Letters
Support your local library with donation
Your expanded library is really taking shape. Imagine roofing atop those laminated beams perched on the steel columns you see as you pass the library project; now imagine all the furniture that must be purchased to seat us, house our new computers, as well as the tables for our personal computers and work space.
The bond measure cannot, by law, pay for any movable furniture. In other words, the book stacks and built-in reference and check-out desks can come out of the bond monies, but not our tables and chairs, lounge seating, children's furniture, or Community Room furniture.
I applaud The Friends of the Saratoga Libraries for their campaign to raise money for the library furniture by giving each of us an opportunity to have our name or message placed in the library in perpetuity. There are many levels of recognition from which to choose: ceramic book spines in the children's room, beautiful hardwood book spines in the adult area, patio bricks off the cafe, large, engraved, brick-like tiles on the community room patio and a wall plaque in the lobby for major contributors. Some items have limited availability or construction date restrictions.
I hope my fellow library users will join me in this chance to return to the library a thank you for the service we enjoy. With my tax-deductible donation, I am seizing this opportunity for my family to become a permanent part of the new building, and at the same time my contribution enhances a terrific improvement to my community.
Marcia M. Manzo, Chairman
Library Expansion Committee
Reader agrees with letter--don't cut oaks
I totally agree with the "Chopping down oak trees is wrong" letter. Please don't chop the healthy ones. They took so long to grow! And I also thought there was a law protecting mature oak trees. Special thanks to Bob Busse, who took time to write the letter.
Eugenia Gelfand
Sarahills Drive
Saratoga High saying goodbye to three teachers
Saratoga High School will be saying goodbye to three illustrious teachers at the end of the school year. These teachers have, combined, nearly a century's worth of service to the young people and children of our community.
June Kanazawa will be retiring from our special education department. During that time she has been a tireless advocate for her students, working mostly with ninth-graders. In this role she has helped these students make the transition to high school. I'm not sure anyone has been a fiercer advocate for students who struggle with school. We will miss her love of students and professionalism enormously.
Barbara Reeder is retiring after 38 years of service. Ms. Reeder has been department chair for our practical arts department. She has served as the school webmaster and taught our web page design class, learning her technical skills on the job! Ms. Reeder also taught keyboarding and computer graphics, and helped maintain the computer lab at our school. In addition, Ms. Reeder taught physical education, her first calling as a teacher. We will miss her flexibility, friendliness and willingness to do so many things on behalf of our students and the school.
Finally, Ann Haggerty, who would be known to some Saratogans as Ann Wilson, is retiring this year as well. Ann taught French and Spanish and chaired our foreign language department. She worked for 34 years, most recently as coordinator of educational services at the district office.
We will miss these three outstanding educators enormously and honor their dedication to our young people.
Kevin Skelly, Principal
Saratoga High School
Herriman Avenue
Why shouldn't Aerts enjoy fruits of labor?
With regard to Mr. Ralph's letter on your fine article "King Vendor," it would seem that if those who complain about another's success would direct the energy spent on their envy toward getting themselves a life, they might have a better understanding of what it takes to succeed in this valley.
I don't know Mr. Aerts, but I do know that his accomplishments were not achieved without a huge commitment of hard work and capital risk. Think back, Mr. Ralph, to the days when you sacked groceries in a grocery store ... or maybe you didn't. Instead of attacking this kind of accomplishment, we should applaud it!
And if, after years of providing jobs to the area and paying taxes to local governments, Mr. Aerts has enough left over to be able to unwind by taking a glass of wine out to his garage to enjoy his classic cars, who are you to tell him he should feel guilty about it because it isn't your thing?
I guess there will always be the movers and shakers out there producing, and those sitting on the sidelines throwing stones, wondering why socialism doesn't work.
Chuck Weber
Los Gatos
Saratoga, California Since 1955
