Willow Glen Resident

Letters & Opinions

Speak Out

Trees are amazing
for what they do

As one of the Hamilton Place residents quoted in June 8 issue of the Willow Glen Resident ("Hamilton Place residents oppose proposal for removal of 41 trees") who is strongly opposed to the possible removal of 41 eucalyptus trees in my condominium complex, I would like to enlighten Resident readers about why trees are so important.

Trees are a very effective way to protect the outside structure of a building by screening out the blazing rays of the sun that cause paint to crack and blister and siding to wear out.

We live in an age where it is important to conserve fossil fuels. What better way to do this than to plant a tree or trees, thus cutting down on heating and cooling costs.

Human beings are very frail and are subjected to the abuse of dirt, ash, pollen, smoke and urban environment noise. Trees mitigate this abuse by effectively filtering these harmful substances.

People are united, harmony is created and neighborhoods are given a sense of identity through trees. Trees improve property values and provide inspiration and serenity.

Need I say more? No, except trees are amazing for what they can do; we owe it to the trees in the communities in which we live to give them the best care and maintenance we can.

June E. Cooley

Braddock Court

Night lights create
strong school spirit

I read Mr. Sutton's letter regarding night lights at Willow Glen High School, and I must say that he is the one that is "out of touch with reality" on this issue ("Night lights funding only benefits a few," June 8).

He states that he was able to grow up as an athlete playing football and running track and never needed lights to accomplish that. I hope that his parents were able to come and see him play at 3 p.m. in the afternoon without any problem.

Mr. Sutton needs to realize that today, many parents both work full time and often longer hours than the traditional 40-hour week that he or his parents probably worked.

It is hard for parents to get to games at 3 p.m. without looking like they are shirking their work responsibilities. Add to that balancing daycare for younger kids, and you can quickly see where night events are more family-friendly.

Having the ability to host night games for football, field hockey and soccer as well as track and field gives our schools the ability to create a wonderful community atmosphere.

Our kids will have the pleasure of playing before larger crowds. Our games can be a fun destination not only for parents of athletes but also for Willow Glen neighbors who want to support our school and our teams.

Just to clarify, I do not have a football, field hockey or soccer player in my house, and the lights do not benefit my child personally. I do, however, intend to go to all of the night football games and root on our Rams teams.

What price can you put on building a community? I say having a strong neighborhood and strong community is priceless.

Teri Kane

Thrasher Lane

Some things will
never be the same

I enjoyed reading the cover story ("Sweet Spot") in the June 1 issue of the Willow Glen Resident. The article stated "boxed sweets line the walls, while barrels of yesteryear toys bring back the innocence of the 1950s and 1960s." One customer stated, "I like the fact that we can go next door and buy some wine while the kids can come in here and buy some candy."

The following week I decided to visit the shop and was quite impressed with most everything. It was as the article described. I did find it very odd, though, in the gum section of the store several types of gum that I would not find appropriate for children. One was labeled "Let's Pretend I Give a SHI@ Cinnamon Gum," and yes, the four letter expletive was spelled out in full on the box and displayed front. Next to this was also some other types of gums with titles really not appropriate for children. Now I must say it would not bother me in the least if, for example, a Hooters opened up on Lincoln Avenue. At least with a Hooters, you know what to generally expect when you go inside. I wonder how many parents would expect to find the types of items I have mentioned in this candy shop.

One of the comments made by a woman in the story was that the opening of this shop made the value of her home increase, which may have been said as a joke; however, I am sure there are many homeowners who equate a business as good if it increases their property values. I believe a diversity of businesses is a good thing, even if some would not be as favorable as others, or heaven forbid not increase the values of homes in the area.

Again, loved the store, just found it strange that a shop that seems to want to cater to children and families would carry this type of merchandise. The only reason I can think of for this is the owner may possibly not be aware that these types of items are sold in the store.

I guess that is the real difference between old-time candy shops and this one. Most old-time candy shops and other similar businesses in the 1950s and 1960s were generally run by the owner, and were "mom and pop" types of businesses where the owner could probably tell a customer what was in stock and what items were carried without having to search a computer/register database as businesses do today.

I guess it is a sign of the times when a business such as this is a franchise, with the owner having multiple locations. I guess as hard as one may try you can't go back, and some things are never the same.

Michael Taylor

Carolyn Avenue

Closing off Cottle
will be a bad idea

I am writing in response to an article in the Resident about stadium lighting at Willow Glen High School for night games ("High School will get night lights, making games in the dark possible," June 1). Jackie Zeller, Willow Glen High School assistant principal, stated that her solution to the traffic problems associated with having night games is that there be no access to Cherry Avenue, forcing all of the traffic and noise onto Cottle Avenue and Dry Creek Road.

Is the San Jose Unified School District, as well as the city council, proposing to close off access to Cottle Avenue Monday through Friday, leaving access only on Cherry Avenue for all the cars, buses, foot traffic, noise, garbage, vans and semi trucks from the SJUSD operations and food-service warehouse that was constructed in our back yards without any mention? In addition, what about the traffic from after-school sports, Little Theatre productions and back-to-school nights and property damage that residents endure on a daily basis at all hours of the day and night on Cottle Avenue?

This solution that Jackie Zeller came up with is a non-solution. It merely transfers the problem onto others who are already overburdened by all of the school's activities. It is just another agenda that SJUSD wants to force onto the community whether we want it or not.

As for my family, and myself we have put up with far too much already. Closing off Cherry Avenue--closest to the stadium, the widest street and the closest street within walking distance--which has designated parking for the sole purpose of sporting events is completely idiotic.

If the school district, as well as the city, wants to work with the community, they need to work with the entire surrounding community, not just one neighbor or one street. It needs to be all of us or none of us enduring the traffic and all the other problems that go along with the proposed stadium lighting.

Perhaps Jackie Zeller and the city council need to go back to the drawing board and come up with a real solution, not just one that pleases part of the community.

Linda Speciale

Willow Glen