Saratoga News
Letters & Opinions
Speak Out
Don't worry about trash;
worry about soccer field
It seems amazing to me some Saratogans are concerned about a couple of enterprising people mining their trash for items that will yield them a few bucks while they seem totally unconcerned the city council members, who should know better, are trying to hijack one of the city's crown jewels: Kevin Moran Park.
I also have seen these folks going through the recycle bins and am not alarmed. Each item is only worth 4 or 8 cents, but if you are on the fringe and barely hanging on in this day of conspicuous consumption, the pennies add up. Why would anyone begrudge them the recyclables, which after all we haves have thrown away?
Could it be because we don't want these people hanging around our high rent area and their very presence on our streets makes us uncomfortable? Must be.
The city council's motivation is harder to figure out. Notwithstanding the protests of the vast majority of the residents who have turned up en masse to voice their objections at meeting after meeting, they continue on a trajectory to put an Olympic-sized field into KMP that they admit will not benefit the younger soccer players. Only the older, regional league players want this field. They said at the last meeting that they have plenty of fields for the younger players. But yet, the council is ready to sacrifice the park and the neighborhood's serenity and mature trees to benefit who?
Wake up, folks; this is a park hijacking in progress--plain and simple. It makes one wonder to whom the city council feels it owes its fiduciary responsibility, the citizens and taxpayers of Saratoga or the De Anza Force Soccer Club.
Irv Halland
Walden Court
Mallory deserves credit
for fine 4th celebration
It was a real red, white and blue Independence Day celebration at Azule Park as Jack Mallory once again pulled together a spectacular patriotic event.
More than 500 people were warmly welcomed by the McCartyville (early name of Saratoga) Marching Band playing old-time music, lending the feel of a local community get-together. The presentation of Old Glory was especially impressive with the crisp white uniformed Navy Color Guard marching in unison and snapping to as they went through their exciting routines of presenting and retiring the flag.
Stirring messages were heard and veterans were honored for their service. In the presence of Thomas Jefferson, his friend Benjamin Franklin gave us a patriotic message as he celebrated the 300th year of his birth.
The event continued with the Freedom Bell ringing, a cheer for liberty, the singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner," and a wonderful parade of adults, children and pets led by the Navy Color Guard; the Boy Scouts; the drums, fife and flag; the Sons of the American Revolution; and the McCartyville Marching Band at the rearward.
All in all it was a wonderful program inspiring feelings of national
loyalty and tremendous respect for all American heroes from the founding of our truly great country through the wars of the last century to those who continue in the same spirit to keep us free today.
A heartfelt and patriotic hip-hip-hooray and thanks to Jack Mallory and all his volunteers for a wonderful small-town community event that brought so many Saratogans together on July 4th.
Betty H. Froess
Ljepava Drive
Kevin Moran Park
should be on ballot
I would like to add my support to Barbara Barone ("Saratoga is no place for a soccer complex") and Aleene Wanter ("Residents value the trees in Kevin Moran Park, too") regarding their letters from June 2 concerning Kevin Moran Park. I add my suggestion that the issue be put before the voters on the November ballot. This should relieve the city council of responsibility for any decision, thus making them happy. I would still encourage other citizens to actually visit the park site and judge the best use for themselves.
Robert Wallace
Foothill Lane
Eliminating bobcats
is not the answer
This is in response to Lois Davis' letter ("Something must be done about bobcats," June 21) regarding the bobcats.
We have two beloved 12-year-old twin chocolate Siamese cats that are more like fuzzy children, and we have had bobcat sightings in our driveway and on our front lawn; also, we've seen coyotes.
In addition we have a gopher, rabbit and wood rat population that are very destructive to our landscaping and orchard. The bobcats and coyotes are natural enemies that are helping to keep the varmints in check. (The large "gophers" called deer are a different problem for another letter.) This is nature trying to keep a balance, and it is exciting to glimpse the bobcats, as they are so shy.
Shortly after we moved here 25 years ago, our cats strayed into a neighbor's fenced yard and were killed by their dogs. Yes, we were devastated, but it was our fault; the neighbor was nice enough to let us know, so we didn't have to look for them. They could just as easily have been killed by bobcats, coyotes, crows, hawks or a car.
Our cats have a limited time outside in the morning and they are trained to come in at the sound of a bell. Sure they escape sometimes, but we are able to get them back in; it's a chance we take, but I wouldn't want to kill every wild animal in sight to protect them.
Diana Anderson
Quito Road
