However, after spending some time in downtown Saratoga over this last weekend, I am now disgusted by the lack of community and teamwork that should exist between a council and a Chamber. Both of these entities have a responsibility to the business owners and the people of Saratoga.

I recently participated in the Leadership Los Gatos program, which is co-sponsored by the Los Gatos Town Council and the Los Gatos Chamber—a program to introduce city government and civic volunteerism. What a group! Talk about teamwork. Maybe the Chamber and council in Saratoga should ask Los Gatos to be their mentor! With the number of retail vacancies existing in downtown Saratoga, I'd say both the council and the Chamber better get over their issues and do something to help rebuild a strong downtown. If I was looking to lease space or if I had a current lease in Saratoga, I'd be scared out of my mind.

Here's a new mantra: If it isn't good for everyone, then eventually it won't be good for anyone. Wake up, Saratoga!

—Brenda Hammond, Los Gato


Words in letter came out wrong

I wrote a letter that appeared in last week's opinions. When I wrote the letter, I was very angry about people picking on Decinzo. I was not thinking, and spewed all my thoughts on the page in a big hurry. I was too wound up to realize what I was saying—that it would come off differently than I intended.

I sent it without thinking. When I realized what a big mistake I had made, I sent in a retraction, but somehow it didn't get through. What I meant was that I believed that cartoonists shouldn't have to worry about offending anyone, but the way I said it took on a whole different meaning.

I am very, very sorry if I have offended anyone, and I do believe in religion, just that it shouldn't affect cartoons. I wish that I could take back every word of what I said, and am full of remorse. I hope that you will take this as a sincere apology and, again, I am greatly troubled by my stupid actions and words of choice. Please, forgive me. I can't believe I was that insensitive, and if I can do anything to prove this, let me know.

—Kristin Leasia, Saratoga


St. Andrew's locking its gates

We have lived in the housing tract close to St. Andrew's Church for nearly 40 years. Our children grew up playing on the Crestbrook field. Some of our children even attended St. Andrew's School. The church and the field were nice additions to the area.

For the past few years our neighborhood has been putting up with large amounts of traffic from parents who park—and double park—to watch their St. Andrew's students play after-school sports on the field. Trying to navigate home through the blockage or turn onto Saratoga Avenue can be difficult and dangerous. The noise from the games is considerable. Then there is the final outrage of having a huge fence erected around the field that is padlocked at all gates, keeping out neighborhood kids who liked to use the playground and play basketball on the courts. We can't even take our 4-year-old grandchild down to play on the swings or the slide.

Being a good neighbor requires a give and take. To add noise and confusion and traffic to a neighborhood and then deny neighbors access to a field that they have played on for years seems not very kind-spirited for a church.

We assume the church will claim that they need to restrict access due to liability issues. However, this hasn't seemed to be a problem for the last 40 years. We think the church could either pay a little more insurance or go back to posting signs. After all, other schools keep playgrounds open.

Providing park access to local children is particularly appropriate since the school is now trying to expand its facilities and add even more chaos in our residential area.

—Marion and Irv Wentzien, Saratoga


City's church purchase a wise investment

In recent issues, rather vitriolic letters have appeared questioning the city council's decision to purchase the Methodist church property on Prospect Avenue.

Perhaps those initially opposing the purchase will modify their views if they take the time to consider the following:

* How many of us are cognizant of the true extent of repairs required when we remodel our homes? What at first appears to be a "simple, straightforward fix" suddenly involves removal of flooring, plasterboard, pipes, wall studs or perhaps even roofing.

* How many of us have the opportunity to purchase a valuable property at below-market price?

* How many of us wished we had purchased a home or land when prices were "reasonable"?

* How many of us wished we had had the insight to purchase a large piece of property knowing that only part of it would be utilized immediately but that the remainder would be desperately needed five to 10 years hence?

* When was the last time real estate was sold to the lowest bidder?

Everyone has the opportunity to see the site for him/herself, as there are two open houses—Sept, 5 from 5 to 7 p.m., and Sept. 10, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Those of us using that facility in the future will admire the foresight and wisdom that our current city council exhibited in purchasing what is now known as the "North Campus Facility."

—Marcia Fariss, Saratoga


Cartoonist just doing his job

Only a few defenders of Decinzo? When that cartoon came out I expected much outcry, but the very fact of so much negative outcry shows that Decinzo is a good cartoonist, and does a good job of editorializing.

The purpose of a political cartoon is to make people think and react, to draw attention to a problem and make readers wake up. He's the burr under the saddle! (I wonder how those unhappy readers feel about "Doonesbury.")

C'mon guys—lighten up! We know there have been problems of child abuse in the Catholic hierarchy. These problems can also occur in public schools, but wherever they occur, they are made worse if the powers that be refuse to recognize them. (Some cardinals still seem to have difficulty acknowledging their part in hiding the abuse and permitting it to continue.)

—Robert Wallace, Saratoga