While a young mother grieves following the crushing death of her tiny son by a train in San Jose, and another young mother faces Christmas in jail separated from her infant and facing felony child-endangerment charges, the Saratoga City Council is still advocating a paved bike/hike trail along the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.

The railroad strongly objects to this trail but is unable to prevent it as long as it meets the required setback. For approximately one-half mile on either end of the trail, these requirements are met. However, the trail "disappears" in the middle, forcing trail users to trespass on railroad property and to navigate busy Cox Avenue unaided. This is insane.

Council members need to do the responsible thing and reconsider their advocacy of this trail. Do the benefits of this trail offset the real and irreparable dangers this trail presents?

Donna Poppenhagen

Fredricksburg Drive