May 3, 2007

ValleyViewpoints

Reader tired of government asking taxpayers to pay for disappearing dads

Editor,
In last week’s issue (Almaden Times, April 26-May 2, 2007) I note two stories about single moms; one is truly tragic where one mom has lost her only daughter to cancer. No parent should have to bury one of his or her children.

The other story is about three moms who are the recipients of $3,000 each from the Chamber of Commerce in recognition of their efforts to simultaneously work, raise children and attend school.

In each case, I had to ask, "Where are the fathers?" Are they contributing to the welfare of the kids they helped bring into this world? Or, is this just another case where the responsible must be responsible for the acts of the irresponsible?

I for one, tire of the government asking me, a financially responsible person, to pony up more tax dollars (affordable housing, school lunches, subsidized healthcare, food coupons, etc) to help those "in need" who find themselves in need because of their own irresponsible actions (marrying young to persons they really don't know much about, having more children than they can truly afford to raise, etc.).

If the fathers are contributing to their kids' welfare, you might have included that fact in the stories. Somehow, I sense that the fathers are not. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think so.

Jerry Mungai
Fall River Drive

Article on autistic children can lead to more students getting services they need

Editor,
Thank you for helping many children and their families with your April 19, 2007 Almaden Times article titled, “High-functioning autistic children and their parents struggle in the public school system.”

One clinician has already used the article to advocate for appropriate school services for a child, and one San Jose attorney said that 14 calls came in within a 24-hour period from parents seeking representation in order to obtain appropriate school services for their children. I imagine the phones of many other attorneys have been ringing too.

I have asked parents if they’ve seen the article, and many said, “Yes, and I sent it to everyone I know.” I hope that you plan to publish the article in other Times Weekly papers. It is having such a positive impact already, and by increasing the number of parents and professionals who see the article, it can lead to helping more children receive the services they desperately need.

Your staff writer, Carol Rosen, is the first reporter to raise awareness with regard to the challenges faced by school-aged children who are high on the autism spectrum (with high-functioning autism, PDD-NOS, and Asperger’s syndrome). I am grateful to her for doing so. She presented the issue without bias, and gathered information from many sources, including educators.

It was fascinating to hear many sides and aspects of the issue, and to understand the mindset of educators who are in the unique position of making important, life-changing decisions about what our children will and will not receive in terms of special education services.

Further understanding of this disability is certainly in order. Your article begins the discussion that can lead to greater knowledge and awareness of this crisis, and provide parents and educators with information about experts who are “doing it right” like Michelle Garcia Winner’s Center for Social Thinking, Inc. and Pine Hill School’s Newton Program.

As the mother of a child with high-functioning autism, there is no way to describe the pain and agony our children endure on a daily basis when they are in an educational environment that lacks the support and services they need, let alone an understanding of their disability. Providing appropriate services for these children today will lead to a lifetime of “independent” tomorrows.

Thank you again for the fantastic article. I hope it will be the first of many.

Nancy Jacques
Melba Court

Citizens Who Care needs help keeping Almaden Expressway clean

Citizens Who Care is a group of Almaden Valley residents who clean up litter on Almaden Expressway and the adjoining Highway 85 interchange. This group was originally founded in 1996 by Bob Martin and then was led for several years by Jack Whiteside.

I am now handling coordination of the group’s activities. The current volunteers are Wayne Smith, Bob Swan, Dorothy Swan, Dale Gordon, Holi Gordon, Linda Adams, Gary Beck, George Lopez and Albert Betesfandiar
Our members clean Almaden Expressway from Highway 85 to Harry Road. Volunteers all have a dedicated section to pick up and establish their own independent cleaning schedules. All equipment; bags, pickers, vests and bag holders are provided. Filled bags are deposited at the Camden/Almaden collection spot and the county picks them up.

Having a larger pool of volunteers to help keep Almaden Expressway clean would be very helpful as some of our volunteers have moved out of the area and others have had to curtail their participation. If you would like to help and get some exercise while doing something positive for your neighborhood, please call me at (408) 268-4062 or e-mail me at lanman13@pacbell.net.

Gary Beck
Citizens Who Care

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