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Letters
El Quito Park is a park for every resident of city
After reading about yet another neighborhood protest against building a playfield in a public park, along with the proposal to spend $20,000 to help relocate a Patrick James store to the village, it occurred to me that what the vocal part of the community is consistently insisting upon is: retaining the orchards that are left unless they can be developed into something more profitable (as opposed to something more useful to the community), keeping the "neighborhood" parks and playgrounds exclusive to the neighborhoods that they happen to be in, keeping the school fields in substandard condition so they won't be used, and bringing in businesses with narrow appeal, while keeping out businesses with broad appeal.
But why not go one step further? What about the orchards that were destroyed to build the parks, schools and homes? What about the shortage of real estate offices and gentlemen's clothing stores in Saratoga? Why can't Saratoga stay just the way it was when I got here?
I have a suggestion that might solve all of these problems. Instead of spending $1.2 million to improve Congress Springs Park for playfields, why don't we convert it into an orchard? Better yet, why not replace all of the parks and schools with orchards or housing developments, spruce up the village with a few more real estate offices and gentlemen's clothing stores, then send all of the families with school-age children to live in Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, or San Jose (why don't they all just leave)? We can use the money we save to replace all of those pesky septic tanks.
This should substantially reduce the demand for and price of housing in Saratoga, and at the same time reduce the traffic, trash, noise, sewage and parking problems at the parks, schools and in the village. After a while "market forces" will cause the entire village to be converted for residential use. Then we can slap up a Sun City sign, outlaw cars and turn the entire city into a retirement village. After about 30 years or so, there will be no more residents and we can restore the area back to the way it was before the fruit growers started plowing everything under.
Gordon Spencer
Michaels Drive
City should pay for removing septic tanks
I would like to add my voice to the letters objecting to Saratoga's handling of the septic tank issue by John Bellicitti and Bert Martel in the August 30 issue of the Saratoga News. This is a nontrivial issue of $20,000 to $25,000.
I don't understand how the city can essentially legislate a tax on homeowners for something we have no control over. I bought my house with a septic tank. If the city wants to remove it, then let them pay for it. In addition, the tank on my property passes inspection so it is not the culprit in the city's problem of polluted streams. It is unfair that others and I should be punished for something we have not done. We are being punished for a "possible" problem.
I can support an inspection of all tanks if there is some perceived crisis. In addition, faulty tanks should be fixed. However, for those of us who are innocent of all crimes charged, there should be no penalty.
The city has irresponsibly handled this issue. If the city wants citizens to remove perfectly functioning septic tanks let it pay for the removal. I, for one, would like to fight this issue and protect my rights. I know that a number of retired couples are being very hard hit by these additional costs. Where does someone who has lived in Saratoga for years and is now retired come up with $25,000?
Gary Marcos
Farwell Avenue
PAC money does not belong in city's electoral process
Political Action Committee (PAC) money has no place in the electoral process in Saratoga. As a candidate for city council, I will not be accepting any PAC money in my campaign. I ask my fellow candidates, Chuck Page and Ann Waltonsmith, to join with me in this pledge.
Stan Bogosian
Lomita Avenue
Loss of two cherished teens deeply saddens community
I, like the entire community, am deeply saddened by the recent loss of two of our cherished teens. I struggle to find some forward momentum in a time when our limbs are numbed. There is no blame, only innocence.
This accident has shed light on an activity [called hill hopping] that has apparently been common knowledge among the majority of teens, including my own.
I do not suggest that any members of a police department could be present at all times, nor that their presence would eliminate all future tragedy. I suggest only that people act with more caution and follow the rules, if you will, when they anticipate being caught.
Barbara Ammirati
Los Gatos
Barbara Ammirati Hutchins lives on Redberry Drive in Los Gatos but her children attend Saratoga schools.--Editor
Sobrato's behavior was selfish, disrespectful
The unexpected, angry outburst of John Sobrato during the planning commission meeting on July 12, was unconscionable. His behavior in reaction to the commissioners' delay in making a decision on the Bohlman Road situation seems selfish and disrespectful.
His dictation on what he would or would not do is an affront to the commissioners and shows his disregard for the developmental process needed to maintain Saratoga's unique atmosphere.
Apparently, Mr. Sobrato is used to getting his way with no concern for, and at the expense of, the community as a whole. I applaud the commissioners for their handling of the matter. They took the insult to their positions and credibility with concise and well-stated responses. I hope they reflect on what occurred when making any decisions concerning the Bohlman Road matter at the meeting on Sept. 13.
David W. Dolloff
Sigal Drive
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
