphries
Garnett Court

Saratoga needs a temporary library

The Saratoga Community Library will be closed for at least 18 months during its renovation and expansion, scheduled to begin this summer. It was apparent at the city council meeting on Feb. 13, that a temporary library service in Saratoga is in jeopardy.

The Friends of the Saratoga Libraries' board voted unanimously at its Feb. 14, 2001, meeting to support a temporary library facility and to encourage library users to support a temporary library by writing or emailing the city council.

The Friends sponsored and were very active in the library awareness and, as individuals, in the election campaigns. During these 10 months, two questions we heard repeatedly were: "What will happen to the orchard?" And, "Will there be continuing library service in Saratoga?"

The orchard has received its fair measure of attention from which should spring a beautiful and renewed heritage. Certainly, there are problems to be solved concerning a temporary library, just as there were problems to solve regarding the orchard.

A temporary library will have limited seating and collections. It will not offer everything, but it can provide the best sellers and reasonable children's and reference collections. Users can also order items not available at the temporary facility.

The cost of this temporary facility has always been considered part of the bond measure. When the city council approved the library schematic designs on Jan. 17, a condition was that the architect reduce the cost estimate to $14.5 million. This has been achieved through "value engineering", including a 1600-square-foot reduction to 47,400 square feet. This does not compromise our new library. We will have all the shelving space, computers, seating, study areas, etc., called for in the program developed by the library staff.

We realize that there are problems of providing proper safety for patrons and staff if the temporary units are near the construction site. These should be solvable, especially with a decision to make it happen. It will also bring about significantly increased voter interest and feedback during the construction of our new library.

You can support a temporary library by writing the city council at 13777 Fruitvale Ave., or emailing them at cityhall@saratoga.ca.us.

Bill McDonnal
President, Friends of the Saratoga Libraries

Sheriff's Report

Photo: Holocaust survivor Gloria Lyon tells her story to students

Home sales listings

Obituary: Betty Jean Stuart

Saratoga Sampler

Sports Briefs

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