This is in response to Victor Monia's comments appearing in the April 16 Saratoga News. His letter was inaccurate, and after 30-plus years of listening to him and Jeff Schwartz twist facts, utilize innuendoes, DeCinzo cartoons and half-truths to manipulate and control West Valley College, I feel the need to vent my frustration.

March 15 was the 27th annual West Valley Relays--that's right, 27 years! Not a real surprise to the neighbors. This is the only track meet held on a Saturday the entire year (the one exception is our obligation to host the conference championships once every eight years).

Monia stated that the meet began at 7 a.m. with amplified sound cranked all the way up. I was still driving to the college at 7 a.m. I opened the gates at 7:15 a.m., and set the sound system up at 8 a.m. with the two portable speakers pointed away from the neighbors. I conducted a test at 8:20 a.m. with the system at half volume. The meet announcer started announcing at 8:30 a.m. for the first event at 9 a.m. This is a typical Monia exaggeration.

For the past 30-plus years Schwartz and Monia have continually called the college insensitive to its neighbors. Here are a few facts:

1) We are the only community college out of the 100-plus in the state that plays home football games on Friday afternoons--this was done to mitigate disruption to our neighbors;

2) We only host one Saturday track meet each year, except for the conference obligation every eight years--this again was done with the neighbors' best interest in mind;

3) We very seldom host Sunday events at any of our athletic facilities--again, to keep noise levels to a minimum.

As I previously stated, the college has an obligation to host the conference track and field championships once every eight years. Thursday through Saturday, April 24­26 was our turn in the conference rotation.

I was instructed by Chancellor Stan Arterberry and President Marchelle Fox to not use amplified sound in any further track meets because of the threat of litigation from the West Valley Homeowners Association. I asked the conference coaches if they wanted to switch sites. An overwhelming majority said we shouldn't forgo the only chance this season for our athletes to compete on their home track.

So we hosted the meet. Yes, the athletes were cheated. The conference champion in each event didn't hear his or her name announced. The meet didn't run as smoothly without the portable sound system, but it was held, and every athlete, coach, official and spectator knew there wasn't a sound system because of the resident in the house on the hill above the track.

I could go on and on with examples of Monia and Schwartz's blatant half-truths about the track and field facility--about how it was designed and excavated as the base for a 25,000-seat stadium. Excavated, yes ... 25,000 seats, never. This isn't about the "stadium"--that's a dead issue. This is all about exercising their control over the college.

For me this is the last straw. We are denying our student-athletes the opportunity to officiate and manage a high school track meet that is a great learning experience, not to mention the lost revenue ($150,000).

The track and field facility is used for football games and track meets eight to 10 days out of 365 per year! To try to eliminate this limited use because of a portable sound system once a year is self-serving and ridiculous.

—Bill Campbell, Athletic Director and track coach, West Valley College


There must be more we can do than go shopping

One of the most inspiring things in my life has been a tin sign that hangs in my garage of "Rosie the Riveter." This sign is a replication of a World War II poster produced by artists organized as "Artists for Victory."

With war hanging over our heads, at no time have I heard talk of conservation, let alone personal sacrifice. The victory signs produced during World War II urged every citizen, young and old, to conserve such things as rubber, paper, tin and even fat left over from cooking. People were urged to drive less, and carpools were formed to save gas and oil.

Our armed forces may not need these products like they have in the past, but as citizens we still need to know that we have had some hand in helping this great nation. In wars of the past, politicians have asked that we conserve with pride and honor.

After Sept. 11, President Bush asked Americans to go shopping. Go shopping!

Somehow this just doesn't give me the same feeling I get when I look into the eyes of "Rosie," with her shirt sleeves rolled up as she flexes her biceps above the caption reading "We Can Do It." Isn't there something more patriotic we can do than spend money on ourselves?

—Wendy Potter, San Jose


A track and field meet once a year? Big deal

This is in response to a complaint about a track meet that was too "noisy." Yes, on March 15 there was an all-day non­West Valley College track meet. It was for high school students.

Where else would you have them do their track events--in the streets? Oh, that wouldn't work because then people would complain that there are kids in "their" streets exercising, trying to better themselves.

I am getting so tired of the constant complaints about kids being noisy, playing in neighborhoods, etc. These students were doing a track meet for one day. Wow! One day of being inconvenienced while students were doing a sporting event. I just don't understand where people are coming from these days.

The 7 a.m. "amplified sound cranked all the way up"--at least it wasn't a concert. The noise of the neighborhood is just something we all need to deal with. I have neighbors who decide to start their chain saws early, but it is just for one day!

—Kathy Smith, Paseo Flores