Saratoga News

Letters

Leaving Saratoga is difficult to do

It was with mixed feelings that Mary and I left Saratoga for the comfort and security of The Terraces of Los Gatos. We had hoped and worked for an opportunity to move to a retirement facility on the Paul Masson site and spend the rest of our lives in Saratoga. However, the misguided efforts of a handful of individuals prevented this and instead left an ugly development of cluster houses that further depletes the ambiance of Saratoga that we and others worked so hard to create and nurture in its earlier years.

Instead, what has emerged is a city of self-interests, misguided efforts to inhibit the administration of city government, circumvention of the city's planning process and discontent over inconsequential issues that are manifested in foolish wrangling and public debate, indeterminate press coverage with childish cartoons and overall reversal of the direction in which Saratoga was so carefully postured in its formative years.

Saratoga's loss, however, has been our gain to have found at The Terraces of Los Gatos a community of elegance and friendliness, and a fresh, new facility that has surpassed even our greatest hope for retirement living. Each day is a new revelation to us of the excellence of the structure and substance of the retirement community.

We're grateful for our years in Saratoga, the friends and relationships we enjoyed during our residence there from 1956 to 1966 and again from 1980 to date. We'll miss the associations we had, the organizations we served and the dreams we helped fulfill. We look forward, however, to new associations, use of an elegant retirement facility, life in a vibrant town and, most of all, enjoying a structured community of new neighbors and friends at The Terraces. It is our fondest hope that Saratoga will soon find itself and once again become the friendly city it once was--free of the quarrelsome, discordant element that seems to pervade every issue or facet of the governance process. We wish it every success.

Richard V. Drake
The Terraces, Los Gatos

It's not easy to become a Rotarian

As president of Saratoga Rotary, I would love to see our club membership grow with more Ann Marie Burgers. To become a Rotarian, one must be sponsored by two members, approved by the board of directors and, finally, approved by the entire membership. To even get to the sponsorship level, one must:

* Be a leading representative of his or her business or profession;

* Have the personal reputation of integrity and good business relations;

* Have a business reputation of high ethics;

* Be able to comply with attendance requirements and give sufficient time to club activities; and

* Fit well with members of the club.

Ann Marie Burger has easily qualified on membership requirements. And since being inducted, she has been a major contributor to Saratoga Rotary. She has been a member of multiple committees, has chaired projects and is always there to volunteer for one more. Our city has gained through her efforts, just as Saratoga Rotary has gained. Thank you, Ann Marie.

John Hoiness
Karn Circle

Saratogans are decisively slow-growth, pro-environment

There can be little doubt about it. Saratogans unerringly proclaimed in their vote during our last election that we are a decisively slow-growth and pro-environment community.

It is precisely because I so heartily endorse these sentiments--and because I am so exceedingly wary of those who might support high-density development, traffic congestion, unabated freeway noise and closed (vs. open) government--that I will cast my votes for candidates Stan Bogosian and Jim Shaw in the Nov. 5 City Council election.

Let us sustain our reputation as an uncommonly charming and livable community that stands up to fight encroachments on its still-pristine nature. Those who would put development and commercialism at the top of their agenda must be stopped, and stopped cold.

Prof. Harold W. "Hal" Hodges
Park Drive

Isn't the library supposed to be quiet?

On Wednesday, Sept. 18, at about 4 p.m. I visited the Saratoga Library and was appalled at the behavior of all the students there. Who is responsible for keeping the noise level down?

During my childhood and growing-up years, it was instilled in me that the library was a place of quiet. It was a place where people went to study and read, not to shout and talk loudly or to have a child scream and cry! What has gone wrong in this day and age? Also, I wonder if the immigrants living in this area are aware that the library is supposed to be quiet? Have they never had access to a library before? This appears to be a reflection on management.

I was unable to spend any time in perusing the books or equipment because of the exorbitant noise. Please, can't we have a quiet library?

Gretchen Podd
Saratoga
QueenGP@aol.com

Saratoga is spending $1 million on computers

I was amused to read that Ann Marie Burger's campaign pledge will be to "keep the city of Saratoga out of the electorate's face." Her statement is surprising in light of some of the measures she has enacted while on the City Council. One of her ordinances restricts the size and location of signs merchants can display downtown; a second limits the number of garage sales a resident can have; and a third restricts the location of car sales. Is this keeping the city out of a resident's face?

She describes herself as a fiscal watchdog and reminds voters that Saratoga is "rag-poor." But Burger is clearly one of the sources of Saratoga's financial problems. Over the next four years, almost $1 million will be spent on a computer upgrade that she and the council approved. After that period, even more money will be spent on this technological overkill.

Business owners whose computer requirements are about the same as the city can tell you that a lavish system can be had for $200,000 and an adequate system for $100,000. No wonder she cries "rag-poor" when asked to support the teen center and other needed services.

Misrepresenting herself in print still comes all too easily to Burger, who recently told the Saratoga News that she took a "neutral stance" toward Measure G prior to the March election. She must think that everyone who lives in Saratoga was born with political amnesia.

Hopefully, the electorate will replace her because far more honest and better-qualified people are running for her council seat. The true needs and desires of Saratoga residents should be represented.

Alan Rosenus
Lomita Avenue

Ann Marie Burger is a friend to Saratoga

As past president of the Chamber of Commerce and Saratoga Rotary and past commander of the American Legion, I am very aware of what it takes to be an active and involved citizen of Saratoga. Having lived in this city for 23 years, I have also known many individuals who have given a great deal to our city.

Ann Marie Burger stands out, however, as one of the top givers of her time and her talent to Saratoga. Our city has gained from her contributions to the City Council as a member and as mayor.

I'm pleased to call Ann Marie a friend, and she certainly has earned my support in the upcoming elections.

Lou Leto
Saratoga