I am disappointed that the city council voted to sell the North Campus property. It was my hope that the council would find a creative approach that would allow the city to keep the North Campus until such time as it was determined that its space was no longer needed. I am further disappointed that a sale made to Saratoga with the understanding that it was to be used "for the greater good of the city," was not honored.

Without question, Saratoga's current financial situation is serious and unpleasant; unpopular decisions must be made. Certainly the failure of the utility tax measure contributed to our current crisis; however, there are also factors beyond the city's control that are to blame for our shortage of funds.

I am hopeful that between now and the time the property is placed on the market that someone or a collaboration of someones will step forward with a viable alternative. Though the city government is strapped for funds, privately Saratoga is a wealthy community. It would be wonderful if some of our forward-thinking, philanthropic residents would be willing to work with the city to develop the North Campus as a resource that many Saratogans would enjoy for many years to come.

All of us know that Saratoga is a special place; we all moved here because it provides a unique, desirable respite from other Santa Clara Valley cities. I am optimistic that some of our residents are willing to give back to Saratoga in a meaningful way.

Marcia Fariss

Saratoga Glen Place

Council vote to sell
campus 'shocking'

I was shocked to see that the city council, which normally moves at glacial speed, has now moved at warp speed to sell off the North Campus property on Cox Avenue.

Forget about promises made to the seller who sold at below market rates then on condition that the property be put to public use. By the council's logic, promises made by any previous council are not binding on them now. Think about the absurdity of that position for a moment.

Naturally, this action has set off a feeding frenzy amongst the developers who, unlike the city council, know a good deal when they see one. Building lots in the area are going for close to a million bucks per site and this property would yield at least eight, maybe more, sites.

It seems to me that the city got a good--no, a great--deal when the good people of the old Grace Methodist Church sold them this prime parcel a few years ago. As any Realtor can tell you, there is only so much prime Saratoga real estate. And when a good-sized chunk is sold to the city at a great bargain price, it would only seem prudent for the city to hang onto it whilst waiting for someone with a little vision to figure out the best thing to do with it.

But, no, Saratoga just has to keep funding our pet projects, and who wants that old church site on the wrong side of town anyway? Sell it and keep spending city funds on the good stuff and pet projects. More soccer fields and turning the perfectly good open space next to the railroad tracks into a carefully manicured nature trail immediately come to mind. All of which will require yet more expensive maintenance when we are already in a situation where we can't afford to take care of what we already have. Does this make sense? They just don't seem to get it. When you're in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.

I guess I'm old fashioned, but I've always operated on the basis that you only spend what you take in, or preferably less. If we in Saratoga are taking in less money these days due to the highway robbery being perpetrated by Sacramento with our tax money, we just have to tighten our belts and adjust our budgets accordingly until we sort that mess out and remain solvent. Hamburger for dinner instead of steak. You get the idea. You shouldn't sell part of your house off so you can keep eating filet mignon, should you?

Where, oh where, is the common sense in what we're doing in this city?

Hey, I've got an idea! Why don't we lease some space in the civic center to a Burger King or a Taco Bell? I'm sure all the West Valley College students would like a break from their cafeteria food. Maybe this would even raise enough money to pay for continued maintenance on the North Campus and reduce air pollution on Saratoga Avenue as well.

Irv Halland

Walden Court

No new taxes for
county libraries

I don't know why it is that the more I pay attention, the more stupidity I seem to see.

A lady who said she was a volunteer at the [Saratoga] library called me to say she wanted my support for a special ballot measure to raise taxes. This is supposedly to pay for extending opening hours. Two points came to me that she would not discuss.

1. We voted down the same proposal only five months ago. Why isn't there some minimum (say two years) before you can spend more tax dollars to put essentially the same measure before voters again?

2. Why doesn't the library system close some libraries (say Saratoga and Campbell) on Monday and some (say Cupertino and Los Gatos) on Tuesday? Most people drive to the library anyway, so in the rare cases when you need a book on Monday, did not know it on Sunday and can't wait until Tuesday, then go to Los Gatos or Cupertino.

Many issues that drive tax increase proposals have much better solutions. But I suspect the library bosses prefer higher spending to sensible cost controls.

Peter Knight

Glasgow Drive

Voters should support
Measures A and B

Library measures A and B are proposed in a special election on May 3. What's the hurry?

We urgently need to provide funding to keep our libraries open. The Saratoga Library has been closed on Mondays since loss of state funding last year. If these measures are not passed now we will face closing two more days each week. Do we want our libraries to be open only four days a week? We will also lose reference librarians and other staff.

Measure A restores the $33.66 per year parcel tax, which will expire on June 30 and retains today's level of services. Measure B adds $12 more per year to restore Mondays and other lost services.

For only $45.66 per year we can have our libraries open and serving our community seven days per week.

Alan King

Oak Place