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Speak Out
Improve your history of Willow Glen area or stop reporting it
As a resident (not a "Glenite") of Willow Glen for the last 45 years, my jaws tighten when I read articles in your newspaper that contain inaccurate historical references. A case in point is Staff Writer Kate Carter's July 18, 2001, cover story, "Theme park founder's roots run through Willow Glen." In her story, Carter makes reference to Michael Bonfante "attending Willow Glen Middle School (then known as 'Markham Middle') and Willow Glen High School until he graduated in 1959."
Gee, when I went to Markham in 1961-1963 the school was named "Edwin Markham Junior High School" (grades seven through nine). It would seem that Carter knows not of what she speaks. Maybe she's new to the area, but that's no excuse.
The Willow Glen Resident does a fair job at including neighborhood history in its weekly publication, but, with the exception of Cookie Curci and her excellent articles, your staff writers should bone up on their history to get it right, or not report it.
Of course, journalists take a backseat to the real estate folks when it comes to distorting Willow Glen and its boundaries. Even the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association can't get it right when in your Sept. 13, 2000, cover story "Where is Willow Glen?" it is quoted, "But according to the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association, Willow Glen doesn't have exact boundaries. Instead, the neighborhood association says Willow Glen is sort of a state of mind."
State of mind? Bologna! You either live in the neighborhood or you don't. And, it's not "The Glen!" And, for us old-timers, it's Willow Street Park, not whatever the name on the sign is these days!
Yes things change, but, to get the history right, may I suggest the book, Old Willow Glen: A Photographic Sketchbook, by Elizabeth Giarrantana (1977)?
James W. Vinson Jr.
Carmel Drive
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
