 |
|
|
|
|
Letters
Thanks for covering Million Mom March
I really appreciate your fine coverage in the May 3 issue of the Saratoga News of the Million Mom March and Cyndy Thomas' statements about the reasons we gave up our Mother's Day celebrations this year. I have been on the committee with Cyndy and her energy and devotion to this cause is overwhelming. She also seems to like to pose for photo ops.
It is vital to get the word out there. It's a good story. Women, on the move. It is our story this time and you picked up on that and if we succeed--and so far it looks good--we will have you to thank.
Jeanne Murphy
California Avenue, Palo Alto
City should preserve orchard in perpetuity
My husband and I feel strongly that our Heritage Orchard should be preserved in perpetuity, except for that portion already approved for the library expansion.
When I spoke with Councilman Nick Streit on the phone, to voice concern about chipping away at our orchard for a playing field or gym, he said I needed to realize the demographics (in Saratoga) have changed and we need to consider the young children. I couldn't agree more. We need to educate children about our agricultural past when our pristine village and surrounding orchards were part of the Valley of Heart's Delight. What better way than to leave the Heritage Orchard for young and old to view in spring when the sheer beauty of mustard and blossoms almost brings tears to our eyes? If other towns, like Sunnyvale, can maintain Heritage Orchard parks, surely Saratoga can.
The Parks and Recreation Commission now believes we need to gauge the will of the people to see if we would prefer not to leave the orchard intact. Several options were discussed in a Saratoga News article in the May 10 issue, the most expensive being a $10,000 professional poll of 10% of Saratogans. If such a poll were used, I would hope that the questions posed are fair and unbiased. I don't see, however, that asking in that survey if residents would be willing to pay for more property for playing fields or a gym is a fair question to determine how people feel about maintaining the orchard.
Parks and Recreation Commissioner Nick Seroff was quoted in the above article as saying that he does not think that as an orchard ours is very well utilized. Rather than utilize the orchard, I prefer to leave it as is--a sacred space connecting us to the earth and our past.
If we must utilize this beautiful orchard to save it, we could educate the increasing number of children, perhaps through a program with our new library. Or, as Library Commissioner Anne Cross suggested to me, if people feel a need for an historical aspect to the orchard, a drying shed like one she remembers from her growing up years might be an idea. She said, "The Heritage Orchard is the most beautiful and central part of Saratoga and should be preserved as it is in its natural state."
Councilman Streit was quoted in a Saratoga News article in the April 12 issue as saying, "It's time for the City Council to be proactive, not reactive, when it comes to the orchard." I believe it's also time for all Saratogans to be proactive--before it's too late.
We urge others who have concerns or feel as we do to act now. What can you do? Talk to others. Write to the Saratoga News. Express your ideas to the City Council at, or prior to, its June 7 meeting when they will probably discuss this issue. Together we can preserve this beautiful heritage.
Jean (and Mac) Barrick
Bonnie Ridge Way
Once the orchard is gone, it is gone forever
There are many reasons each and every one of us chooses to live in Saratoga and stay in Saratoga. Some people live here for the high academic ratings of the schools and yet other people live here for the quality of life and the beauty of Saratoga. Of course, beauty is different things to different people, but in my perspective (and I am sure the perspective of many other Saratogans) this includes the gardens, the trees and quaintness of our community. Therefore it is imperative that we preserve and protect the few environmental attributes that remain--specifically Heritage Orchard. Once the orchard is gone, it is gone forever.
I have voted affirmatively for the school bond issues (even though Ms. Mary Gardner remains aloof in her communication (s) and does as she sees fit--trees be damned), the addition to the library, and the new fire station. These services are for the good of the community as a whole. IN addition to not wanting the Heritage Orchard used for recreational usage, as a taxpayer, I also do not want to pay for new playfields or a gym. Our schools are already being expanded in these same areas. If a new recreational center does move forward (and hopefully not at this location) will it also include full financial support and updated facilities for seniors? If so, the recreational center might be far more acceptable to the majority of the citizens of Saratoga. Along these lines, I find it appalling that our current senior center is run as a non-profit agency surviving through grants, private donations, and interest from an endowment.
If a telephone survey is commissioned, it should include key questions--will the users of the recreational center be willing to pay for its usage on a monthly or case by case basis, i.e. classes, seminars, etc.? And, should a recreational center be created which focuses on playing fields and gyms or expanded to include baby boomers, up-coming seniors, and senior citizens?
I do not believe the city should cater to special interest groups, but should focus on the community as a whole and strive to maintain its ranking as one of the most desirable places to live. This requires long-range planning and vision. As a consequence, I am forwarding a letter such as this one to everyone that I believe may have some decision-making authority regarding all of the above issues.
Audrey Chapman
Aloha Avenue
Nibbling at orchard will destroy ambience
Instead of polling Saratogans about the Heritage Orchard, why doesn't the City Council poll prospective home buyers who want to buy a piece of the ambience of Saratoga and are willing to pay a high price for it. Tear down the orchard, nibble away at the ambience, replace history with ugly "recreational concrete" and watch property values diminish.
Henry Kaplan
Sevilla Lane
|
|
|
|
Saratoga, California Since 1955
