Saratoga News
Letters & Opinions
Speak Out
More heroes than just
emergency personnel
Watching the television shows on 9-11, I cannot help but think of Pearl Harbor, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, the firebombing of Dresden, Germany and London in World War II, plus so many other atrocities that killed tens of thousands ... for what?
Not to in any way disrespect the police, firefighters or EMTs of 9-11, how many of us consider the sacrifices that the unheralded heroes and heroines of 9-11 made? Just because they didn't wear a uniform doesn't mean they didn't make the ultimate sacrifice--their lives--for their fellow humans.
Jeff Coykendall
Los Gatos
Tickets should not be
sold for 9-11 concert
This letter is in regards to the article in Steppin' Out ("Memorial concert to mark the anniversary of 9-11," Sept. 6). It is my sincere opinion that this day of national grief should be observed with deep thought and recollection, as a day of national tragedy, in many ways comparable with the attack on America on Dec. 7, 1941, at Pearl Harbor.
To know that tickets will be sold for $25 and $5 more for a reception, is in my view, extremely insensitive, a disgrace to the memories of those who died, and to the grief and suffering of the loved ones who are left behind and continue to try to cope with their losses.
I wonder who will be making the profit from this concert? Will the money go to a memorial for those who perished? I see no such mention as to how the funds will be used.
Would it not be better to have this concert open to the public free of charge; after all, it will be held in a church, which normally is free of charge. Is it just a way of profiting from our national loss? I wonder.
Robert Kosovilka
San Jose
King dedicates her
efforts for children
Physicians of Santa Clara County are immensely grateful for the dedication, tenacity and tireless efforts of Kathleen King, chairwoman of the Silicon Valley Children's Hospital Foundation, in her efforts to establish a Children's Hospital in the South Bay. Since 2001, Ms. King has labored intensely to provide children of our community a regional center for care of diseases that afflict them, despite many roadblocks and repeated glimmers of potential success that until now have proved ephemeral.
She has pioneered the goal of a state-of-the art pediatric facility in the San Jose area to complement the renowned, highly specialized (and nearly always full to capacity) Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. With initial funding from a generous grant from Applied Materials, Ms. King has headed a foundation that first conducted a feasibility study and then engaged the cooperation of LPCH and at various times Valley Medical Center, O'Connor and Good Samaritan hospitals in this quest. Though her goal is yet unrealized, she continues to lead the effort relentlessly with indefatigable energy and perseverance directed toward establishing a dedicated Children's Hospital and promoting the general health of children in Saratoga.
She is truly an extraordinary voice for children who have illnesses as well as those blessed with good health. In her selfless devotion to these tasks physicians of all specialties hold her in their highest esteem and the people of Saratoga, her neighbors, must be made aware of the enormity of this magnanimous and grand service for our community.
Donald J. Prolo, MD
Glen Una Drive
Preliminary proposal
was to elicit feedback
I want to thank everyone who has responded so far regarding the proposal for rebuilding the Saratoga Village Center, aka the Saratoga Village Mixed-Use Project.
In her letter to the editor ("Saratoga needs to get with the times," Sept. 13), Nanci Wokas said she could not believe that so many people were speaking out against this project. I don't know what her barometer for this is, but I have heard a lot of support for rebuilding this site.
Most of this support, however, was for a "toned down" version of the Burrell Trust's Proposal as presented by architect Kenneth Rodrigues
It should be noted that Ken Rodrigues emphasized that he was presenting a preliminary proposal to elicit feedback and discussion.
I think that this discussion is great, that it shows an interest in the health of the Village, and that it should not be seen as speaking out against rebuilding this area.
The most controversial aspects of what was proposed appear to be the three-story height, and the reduction of retail space by about 46 percent. I agree that these are not in the best interests of the Village.
I think the most important aspect of this project should be the new retail space, and that the best way to fill this new retail space would be with a quality market and a family restaurant. These will draw residents from throughout the city and beyond, and will bring families to the Village.
Families rarely come to the Village at present. Creating a draw for them is critical to the health of the Village, and would help increase tax revenues for the city.
Ms. Wokas made a comment that the net increase of 10 parking spaces was incorrect. However, this number is correct since it is based on the spaces needed for the 45 proposed housing units, and the number of at-grade spaces that would be lost. Thank you for your comments, Ms. Wokas. I think we're on the same page.
Brian Berg
Lexington Court
