Regarding Mr. Kavanagh's recent letter to the Saratoga News, which expressed concern about government's possible overreaching in the Patriot Act:

The library privacy issue is not minor. But the Patriot Act's main flaw is that it would allow law enforcement officers to invade the privacy of an individual's house before any probable cause for suspicion had been established. Blanket police power doesn't come much more complete than that.

Alan Rosenus

Lomita Avenue

Calling on Saratoga's support for Measure B

Since the newly renovated library opened in June 2003, the volume of books and materials loaned from the Saratoga Library has doubled, demonstrating once again how much the citizens of Saratoga value their library and its service to the community.

Measure B on the March 2004 ballot provides funding for the Santa Clara County Library System, which includes the Saratoga Library. The measure, simply put, is a continuation of a funding measure passed in 1994 that will expire in 2005. Single-family residential property tax bills will increase only $8 per parcel. Every dollar collected in Saratoga goes to the Saratoga Library.

If Measure B fails, the library system will lose 21 percent of its budget. This would result in significant cuts in library hours, books and up-to-date research materials and services. Open hours at the Saratoga Library would be reduced from 58 hours per week to 40 hours; it would be closed two full days, closed one extra morning and one extra evening per week. The three popular children's story times could be reduced to one per week.

During the past few weeks, volunteers from the Saratoga YES on B campaign have walked their neighborhoods, telephoned voters, spoken to PTAs and other groups, and distributed materials at the library. Thank you, Saratoga, for your very positive response to our message.

Measure B requires approval from two-thirds of the voters, so it is crucial that all Saratoga voters step forward to support Measure B in order to continue the award-winning library services we value so highly. Keep our magnificent new library strong and open.

Virginia Parker

Saratoga

Measure B support takes on a personal touch

I am writing in support of Measure B. I support it because I personally can attribute my current academic and professional achievements to the effective use of the library.

I was born in California of an American mother and a Nigerian father. My father took me to Nigeria when I was 2 years old, following the passing of my mother. My father died a couple of days later in Nigeria, leaving me to be raised by my grandmother, who passed away when I was 12. Since then, I became an independent thinker and a problem solver.

The library became my major source of information to fulfill my lifelong dream of coming back to the United States and becoming an aerospace engineer. Information on U.S. universities, foundations and names of business leaders helped me to return to the U.S. to accomplish my goal.

The library continued to play a significant role in my life. After graduating, I was advised not to seek work as an aerospace engineer. I was told that my accent and background would make it impossible for me to be hired. I was rather advised to seek a job with Burger King as a steppingstone.

Again through the use of the library, I was able to locate the Lockheed Missiles & Space Company in Sunnyvale, now known as Lockheed Martin, who hired me on the spot. As a result, I was the first in my graduating class to land a job with an aerospace corporation. I did this with no résumé or formal scheduled interview.

Based on these personal experiences, I am in full support of Measure B.

Raymond Chukwu

Saratoga Avenue

Community should be concerned about coyotes

I made my appeal about the coyotes to the Saratoga News in the hope that community concern might mobilize meaningful action before someone is injured or more of our pets are killed.

Vector control placed a lasso snare in the yard of our neighbor, Mark Weisler, but apparently cannot, or is not willing to, do more. Since we Homo sapiens are supposed to be unique in our capacity to reason and plan ahead, I was thinking something more was appropriate.

We have lived less than a block from the Saratoga­Los Gatos Road—hardly a rural setting—for 30 years and have never seen coyotes before this year. They have "chosen to live in our neighborhood," not the other way around. The report in the News last year of a coyote killing a cat in its own front yard on Cox Road would, likewise, not qualify as "rural."

"Choosing large pets" is an interesting recommendation ... perhaps elephants? When I spoke to Dave Scott, on Quito Road, who found the dog skull in the coyote den on his property, he presumed the dog to be his neighbor's missing Labrador retriever.

I also would like to note that until this last year we would see pairs or families of California quail in our yard daily. We have seen none since. It certainly occurs to me that there may well be an association with the arrival of the coyotes. I prefer the quail.

My intent, in contacting the Saratoga News had been to appeal to you, the community, to insist that something other than bureaucratic posturing be done to solve the problem. Please contact anyone or any agency who you believe might be able to help.

Charles Aring

Mendelsohn Lane

Third Mustard Walk a resounding success

The Saratoga Heritage Preservation Commission wishes to thank all the participants who so graciously gave of their time and talents to make our third annual Mustard Walk a resounding success.

The Saratoga News articles prior to the event helped create interest and participation, so we thank you. A special thanks goes to the arts commission and Lee Murray for partnering with us to plan and facilitate this event.

Local artists, musicians, winemakers, chefs and historians joined together to provide an entertaining afternoon for everyone in attendance. The children enjoyed donkey cart rides, miniature burros and face painting. For those with cameras, the picturesque photo opportunities were almost endless.

Fortunately, the weather cooperated; the day was perfect for gathering yellow blossom bouquets in our beautiful Heritage Orchard and learning more about its history and importance to our community. We are so fortunate that the city council voted to preserve it in perpetuity. We look forward to seeing you next year.

Patricia Bailey, chairwoman

Heritage Preservation Commission