The Willow Glen Resident Letters Sculptures should reflect more reality and history I was very impressed with the high quality of the "Fallon and Friend" statue, which is worthy of any European capital. The two men are astride horse, very realistic and larger than life. They deserve a very prominent place in Plaza Park (now Cesar Chavez). A huge majority of the people I know have been appalled by the cost ($500,000) of the Quetzalcoatl serpent sculpture, and its ugly gray pile of (?). (You fill in your own word for this.) Our history is important to San Jose. The disagreeable things about Thomas Fallon are outweighed by the accomplishments he attained. Let us honor our history! Abstract sculptures may be modern, but there is nothing quite so beautiful as artistic, realistic sculpture. Let's have more of the latter. Alma Taylor Willow Glen WGNA board members should represent all As someone who has lived in Willow Glen for nearly 33 years, I read with interest Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (WGNA) president Kris Cunningham's letter in the Jan. 20 Resident listing the achievements of the WGNA Board this past year. While those achievements are laudable, I do feel that WGNA needs to do more to get more of its members involved in association activities. One place to start is the WGNA board, by working for geographical and age diversity among its members. Talented people abound in all parts of the neighborhood, not just a few. How about mining for board members in the Eichlers? I know lots of Eichlerites who would make very good board members. Willow Glen has lots of retired people and renters. Put one or two of each on the board. Once board diversity is achieved, WGNA should have and promote more activities that allow neighbors to meet and get to know each other--blood drives, Christmas caroling, helping older residents put up Christmas decorations, scholarships for young people, picnics, etc. Many of us in the neighborhood have missed the Lights Over Lincoln these past two holiday seasons. How about WGNA suggesting to the business association that WGNA take charge of getting those lights back up? WGNA has done it before, and I know WGNA members would enjoy helping out here. It was nice that WGNA planted some fruit trees at Fruitdale and Meridian, but it would help if they would get people together at least a couple times a month to pick up all the unsightly trash in that area. If there is too much trash, you really don't notice the trees much. Lastly, the WGNA board needs to be more open to new ideas and receptive to other viewpoints. I continue to believe that unless you are a boardmember, any ideas you may have for the association, however good they may be, stand little chance of getting very far. I know. I've seen it happen. When it comes to planning and land use issues, WGNA must consider that while its board may feel one way about an issue, a large number of WGNA members may not necessarily agree with that position. For that reason, WGNA board members should be willing to listen to any opposing views by members and reflect those opinions in any statements made or letters written to government officials. Willow Glen is a great neighborhood; as a resident I desire a neighborhood association that is equally great and reflects the interests and desires of all its members, not just a small few. June E. Cooley Willow Glen End Washington hypocrisy and let Clinton do his job While President Clinton's well-publicized actions may be foolish, I would like to offer some perspective. Where were the media and politicians when Ronald Reagan and George Bush were lying to Congress and the American people about the Iran-Contra affair? The actions these two men were involved in were not only treasonous, since they traded arms with a declared enemy of the United States, but their foreign policy caused thousands of civilian deaths and destroyed the economies of several democratic countries. The cowardly silence of the media and politicians allowed this travesty to go largely unchallenged. Suddenly, with Clinton, national personalities have the courage to call him a liar. It is difficult to watch the news and the impeachment proceedings in the House and the Senate, knowing that only a few years ago, these same people would not dare to raise their voices and confront the unjust and illegal policies of the Reagan/Bush administrations. I think that everyone should take a deep breath and balance these two cases. The hypocrisy displayed by Kenneth Starr, Republicans, many Democrats and the media far outweigh anything President Clinton has done up to this point. I also think that we should speak to our congressmen and senators and ask them to consider what skeletons they have in their closets and see if they can withstand an investigation such as the one Clinton has endured. Finally I think we should look around at the reality and the genuine good that President Clinton has done for this country and good will that he has brought to the countries such as Ireland. Let's stop this impeachment foolishness and allow Clinton to continue to work. Dominic Catalano Willow Glen College beauticians give good haircuts I am writing in response to the letter in the Willow Glen Resident of Jan. 27, 1999 ["Seniors could use affordable beauty"]. I also went to Beauty College on Willow until it closed. Now I go to the San Jose City College to their cosmetology department. I receive a haircut on Senior day for $3.75. The regular cost is $6. I am even more satisfied with the haircuts and service. The prices of other services (and they are extensive) are also very reasonable. Add $1 to the cost if you wish to park in the school lot. For additional information their number is 288-3710. Eleanor Davis Willow Glen [ Back to Contents Page | Willow Glen Resident Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Willow Glen Resident, February 3, 1999. ©1999 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.