Letters

City should suspend septic abatement ordinance

The recently enacted ordinance requiring some property owners to connect to a sewer line if the property is within 200 feet of a sewer line is not justified. This ordinance is costly, it adversely effects the environment; and it does not fix the problem (if there is one). It also unfairly places a financial burden on a small group of property owners, many of whom are elderly living on a fixed income.

The cost, assuming that 240 systems are connected at an average cost of $12,500 per system, is $3,000,000. This is more than one-fourth the total yearly budget for the city of Saratoga. Imposing a financial burden of $3,000,000 on an estimated five percent of Saratoga's population cannot be justified based on what is accomplished.

Much of this money will be spent on non-local contractors. Taking $3 million out of the economy of Saratoga must certainly have an adverse effect on local businesses.

The issue has been raised of the impact of septic tanks on the environment. However, the San Jose Water Company, which supplies Saratoga with water has not reported any adverse effects from the few remaining septic tanks located in Saratoga. Certainly, the mayor and city council members would not be drinking this water if they honestly believed it was polluted.

Trees utilize the discharge from the septic system to maintain health and growth. Trees are essential to the environment and depriving them of needed moisture and nutrients should be a serious consideration when making environmental decisions.

Considering the added pollution to our shorelines, torn up lawns and sprinklers, damaged tree roots, cut and patched driveways, torn up streets, and deprivation of needed moisture and nutrients to trees, this ordinance could cause more damage than it fixes. This, at an estimated cost of $3 million.

The ordinance eliminates half of the total number of septic systems in Saratoga. Why are septic systems that are more than 200 feet from the property line not a threat to the environment when all the others are? Why are septic systems that do not have gravity feed to the sewer or access to the sewer line through and easement not a threat to the environment when all the others are? If there is a problem, it will not be corrected by half measures.

In summary, this ordinance fixes nothing and results in a wasteful expenditure of an estimated $3 million paid for by a very small number of Saratoga property owners.

This ordinance should be suspended until there is justification to take action on the septic systems.

Robert Larson
Park Drive

Adult Care Center should be considered in master plan

I was dismayed to read the front-page story in the July 26 issue of the Saratoga News noting the city council's plans for a study on a new civic center complex. Several times, the article mentions the needs of the community center and senior center, yet it never mentions the Adult Care Center, which is also in the same building.

This section of the building was built only 12 years ago and the center opened in January 1988. This is a licensed facility caring for the frail elderly. This was the first agency built specifically for adult daycare in Santa Clara County; the others were housed in church rooms.

It seems to me that no one is considering its needs. How will they continue to operate a top quality agency if the building is demolished? It isn't as simple, in their case, as moving an art class into a portable module for a stopgap solution. Please consider the Adult Care Center when assessing the whole situation.

Pat Bortle
Wendy Lane

Building second road is best solution for Bohlman Road

Some things I just don't understand. It seems to me that Fire Chief Ernie Kraule had the opportunity to, and could have, settled the dispute over the proposed Sobrato development on Bohlman Road with a snap of his fingers. All he needed to do at the planning commission meeting on July 12 was express to the commissioners that the best long-term solution for the health and safety of all the residents who use Bohlman Road is to build a second parallel road. But, alas, he settled for having the road widened two feet here, two feet there ... after all, there's nothing in the way but trees.

I do have to applaud the foresight of both Chief Kraule and his friend John Campbell, of the cemetery district. Their concern for more space at Madronia Cemetery is vitally important to the community. When we finally do have a cataclysmic fire, earthquake, etc. and the 200 plus households on the hill must evacuate quickly, the chaos that will ensue when everyone converges on that section of Bohlman Road will be the talk of the town for years.

As for those who don't survive the onslaught, they should find solace in knowing that our public officials made sure there is plenty of room in Madronia Cemetery to rest their weary bones.

David W. Dolloff
Sigal Drive

Leaving fawns after a touch is old wives tale

I read with dismay the article on deer control programs that the city council is discussing. Ann Waltonsmith stated a completely erroneous idea, when she said that the mother deer will not come back to take care of her fawns, if a human has touched them.

That is old wives' tale that needs to be put to rest. It is very unfortunate that she did not contact the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley at 408.283.0744 for information on what to do. I'm hoping you will print this letter and even do another article with the necessary research done, to offset the harm done by Ann Waltonsmith's misinformation.

Also, why has the council decided that deer are a problem? Is it deer vs. plants? Why were Fish and Game's suggestions not taken seriously, such as planting types of vegetation not appetizing to deer? There are other methods that need to be explored (lion manure from zoos etc.).

Donna Dittrich
Verde Moor Court

Correction

In the story about the library architect in the Aug. 9 issue of the Saratoga News, we made an error. We should have said that the bond measure would only fund renovation and construction costs for the new library building.

Sheriffs Report

Local home sale listings

Obituary: Saratogan Lydia Teague dies of heart failure

Frank Jewett is appointed as a provisional trustee of the West Valley-Mission Community College District Board of Trustees

Saratoga Sampler

Sports Briefs

Courtside plays for state crown