 |
|
|
|
|
Letters Call for help in building pool
For the past two years Saratoga High School has been raising funds to replace our outdated pool with a modern facility that will meet the needs of our swim teams and our water polo programs. Equally important, we believe, is the establishment of a community aquatic facility that could be utilized by the entire community. From parents, community members, foundations, and our school's parent organizations we have raised more than $500,000. We now have more than two-thirds of the funds we need to build this facility.
SHS represents one of the cornerstones of our community. The all-weather track that was built in 1995, our eight tennis courts that are the finest high school courts in the valley, our playing fields and our gyms are all heavily used by the community at virtually every hour of the day. Our campus is also home to the Saratoga Farmers' Market, which brings people together every Saturday morning.
The recreational facility most in need of improvement on our campus is our aquatics facility. While our school community would benefit enormously from this improvement, our entire community would also be enriched. We believe strongly that our facilities should be available to the larger community whenever possible and add to the richness of living in Saratoga. Residents from toddlers learning to swim to senior citizens staying in shape could take advantage of this facility throughout the day.
Before construction of our track, hardly anyone used our track facilities. Now runners and walkers can be found there at all hours of the day and night.
I am hoping there are Saratogans who share our goal of continuing to make our community one of the most desirable places to live and would like to support our fundraising efforts. We need an additional $350,000 to build the pool. Your support of the pool project can be your lasting legacy to our great community.
If you would like to learn more about this project, please contact assistant principal Karen Hyde, at 867-3411, ext. 208, or call me at ext. 204.
Kevin Skelly
SHS Principal
Tribulations of voting post-Clinton trial
Many of my friends don't like what the media is telling us. Most of us now watch America's Voice and FOX News and read that conservative website info. Some of us, after watching the "sham" trial will never ever vote for any Democrat and very few Republicans--the Libertarians will get our votes. You'd best let the senators know! Didn't I see them all take an oath and sign a book?
Bill Clark
Shubert Drive
Thank you to city historians
I love to read the stories of Saratoga history that are published in the Saratoga News. So much has happened in our town by the people and events who helped make Saratoga into what it is today. Thank you to Willys Peck for his history lessons; Thank you to Carl Heintze and his views of the past.
Thank you to the writers of the stories, like the life of Mamoru Inouye at the Glen Una Prune Ranch; thank you to all the folks who grew up in Saratoga and their stories; thanks to the people who fought for things like diverting the freeway, keeping Oak Street School open and preserving the cemetery.
Thanks to those who are passionate about the issues of today such as the eucalyptus trees and good-sense government because they will be part of the history of tomorrow. Thanks to those who took the pictures and have kept them intact.
I do hope one among us has recorded all these events so that there will be a book called "The Second 100 years of Saratoga."
Chuck Desmond
Quail Run Court
Resident is embarrassed by Planning Commission
I attended the last Planning Commission meeting on Feb. 10 and have never seen such an abuse of power in my life.
That evening the commission was made up of four hens and one rooster. It reminded me of being in a hen house, watching how those hens pecked away at an applicant just to watch him squirm and roll over.
I have never been so disgusted in my life, watching these hens screw up houses because they apparently have an agenda to make every new home look the same, good, bad or otherwise.
I thought that the ordinances were created to specify the guidelines in which a home may be built and when these guidelines were met the commission has the responsibility to approve the project. Obviously these hens don't believe in the laws or they would keep their mouths shut.
I guess that's why I don't tell anybody that I live in Saratoga. It's too embarrassing to admit it.
Bob Schwenke
Viewoak Drive
Trees provide needed shade
As a parent and physician, I am deeply concerned about the environmental impact that will occur from the removal of the eucalyptus trees at the Saratoga Elementary School. I have had considerable personal experience in being out on the playground and in the fields during the hot weather. Temperatures easily become unbearable on the blacktop on 80-degree days and excruciating on 90-degree days.
The only way to use the playground or field on these days is to be able to take intermittent cover beneath these trees. Even if new trees are planted, it would take 10-25 years for even the fastest growing trees to replace the shade provided by the existing ones.
All who have experience with these facilities know how often, both during the school year and the summer, that temperatures reach the high 80s, 90s, and 100s. The proposed building plans are going to increase the amount of heat-absorbing asphalt and cemented area. Along with heat-reflecting cars in the new parking area, the temperatures are sure to rise faster and further than before. This combination will surely make for a most inhospitable and potentially dangerous environment for young children.
I feel that the significant potential health hazard that would occur from lack of adequate sun protection in this area could place children, other community members and the school district at risk.
David A. Katz, M.D.
Lomita Avenue
|
|
|
|
Saratoga, California Since 1975
