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Speak Out!
Sewer law a zinger to many homeowners
I'm trying to decide which is more awesome: a City Council that puts on a million-dollar tax without even getting a single expert opinion on a commensurate benefit to the city, or a council that says, "Don't worry, if ten grand is too expensive for you, just appeal to a committee formed of us or our political allies, who will have authority to waive your tax."
Though surrounding communities allow properly functioning septic systems, Saratoga has made them illegal--within 200 feet of a sewer line--thus imposing an estimated cost of $1 million to $2 million on affected homeowners.
The Saratoga News story suggests the council had already decided on this million-dollar cost as part of their creek settlement, which would explain why no expert opinion or consent of the taxpayers was really needed. One councilman assured us on May 5 that it wasn't so, since he was already in favor of this charge to homeowners even before hearings or the creek settlement. Too bad he didn't mention "and a million dollars out of Saratogans' pockets" when he ran for election. One hopes this council's definition of a "reasonable" creek suit settlement doesn't include any more such zingers.
Tom Moran
Farwell Avenue
Memorial Day should not go unnoticed
Willys Peck's column on May 5 about the Memorial Day services reminded me of a wish I made last Memorial Day.
My husband and I have always made attendance at Memorial Day services a priority for that weekend. Even if we were traveling, we would search out the activities in the place that we were. Maybe this is because we met in the Orient during the Vietnam War, when he was a Green Beret and I worked for the Defense Department. Or maybe it is because both our fathers, at ages 19 and 20, respectively, fought in WWII--one in France, the other on Okinawa.
Or maybe it's because the New England town where my husband grew up stressed attendance at the Memorial Day services as a prelude to the kickoff of summer and the whole town turned out--the veterans, the seniors, the teenagers and the new parents with their strollers. It is probably because of all these reasons and because I have lived part of my life in Germany, Japan and Switzerland.
Viewing America from a foreign shore is a very moving and powerful thing. It's like the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.
We owe such a debt to our veterans and to all men and women who did their part during our last global war. The past 50 years in America have been especially peaceful, bountiful and productive and this is mostly due to the bravery and courage of our military during WWII, having risked their lives to secure a safe and peaceful future for their families and their descendants.
Too many soldiers didn't return to see the results of their commitment. Too many family members lost their sons and daughters, brothers and sisters. It wasn't exciting like the movies now portray. It was very scary, and it is astonishing that such young people have such bravery.
That is why it is up to us to never forget what they did and to always insure that the younger generations pick up the banner and continue to sanctify and remember those who have given their lives for us.
And that was my wish. I wished that there would be hundreds of families and youth and community leaders joining the many veterans at the next Memorial Day service. I wished we could show by our numbers how very thankful we are to all who lost their lives in combat and to all that returned home.
Maureen Barton
Montalvo Road
Storm drain devices are effective, cheap
In the May 5 business article in the Saratoga News about the Drain Sentinel made by California Compliant, San Jose's Green Team sites have yielded an approximate total of 3,000 pounds of bio-solids based on the findings from this most recent wet-season monitoring period. The drain inlet depicted in the photograph was in actuality responsible for 180 pounds of the approximate 3,000 pounds removed.
The most noteworthy result and precedent-setting fact of these findings are that this is the first published study to date of this type. With pollutant inflow, data tracking continuing to be consistent, matter of direct observation raises the issue as to why more of these units or others comparable are not in place.
Current standards for pollution monitoring offer an extremely vague picture of the problem because of ineffective monitoring techniques. Samplings under current practices are typically marred by the introduction of non-polluted water diluting polluted effluent. Therefore, findings of actual pollutants and loading levels are erroneous. Simply stating that assessment of pollution problems cannot be truly accurate based on current monitoring practices.
The price for installation, monitoring and reporting is based upon the quantity of monitored inlets and is fixed as an annual cost. Complete terms of agreement are privy to the customer and incorporate additional fees for incidents or other consultations. Estimated costs per inlet is based on model type of unit, but averages from $3 to $10 per day.
Cameron Colson
California Compliant
Don't beat on Gardner, help her instead
I don't have the time to write a lengthy letter; however, your news stories are getting old! It is a shame when the newspaper writes one-sided articles and runs one-sided commentaries. For every article you have published regarding Saratoga School's upcoming renovation, there are three or four commentaries on how bad a job the school board has done with regard to the trees and traffic.
Instead of constant complaining and "hearing us out," why can't these community leaders write a draft of the Memorandum of Understanding for the school board--be the mediator between city and school officials--take a constructive role in this project, rather than being destructive?
The alternative of course is to move more portables onto the school field to fill the lawful number of students to 500 (versus the 400 or so, currently). Could you imagine the traffic congestion and how wonderful the trees would look then?
Action item for the News: Please help us out by interviewing Ms. Mary Gardner and really itemize what the school board will do to move forward--help her out! She's had a tough year and deserves better treatment!
Cathy Dolbec
Vickery Avenue
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Saratoga, California Since 1975
