I'm not usually one for sarcasm, but ...

Call me crazy, but I'm not sure I understand the logic behind the proposed trail from Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road, along a rail track, ending up 1.6 miles later with a dead-end.

If it seemed like a good idea, I could probably accept the devaluation of the properties that it passes within a few feet of. I'd even lend these homeowners earplugs so that they could deal with all the extra noise of the construction and use of the path. I wouldn't mind clearing up all the extra trash left behind either. And I wouldn't bother the busy police with all the petty crime--I'm sure they've more important things to do.

I'd tell people who live in more deprived neighborhoods to go find their own money to clear up the trails where they live--it's not my fault Saratoga is full of rich people.

And even though rumor has it that the council is so broke that it has to cut services, I'm sure they know what they're doing by committing the city to the extra maintenance costs of this trail.

They must know what they're doing--they're the council, after all--they're accountable.

So please put me out my misery--tell me, oh tell me, wise council people, why we need this road to nowhere. I'm sure I'll understand.

Jeremy Collin

Fredericksburg Drive

AYSO adult volunteer
explains 'how we work'

When you hear someone use a phrase such as, "I know how this group works," it is usually meant in a disparaging way. Therefore, when this phrase, referring to AYSO, was quoted in a recent Saratoga News article ("Dreams of Fields," June 22) about Kevin Moran Park, I thought that it would be helpful for others in Saratoga, who may not be familiar with the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), to "know how we work."

Here a few thoughts to consider.

* Founded in 1964, AYSO has more than 250,000 volunteers helping over 650,000 kids play a safe, fair, fun game of soccer all over the United States, with less than 60 paid employees. Therefore, just like AYSO in the rest of the U.S., none of the hundreds of volunteers in Saratoga, doing the hundreds of volunteer jobs each season, are paid anything. They all give their time for their kids, their families and their community.

* Many volunteers, such as myself (now starting my 20th year), continue to stay with AYSO, even after their children stop playing, because of the positive culture and values of the organization.

* AYSO is recognized around the world for the quality of its referee and coach training programs.

* AYSO is the only youth sport organization that offers management and administrative training.

* AYSO has the most stringent registration and certification programs of any youth sports organization to ensure that our children are kept safe and that our volunteers are protected.

* AYSO is really "we," and we give selflessly of our time so that the children in our community can have the experience of having fun and of learning by playing a team sport (playing at least 3/4 of every game), no matter how athletic they may be or how busy they may be with academics, band, service, etc. Any child with the desire to play gets to participate by showing up and being dressed appropriately. (Well, this is almost true. Enough flat grass is also needed.)

* AYSO partners with communities to bring youth soccer programs to those kids who cannot play mainstream sports or who cannot afford to play. The local VIP Program has children with Down syndrome, sight impairment, cerebral palsy, etc., playing in a soccer program just like their brothers and sisters. Full scholarships in Saratoga are received simply by asking for one.

* In AYSO, safe, fair and fun are more important than winning.

* AYSO has a culture based on its philosophies of Everyone Plays, Open Registration, Balanced Teams, Positive Coaching and Good Sportsmanship. If it does not fit in with what's best for the kids, we do not do it.

This is "how we work." So what is the problem with kids in Saratoga having enough flat grass to give them the opportunity to stay healthy, practicing for a game which is kept safe and fair through trained and certified volunteers, with family and friends having the opportunity to participate with their children in an organization that reinforces the values that are key to positive youth development? Not much, as far as I can tell.

Mark Linsky

Barksdale Court

CORRECTIONS

Felix Chou, Kelly Clark, Thomas Dutra, Timothy Florence, Elisha Garg, Eric Hwang and Hari Iyer were omitted from a June 15 listing that appeared in the Saratoga News that included Saratoga High School students who were recognized for their participation in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

The phone number to call for information about how to get involved with the upcoming movie Car Babes was incorrectly reported in last week's paper. Blake Dirickson, one of the producers, can be reached at 408.242.5838.

In the obituary for Carson Heil, which appeared in last week's paper, the address for donations was incorrect. The correct address is The Aldar Academy for Special Needs Children, 4436 Engle Road, Sacramento, CA 95821.