Letters
Union wants to clear up misconception on bond
The Saratoga Firefighters, Local 3875, would like to thank the citizens of the Saratoga Fire District for your support of Measure F. We appreciate the time and patience you have shown to the fire fighters and the fire district over the last few months. The need for a new seismically safe fire station for the fire district has been well publicized. The new fire station will be an asset to the community and add to an already beautiful downtown.
The firefighters union would like to comment on the April 5 editorial in the Saratoga News and other recent articles regarding the special election for the bond. The union agreed to back the bond on Dec. 4, and the deadline for the March election was Dec. 10. Technically, the Saratoga Fire District's administration had the opportunity to place the measure on the March ballot, but they chose not to and made the decision to hold a special election.
The union was told that there would be a special election because the administration did not want to conflict with the Saratoga Community Library's bond measure.
It is not the goal of the firefighters union to have a "they said, we said" dialogue in the newspaper. Our goal has always been to strive for the best possible service for our community. We have prided ourselves with giving you the utmost truth and offered opinions of what we feel is the best way to achieve a greater level of service. We will continue to work toward these goals.
As mentioned in previous articles in the Saratoga News, a consultant was hired to conduct a level of service study for our fire district as well as the entire city. Once this report becomes available, we will pass the information on to you. This final report should be completed sometime in May or early June.
We again would like to thank you for your continued support during these last few months. With your support, we will hopefully be able to increase the level of service and safety in our community. If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at 408.535.0244.
Saratoga Firefighters,
Local 3875
Winery should put trail offer in writing
In 1775-76, Juan Bautista de Anza led a large company of colonists from Sonora, Mexico to San Francisco Bay, where they established a presidio and a mission. In 1990, to commemorate that historic trek, the United States Congress included the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail in the National Trails System.
Much of that trail now exists only on maps and in the minds and hearts of historians, hikers, equestrians and preservationists. The responsibility of making the Trail and on-the-ground reality rests with the National Park Service and the local counties through which the trail passes.
One of the planned trail segments goes through Henry Coe State Park, some go through San Jose and one goes through the Paul Masson Winery grounds in the hills above Saratoga, now owned by Chateau Masson, LLC. The trail segments in Santa Clara County are part of the 1995 Santa Clara County Trails Master Plan.
For about 40 years, the Paul Masson Mountain Winery, under various ownership, has hosted the summer concert series at the mountain estate on Pierce Road, illegally, without a use permit from the county.
The new owner applied for a conditional-use permit, to comply with county codes, and was required to provide an environmental impact report. The draft version received comments complaining that the draft had inadequate mitigation for various issues (traffic on Pierce Road, noise, etc.) and that it ignored the requests for "floating" easements for the Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail and a separate short trail linking two city of Saratoga trails. Incidentally, the de Anza trail segment would also connect the Sanborn and Stevens Creek County Parks.
The final EIR came out with no changes from the draft, contending that no further mitigation was needed. The EIR and the conditional- use permit, were approved in March by the county planning commission by a 3-2 vote.
That decision has been appealed by the city of Saratoga and by the Saratoga Trail Enthusiasts. The county board of supervisors will consider the appeal about mid-May or later. Saratoga's City Council is concerned about traffic impacts on Pierce Road, especially since the winery owner hopes to enlarge the venue from 1,750 seats to 2,500 in a couple of years.
Trail Enthusiasts fear that without a written commitment from the owner, the historic trail will never become a reality. In a conversation with a county parks and recreation representative, I was told that the winery owner would consider voluntary provision of trail easements, but didn't want them as part of the conditional- use permit. However, in light of the IBM affair--where IBM, as mitigation for the impact of concentration of personnel at its research center, promised San Jose to keep the extra land in open space, and a decade later offered it to a subdivision developer, saying its promise was only verbal--I feel that the only real offer is a written one.
To weigh in on any part of these issues--traffic, noise, trails, winery expansion--write to the county Board of Supervisors. Joe Simitian is our District 5 supervisor, and other supervisors are likely to give some deference to his opinion on issues concerning his district, but all supervisors should receive copies of correspondence--Jim Beall, Pete McHugh, Blanca Alvarado and Don Gage. The address is: Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, 70 West Hedding Street, San Jose, CA 95110.
Marjorie Ottenberg
Foothill Lane
Support the Saratoga Rotary Art Show May 7
The Foothill School Parent Teacher Association would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the Saratoga Rotary Service Fund trustees for their generosity. In February, they supplied the funds needed to purchase a shipping container in which to keep emergency supplies in the event of a disaster. We parents at Foothill School feel assured that our children will be better able to cope while they are away from us.
The Saratoga Rotary Service Fund is able to make donations with the monies generated from the annual Rotary Art Show held each May.
We acknowledge and applaud the Rotarians' yearlong effort which makes their art show a reality. We would also like to thank the Rotarians' spouses, Saratoga High School Interact, and all other volunteers who help during the art show. It is through their efforts that many dreams become a reality.
The Foothill School PTA would like to remind you that May 7 is the next Saratoga Rotary Art Show. It will again be held at the West Valley College Campus. Rain or shine, there is always good food and great art. Please support the Saratoga Rotary Art Show.
Thanks again Rotary!
Susan Long
Foothill School PTA
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
