Saratoga News

Letters & Opinions

Speak Out

I've been following the recent news stories in your Saratoga News as well as the San Jose Mercury News regarding the Saratoga Cemetery matter.

One individual in particular is continually maligned by citizens and media folks. His name is Phil Boyce. I'm wondering if this is the same Phil Boyce who donated the live Christmas tree to Saratoga citizens a few years ago; the same Phil Boyce who has served on the board at Montalvo and currently serves on the board of George Mark Hospice Home for terminally ill children; the same Phil Boyce who has served on many boards, and along with his wife Susan, has given back freely and generously to the community; the same Phil Boyce who has lived in Saratoga most of his life. Or, is this just another of those strange coincidences?

John Saunders

Lomita Avenue

Cemetery plans
would be totally
out of place

As a resident of Saratoga for the past 30 years, I was appalled to read in both the San Jose Mercury News and the Saratoga News about the cemetery's expansion plans on Oak Street. I felt compelled to write in regard to these unjustifiable plans, which would occur at the expense of two families who are longtime residents now being threatened with potential eminent domain.

First let me say that one of the charms of Saratoga is its village-like quality. Creating a more formal cemetery would, in my opinion, alter the historical and quaint character of the cemetery, and by extension the city. The larger issue at hand, however, is the plan to acquire additional land for the cemetery's use. It has been made clear that there is no imminent need for such an expansion, that in fact there is room for burial sites for the next 30 to 40 years. So on what grounds can the cemetery board be considering such action?

Perhaps the gentlemen on the cemetery board have too much time and money on their hands. Or maybe they have a grandiose vision out of place with the low-key ambiance that I feel is a credit to the city. Why would the citizens of Saratoga want a more demonstrative presence at the cemetery? I think it would be completely out of place.

Most importantly, the two families who are being threatened with eminent domain love their homes and neighborhood and have no desire to move. It would be a tremendous hardship, financially and emotionally for them. This entire situation must be so scary for them--to think their homes can be taken from them at the whim of a group of men. This is morally wrong.

Janice Torczyner

Saratoga Vista Avenue

A tradition is
not always a
good idea

Regarding Ronna Devincenzi's support for the Catholic Church's historic and shameful discriminatory attitude toward women's ability to rise in its hierarchy (letters Nov. 13 and Dec. 4), I must point out that, as with slavery, voting rights and burning witches at the stake, just because something is a tradition does not make it a good idea.

Ms. Devincenzi believes that a fictional deity is speaking to her by means of a magical book. To me this bizarre assertion in support of an inexcusably chauvinist viewpoint exemplifies her own comment about how it is frightening when people imagine that they are communicating with sexist ghost writers--all the more so because she writes in support of a social policy that insults and marginalizes her own gender.

For a woman to believe that an unelected celestial monarch has determined that female humans are unfit to have leadership roles in what, to believers, is the most important facet of existence is so illogical and self-defeating it can only be a figment of the imagination. Paradoxically, Ronna Devincenzi's self-proclaimed in-depth Biblical study qualifies her to give an opinion, but will never allow her to lead. Think about that.

William Lorton

Los Angeles
Williams Lorton is a 1988
graduate of Saratoga High School.

Madronia plans
are 'bad' for
many reasons

I find this hard to believe, but Madronia Cemetery is intending to purchase two properties across the street from my house, whether the property owners want to sell or not. The Madronia board members said they want these properties in order to build a "bigger presence" on Oak Street and that it is "for the good of the people."

I just do not see how this is anything but bad. Bad for the two neighbors that have been asked to sell, or have their property condemned and have it taken over through eminent domain. Bad for the Oak Street neighbors, who will be forced to say goodbye to people that have become family. Bad, because the neighborhood feels bullied by the cemetery for its indifferent treatment toward us.

They have said they have enough burial space for 40 to 75 years. Does the cemetery really need these two properties or do they just want them? Who is to say the cemetery will stop here? There is a real threat that any one of us could be next. Bad, because it will significantly change the look of Madronia Cemetery. I love the look and the feel of Madronia. It enhances the spirit of Saratoga's historic flavor. Making a "bigger presence" could easily destroy the quaint ambiance of Madronia Cemetery.

Bad, because it will change Oak Street and I fear not for the better. For one, there will be more car traffic on a street that already has a grade school and is used by many small children. It will also change the residential appearance and feel of the street, which makes me cringe when I think about how it could look.

Bad, because Saratoga's City Council and Santa Clara's Board of Supervisors have very little power over this special district board. Bad, because indirectly I'm the perpetrator. Yes, I am and all Saratogans are part of the cause. Our property tax has allowed Madronia to have the funds to purchase these properties. It is ironic that I am helping to purchase my neighbors' properties for Madronia Cemetery. I guess, you might say, the cemetery has a considerable amount of money, and is acting on the impulse of, if you have the money why not spend it. I know this sounds like the cemetery is a bit ruthless, heartless and to say the least inconsiderate, but this is the way many of the Oak Street neighborhood feels.

It is sad to think something like is happening in Saratoga, but it has, and literally, it is at my front door.

Francesca Ordona

Oak Street