In November 2000, Santa Clara County voters approved a ballot measure known as the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Program. It created a countywide special parcel tax that promised specific accomplishments over a 15-year period.

The Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Program is designed to protect, enhance and restore bay ecosystems, improve water quality, help keep neighborhood creeks free from trash and develop 70 miles of creekside trails in the county.

The ballot measure also created an independent monitoring committee to annually review the progress of the voter-approved program and report its findings to county residents.

We have just completed our second annual report on the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Program. The district's efforts to keep the creeks clear of graffiti continue, and 32,000 square feet of graffiti were removed in the West Valley area.

The program also cleaned up more than 700 cubic yards of trash and debris from local creeks. Areas by major creek crossings, trails, local parks and schools have been given top priority. These high-visibility areas collect heavy loads of trash. In addition, a half-mile of creek trail has been added locally.

Don Burnett, Committee Member

Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural
Flood Protection Program

Small shops continue
to disappear and close

We are losing our independents.

Here in Willow Glen, in the good old days, we had many independent pharmacies that offered wonderful personal attention and service, accurate prescription filling, in-store charge systems, free delivery service and fine consultation.

The names that come to mind are Family Pharmacy, Foxworthy Drug, Malone Pharmacy, Lawrence's Drug, Lincoln Avenue Pharmacy, Meridian Pharmacy, Rick's Pharmacy, Almaden Pharmacy, Westwood Prescriptionists and The Medicine Shoppe. Today, we are only left with two, Westwood Prescriptionists and The Medicine Shoppe. I was saddened to read that with the proposed new building expansion of Albertson's, The Medicine Shoppe would be forced to close its business, and we would be left with only one independent pharmacy. I am a happy customer of pharmacist Richard Kitajima, who owns The Medicine Shoppe. It was a shame that Richard, with a hard-earned degree in pharmacy, thousands upon thousands of dollars in inventory and many hours of hard work to build up a great clientele, is being forced out of business by, in my opinion, a substandard Albertson's.

I propose two stipulations that Albertson's must agree to before its request to build is approved. First, that Albertson's not be allowed to operate a pharmacy at this location; second, that Albertson's be made financially responsible for moving The Medicine Shoppe to a comparable location. This way Willow Glen can still maintain our two independent pharmacies, which we so dearly need.

Chet Campanella

Castile Court
Registered Pharmacist, retired

Helping save 4-H will
benefit future youth

The current state budget crisis will cause the elimination of the Santa Clara County 4-H Youth Development Program. The 4-H program, in conjunction with the Master Gardeners program, Farm Advisor, Small Farms program, Natural Resources/Livestock program and the Expanded Food and Nutrition program serving low-income residents under the University of California Cooperative Extension, will no longer exist in Santa Clara County beginning July 1, 2004, due to county budget constraints.

I am asking the residents of Willow Glen for your help in fighting to keep the 4-H Youth Development Program. Santa Clara County has always had a rich agricultural heritage that 4-H continues through its varied livestock projects.

Today's 4-H youth program encompasses so much more. Our children, ages 5 to 19, develop their leadership and citizenship skills, build self-confidence, participate in hands-on experiences and gain fundamental knowledge in a wide variety of projects. These children work hard and work together as a community. The 4-H program provides opportunities for any child. They are our future CEOs, doctors, scientists, teachers, leaders and parents.

Evelyn McGarry

La Mirada Drive
Homesteaders 4-H Club Co-Community Leader