Thank you for publishing the Willys Peck columns; they are always interesting, and the article on the 1956 incorporation of Saratoga was especially so. I learned that Campbell was incorporated on the second try, and even learned that Willow Glen had once been incorporated! Wonderful stuff. Think of all the research time he saves all the rest of us.

It seems to me the city council should award Willys Peck some honorary designation like "Venerable Historian" or maybe "Vital City Historical Resource" to memorialize his contribution and encourage him to keep doing it. Something that would make a handy acronym might be nice, like "Designated Accumulator of Timeless Affairs" or DATA. Any Ideas?

Robert Dwyer

Farwell Avenue

It's important to give,
and cash works best

I am writing because this is the time of year we are all being asked to make holiday donations to local not-for-profit charitable organizations. As a longtime volunteer board member, I strongly encourage everyone to give as much as possible and, more important, to give the gift in form of a cash payment (most organizations now take credit card payments as well as checks).

Many organizations are asking for items like food and toys, and by all means if that is how you would like to give, please do. However, please understand that what these organizations need most is cash gifts, and cash is the easiest, most cost-effective, and environmentally friendly gift you can give.

Here are the reasons:

1—It is much more efficient for a charitable organization to use cash; they can put it where it is most needed to serve their client population most effectively. It also saves waste and costs of organizing and supplementing an assortment of gift items.

2—It saves you, the donor, the time of finding, acquiring, and delivering donation items.

3—It saves the environment—we don't have to use our cars to acquire and deliver gift items.

The bottom line is that the receiving organization and their clients will get more out of an equivalent amount of cash than a gift. Thank you for considering my thoughts when you make your holiday donations this year.

Wanda Kownacki

Bainter Avenue

CORRECTION

An article in the Nov. 17 edition misstated the vote during a Saratoga Planning Commission meeting on Nov. 10. The actual vote was 3-2 in favor of a denial to build a house on Seagull Way. Commissioners Linda Rodgers and Michael Schallop cast the dissenting votes.