The Willow Glen Resident

Letters

A new ugly duckling paddles into the Glen

I wonder how many Willow Glenites know that soon there will be a "giant" in our midst.

Yes, Safeway is planning a giant 55,000-square-foot structure on the open land near the Meridian Avenue post office (next to Thrifty Drug Store). The current Safeway is 25,000 square feet.

Yes--this one will look like the ugly duckling on San Carlos Street at Race Street. Do we really need a Pentagon-sized market in our neighborhood? My time is too valuable to spend cruising miles of aisles.

So, folks, thank Safeway when the traffic-accident rate soars at Hamilton and Meridian avenues. Goodbye, Safeway.

Esther Rechenmacher
Fuschia Drive

WGNA leaders show patience and restraint

As a 33-year resident of Willow Glen and one who was present at the Feb. 25 Planning Commission meeting where Willow Glen Billiards & Brew was given approval to stay open until 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday nights, I wish to express strong approval for the position the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association took in this matter.

To this neighborhood association member, WGNA leaders have shown considerable patience and restraint with this issue, especially in view of the sometimes nasty rhetoric it has prompted. Their position of supporting B&B staying open until 2 a.m. with only concrete protection for nearby neighbors represents a win-win situation.

The Planning Commission decision was definitely not a win-win solution and appeared to disregard the city's 24-hour policy, which is supposed to balance the needs of businesses with those of nearby neighbors. Here, the neighbors definitely got the short end of the stick with this decision.

I am the first to say that when you live near or adjacent to a business as I do on Almaden Road, you have to expect some noise ... but not very late at night, like until 2 a.m.

Given the close proximity of residences to Lincoln Avenue, businesses that want to come to the Avenue must realize this and not get testy or chastise nearby neighbors who have concerns about a business that wants to come to the Avenue.

Each side--neighbor and business--needs the other one in order to preserve a high quality of life, but this can't happen if communication is blocked by nasty rhetoric.

Like many in the neighborhood, I was very upset when B&B chose to respond to a letter to the editor with a paid, full-page ad, instead of just their own letter to the editor. Particularly galling was B&B's criticism of neighbors for choosing to express their concerns to the Planning Commission instead of speaking with B&B officials first.

The neighbors should be commended, not criticized, for being persistent and doing what they feel is right with this issue, and this resident is happy to support their wishes.

June E. Cooley
Almaden Road

Elks Lodge may shrink, but members are still eager to help

Yesterday I received The Resident and was shocked to read your article written by Cecily Barnes regarding the Elks Lodge and the Eagles (March 11). I am unable to believe that you would let such a negative and rude article even be published!

This article, while in part has a few good points, is written by someone who does not have a truly accurate picture of the Elks. I would like to point out where she is not only inaccurate but in need of some manners with regard to her style of reporting on what she observed in her limited amount of research.

Barnes' opening paragraph where she comments on an elderly man sleeping in the lobby of the lodge is in very poor taste. What she is unaware of is the fact that on Mondays the Elks do rent out their facility to the Italian Men's Club for the entire day. The members of that club get here as early as 7 a.m. in order to set up for the luncheon that they provide to more than 300 people, and they do all the cooking themselves.

After that luncheon, they have a bingo game that usually lasts until 1:30 p.m. At that time, everyone goes home to rest for a few hours until 4 p.m., at which time they prepare an evening meal and also sponsor a huge bingo game for the public that lasts until 10:30 p.m.

This explains why the older gentleman was fast asleep, as he works from early morning until 10:30 at night. I think that entitles him to sleep however he wishes ... mouth closed or open! Many people of varying ages would have difficult working a 15-hour day without a break. Barnes' comment was discriminatory with regard to our senior citizens.

It is true that the membership has declined in recent years. However, I would like to point out that the Elks are getting in new and younger members who are truly interested in bettering the community. The types of men who apply for membership now are not interested in what benefits the Elks can provide for them. Quite the contrary--they are interested in how they can serve on committees and help with the many charity programs the Elks sponsor.

Just to mention a few: California-Hawaii Elks Association. This is the major project and this program helps children with cerebral palsy. So far this year the San Jose Elks have donated well over $17,000.

Also, the Elks National Foundation Charity Program, which sponsors all kinds of scholarships. The San Jose Elks Lodge has donated more than $10,000 this year, not to mention that the San Jose Elks Lodge sponsors two Scout troops, one Little League team, a soccer team and an annual hoop-shoot contest.

There is not much difference in the average donation per member with regard to charity. Actually it is the reverse. Fewer members give more of themselves. Just this year the Elks issued 14 most valuable student scholarships.

In Barnes' reference to Mr. DiSalvo, an 86-year-old gentleman who has been a member for more than 38 years, she neglected to mention that he was honored by the Grand Lodge for bringing in three new members this year.

It is true that some records were damaged by the recent floods, but I would like to point out that when the building was flooded two times in recent years, it was the members who came with their pant legs rolled up and were at the lodge helping the crews clean up the huge mess and debris caused by the flood. It doesn't look like the community spirit is dying at the San Jose Elks Lodge.

Just so you understand where I am coming from, I would like you to know that I have been a Willow Glen resident since 1971. My former husband became an Elk in 1964 and is still a member. He helped to build the Elks Lodge in Monterey. All his time was donated. I used to do the monthly bulletin for the Sunnyvale Elks for a year ... my time and effort was donated also.

For the last 11 years, it has been my privilege to serve as office manager for the San Jose Elks Lodge #522. I see many dedicated men working here all the time, and they do it for no pay. I am proud to work with them in all their charity endeavors.

Millie Messineo
Office manager, San Jose Elks Lodge #522

"Not in my back yard" mentality is prejudiced

I didn't respond when The Resident wrote an article on group homes (Feb. 25), and I didn't respond when someone stated his opinion about why there should not be group homes in Willow Glen.

However, the cartoon in the March 4 issue caused me some concern.

Right now I personally know of seven households in the Willow Glen area in which either one or both adults have gone through a group home. These people are your next-door neighbors or your co-workers.

If it weren't for the safe environment of a group home, these neighbors of yours would never have the chance to live and be productive members of society.

If the opinion stated in previous issues and the recent cartoon is what constitutes the membership of society, where can one put in his resignation from that society? I have not seen any statistics showing group homes are a danger to any neighborhood.

What I do see is some Willow Glen homeowners showing a side that is ugly, prejudiced and the "do something but not in my neighborhood" mentality--otherwise known as mean-spirited, small-minded and with no sense of compassion.

Alan Bonnet
Debar Court

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