Letters

Sewer lines are better than septic

Bert Martel's letter about the superiority of septic tanks in the June 30 issue of the Saratoga News is misleading and completely wrong.

Whenever new sewer lines are laid, the nearby homes are required to connect to them. This is most important since all sanitary wastes may be properly treated at one central location.

While the septic tank retains all the solid material that enters it, the liquid portion then flows to an underground perforated tile field adjacent to the tank. This polluted liquid that has not been made sterile is then absorbed into the ground, and at some future time may enter an aquifer that may be used for potable water.

Mr. Martel listed many items that do not enter his system, but he fails to mention how he disposes of them. The problem items that do not enter his septic system do not simply disappear. He intimates that the end product of his septic system is environmentally safe. This is not true.

When a tile field plugs up, the effluent then flows to the surface, or the tank itself overflows over the ground. This cannot be repaired in one day, and it may harm the environment.

All users of the waste treatment system have control over the system by only flushing material to the system that is not toxic to the treatment process. There are sites dedicated to handling all toxic materials, and it is the responsibility of all users to comply.

John Cohen
Via Grande Drive

Thanks to SUSD, city for agreeing on plan

I am thrilled that the city and the Saratoga Union School District have entered into an agreement that will allow improvements at Foothill and Argonaut schools to begin. The city has enabled Argonaut School to maintain its goal of groundbreaking in 2000 so that the desperately needed renovations can be made. Thank you to both the city and SUSD for letting our schools move forward!

Karen Florence
Chateau Drive

Saratoga Lions thank community for July 4

The Saratoga Lions Club, on behalf of all of the organizations and participants in the Fourth of July Saratoga Hometown Celebration, would like to thank West Valley College for the use of its grounds for this event. The wonderful courtyard area around the student center and the spacious lawns were filled with more than 2,000 people enjoying music, food and fun.

Memorable presentations included the Masonic Sojourners, dedicated to the George Washington Bicentennial, the Gettysburg Address read by Willys Peck as Abraham Lincoln and the American Civil War Association skirmish. Others included the great musical entertainment of Saratoga's Summer School Singers led by Vickie Wyant, Les Landin's Skillet Family, the Serendipity Singers Choir, Kidz on Tour, the Sister City Taiko and the finale of the dancing feet of the Hiphoppers from the community college. Barbara Major coordinated a terrific program that was enjoyed by all.

Thanks to HomeTown Buffet's Lynn Merriott and De Anza Kiwanian Dick Angus for coordinating the food groups and Tat Blesch for coordinating the community organizations. The city of Saratoga, the Saratoga Amateur Radio Association and the Saratoga Fire Department and Paramedics are especially thanked for their participation and assistance.

Our sponsors receive a special debt of gratitude, for without them there would be no Hometown Celebration: Green Valley Disposal, Saratoga News, Village Square, PG&E, Saratoga National Bank, Hammer & Jacobs, Saratoga's Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary club and Bank of America.

Marleen Duffin
Saratoga Lions Club

Jamba decision scares Saratoga teenagers

In reading the recent article about the rejection of a Jamba Juice in Saratoga, I came to a terrifying conclusion: Because I am a Saratoga teenager, I am a third-class citizen and, even worse, an object of disgust and fear.

Erna Jackman voted against the potential, economy-friendly business because she was scared from an experience in which she left Jamba Juice because she was "scared away by throngs of teenagers." If she had made this comment about a minority, surely our community would not tolerate such racism--so why is it acceptable for teenagers to be discussed as monsters who must be shunned by society?

I don't know Jackman or the other age-discriminating commissioners, but I would love to talk to them, because I truly believe hatred and fear are a result of ignorance. Teenagers are a part of our community and they deserve to have a place to congregate. I would like to tell the adults of Saratoga they do not have to be afraid of us; teenagers are just like them--only younger.

So where can the teens go? We aren't even allowed in our own high school parking lot. Police often tell us to go elsewhere. When friends gather at home, the police all too often knock on the door and tell us to break it up, and after, of course, we are made to feel like criminals and breathalyzed.

So we wander, like an endangered species whose forest has been cut down. Roaming from one place to another, we are pushed along from one place to the next, searching for our long-lost civil rights.

As a senior at Saratoga High School, I am no stranger to "teenager paranoia." Jackman stated she was afraid "Jamba Juice would turn into Saratoga High." Yet, it is Saratoga High School's achievements that draw new people into Saratoga, which drives up the housing market, making for a healthy economy. It seems for this, Saratoga could at least grant us some juice.

My dream is that one day teens of Saratoga will be treated like the citizens they are, that their community will embrace them instead of loathe them and commissioners will facilitate a teen's right to congregate. And then, perhaps when the fear and ignorance has been conquered, teens and adults can go and enjoy their juice together.

Rachel Urbano
Alta Vista Court

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Commissioner Erna Jackman has now voted to approve Jamba Juice. See full story.--Editor

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