Letters

User fee is a tax on Saratoga's children

I heard a quotation once that said something like "Democracy is a great form of government but it is pretty ugly to watch." The meeting on Dec. 10 of the parks and recreation committee was certainly reminiscent of this quotation. The parks and rec committee called a special meeting to get public input on a proposed use fee for Congress Springs Park.

The special meeting was required so as to have a contract ready for Little League to sign in order to use the fields this year.

As it turns out this was much more than a proposal, it was a forgone conclusion where the only item in question was the "per head" amount to charge AYSO and Little League for using the park.

The proposal before the committee was to charge each and every Little League and AYSO child $25 to use the park plus a maintenance fee for each organization that run the fees up to $35 per child. The majority of the comments from the public were against any form of use fee while the most generous suggestion from Little League was for a $10 use fee.

With one exception, the committee members seemed to be interested in and attentive to the public's input. One committee member however, was rude to the point of laughing in the face of one of the AYSO representatives.

After the public comments the objections brought up were summarily dismissed and it became abundantly apparent that the decision had already been unanimously decided prior to this meeting, the committee then proceeded, after a long laborious and painful process, to pass a motion recommending a $15 use fee.

This use fee is an outrage, call it what it is--a tax.

There are only two captive organizations in Saratoga selected for this use fee: AYSO soccer and Saratoga Little League. AYSO runs approximately 1,200 children per year through its program. Saratoga Little League hosts approximately 460 children. Both AYSO and Little League have served the community for over 20 years that I am aware of, thus serving more than 30,000 children over the years.

Neither organization has an alternative place to play and are, as the parks and rec committee are quick to recognize, captive to the city of Saratoga. Captive organizations as in this case are great targets for those who are looking for government revenue. In this case, revenue generated by this use fee, tax if you will, will in all probability be headed for the Saratoga general fund.

This is a blatant tax on children's sports and where these organizations are seen as revenue sources. AYSO and Saratoga Little League have both agreed to pay maintenance fees to ensure the park is kept up to optimum condition yet the park and recreation committee wishes to create a profit center at Congress Springs.

This $15 use fee will undoubtedly set a precedent for future park taxes. The suggestion to charge a $15 per head for anyone wishing to reserve any Saratoga Park facility was shelved for "future discussion." Under this policy, the time may actually come where the sheriff is called out to El Quito Park to check on the pickup softball and soccer games that regularly are played there.

This year, due to Congress Springs not being ready for play after its refurbishment, Quito Little League is graciously allowing Saratoga Little League to hold its tryouts on its field at Rolling Hills field. I can imagine the response we get the next time we need some help from Quito when we charge their Little League teams a $25 (did I forget to mention the non-resident surcharge?) per head use fee to use a Saratoga park to practice on. All other park use is currently exempt from this per-head tax. You will still be able to walk your dog on the renovated Congress Springs Park at no charge.

As Oscar Wilde once said, "Democracy means simply the bludgeoning of the people by the people for the people." In this instance it is a bludgeoning of the children of Saratoga by the parks and rec committee.

Dennis Farmer
El Camino Grande

Health center offering great care for father

I would like to publicly thank and acknowledge the wonderful staff at the Saratoga Retirement Community Health Center on Fruitvale Avenue.

My father, who has Alzheimer's, became a resident at the health center after suffering a small stroke last March. As you can imagine, the emotional, administrative and logistical aspects of relocating my father were overwhelming.

The director, Gary Vernon, was on top of things right from the start. The registration and move-in went smoothly. He assured me that his staff was warm and caring and treated all the residents with respect. I think they go beyond that. I have made numerous visits at odd hours and have consistently come upon my dad being warmly teased, engaged in pleasant conversations with staff or contentedly napping.

These past months were difficult for my father to settle in, yet, at every turn, the staff would try something new or ask for my suggestions. I was always fully informed as to my father's progress or decline. It was clear that they pay special attention to details.

I cannot say enough good things about Saratoga Retirement Community. Their flexibility, warmth and attention to care have given our family peace of mind. It is a home with a heart!

Teresa Acosta
Saratoga Avenue

Couple makes trips more than special

I have recently had the privilege to take my third Saratoga Community Center trip with Yvonne Lampshire as the leader and her husband Warren Lampshire assisting her. They do an excellent job and go beyond what is necessary in making their trips extra special. If anything goes wrong, they are right there to see that it is corrected.

Their wonderful sense of humor adds to the gaiety of their trips. Yvonne and Warren are also active volunteers in our community and we are fortunate to have them.

Louise Webb
Canyon View Drive

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