May 27, 2004

ValleyViewpoints

Reader suggests memorial site to honor Pat Tillman

Editor,
Our family has a suggested location for a wonderful memorial site for Pat Tillman, our Almaden young man who was killed in Afghanistan serving our country through the Army Rangers.

My son, Garrett, played soccer with the Outlaws Soccer team for 11 years and Pat was on that team. Kevin also played on the team. Pat was an exceptional young man and we all agree, he deserves special recognition. I am sure there are many ideas being considered. Hopefully this idea can be done in addition to others.

Pat being from this area, and not being one for flashy attention; I think would have liked this idea and the place along the creek that I’ll tell you about. Along the Los Alamitos Creek trail there is a “perfect spot” for a Pat Tillman Memorial! Let me give you the idea of the location.

Walking from the bridge by South Hills Church one would walk toward the Almaden Lake Park. A short distance past the Penn Brother Homes there is a fork in the trail. The walking trail goes to the left along the creek and the equestrian trail to the right. The spot is there, at the fork, right along the creek! There are BIG, magnificent, smooth, boulders in the water and stately mature shade trees. I have walked this trail for years and this area is the most gorgeous!

By car one could drive to the end of Pfeifer Ranch Road park, get on the trail and walk about a quarter of a mile to the spot.

Doing little, leaving this area to its natural beauty, and clearing out only a few berry bushes, placing two or three well secured, solid benches with brass plaques honoring Pat is all that would be necessary. And, Oh yes! Remove the “No Trespassing” signs! This being one of the most beautiful locations along the trail, it should be open for the taxpayers to enjoy! Knowing his family, I think they would agree this spot is perfect for Pat! It is a terrific place for one to go to sit contemplate, reflect, relax, read, daydream, pray, reminisce, “veg” out, etc.

A woman (who lives across the creek) told me a Leland High School group planted berry bushes and put up no trespassing signs and no swimming signs. I called Leland High School and asked about this and they had NO idea about it!

We would like to know the procedure to get permission to pursue this. Many have offered to help financially or otherwise. The Outlaws Soccer team from Pat’s youth would like the privilege to provide a brass plaque for one bench. Another group has required the honor to provide a brass plaque and our family would be honored to provide one.

My husband and I are willing to contribute in different ways to see this though. We just need to know what to do next.

Marci Dauer (for the Dauer family)
Crossmont Circle
Almaden Valley

Proposed sports field complex is a classic example of politics

Editor,
The proposed sports field complex to be located in the South Almaden Valley Urban Reserve has become a classic example of politics. The desire of Pat Dando to have this project approved prior to leaving office has become patently clear. Now, “The project is being managed by the City, as a public project, and it is anticipated that the project will be developed jointly by the City and the Almaden Youth Association (AYA),” according to Stephen M. Haase, director of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement, in a letter to the County of Santa Clara dated Feb. 13, 2004.

An initially proposed private project has now become a public project for the benefit of the very few in the AYA. The taxpayers of San Jose are already paying for a project that benefits the youth of Almaden and not the youth of East San Jose. When the first EIR didn’t produce the desired result, a second very costly report was ordered.

Maybe this one will get the job done. This project does not belong in the South Almaden Valley Urban Reserve for many reasons, but it definitely should not be called a “Public Project.” The AYA will have almost exclusive use of the proposed facility and the City and Pat Dando are allocating funds to this project as if it were a public park.

The recent well test conducted May 4-6, 2004 shows further evidence that the proponents will do anything to get this project approved. They picked a time of the year that the water levels in the ground water basin are very high.

Why not wait until late October or early November when levels are very low? We know the answer. Who paid for this costly testing procedure? Haase has admitted “If money were no object, we would prefer longer baseline testing over 2-3 years.” It will be quite interesting to see if the test provides the desired results for the project. If they don’t, I’m sure they will order another test just like they ordered another EIR. Others have said that more time would be desirable but the City wants this testing completed now.

Water issues was only one of the many negative issues revealed in the first EIR, and most of the issues would not be easily mitigated. It will be very revealing if the prior negative issues are no longer significant, or present, in the new EIR.

Pat Dando and the city of San Jose should stop spending taxpayer’s money on this project. This diversion of public funds for a private group to build a sports complex on County land, owned by the San Jose Unified School District, in an Urban Reserve, is a mistake and it is wrong.

Doug Turk
Hunters Hill Road
Almaden Valley

Take into consideration the ample benefits of building sports fields for our children

Editor,
Both my daughters play on select soccer teams. My youngest daughter plays on the Almaden Elite. I regret to inform you, that having been to all my daughters’ games, I have witnessed the unsubstantial field conditions. Not only am I embarrassed by the poor maintenance of these fields, here in Almaden, but am very concerned when it comes to my daughter and her teammates’ safety. These fields consist of raised sprinkler heads, ditches, dirt patches, and in most cases are so completely unleveled that while sitting on the spectators side of the field, I am not able to see the ball at the opposite side because of the exaggerated slopping of the field.

America is the leading country in obesity, especially among youth, and I believe that if we are going to support our children and encourage them to play sports so they can stay active, busy, social, and fit we, as a community, should provide nice fields for our kids to play on.

Furthermore, there are some people in are community who think this subject does not pertain to them just because they don’t have children or children who are involved in sports, they are wrong. Building these fields for children to participate in leisure activities would be profitable to them as well as everyone else because it is a good investment for the future. Down the road they may be planning to sell their house and correct me if I am wrong, but wouldn’t most families moving into a neighborhood prefer to purchase a house in a community with a local park/field (and not to mention a nice one at that)?

However you would like to look at it, left to right, up to down, constructing admirable fields in Almaden would be beneficial to just about anyone. Please take into consideration the ample benefits and pros of providing our community will acceptable fields for our children. Hence the statement, “Our Children are Our Future.”

Kaylene Wood
Meadowlands Lane
San Jose

Have an opinion?

Let the Almaden Times hear from you. In order to be considered, letters must be signed by the author or come with the full name, address, and a phone number (which will not be printed). Send letters to julie@timesmediainc.com, or via mail to:

The Almaden Times Weekly
1310 Tully Road, Ste. 107,
San Jose, CA 95122