The Sun
Sunnyvale's Newspaper

Letters

If people made as much noise as dogs, they'd be arrested

I am responding to David Signor's complaint regarding the barking dogs in his neighborhood that was published in the July 15 edition of The Sun.

I just don't get it! Why is it OK for these dogs to bark with impunity at all hours without admonishment from the Sunnyvale Public Safety Department, whereas if Mr. Signor were to stand in his back yard and shout at the top of his lungs, there would be swift action taken against him for disturbance of the peace.

Julie Ruhland
Sunnyvale

City to solidify policy on recreation spending

Should baseball fields receive more funding? Is the proposed new Senior Center large enough? Should we have funds to place more golf nets around the Sunken Gardens driving range?

The city of Sunnyvale currently uses a financial formula to determine the "value" of such leisure services to the public. Thus, those sites that produce more revenue receive more improvements, and those that can only provide intangible benefits receive less. The formula relied upon the most is called the revenue-to-expense ratio. It compares the dollars spent on a particular service to the dollars collected in user fees. Those with a ratio of less than 1.0, such as senior centers, swimming pools and teen services, are not doing very well.

These measurements were developed to make it easier for public officials to reach decisions. However, I have much wider expectations of our politicians than simply to use an antiseptic formula to determine how to allocate dollars. Computers can do that task. Instead, I expect City Council members to struggle with community needs, to make value judgments, and to communicate problems to the public so the citizens can participate in their government.

Sunnyvale used to have prolific, superior and inexpensive recreation offerings. Since the passage of Prop. 13 and the state budget cuts of 1990-91, which resulted in cuts to municipal budgets, Sunnyvale has decided to cut costs and improve revenues in the leisure services area. Since that time, what was a $6 million annual tax subsidy of leisure services has been reduced to $1 million per annum.

Citizens are being asked for their input on how the city should decide to evaluate programs for spending the $1 million.

The Parks and Recreation Department is currently conducting a sweeping policy study, one that will determine how these dollars will be allocated from here on out. What do you think? Why not tell somebody! On Oct. 28, the city will hold a public hearing, so that residents can discuss the Park and Recreation Department's study.

Or, why not contact our city manager, Bob LaSala. I hear he invites community involvement and is a pretty good listener!

Holly Lofgren
Sunnyvale

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Letters

The Sun
Sunnyvale's Newspaper