The Willow Glen Resident

Letters

If two people really love each other, it can only make the community better

C. Perry wrote in a letter in last week's edition of The Resident: "At the risk of being branded a homophobe by the gay contingency here in Willow Glen..." and then went on to make several homophobic statements. To my ear, it sounds like the classic opening line "I'm not racist but..." that is usually followed by a series of reprehensible statements.

If two people love one another and make each other happy, then that can only make the whole community better. It mystifies me why anyone should care what goes on in our neighbors' bedrooms. It did "warm my heart" to think of Willow Glen as a gay "Mecca" because to me that indicates that we live in a tolerant, open-minded place. I sincerely hope that C. Perry does not "speak for the majority of Willow Glen," as claimed.

Tom Parsons
Mildred Avenue

Advertising banners are corporate graffiti

Many residents of Willow Glen probably have never heard of Millard Sheets, unless they are familiar with contemporary artists. Millard Sheets is a renowned California artist from Claremont. He taught art at the Claremont graduate schools in Southern California.

Millard Sheets is best known for his mosaics, which many times depict the history of the area in which they are displayed. His work is in or on buildings as far away as Hawaii and even Poland. A trip to Terminal C of the San Jose International Airport will give you an idea of the quality of this man's work. The huge mosaic on the wall shows the history of Santa Clara Valley.

Willow Glen residents do not even have to drive to the airport to see his talented work. All we have to do is walk to the corner of Lincoln and Minnesota avenues. Each side of the handsome Home Savings of America building is graced with a beautiful mosaic by Sheets. Home Savings buildings throughout California were designed with mosaics by Sheets. He died recently, leaving us a wonderful gift of his art.

I'm sure building budgets and corporate changes within this company do not include funding for artwork on business buildings. Newer Home Savings buildings do not have art designs on the outer walls.

Every time I come to the corner of Lincoln and Minnesota, I look at the Home Savings building and shake my head. How can anyone have so little respect for art that they would hang advertisement banners right over a beautiful piece of art? Whoever does this at Home Savings must see a blank wall there instead of a gift to the community of quality artwork.

One evening while sitting at Starbucks with a friend, I pointed out my disappointment with the covering up of outstanding art. I mentioned that as a community we complain about the graffiti left by youth, but there seems to be no complaint about "banner graffiti" on business buildings. My friend coined the name "corporate graffiti" for the Home Savings banner.

Whenever I see the banners, I only wish that I could see the rest of the mosaic. Out of frustration, I don't read the messages on the banners.

I hope that Home Savings of America will take time to think about the gift of art that is being taken away from this community and find another way to do its "corporate advertising."

I wrote the above editorial more than a year ago. I never mailed it because Home Savings of America took down the banners over the mosaics. Lately the advertising on the outside of the building has returned. Also, the number of banners and window signs has increased. This beautiful building looks cheapened. The artwork on the building is lost among the "corporate graffiti."

I had considered contacting the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association about the use of banners on local businesses. But a friend just pointed out that one of the banners on the Home Savings building is a WGBPA advertisement! Let's work together to keep Willow Glen a beautiful and unique community that is not forced to accept such lack of respect for the appearance of the local community.

Jeannette Cook
El Abra Way

Gay community is an asset to Willow Glen

It's obvious that your article on the gay community living in Willow Glen struck a nerve with some of your readers (Letters, April 1). It seems that some residents here are horrified to know that many of their neighbors are not heterosexual. Willow Glen is generally a tolerant area, but intolerance is to be expected everywhere, I suppose.

In response to the letter from C. Perry, I'd like to describe the "homosexual lifestyle" I lead here in Willow Glen. My partner and I, who have been together for seven years, bought our house in 1995. We both work and pay taxes that help support the schools and local services here. My kids from an earlier marriage visit the house from time to time. In other words, my life is every bit as routine and unexceptional as most families here.

Thanks to The Resident for informing its readers about the large and vibrant gay and lesbian community living here. It's time that everybody in Willow Glen realizes that we are an asset to our town.

Robert Ristelhueber
Aragon Way

Glen welcomes all--despite race or creed

Where are the facts? According to the March 18 issue of The Resident, 95125 is a gay ZIP code, and there is a gay, lesbian or bisexual couple on every block in Willow Glen.

It also stated in big bold print that Willow Glen is a safe place for the largest gay community in San Jose. The story went on to say that a real estate person gave neighbors in a neighborhood, where a gay couple moved to, a biography and background information on the couple.

I have lived in Willow Glen all my life and feel Willow Glen has always, without publication in a paper or a biography about a person, welcomed and accepted all people, regardless of their race, creed or sexual preference.

To state that 95125 is a gay ZIP code is ridiculous. Get the facts straight.

Joan Azzarello
Harmil Way

Correction

An April 1 article incorrectly named a band as playing at Founders Day '98. No bands have yet been confirmed for Founders Day, according to David Machado, president of the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association.

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