The Willow Glen Resident Letters School district's response avoids its responsibility Ms. Monroe's remarks regarding the treatment of Brett Cordova on behalf of the San Jose Unified School District are appalling. Her statements are not only contradictory, they are disheartening. As one of Brett's therapists, I am frightened by the apparent lack of responsibility on the part of SJUSD with which Brett's case is being handled. I can't help but wonder how many other children in the district are being victimized by the very institution that is supposed to ensure that each student is treated with respect and awarded the education that they are entitled. Amy DeRoboam San Jose Our children should matter more than business-as-usual Ms. Monroe's statements that at the "bottom line," I never voiced my complaints or requested an IEP meeting are an out-and-out lie. On three different occasions I have had to request IEP meetings since June of 1997. All were attended by myself and district representatives. Time-consuming and costly to a system that says it is being bankrupt by the special education needs of children. Why those three different meetings? Because when I have tried countless times to reach the district by phone to discuss Brett's educational needs and rights, they seldom responded. This us-against-them mentality has to stop. Let the district learn to be forthcoming with appropriate programs and services which are by law every handicapped child's rights. Don't make the families waste valuable time and resources by having to seek legal counsel to ensure their child's educational needs. Let's not allow the system to take greater precedence than the children. Joanne Cordova Willow Glen Neighborhood board's accomplishments were community efforts As the new year begins, the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association Board would like to thank the Willow Glen community for supporting our efforts in 1998. Our purpose as stated in our bylaws is "to represent our members on issues of neighborhood enhancement and preservation." We focus on such matters as land use, planning, traffic, safety, open space, parks, and recreation. This purpose has given the Association much to do in 1998. With the help of our members and our community we have tracked planning issues that affect the neighborhood such as parking and late night hours. We have addressed traffic safety by supporting photo radar on many Willow Glen streets and by facilitating the persistent efforts of neighbors seeking a stop sign at Willow Street and Camino Ramon. Noise is an ongoing concern of our residents and WGNA was instrumental in convincing the County Board of Supervisors that a proposed amphitheater at the Fairgrounds should be covered. We also continue to send representatives to the Airport Noise Advisory Committee on a quarterly basis. Keeping people informed continues to be a priority of the WGNA Board. We feel we have improved our Newsletter by including more information for and about our members. On the light side, we try to highlight members' accomplishments and have added a gardening column by master gardener, Nancy Garrison. Our Mayoral Forums in May and October were very well attended and the questions asked of candidates showed that Willow Glen residents are a well informed and intelligent group. To help with communications, a web site was bought this year and you can reach us at www.wgna.net. In June, unexpected tragedy showed its ugly face on the streets of Willow Glen. A response to the death of 15-year-old Oscar Perez came in the form of a community gathering which expressed both the sorrow and resolve of Willow Glen and its sister neighborhoods. The WGNA board and membership respectively took the lead in organizing our community's reaction to comfort the Perez family and to state emphatically that violence has no place in any part of our city. WGNA thanks all of those who helped in the beatification project at Meridian and 280. J. Michael Gonzales, WGNA 1st Veep, did a tremendous job of coordinating Caltran and our neighborhood effort. Businesses such as Papa John's Pizza, Pete's Coffee, Manhattan Bagel's and A-1 Rentals, all stepped forward with donations. WGNA is committed to continued monitoring of the median and hope to further its enhancement this spring. The Board has begun to look at goals for the new year and membership is at the top of our list. We are grateful that new people have stepped forward in the past year--Margaret Hardy, Patsy Neher, Peggy Rossignol, Helen Solinski. Clarification of opportunities for volunteers is needed so that more will follow. It is our wish to reach out to the community so that our Board reflects the fabric of Willow Glen. In closing, the Board is aware that many entities are a part of the community in which we live, work, and play. In 1999, we hope to continue the bonds of communication and cooperation with the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association Board, Councilmember Fiscalini and his staff, our bordering neighborhood associations such as Gregory Plaza and Gardner, our local schools, and the Resident--which keeps us all informed. Happy New Year to Willow Glen and a warm welcome to all who would like to join us! Kris Cunningham Willow Glen Neighbors came to the rescue during fire Chris McMullen and Gary McMullen looked out of their window around 6 p.m. on Dec. 21 and saw a fire burning in the rear of our home, just below and next to our redwood deck. Gary jumped the 6-foot fence separating our properties, found his way through the dark unfamiliar with our back garden, located the garden hose, and extinguished the fire. Chris, meanwhile, telephoned the local fire department, which came immediately. The firefighters checked under the deck, and put out any remaining embers. Our fire department does a splendid job, but these thoughts are particularly for Chris and Gary. Would that we all had such alert, kind and unassuming neighbors. Marionette Tack Los Gatos [ Back to Contents Page | Willow Glen Resident Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Willow Glen Resident, January 20, 1999. ©1999 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.