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Speak Out
The golden age of Willow Glen is now
I attempted to transform myself back into an era before I was born when I read Robert Smith's speak out (1930s Were the golden age of this area).
I was fortunate enough to move into Willow Glen in 1965 and grew up with Frank Stannard as my neighbor. What a neat man he was, filled with many a story of times gone past. He was one of the reasons that today I still enjoy speaking with the older people of Willow Glen. There is always something to be learned from those who were there before us.
As for Smith's letter, for a paragraph or two, I attempted to go back in my mind to what his Willow Glen must have been like in those days. Neat times, to be sure, of the mom-and-pop stores and my beloved Garden Theatre.
My memories of the '60s are a little different than his. I do miss the Lincoln Lanes Market, Curt Keltner Liquor Store (we would come home from school and check his scoreboard out to see if the Giants were winning), Bergmanns and the Garden Theatre of an era gone past. I thank him for challenging us with a little history of what life must have been like back then.
But, having been here 35 years and not knowing Willow Glen as Mr. Smith knew it, there was a time when there were abandoned buildings and businesses in downtown Willow Glen. But, now, it has modernized and grown up for the better.
I do disagree with him on one point. I happen to think that we are experiencing Willow Glen's golden age right now. The downtown area is a source of pride to all. Outstanding restaurants galore combined with a beautiful tree-lined Lincoln Avenue is very pleasing to the eye.
I'm also sure Christmas never looked this good throughout the neighborhoods in the '30s and our streets remain relatively safe for our families. But enough for attempting to compare eras!
The one thing that all of us surely can agree upon is that we live in a highly desirable area where people maintain the beauty of their homes. I am proud that I call Willow Glen home and, quite frankly, would not want to live anywhere else.
Steve Denton
Camino Pablo
Yeager has long track record of local activism
Ken Yeager's neighborhood credentials were challenged in your paper last week. Both of us live in District 6 and we go back 25 years with Ken working on neighborhood issues. We can't imagine anyone having a longer or more complete neighborhood serving record than Ken, but for those who have questions, here is a brief snapshot of his credentials:
* As President of the Rose Garden Neighborhood Preservation Association, Ken worked to improve pedestrian safety, build better relationships with schools, and beautify our neighborhoods.
* As an elected member of the San Jose Community College Board of Trustees, Ken has improved the educational quality for thousands of students.
* As Chair of the Airport Curfew Monitoring Committee, Ken has worked to make airlines abide by the curfew.
* As a member of the Guadalupe River Park and Gardens Committee, Ken lobbied for funds to complete and improve the park.
* As past president of the Friends of the Rose Garden Library, Ken raised money to buy library books for our kids.
* As a teacher at San Jose State University for 10 years, Ken has dedicated his life to serving others through education.
* As a strong proponent of public safety, Ken fought to keep Willow Glen's Fire Station No. 6 fully staffed.
Twenty-five years ago, Ken worked with us to build a citywide coalition of neighborhood organizations designed to get the city to provide more neighborhood services. Ever since, Ken has been an active, participating and instrumental leader working to protect our neighborhoods. His experience is unquestionable.
We're proud to support Ken Yeager. He has a long history of neighborhood activism and knows how to get things done. We urge a vote for Ken Yeager.
Lisa Gibson
Schiele Ave.
Maureen Hansen
Meridian Ave.
Ralph Nader should participate in the debates
Nobody minds a good horserace, or do they? I don't know about you, but as long time Los Gatos voter, I believe in free speech.
Whatever your political persuasion, it usually comes down to which candidate shares your vision for the future. Ideas should be challenged and debated.
Differing opinions should be heard and respected, and at least be given a forum. That's the best democratic ideals. That's America, right? Maybe.
Did you know that The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) sets the rules for the televised presidential debates and is run by former chairmen of the Democratic and Republican national committees.
Did you know that AT&T donated more that $2.4 million to the CPD for the 1992 and 2000 debates. Anheuser-Busch has given hundreds of thousands each to the CPD.
Is it a coincidence that one of the presidential debates is in St. Louis, the corporate headquarters of Anheuser-Busch?
The parent companies for ABC News, CNN, NBC, FOX and CBS donated hundreds of thousands of dollars in soft money to the Democrats and the Republicans this year.
Ralph Nader is the only presidential candidate who for years has advocated for an end to cash-register politics and wants to institute real campaign finance reform. The Democrats and the Republicans, and their corporate sponsors want to control the information that reaches the American public.
I'd like to hear his ideas, and other candidates on the ballot, in the same forum as the other two.
Scott Partridge
Los Gatos
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
