Letters

PAC money is not in Waltonsmith's campaign

I certainly agree with Mayor Stan Bogosian that Political Action Committee (PAC) money does not belong in the city council race in Saratoga. As another candidate for one of the city council's two open seats, I also pledge to not accept any PAC money in my campaign.

Ann Waltonsmith
Saratoga Hills Road

Commissioner's comments and actions were rude

If I hadn't been appalled at Planning Commissioner Bernald's (Chairman Page's rules apparently discourage the use of first names) actions and comments at the Sept. 13 commission meeting, I would have started laughing. She launched into not one, but two, diatribes that constituted personal slaps at very knowledgeable commissioners.

The second tantrum was amusing, though rude and vindictive. Commissioner Bernald berated Commissioner Barry for not proving to her that copper salts, etc., are toxic. We happen to have a 1934 edition of Webster's and, guess what--copper salts were defined even then--66 years ago!--as being poisonous. I took chemistry in high school and college in the 1950s and learned the same thing. Of course, as I understand it, Commissioner Bernald did not attend the planning commission retreat where materials by professionals on the toxicity of copper salts were presented. She must have chosen not to read these. Or perhaps she feels that there have been "modern" discoveries negating previous chemistry.

Interestingly, Chairman Page, who has more than once stated his displeasure that the city council had displaced more "seasoned" commissioners with newer people, did not seem to feel that any of Commissioner Bernald's snide comments violated his policy of "respect" among commissioners. At one point, Ms. (oops, Commissioner) Bernald vented her frustration by saying that this is not the same planning commission we had three years ago.

I must reply, "Thank Goodness!"

Dora Grens
Old Oak Way

GGG president leaves with mixed emotions

It is with significantly mixed emotions that my wife, Ethel, and I say farewell to Saratoga and our many friends here. We have lived in this wonderful town for the past 28 years and have very many fond memories to take with us to our new home. Our children have encouraged us to relocate to be nearer to them, and we have finally succumbed to their urging by buying a new home near our oldest son, Randy, who lives in Rocklin, Calif.

Saratoga is a fine town with such nearly perfect weather that we have often told friends and family of our home in "Camelot." For many years, I have been involved in civic life: I have been active in our Homeowners' Association since its formation in 1973, then as a member of the finance commission, and as a Director and President of the Good Government Group. There is much good about Saratoga, however, all is not as good as it could be.

I am much troubled by activities and actions of our city council during the past year. Led by a faction that espouses conservatism and care for the environment, they seem to have drifted into misdirected pettiness that bodes ill for this city that I love very much.

About a year ago they undertook a search for a new city attorney with a stated goal to find a local, qualified firm. Instead, they hired two attorneys from San Francisco and Santa Cruz. I still wonder if the fact that the lead attorney drafted the 1996 Measure G had undue influence on the hiring decision. The cost of legal services to the city has increased by more than $100,000 from previous budget years.

Early this year they took action to terminate city manager Larry Perlin. Whether or not this was appropriate action, I am embarrassed for Saratoga since no member of the council attended his farewell party. In addition, the farewell gathering was entirely funded by attendees since the council forbade employees from using work time or supplies to advertise, prepare for, or attend this function.

How ungracious can one get? More recently they have hassled the Chamber of Commerce over a requested increase in funding of $6,600, and attempted to get the Chamber to do follow-up work that should be the council's responsibility. An inordinate amount of time and energy has been spent on this inconsequential issue.

Now, the voters of Saratoga will be asked to approve a moratorium on use of commercially zoned properties. In my opinion this measure is nothing more than a trumped-up issue on which two of our council members can campaign for re-election. This ballot measure would be completely unnecessary if only the council would make informed decisions and vote responsibly.

A final area of my concern has to do with quality of life in Saratoga. Our City Vision, adopted in 1995 says, in part, "value is placed on an attractive, well-maintained, and well-planned community." I believe that this means that the many city codes pertaining to maintenance of our homes, streets, sidewalks, paths and trails should be enforced.

This certainly is not the case! Our city management has relegated code enforcement to a completely passive process wherein action is taken only when an offended party loudly complains. Many of our paths and streets are unsafe for walkers or bicyclists because of overgrowth of trees and shrubs. Our street-sweeping program is intended to help the environment by collecting residue that will wash into the storm drains and contaminate our creeks. This goal is not met since the sweeper cannot get near the gutter due to overgrowth on many streets. Nothing is done to rectify this shortcoming. The code enforcement staff is only a little over one full-time employee. We should properly fund code enforcement and have them develop a proactive program that will fulfill the goal of quality life in Saratoga.

Saratoga is a wonderful place in which to live, but it could be even better.

I hope that voters will consider these issues when preparing for the forthcoming November election of city council members. In my opinion Councilman Nick Streit is doing a fine job for us, but he constantly fights a minority battle against an entrenched power structure.

Allen T. Roten
Veronica Drive

Photo: Coastal Cleanup Day

DeCinzo

Home sale prices

Obituary: Dan Braden

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