January 27, 2005

ValleyViewpoints

Dando had no time to meet with neighbors of proposed
sports complex, letter writer says

Editor,
I would like to set the record straight regarding a couple of issues in the Almaden Times article, (Jan. 21-27 edition) “Preservation groups sue city to stop youth sports fields,” by Sheila Sanchez.

There were a couple of statements that need to be clarified. The article read, “Denelle Fedor, Dando’s legislative assistant on land use issues, however, denied the accusations that they refused to meet with SAVRA. She said the project has been ongoing for 10 years and that they have always been open and willing to meet with project opponents. Fedor recalled how Carol Hallett, who lives in the reserve, invited Dando and her for dinner to her home, but later cancelled the appointment.”

It is true that I invited Pat Dando and Denelle Fedor to my house for dinner and the opportunity to meet with a couple of my neighbors, but let’s make sure that we understand the facts. There was a city community meeting held at Leland High School Oct. 27, 2004, and at that meeting a statement was made that Pat Dando has never met with the reserve residents. Pat Dando responded saying that she was more than happy to meet with us and that this project “has been ongoing for 10 years” yet this was the first invitation for a meeting with city councilwoman Dando and the residents of the reserve.

The AYA staff met at City Hall with Councilwoman Dando on a biweekly and/or weekly meeting for three years that I know of and the community was never invited to attend. The fact is three years ago the proposed “Sports Complex” was slated as a done deal when a handful of people received a letter from the city letting them know that this was happening. Those neighbors let others know until one day I found out by word of mouth.

When I heard about the project I called City Planning to find out how and who got notification of this project. The answer shows why the city should stick to developing within the city limits. “Our policy is to send notification out to those residents that live within 1,000 feet of the project”. That probably works in the city but in the county we are talking cows and horses. This seemed funny to the planning staff but it shows that the city does not understand the landscape in the county.

During the next three years I was vocal about my concerns and opposition to this project (both written and verbally at community meetings) but still I was never approached to meet with these people that were determining the fate of land that will directly effect my lifestyle, my water supply and the value of my home and property. Communication only works when it goes both ways.

Denelle Fedor is right, I called and offered dinner and a meeting at my house. We were working around Pat Dando’s schedule, Thanksgiving, Christ-mas and the City Hall meetings with the Planning Commission and City Council. We agreed on Nov. 29. Unfortunately City Staff was not prepared for the earlier scheduled meeting with the Planning Commission and rescheduled their meeting for Nov. 29. This rescheduling made it even more difficult for us to meet with Pat and Denelle. Was the meeting canceled? No. I offered a couple dates, but they did not fit into Pat’s calendar.

This project was “10 years” in the making and [there was] no time in the schedule [for Pat Dando] to meet with the neighbors of the reserve.

Carol Hallett
Schillingsburg Road

Truancy crackdown article illustrates problems facing public schools today

Editor,
In the article on the San Jose Unified School District truancy crackdown (Jan. 21-27 edition), the Times quotes Nancy Danziger-Brock, an attendance improvement program administrator for elementary schools in the SJ Unified School District: “And for me, when I started this program, which has become my passion, it’s about kids getting to school, getting fed, getting health care, getting their vision checked, getting their hearing checked, having counseling, getting their two meals a day and getting their education.”

When a couple decides to have a child, they take on the responsibility to do all the things Ms. Danziger-Block is concerned about; and when parents do what they are supposed to do, the District will have less need for an “attendance improvement program administrator.” Lower cost to the District means fewer taxes for parents to pay, which in turn means less need for both parents to work, which means more time to spend taking care of the children’s material and spiritual needs. What a win-win deal!

Jerry Mungai
Fall River Drive

Honor Pat Dando by naming library after her

Editor,
I would like to be suggest that the city of San Jose honor former Vice Mayor Pat Dando by naming the Almaden Branch Library after her. She has been very involved in the Almaden Valley for years. She is a wonderful lady who deserves this honor, and this way people will remember her.

Robert F. Strohmeier
Gondola Way

Editor’s note: Perhaps you missed the controversy surrounding the effort to name the library after the late educator Doris Dillon. A very vocal group of citizens desire to keep the Almaden Branch Library name. Maybe a more viable suggestion would be to name a room in the library after the former vice mayor, as the city has decided to do for Dillon.

Comment about cheap salons was offensive to woman with pedicure infection

Editor,
I’ve been following the pedicure infection articles religiously in the Times. You’ve been doing a terrific job reporting fines and follow-ups.

However, I was somewhat disappointed in the comment by Amanda Barber in your Jan. 13 issue, where she said, “People think it’s too expensive to come here and go to the cheap places, and then they end up with their toenail falling off, or worse. It’s ridiculous to me that people don’t take better care of what they are doing to their bodies.”

As a victim, I found that pretty offensive.

So if Ms. Barber has the unfortunate experience of contracting food poisoning from eating in a restaurant, then she’s ridiculous for not inspecting the kitchen??? I just don’t understand that way of thinking.

Life goes on and so do I, scars and all.

(Name withheld for privacy)
Almaden Valle

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