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Letters
Support Measure F for station safety
Now that the March Primary is over, I hope that Saratogans will remember to vote absentee for Measure F on our April Special Election ballot.
A "yes" on Measure F ensures that our seismically-unsafe station is replaced with a safe one for a "rapid response" in the event of a catastrophic emergency.
Some of my neighbors have asked why F is on the special election ballot. I, for one, am pleased that the firefighters and fire Commissioners took the extra time they needed to reach consensus on a responsible, fiscally prudent plan for the public. Vote "yes" on F.
Lillian S. Isaacson
Lynde Avenue
Measure F is inefficient use of city's resources
Just four weeks from the primary election, we have another special election for our consideration. This special election only has one item on the ballot--Measure F, the Fire Protection Bond. While this measure represents a noble effort to improve the fire fighting capability of the City, one wonders why this measure wasn't on the primary election ballot, especially since the timing is so close to this special election.
Not only are special elections expensive, they also suck up additional time from our citizens who are asked to consider this additional ballot, then go to the polls again. This is a nonproductive use of resources and shows a lack of consideration for Saratogans. Let's be more efficient in the future.
Phil Gluckman
Tricia Way
School district not being forthright
Measure D was approved in a special election on Jun. 3, 1997, to provide funds for the repair of Saratoga's schools. The Saratoga Union School District has approved plans that call for spending Measure D funds on the construction of new administration buildings, new multipurpose buildings, new kindergarten rooms and more new classrooms than are required to alleviate overcrowding.
At the March 14 meeting of the SUSD Board of Trustees, SUSD was asked to justify using Measure D funds on new construction which was not mentioned in the ballot measure or in any of the campaign literature and, therefore, because it had not been presented to the voters for approval, had not been authorized by the voters.
After repeated requests for an answer, SUSD responded that this new construction was justified because it was included in the SUSD Master Plan document.
Thus, although SUSD did not mention the existence of this document, much less its contents, on the ballot or on any of the campaign literature which clearly enumerated how the funds would be used, does it not appear that SUSD has taken the preposterous position that it was the responsibility of the voters to know about the SUSD Master Plan and not the responsibility of SUSD to inform them about its existence or its contents?
SUSD declined a request to explain why they had chosen not to divulge during the election campaign that their plans for use of the requested funds, in fact, included this new construction, leaving the voters only to wonder why. Aren't the voters apt to conclude that SUSD has put something over on them and won't they remember this in future elections?
Wesley I. Ferguson
Chateau Drive
Mary McHugh's tale a delight to read
Sandy Sims' cover story about Mary McHugh was delightful. It brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. Thank you for publishing such a wonderful report.
Marcia O. Kaplan, J.D.
Sevilla Lane
Discussion went 'outside the box'
The City Council members' discussion [at the March 21 meeting] relating to the renovation of the Saratoga Community and Senior centers was exciting and reassuring. Our City Council members could be described as "practical visionaries."
Every member understood that while the current facilities need immediate repair, that the major emphasis is Saratoga's future. The Council members were "thinking outside the box" as well as listening to the community.
Their task is daunting: they must provide guidelines for the current and future needs of our city while keeping their feet firmly planted in the financial realities of Saratoga. They must anticipate Saratoga's needs, not just for the next 5 years, but for the next 20-25 years. Based on that meeting, I believe our council members are both willing and qualified to meet the challenges.
Even though the renovation project is in its initial stages, it was gratifying to see so many Saratogans, representing all age groups, attending the meeting. The resulting facility will be a statement of our vision for ourselves, our children and their children; it is therefore vital that all Saratogans become engaged in and contribute to the process.
Marcia Fariss
Saratoga Glen Place
Thanks to post office, mailers for Measure N
Many citizens of Saratoga helped pass the much needed library bond Measure N. And none worked harder than the mailing committee, through whose hands passed more than 33,000 pieces of mail. For six weeks, they folded, stuffed and labeled, on call for hours at a time.
These hard workers have my undying gratitude: Marian Abbott, Jean Alexander, Angie Artana, Doris Avery, Sandy Budd, Catherine Burr, Pat Bennett, Rita Crowley, Jeanette Dyer, Mary Givens, Ginny and Dick Johnson, Verda Keenan, Dottie Lathuras, Barbara Mendenhall, Irene Moodey, Nadine Redding, Mary Lee Rossetti, Joanne Syvertson, Carolyn Tanner and Doris Zeigel.
Mail was posted in a timely way, transported by the hundreds of pounds by Dean and June Andrus. The post office cooperated fully. We particularly wish to thank Victor Ruiz of the Saratoga post office.
Kathleen Harrington
Measure N Mail Chairwoman
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
