Saratoga News
Letters & Opinions
Speak Out
Property was to be used
for community purposes
We thank the Saratoga City Council for voting to put the issue of the North Campus on the June 6 ballot. However, as charter members of the former Grace United Methodist Church, we disagree with the council's 3-2 vote to sell the property to a developer. There were 11 bids for the property, but the members of Grace United Methodist Church voted overwhelmingly to sell to the city because we were informed the land would be used for community purposes.
We are dismayed this beautiful property with mature trees (including the heritage redwood), lawn and parking lot might be gone forever, to be displaced by nine houses.
A Native American proverb: "Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors--we borrow it from our children."
Art and Aki Okuno
Via Regina
Residents all have
different issues
In March 29 letters, Dan Eastman questioned my interest in Saratoga obtaining WiFi and On-Demand Comcast TV that most other area cities have. I am a 31-year resident, Dan. Where were you when they turned my park (Congress Springs) into baseball fields, after turning it into soccer fields, after building and removing basketball and tennis courts and a skateboard ramp, and while building four cell phone antennas, and after approving a trail to nowhere in back of my house?
We all have our issues, Dan. I try not to be a NIMBY or criticize other neighbors' issues, but sometimes it's hard.
Bill Elhoff
Via Real Drive
Open space, parkland
raises property values
In response to those who favor selling the North Campus, it should be evident that:
* Crime has not gone up due to lesser police coverage,
* Children still cross streets safely with fewer crossing guards,
* There has been no appreciable deterioration of roads and bridges.
These are scare tactics that are frightening but unfounded.
As to there being no foreseeable use for the North Campus, this is also fallacious. It will take a modest investment to upgrade the facilities, but once done, income from rental can soon pay for these improvements.
The argument that it costs every household $640 for the North Campus is also without merit. The North Campus belongs to the citizens of Saratoga. It is part of the value of our property. Every time the city sells off parkland, it devalues our own property. If we sold off Wildwood Park, Hakone Gardens, Kevin Moran Park and the Heritage Orchard, our own lots would probably be worth 25 percent less. Instead of your home being worth $500,000 to $2 million, it would be worth $350,00 to $1.25 million.
Some people are so obsessed with the fear of paying taxes to sustain our highly prized way of life that they lose sight of the value of what we have and why we have it. The more open space and parkland we have, the greater the equity we have in our own homes.
F.L. Stutzman
Park Drive
Special election just
undermines council
In Saratoga, if you don't get your way, just force an election to settle the issue. This is exactly what has transpired with the North Campus issue. It doesn't matter if the issue has been debated at length and the city council settled the matter; just go full steam ahead, exercise your constitutional rights by appealing--again to the entire community--and force an election. Not only does this undermine the city council, but it is an expensive proposition with election expenses as well as financial concessions that were granted to the developer who wishes to purchase the parcel.
No doubt, many in Saratoga have wants that are insatiable and expansible, but money is short, and we have lots of debt already from structural improvements of the past. Just take a look at your property tax bill, and you will see them all listed. Would you like another parcel tax to improve the North Campus added to your property tax bill, because that's going to be the next initiative if the voters decide to keep the property. Meanwhile, the roads continue to deteriorate due to lack of funding.
Phil Gluckman
Tricia Way
Park, North Campus
are fine 'as is'
Today, April 23, I joined a group at Kevin Moran Park to discuss the park plans. A plan with a soccer field was shown along with an "as is" plan. The soccer field would destroy the park as it is. I suggest the two plans be placed on the November ballot as an "as is" and as "proposed."
Further, after leaving Kevin Moran, we stopped for the first time to personally inspect the North Campus. To me, all the buildings appear to be in good condition (one tile loose on one roof), parking and restrooms already in place. This looks like a good investment. I would encourage other Saratogans to also make a personal inspection. We do not need more condos! There is not room for a soccer field but a place, at least, for a volleyball court. See for yourself.
Robert Wallace
Foothill Lane
