January 25, 2007

ValleyViewpoints

Majority of attendees of Leland lights meeting were strongly in support of the lights

Editor,
Does Almaden “really” want lights at Leland?

At last week’s community meeting, the overwhelming majority of attendees were strongly in support of the lights/school. All of the supportive comments caused a literal eruption of applause. The large presence in support of the lights/school was quiet, polite and dignified. Unfortunately the podium was again dominated by a few whining, “me first”, spoiled rotten brats, determined to place their personal agendas ahead of the school/community. It is a shame. Addressing legitimate concerns is productive. Unfortunately that is not what has been happening.

Can we focus on one point? We should value our children! Our community is very diverse, socially, economically and culturally. The schools and teachers are laden with the task of reaching every student and somehow connecting them to the fabric of the school, no matter where they came from or what their interests. We ask the schools to reach and teach our children. Not just to read and write, but also to think. To accept, understand, appreciate and even celebrate our similarities and our differences. Using sports as a metaphor for life, we can all be on the same team, have common goals and grow together in their pursuit. In high school, there is no better tool than a well-attended and spirited game of ball to bring the students and the families together as a community with a positive common agenda. A night game of football has long stood out as the best available venue to bring the community together and celebrate with their children. Maybe it is too simple for me, or maybe I am just self-centered?

I believe that night games for school sports are a reasonable use of school property, that the school is a great neighbor, that if you purchased a home next to a school it is reasonable and foreseeable for the school to have sports and other activities (lighted and otherwise) and that what is good for the kids is good for the school/community.

But, if you are the center of the universe and you believe that your personal agenda should supersede that of the school/community because you throw the biggest tantrum and make the most noise… then we probably disagree.

Sincerely,
Brad Mortensen
Simple minded community
member (or maybe not)

Figure out finances before we ask for more trees

Editor,
Can we have some sanity about the city and trees? I have seen so many letters to newspapers about trees I have become inundated. We have "too many trees," "not enough trees," "the city should pay us to plant trees," etc. This frenzy is right up there with the "Hewlett Packard frenzy" and the "Mountain View squirrel controversy."

I will admit that I too have had grief with the city over trees, both on my property and in the parkways.

The fact is the city cannot afford to maintain the trees under their jurisdiction at this time. Let's give the Chuck Reed administration a chance to straighten out the financial situation at city hall before we start asking for more trees.

Keith C. De Filippis
Miriam Court

Article gave a clear picture of the work of the Daughters of the American Revolution

Editor,
I would like to thank Jeanne Lewis for writing such a wonderful article covering the Los Gatos DAR’s daffodil planting at Casa Grande (Almaden Times Weekly, Jan. 4, 2007 issue). I was so excited, as were many members, to see such a tremendous article written about our chapter and the work we do in the community. The pictures were terrific as well. Thank you for portraying to the community such a clear picture of who our organization is and what we do. I look forward to being able to work with you on future projects our chapter works on in the Almaden area.

Kristin Khanna
Regent
Los Gatos DAR

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