The Saratoga city manager's reply [Saratoga News, April 7] to my letter is unresponsive and most disappointing.

First: As a former judge and felony prosecutor, I am well aware when to call law enforcement personnel. I said I was verbally assailed by the person, not that I was assaulted.

Second: His naked assertion that all the cats were trapped in the local area, neutered, and returned to their origin is blatantly without one iota of supporting data. We never saw cats before in the creek area and in our yard until the creation of this colony by outsiders. If the city manager can prove that these 25­30 cats came from the Golden Triangle, I will take all city employees to lunch.

Third: Please answer the question: Who has oversight of the introduction of cat colonies in Saratoga when they are placed on public lands? Is there a limit on the number of cats per colony and on the number of colonies? How does a neutered cat colony die out if new cats are continually being introduced?

Joe Barrie Durham

Scotland Drive

Don't blame voters; library should establish user fees

I found it interesting that, in light of the recent failure of Measure B, that the library and city officials immediately are starting to think about how soon they can put another tax-increase measure on the ballot.

Instead of blaming "voter confusion" and lack of education about what the library does and how it's funded, why don't they come up with another way to fund the library; one that is not linked only to property owners, but shared equally by all users: user fees!

Why not charge a yearly fee for library cards (say $10, certainly affordable by all) and start charging for all the currently free unlimited Internet access, videos, DVDs, CDs and baby-sitting services?

The March 31 article in the Saratoga News noted that "the board entertained the idea of raising existing service fees and fines or implementing new fees for currently free services." Instead of punishing voters for failing to implement the tax increase by curtailing hours, why not try out this novel and practical approach, and see what happens? It just might work.

Nancy Leasia

Beauchamps Lane