Willow Glen, California Since 1992
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New traffic restrictions are stressful to drivers "Traffic calming" is the silliest term I have heard lately. Frankly, all of these new restrictions on driving in the Willow Glen neighborhood are far from calming. I find the "no left turn" and "no right turn" signs extremely stressful after a hard day of work. I never know when a new sign will go up prohibiting me from driving home or to the grocery store. The signs all have different time restrictions. It is absolutely nuts. You can't drive around here without a watch on anymore. Just one more thing to check, which takes the driver's eyes off the road. Recently a friend of mine was stopped by the police for making a left turn onto Hicks from Minnesota. The officer gave a warning. That was during the "be kind to the driver week." That same evening we took a walk after dark to see the location of the new sign. Neither of us had noticed it. In the dark the sign is not readable because it is located behind the stoplight. The light blocks a clear view of the sign, which is dark since it is behind the light. We are in daylight-saving time now, so the sign can actually be read during the restricted hours. However, in the winter months, the sign's visibility will be blocked by the stoplight during the restricted hours. How can tickets be issued when drivers are unable to read the signs? I am sure that some of those "calm" drivers who are no longer able to drive down Hicks are now going to the next corner to turn left in order to proceed along Hicks. Since they are so "calmed down," I am sure they will drive very slowly! I feel that these restrictions have not been carefully thought through. I hope that the signs will come down so that people can once again go about their business in Willow Glen. - Jeannette Cook, El Abra Way Reader responds to Miller's letter My goodness, when I read Jax Miller's letter to the editor in the May 22 issue of The Willow Glen Resident, the first thing I thought was, 'What a most disagreeable and unhappy man!' Why, I ask, does he even live in Willow Glen? It seems to me that if he doesn't like plants, people, children or even looking at pretty things, he should be living in an apartment or condominium with minimum scenery and work by himself with little contact with others. Many people in Willow Glen are friendly and easy to get along with. I feel that having beautiful scenery around makes people happy and contented. I happen to love gardening and creating pretty flowers and this makes me happy. I would like to suggest that Miller might enjoy his life here more if he would make an effort to know people of all kinds and to appreciate the beauty he sees around him. One of these days, he may be glad that he waved and smiled at someone in the neighborhood - that person may be an angel in disguise! - Sue Evans, Dean Avenue Tell the truth about the Di Manto family As a resident of San Jose for the past 25 years, 13 of which in Willow Glen, I am saddened and angered at a May 22 Willow Glen Resident story titled "Sycamore Glen residents upset by homeowners' plans to re-fence yard." The article addresses the opposition of people living three streets away from this Dry Creek Road home to their plan for moving a side yard fence. The homeowners of this lovingly restored Dry Creek home are Patrick and Becky Di Manto. My family and I have known them very well for the past 12 years. We first met them through Booksin Elementary School, where we (among many other parents) volunteered countless hours and donated many dollars. The Di Mantos do things a little differently from most others, though. Pat and Becky anonymously underwrite anything they hear is needed for any function. They consistently make monetary and material donations to any cause they find is in need. They are the kinds of donations one will not read about in any annual charity report, in which some enjoy seeing their own names. The Di Mantos truly donate time, money and materials for the sake of helping someone in need. The Di Mantos moved from another lovely home in Willow Glen solely for the purpose of accommodating their first-born daughter, Marina, who is a severely disabled 20-year-old. Since birth, Marina has required 24-hour nursing and respiratory care. She requires full-time nurses. The Di Manto family has truly devoted itself to the care of their daughter to ensure that her quality of life is the highest level possible. They don't feel they have done anything for her that any other parent would not have done. I know differently. Most of us would not have been able to live with a mini hospital/therapy ward in our family rooms. Becky and Pat were carrying Marina up a flight of stairs to bed at night until they found this home. Until now, this home has been a God-send. It has a separate driveway to Marina's "wing." This is so helpful with Marina's van and constant medical help coming and going. Marina has the large family room for her and her round-the-clock medical staff. Marina has the adjoining bedroom and bathroom. And Marina has the portion of the yard (next to the much-maligned fence) for her sunning and physical therapy so important in the outdoor air. This young woman, so loved by her younger sister and parents, was not expected to live more than a few years when she was born. Just ask Marina's physician, Dr. Catherine Albin of Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, and she will tell you that the only reason Marina Di Manto is "with us" still is because of Patrick and Rebecca Di Manto. Becky is even trained to administer the nursing needs to Marina herself! I should also mention the work they do with Special Olympics and so many other areas - but they prefer to do their charity work anonymously. It is for these and so many other reasons that I take no pleasure in having to defend, truly, two of the most generous, sweet, thoughtful people we know. I could list countless people they have helped. I put it to the homeowners listed in the article and to Steven De Cinzo to reconsider their opposition to the Di Manto's plans. I also wonder if these homeowners are within the 300-foot zone of the project location, as per the city of San Jose requirement. When one thinks, today especially, about what is truly important in this world and about how short our time is with our family and friends, I hope that their "neighborhood" reconsiders its objections and that the Willow Glen Resident truly will go beyond "reporting the facts" and opinions of a few negative people. - Kim Korstad, Leyland Park Drive |
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