Saratoga News

Letters

Keep the DeCinzo cartoons coming

As a longtime resident of Saratoga (1964), I thoroughly enjoy DeCinzo's cartoons. They show us some of Saratoga's problems in a humorous form. The cartoons in no way diminish the troubles; they just give us a laugh along the way to finding solutions. Keep the chuckles coming our way--we need them.

Helen Rossler
Perego Way

Creek cartoon was incorrect

Add me to the list of citizens who are displeased with Mr. DeCinzo's cartoons. The March 18 cartoon concerned the city's decision to place new warning signs beside Saratoga Creek. I wrote the letter to the city which resulted in the council's decision to post new warning signs.

DeCinzo's March 18 cartoon went well beyond poking fun at the city. It wrongly claims the "filthy" creek contains items which are not there. The suggestion that the creek is filled with filth such as hypodermic needles, blood and chemicals is ridiculous and, more importantly, a real disservice to the community by misrepresenting the facts.

There is clear evidence that the creek often contains excessive bacterial contamination. The warning signs state this fact and caution people accordingly. However, attributes important to its biological health, such as oxygen and pH levels, are well within water quality objectives.

In my view, a creek that supports a viable trout population and serves as a home for breeding mallards is not "filthy."

In his cartoon, I think DeCinzo has gone well beyond poor taste. He is disruptive. He is not funny. His cartoon is factually false. In my opinion, he is a liability to the paper. I would like to see his negative contribution to our city discontinued as soon as possible.

Sam Mitchell
Jerries Drive

The mayor needs better manners

I was dismayed at the lack of respect displayed by Mayor Don Wolfe toward residents Vic Monia and Jeff Schwartz at the March 19 City Council meeting. It is all too obvious that he automatically disagrees with whatever issues they raise and that he regards them as mere troublemakers to be dispensed with as quickly as possible.

It was obvious not only that Mayor Wolfe disagreed with their comments but that he viewed their very presence at the speakers' podium with contempt.

No elected official has the right to treat his constituents with such disdain; conversely, we Saratogans should not tolerate such arrogance from our city officials. Mayor Wolfe, in particular, seems to have forgotten that he represents all the voters of Saratoga, not just those whom he counts as his friends.

Our current mayor needs to exhibit greater control over his emotions and speak only when he has all the facts.

It also appeared that the flooding problems of one resident who addressed the council did not impress the mayor. While the resident presented a vivid picture of the situation, Mayor Wolfe did not appear to appreciate its seriousness and gave the impression that he would rather ignore the problem than attempt to solve it.

Fortunately, other councilmembers and City Manager Larry Perlin indicated that the flooding problem would be investigated and hopefully resolved in the near future.

I look forward to Mr. Wolfe publicly apologizing to Mr. Monia and Mr. Schwartz for his inappropriate comments and false accusations. I am also hopeful that Mayor Wolfe will demonstrate greater understanding of citizen concerns.

Marcia Fariss
Saratoga Glen Place

Community room is valuable to all

Your article about the library's space problems and the presumed lack of support for a library bond issue surprised and dismayed me on several counts.

First, surveys are often inaccurate--remember the Tom Dewey vs. Harry Truman predictions?

Second, a year or so ago, county voters approved a funding increase for the county library system (of which Saratoga is a part) in order to increase the number of hours libraries could be open--indicating considerable support for libraries. The Saratoga vote tally for that election issue would, I think, be a better indicator of support for a library bond issue for Saratoga.

We recently passed a bond issue for school-building maintenance because the issue was clearly explained through media and mail and the help of many volunteers. Considering that the income average in Saratoga is among the highest in the nation (see all those multimillion-dollar mansions all around us?), we should certainly be capable of passing a bond issue to enlarge our only community library.

Third, I have a special interest in this issue--namely, the use of the community room. In years past, many savings and loans had community rooms available for use by nonprofit groups, but this is no longer true. Many cities in the county have community centers, but some require that at least 50 percent of a user group's membership be residents of that city (impossible with members all across the county), while others charge $50 or more for an evening. We have found that county libraries are about the only places open to our subgroup of the Sierra Club, and Saratoga's library is easy to find for members throughout the county, has good parking and a friendly atmosphere and charges $10 only if refreshments are served (to pay for future carpet cleaning).

With such attributes, you might want to imagine that our library's community room is heavily used--and you'd be right! Almost every evening is booked three months in advance (the same is true for Cupertino's library). If the library has to expand its bookshelves into the community room, Saratoga will be left with no place for community groups to meet. To me, that will be a tragedy. Let's get busy and expand that library!

Marjorie Ottenburg
Foothill Lane

Not all readers dislike DeCinzo

Jack Mallory, in his March 11 letter criticizing the Saratoga News, does not speak for this 20-year resident of Saratoga, nor for my husband, who first moved here almost 50 years ago. Lately, we've been enjoying DeCinzo's cartoons more than we ever have, perhaps because they seem less focused on personalities and more on issues.

My personal favorite was the "Just Say Orega-NO!" cartoon, but others have been spot on as well.

Don't forget those of us who aren't complaining are part of your readership as well.

Sally J. Towse
Bellecourt

[ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ]