Saratoga News
Letters & Opinions
Speak Out
Kahl responds to letter
about his candidacy
As a candidate for school board in the Los Gatos-Saratoga High School District, I was surprised to read Saratoga resident Elaine Hocker's recent letter to the editor ("Voter opposes Kahl in race for high school board," Oct. 11). Apparently, she won't be voting for me for two reasons: because I'm an accomplished public high school teacher (in another district)--and because I'm gay.
Ironically, these are two of the most compelling reasons why voters should elect me to the school board.
Just as medical boards are usually made up of esteemed doctors, it makes sense that school boards should include several highly experienced educators: experts in curriculum, instruction and assessment. What happens with students inside the classroom matters more than anything else.
An English teacher, I have taught students in the South Bay for 22 years, and I am a mentor for new teachers. Both my own school district and the San Jose-Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce have honored me as "Teacher of the Year." Among the five candidates in my race, I am the only teacher.
To prepare myself for the more comprehensive role of school board trustee, I have earned a master's degree in educational leadership and administration, a degree that no other candidate possesses, in order to manage the financial and legal issues related to supervising a school district.
And yes, being gay is also an asset. Being a bit of an outsider in our society has given me the perspective that allows me to champion the underserved kids in public schools--the wide variety of students who do not always fit into the mainstream.
I believe in the truly American, truly Judeo-Christian view that all people should be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of race, religion, language background and sexual orientation.
If elected, I will support the transition of the district's new superintendent, call for consistently high quality professional development and advocate an educational program that honors both rigorous academics and character education.
Steven Patrick Kahl
Los Gatos
Hocker's letter
is depressing
After celebrating Saratoga's 50th anniversary last month, it is especially depressing to read Elaine Hocker's letter editor ("Voter opposes Kahl in race for high school board," Oct. 11) that only serves to incite divisiveness in our community. Her criticism of Steven Kahl as a candidate for the Los Gatos-Saratoga Union School District Board of Trustees is based on her dubious reasoning and views rather than a careful analysis of his qualifications for the office.
For example, using API scores of schools where Mr. Kahl taught previously to denigrate his reputation as a teacher exceeds the bounds of rational thought. Whether she intended it or not, her views also insult Independence and Mountain View high schools. The percentage of English language learners and students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunches at these schools is significantly higher than both Los Gatos and Saratoga high schools (see http://www.greatschools.net). These factors are highly correlated with API scores. Apparently, the San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Mountain View-Los Altos high school district think highly of him as a teacher since he was named Teacher of the Year by both.
However, particularly offensive is her argument that electing a gay person to an office is a reason to disqualify that candidate. While Ms. Hocker complains about other people's ignorance, she should examine her own. Ignorance is why organizations like BAYMEC and the Human Rights Campaign exist--"to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all."
Lisa Liu
Merrick Drive
Slate candidates quiet
about 'whisper' campaign
At the League of Women Voters candidates forum, the three members of the slate spoke at length about the need to restore trust and integrity to the Saratoga City Council. I agree. But I've heard nothing from the slate condemning the vicious "whisper" campaign against Hab Siam. The silence is deafening.
Stan Bogosian
Lomita Avenue
Siam's poor attendance
on sanitation board
The bright citizens of Saratoga realize that the reason Hab Siam started this false "whispering campaign" accusation was just to draw attention away from the facts that some opponents found out about his poor performance and attendance while on the East Palo Alto Sanitation Board.
The facts are: Hab missed six of the 11 meetings (without usually notifying anyone) while he served for eight months of his four-year term. Therefore, he missed more than half the meetings. Yes, he moved out of the area, but there is no excuse for his poor record in the time he did serve. These facts are pertinent to this election. And, guess what? Hab ran on a slate to get elected into that position, something he has criticized some of the current candidates on.
No one ever accused Hab of anything regarding his personal issues. He was questioned about his performance and attendance on the sanitation board and something else sprang up. People now understand why, as they have found out the facts. Hab is a one-issue candidate, Kevin Moran Park, and though this is a very important issue and I feel very passionate about the "fair" resolution to this issue, there are many issues that Saratoga will confront in our future.
We need candidates who will be 100 percent committed to Saratoga. We need to be discussing issues and facts, not falsely accusing others of things to distract voters from the real issues.
Marilyn Marchetti
Saratoga City Council candidate
Hunter is the best
council candidate
As a long-time Saratoga resident and volunteer, I'd like to recommend voters vote for Jill Hunter to fill one of the three vacant Saratoga City Council positions in the upcoming November election.
The reasons I believe Jill is the best candidate are:
* With five years planning commission experience since 2001, she has visited most of the neighborhoods in our city during the reviews of construction applications and gained valuable knowledge in building planning process.
* She started the Village Gardeners volunteer group 1 1/2 years ago by planting beautiful flowers all around the downtown almost every week. She chairs the Saratoga Village Development Council to support the merchants there.
* She is pro environment, yet also supports business. Her care for preserving historic legacy and supporting education should make Saratoga a better place.
* Full time attention to city business can be expected, as Jill's children are all grown-ups now. Her passion in community services is ready for the next step.
* Her willingness to listen. She's a leader in promoting open, honest communication and building mutual respect and trust between the city and all residents.
There's a lot of contention in our city lately, evidenced by high turnouts in June election for "No on Measure J" in keeping North Campus. Your vote becomes important in deciding how our city will be shaped in the future.
Ching-Li Chang
Burgundy Way
Supporting King
for re-election
This letter is in support of Kathleen King, running for re-election to the Saratoga City Council. We strongly feel that Ms. King listens and acts on behalf of "ordinary" citizens.
We met Ms. King approximately two years ago, while she was campaigning for someone else. We asked her opinion about safety concerns involving a neighboring oak tree and permit issues. Ms. King followed through, and she referred our question to the city attorney. As a result of this feedback, the issue was mutually resolved with a neighbor.
Then in mid-2006, the Saratoga council meeting heard feedback from property owners about unsafe sidewalks. Ms. King was the first member to voice concern and to shoulder responsibility for the upkeep the city had not done on our street in about 20 years. Subsequently, grinding was done on our sidewalks by the city, making them more even and safe.
It's refreshing to have a representative such as Ms. King who is down-to-earth, who really cares, is open to discussion and who follows through.
Mr. and Mrs. George Kirk
La Paloma Avenue
Other council members
come from north of I-85
At [the Oct. 6] League of Women Voters forum for city council candidates, Hab Siam said there had been no city council member elected from one of the neighborhoods north of I-85 for the last 14 years. In reality, Evan Baker was on the council until four years ago, and before Evan, the late Jim Shaw was on the council.
None of this is ancient history, but it is no wonder that Mr. Siam knows none of this as he has only been in Saratoga for two years and has no history of civic involvement. Also, this is remarkably parallel to Mr. Siam's history in East Palo Alto. He ran for the sanitary board of directors there in November 2003 as a newcomer to that area. He won a four-year term but stopped attending board meetings after several months, and then after missing a number of meetings in a row with no notice to the district, resigned from that board and moved to Saratoga. Is that a history that Saratogans want to support for our city council?
Jeff Becker
Aloha Avenue
Supporting van Zuiden,
Chang for school board
Please consider voting for Cynthia Chang and Michele van Zuiden for the Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District board of trustees on Nov. 7. Both candidates have been actively involved in the school district for years and are dedicated to promoting the best possible education for the youth in our community.
Michele and Cynthia are fair-minded, hard workers with the passion and personal experience to effectively guide the high school district and truly represent the students and community members of Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and Saratoga.
Charlotte Sparacino
Lutheria Way
Hunter will give
to the community
Our family has lived in Saratoga since the late 1960s, attracted to the area in great part because of the charm of the Village. But when we traveled about, I noticed other small towns and villages across the country and in Europe did much more to beautify themselves with landscaping and pots alive with blooms. My response was to say to myself, "I would love to be a part of a gardening plan for the Village," but my efforts didn't go beyond the wishing phase.
Jill Hunter, on the other hand, saw the need and began putting together a small group of similarly minded volunteers to beautify our Village. She has garnered donations of plants, cooperation from business owners and coordinated and directed our group of volunteers on a weekly basis. The whole community has benefited. And that comes to my point. I believe our community would truly benefit from Jill on city council. She is sincerely concerned enough to donate her time and resources with such focus that positive changes occur.
I know Jill has contributed in many other ways: planning commission, school organizations, more traditional, structured forms of community involvement. This project showed more creative, independent giving to a community. I really appreciate it and I hope the citizens of Saratoga do, too.
Karen Grebene
Belnap Way
Chang deserves support in race for school board
As I have held office for the last four years, I have learned we should look for elected officials who are well rounded, look at the whole picture strategically, are passionate about what they do and work both big issues and small issues.
Cynthia Chang, running for re-election to the Los Gatos-Saratoga High School board, does all of the above. I have taken many of the issues that I have found at the high schools and asked Cynthia to give me advice on how to handle them. She has helped me on every issue I have brought to her. Cynthia does the same for me. She does not let things fall through cracks. This means she is either extremely organized or extremely bright--and I don't care which it is, because she gets the job done and that is what matters to me.
On the other hand, Cynthia never lets me off the hook on critical issues. She does not accept taking the easy way out, only completing the effort the right way.
Kathleen King
Saratoga City Council member
