 |
|
|
|
|
News Briefs
Saratogans don't make grand jury
Although three Saratogans were nominated for the Santa Clara County Grand Jury, none was appointed to the 19-member body on June 28.
Four Los Gatans were selected.
Nominations came from leaders of local government and civic groups from the county's 15 cities.
The grand jury serves as a civil watchdog in investigating all levels of county and city government and service districts. Among other things, the jury has looked into the accounting procedures and employee conduct of public agencies. It began discussing its agenda for the coming year on July 9.
Call 408.299.3608.
Chamber urges broadband reform
Saratoga Chamber of Commerce President Preston Wisner recently sent a letter to area Congressman Mike Honda urging him to support House of Representatives legislation that would deregulate broadband Internet service.
Wisner says the bill would require phone companies to greatly increase their local ability to provide broadband service over the next five years. He adds that phone companies would also have to offer broadband service at wholesale prices within three years.
As of mid-June, the House Judiciary Committee was readying the bill for a vote on the House floor.
Honda hasn't signed on to the bill, now sponsored by 112 representatives.
Contact Honda's district office at 408.244.8085
Saratoga's assessed value swells
Leading a robust year of property value growth in Santa Clara County, the value of Saratoga's real estate and business personal property grew by 17.6 percent in 2000.
Saratoga's total property value, which includes real estate and business items stood at $6.27 billion on January 1, 2001, according to the county assessor's office.
The total value for the county was $199.83 billion, 15.56 percent higher than the total a year earlier.
The double-digit growth was only the second spurt of that magnitude over the last decade.
The only other comparable year was the 1998 assessment, which grew 10 percent.
|
|
|
|
Saratoga, California Since 1955
