Recently a few Willow Glen residents decided to make it illegal to make certain turns on their streets at designated hours during each weekday. The names of these streets are Nola Drive, Parkwood Way, Cheryl Way and Hicks Avenue. I cannot recall any accidents, either major or minor, resulting in injury to any adult, child or animal on any of these streets. If the reason is to slow down traffic, then Hicks Avenue has three stop signs and two traffic lights to do just that. I am hoping that the change and restrictions are not political.

On Sept. 10, at approximately 4 p.m., within a 15-minute period four drivers, including myself, were cited after we failed to see a restricting turn sign posted on the southwest corner of Minnesota Avenue for turning onto Hicks Avenue.

Some possible reasons for not seeing the sign might be the following.

1. Drivers are not familiar with a sign at that location.

2. Driving west at that time of the day, the sun is shining directly into your eyes.

3. A large truck or bus might be located between the driver and the sign, thus blocking the view.

4. The driver is paying 100 percent attention to oncoming traffic and, only when clear, executes a left turn onto Hicks Avenue.

5. Out of habit, a driver might use Hicks Avenue rather than Meridian Avenue, which is very congested at that time of the day.

The citing officer said that he was only doing his job, and that his job that day was to write citations.

Were the two officers also told to park and hide their motorcycles between the sidewalk and a private residence and to appear on the street only after the turn was executed? Does this sound a little like a trap? I will go to court and let the judge decide, and I hope that all of the other cited drivers will do likewise.

—Chet Campanella, Castile Court


Historic WG homes need to be preserved

I have been a Willow Glen resident for three years, and after renting a house in the area, my husband and I chose to buy a house here.

We chose Willow Glen because of the distinct and historic character of the homes and tree-lined streets. The people who apparently give no thought to this when deciding to purchase property here appall us. Why buy a house in Willow Glen if you are not going to maintain the character and style of the home?

I was pleased to see the old house at Lincoln and Michigan avenues finally removed, but disheartened at what is taking its place. I am wondering if there is an established group with power and influence over guidelines about what type of buildings are permitted in Willow Glen neighborhoods. It doesn't seem that there is.

It has been discouraging to see the old homes that Willow Glen is known for—and that give this area its style and character—being torn down in favor of large two- or three-story homes built in a style that does not fit the Willow Glen style and look like they would fit in better in Fremont.

My only criteria—which I don't think is unreasonable—is that when a house is torn down, the house built in its place is the same height and general style as the house that was torn down. The height restriction is out of courtesy for the neighbors. If the house's new owners need the space of a two-story house, perhaps they could build underground. There are some beautiful new homes in Cupertino that have been built in this way.

There are some new Willow Glen houses that have been built with the historic style in mind, but most have not been.

I know that when it comes to specifying guidelines for personal property, there is a fine line one must walk, and it may be impossible to legislate good taste and aesthetic sensibility, but I think the "same height, same style" rule is enforceable, desirable and attainable.

I would like to do what I can to prevent any older homes that are in reasonable condition from being torn down in the future, or ensure that the rebuilt homes are done in the same style and size, therefore preserving the character of Willow Glen neighborhoods. Any suggestions are appreciated.

—S. Kusters, Guadalupe Avenue


True communication takes lots of practice

We've all heard the phrase "the art of communication," and, as with any "art" communication takes lots of practice. To complicate matters, what is said and what is heard is not always the same thing. The Oct. 2 article in the Willow Glen Resident about the North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association reflected an obvious need for practicing our communication skills. As such I would like to reword and hopefully clarify a few points.

Marc Baumen was elected as community liaison, not city liaison. The neighborhood does not have a high poverty rate, only a high percentage of low-income residents. The crime rate is actually very low in the area, a fact that I researched before I moved here, and now have regular confirmation of from our local police department.

The issue that seems to have caught everyone's attention was the thought of increasing meeting attendance by conducting business in a bar. The actual reference was to a local restaurant, which has graciously hosted several neighborhood-related meetings in the past.

And finally, I'd like to add that Dan Erceg has not only painted out graffiti for 17 years, but almost daily picked up litter, maintained neglected city landscaping, and put in the nearly super-human effort that has made his and my street, and our home the livable place that it is today. The least I could was help!

Expecting great things for the future.

—Alison England, president, North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association