Letters
Strong arm of law should lighten up
Once again I am highly entertained and motivated to write you regarding the DeCinzo cartoon in the April 17 edition of the Saratoga News. The issue of overzealous sheriff's deputies ticketing the otherwise law-abiding Saratoga motorist needs this kind of forum to bring this abusive and wasteful practice to the attention of local leadership.
DeCinzo's cartoon depicts several Santa Clara County Sheriff's deputy patrolmen in the background, with two police dogs in the foreground commenting on their "new humans" in a less than flattering way. The depiction of the deputies shows one officer writing yet another ticket to a frustrated motorist. And no cartoon of this sort would be complete without some allusion to doughnuts, of course.
My only hope is that the Santa Clara County Sheriff's corps of deputies can respond to real criminal behavior and apprehend violent perpetrators with the same zeal and stern attitude they display during traffic stops. Harassing and demeaning an otherwise law-abiding community of motorists with strong-arm tactics will ultimately bring a backlash to any local agency that must maintain positive relations with the very people they claim to protect.
This was not the first DeCinzo cartoon on this subject, but seeing one again inspired me to write. I hope this will be seen and read by enough people in this community to take notice--including any connected with city government or county law enforcement.
Ron Schild
Veronica Drive
Need for balanced law enforcement
Five stars for the DeCinzo cartoon in the April 17 issue of the Saratoga News (police dogs trying to train sheriff's officers to do something besides write traffic tickets). In his unique way, DeCinzo has perfectly characterized the law enforcement situation in Saratoga.
As if to underscore DeCinzo's message, in this same issue the sheriff's report described two cases of vandalism and one residential burglary in our little neighborhood of 300 homes. A year ago, one neighborhood property was vandalized three times in a period of six months. The sheriff was called after each incident. After the third incident, the deputy didn't even bother to take a report.
A few months later, in a neighborhood meeting with a representative of the sheriff's department, the representative only wanted to talk about traffic. He even introduced one officer as a "ticket-writing machine." This indifference to minor crime and the focus on only one aspect of police work sends the message that, outside of speeding, anything goes in Saratoga.
Periodically, the sheriff's contract with the city is up for renewal. Our city council should seriously consider another law enforcement agency, one that would give Saratoga a more balanced law enforcement program.
Charles Little
Radoyka Drive
Pledge should be a call to action
In reply to John Feemster's letter to the editor in the April 24 issue of the Saratoga News, I agree with him about making the Pledge of Allegiance a call to action. Unfortunately, children beginning to say it before they understand it is counterproductive.
Democracy requires different perspectives, even opposition to government policies. Unfortunately, referring to Sept. 11, our president stated that if "you're not with us you're against us"-in other words, you're a terrorist-Americans as well as those in other countries. And the USA Patriot Act makes speaking out an act of courage. It should be considered a duty.
Sen. Carl Shurz, from Wisconsin, in 1872 said, "My country, right or wrong." The rest of the quote that's usually left out is the most important part: "When right, to be kept right; when wrong, to be put right."
Barby Ulmer
Paseo Presada
Enjoy Heritage Orchard before it disappears
A few months ago, the Saratoga City Council agreed in good faith to preserve the Saratoga Heritage Orchard. Today they plan to amend that agreement. In July, 11 trees will be felled by a single blow of the axe.
Oh yes, this chop-down was discussed at two meetings. City Manager Dave Anderson, who had declared Matt Novakovich an expert orchardist, expressed disappointment that Matt didn't offer input at the meetings. Still, Matt, who has tended the orchard since 1978, was not on the agenda, a respect usually given experts. At 11 trees a whack, how long before the orchard is reduced to kindling?
Perhaps it is time that those of authority remove their cloaks of power and visit the orchard--see, hear, touch, even bask in its special beauty.
There's Matt, the expert orchardist, turning the soil many times, spraying, harvesting and pruning, always mindful of the health and protection of the trees.
See the canopy of blossoms over the carpet of golden mustard; the cherry blossoms where the bees buzz from blossom to blossom, shaking the pollen from their fuzzy legs.
Soon the fruits begin to set in--cherries, apricots and finally the prunes. See the pickers resting in the shade of the great oaks.
Finally, the trees are barren, great stumps resting until spring. A place of beauty. A haven of peace in this world of violence. Not a professional orchard, but our orchard. The Saratoga Heritage Orchard!
Maxine A. McGinnis
Oak Place
Correction
In his "Point of View" column last week, Carl Heintze wrote about neighborhood traffic problems and the city's delay in responding to those problems. Heintze is not a resident of Saratoga--he lives in San Jose.
Saratoga, California Since 1955
