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Letters
Possible "hub" properties are also "heritage" land
Steve Enders' article about the Hub in the July 21 issue raised an interesting issue. The City Council made it quite clear that before the Heritage Orchard Park is considered in the development of playfields, all other resources should be exhausted. The City Manager, Mr. Perlin, did a very good job of identifying all possible sites in the Saratoga area that would be large enough to support the amount of playfields they feel are required. I would like to point out that there were three properties that are still privately owned and zoned as agriculture. I am hopeful that the City Council sees these properties as valuable "Heritage Orchards" also.
To think of replacing a working orchard or vineyard for playfields in an area that is striving to keep some of its past alive is disturbing.
I belong to one of those families, the Bellicitti family. The property that "stood out to the council" is where my father was born. It is where his parents started out. Our family started farming in the area in 1898 with my great grandparents. We have grown prunes, apricots, oranges, walnuts and now grapes. We take pride in the fact that we are still able to farm the land and plan to pass it on to the next generation.
Since the process is in the beginning stages, I am hopeful that the City Council and City Planners will take this into consideration. Our vineyards are a very important part of our lives and our children's lives. They are our "Heritage Orchard."
John Bellicitti
Marshall Lane
Soul of the valley needs a slogan
Willys Peck is on to something ["Saratoga Stereopticon," July 28]. A slogan for Saratoga should reflect the special place that we are. How about "Saratoga--the Soul of Silicon Valley" or "Saratoga--the Friendliest Village in the Valley"?
Don Wolfe
Saratoga
City shouldn't miss a chance on parkland
Saratoga has the reputation of being one of Northern California's most livable and desirable areas. Not many years ago, it was predominantly open space and orchard land. The city could not look ahead to a time when most of this open space would have disappeared ... to be replaced with homes.
The opportunity was present for years to acquire open space for parkland at a very minimal price. Unfortunately, few parcels were purchased. Those that were, or could have been, a part of our park system were sold, or not capitalized upon.
One of the few very wise choices was the Heritage Orchard. Now, frighteningly, the fate of that area appears to be in jeopardy.
It is true that we need more open space for parks and playing fields. A community, from the standpoint of livability, is judged in large part by its open space. Saratoga still has the opportunity to plan ahead to acquire one or more parcels of the very few that remain. But, it will be costly.
Any purchase, which would probably have to be funded by a bond issue, would enhance the value of every home in Saratoga. The citizens of Saratoga have the means to do this for themselves and future generations.
While the process is 30 years late, it still can be done! If this opportunity is lost, it will never come back, and Saratoga will have to continue to scramble for bits and pieces of land for playing fields, parks and open space.
F.L. Stutzman
Park Drive
SB335 discriminates based on age
If you're following the current debate surrounding stricter testing for California drivers age 75 and older, you're aware of the difficulties posed when society must balance the rights of all its citizens.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles certainly has a valid point in wanting to keep state roads safe; however, the arguments against Senate Bill 335 are also valid. The American Association of Retired Persons opposes the bill on grounds that it discriminates against senior citizens; AARP lobbyists say other states have resolved this issue without enacting laws that target seniors.
About 830,000 of California's licensed drivers are above age 75; 106,000 of those are older than 85, according to DMV records. SB 335, introduced by state Sen. Tom Hayden (D-Los Angeles), includes a provision authorizing the state to develop alternative transportation programs by Jan. 1, 2002, for seniors who lose their driving privileges (but no funding is included for that provision).
As president and CEO of American Baptist Homes of the West, one of California's oldest providers of senior housing care, I know intimately the balancing act that is required when serving seniors who are independent while also providing care when necessary. Most of the residents in our residential facilities still drive, and competently driving symbolizes independence. But even if skills diminish, the thought of losing that privilege creates stress. For many older citizens, loss of driving privileges also would mean actually losing independence.
Striving to balance our residents' desire to remain independent with our mission to safeguard their health has made us more innovative in how we provide service. State lawmakers are now caught up in a similar balancing act.
Also known as "Brandi's Law," SB335 is named for 15-year-old Brandi Mitock who died in November after being struck by a car driven by 96-year-old Brian Cox of Santa Monica, Mr. Cox was sentenced to five years probation.
California drivers with clean records receive automatic renewals, but that practice would end when drivers reach age 75, if SB335 passes. If passed, the bill would impose mandatory behind-the-wheel driving tests for drivers age 75 and older when renewing licenses. Additionally, the time between license renewals would be shortened based on age.
The bill won a narrow victory in the California Senate and is now in the Assembly Transportation Committee. Disagreements about it do not fall along age lines. Sixty-seven-year-old state senators Richard Mountjoy (R-Monrovia) and Betty Karnette (D-Long Beach) argue opposing views. Mountjoy says the "bill punishes one group of people simply because of their age." Karnette counters that it protects that group. "It's because we care about them," she says.
Truly caring about senior citizens requires being sensitive to their needs, especially that dearest one of remaining independent in their final years. With luck, we'll all face the same issue in our lives. Would you be willing to have tougher standards because of your age?
David B. Ferguson
President and CEO
American Baptist Homes of the West
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
