Saratoga News

Letters & Opinions

Speak Out

Lessons learned from
contentious election

The elections mark the end of a contentious season for Saratoga, and I hope the beginning of a new, cooperative era. With 1,000 votes separating the city council leader and any member of the slate, I believe the community has spoken loudly.

In the past few months we've seen a cooperative agreement reached between the city of Saratoga and West Valley College that followed many years of disagreement between the two. We have seen a consensus agreement reached for a conceptual plan for Kevin Moran Park after years of bitter fighting. I believe the election has the potential to be one more significant steps in the direction of cooperative momentum.

The strong showing for experienced, independent-thinking candidates tells me that the people of Saratoga:

* Look to be led by those with city government experience
* Look to work with our city leaders rather than against them
* Want to preserve our city's history and culture, but recognize that sometimes change is a good thing
* Don't like negative campaigning and behind-the-scenes politics
* Value community, not just neighborhoods

I pray that the election puts the strife to bed and relationships begin to heal, and that we all go forward committed to work together for the good of the entire community.

Debbie Lillo

Kristy Lane

A good deed that's
much appreciated

To the 5-year-old son of Lori Gleason of Saratoga:

Today you were with your mom when she found my purse sitting in the grocery cart in front of Office Max. I had unloaded that cart, and because I was thinking about other things, I left my purse there and started to drive home.

All of a sudden I realized it was not in the car with me. I was so afraid and then I was very sad because I went back and asked at all the stores if someone had turned it in. But no one had. I was so sorry to think someone was so dishonest and had stolen my purse.

But when I got home and opened my front door I heard your mom's voice on my answering machine. She had my purse and said if I would call her, she would bring it to my house.

So I am the lady you saw as you sat in the back seat of your car when she gave me back my purse. What you saw happening was your mom being very honest and very kind and very wonderful. But I guess you already know that she is that kind of a lady.

Nancy Anderson

Lomond Court

Halloween prank that
crosses the line

Halloween pranks have been a nuisance for generations, and have generally been tolerated in a "kids will be kids" sort of resignation. But can someone please explain to me what pleasure one gets from chucking a pumpkin from a speeding car so that it hits and significantly damages a parked car? What thrill is there in anonymously vandalizing a perfect stranger's property?

As the parent of young children, I wonder a lot about what has happened to those kids who have grown up to participate in such hateful, thoughtless behavior. Are they ignored by their parents? Do they have so much wealth that they are numb to the impact of wrecking things? Do they lack the intelligence to know when a prank crosses the line and becomes a crime? Worst of all, have they chosen to abandon their conscience and submit to an afflicted sort of peer pressure?

With all the troubles of the world, a dented car doesn't really merit too much angst. But I do worry about the persons who did it, and the reasons for their behavior. My hope is that someday they will realize the shame in their senseless and mean-spirited act and start engaging in a different kind of random act: kindness.

Tina Giusto

Los Gatos

High school lights are a
good thing for Saratoga

For those of you who've seen the movie Field of Dreams, you will understand my feelings when I walked out on the Saratoga High School football field on Oct. 20. I felt like dancing. (I didn't, as I didn't want to scare anyone.)

The permanent lights had just been installed and the lights were on for testing. It was wonderful, and when I turned around people were pulling into the parking lot, getting out of their cars and walking out on the field, smiles on their faces, shaking hands and hugs were going on.

Our children can now have a Friday night football game to be proud of. It's our town and our field and our lights and our children. Thank you all who have contributed your time, money and moral support to this long overdue accomplishment.

I would ask that everyone in Saratoga try to make it out to a Friday night game. Bring your neighbors and friends. See for yourself that there isn't the ruin and despair that was foretold by those who fought these lights for so long. This is a good thing for Saratoga.

Dennis Farmer

El Camino Grande