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Photograph by Kathy De La Torre
Ryan Johnson, 5, of Saratoga, takes his first big leap into the Saratoga High School pool at its grand opening party Aug. 27.
The Year in Review 2000
It was a year for diving into the future
In many ways, 2000 was the year that Saratoga looked at its future and saw that it was populated with young families with young children. At the same time, officials saw that the viability of the city's business districts was shaky. The city took major strides this year toward improving its business base and toward improving and expanding services for its young people.
The Aug. 27 grand opening of the Saratoga High School swimming pool epitomized the entire community's focus on the needs of its youth. Three years in the making, the Olympic-sized pool finally came together thanks to the efforts of school officials--particularly Principal Kevin Skelly--, a multitude of volunteers and the city of Saratoga which ponied up $150,000 which allowed for the hoped-for amenities and made the effort truly a town and gown affair.
With a growing number of children in Saratoga's future, parks received a lot of attention. In spite of heated battles by neighbors who feared that nearby renovations and upgrades would increase traffic and noise, several parks now boast new playgrounds, and by year's end the council had approved a major renovation for Congress Springs Park.
Faced with aging community and senior centers, the council opted to look at the big picture and consider a master plan, while implementing temporary fixes for the present.
Voters approved bonds for both a new fire station and a new library, and funds from a school bond measure were busily at work during the year with renovations and expansion of schools in the Saratoga Union School District.
The council, reacting to a huge reader response to a questionnaire in the city newsletter, said it had all the citizen input necessary to decide against using the Heritage Orchard for recreational uses and would let it remain, as it has been, a reminder of Saratoga's agricultural heritage.
Although the business community tangled several times with the city council, in the long run, the council came down on the side of business more often than not.
The council put Measure G on the ballot to buy time while plans are made to strengthen the city's business districts and prevent them from being converted to other uses. Council members also took a bold step in authorizing funds for economic development. Members used some of those funds to bring the men's clothing store Patrick James to the Village in hopes of increasing foot traffic. Some of the budeget funds are earmarked for an economic development director.
In another positive move, the city accepted more than $2 million from Caltrans to take control of part of Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road, which officials say will help them upgrade the Gateway business district.
Two major issues are sure to dominate the coming year. The battle between the Saratoga Fire District commissioners and union firefighters is coming to a head, and the city is preparing to weigh in on the subject following a study by the public safety commission.
When a judge ruled earlier this year that West Valley College did not have to abide by earlier agreements with the city not to put in a stadium, the groundwork was laid for what promises to be a knock-down-drag-out battle. Look for this issue to dominate next year's Year in Review.
--Dale Bryant, Editor
2000: The Year in Review
January - March 2000
April - June 2000
July - September 2000
October - December 2000
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
