Readers respond to editorial asking what makes people angry --TRAFFIC!

Editor,

Your Almaden Times editorial this week caught my eye, especially since it followed by only a few pages the article on "New Almaden residents up in arms over proposed development." How could I fail to respond to your question, "What makes people who live in Almaden angry?" Traffic, traffic, and more traffic!

Almaden Expressway falls far below the prerequisites for adding housing in our valley, yet developers continue to get waivers for projects which add more cars out here. Housing developments, sports complexes... build them, and the cars will come!

Perhaps you could list some topics for readers to choose among, to find the top 10 complaints or problems in Almaden Valley in the minds of residents. It's likely that traffic would be at or very near the top. Might that get some results downtown? Or maybe we could try a recall?

Many things make us happy about living here, too, or we would not stay, but when asked about problems in the same editorial, traffic complaints take top billing.

Linda Spencer

School traffic safety

Editor,

Over the past summer, there were significant changes to the parking rules in and around Los Alamitos. As I understand it, these changes were made at many schools in San Jose. While I appreciate that all parties involved in these changes are doing their best to improve traffic safety near the schools, I think that some of the changes have made traffic safety worse.

By eliminating a large percentage of parking spaces near the school and making them “no stopping” or “loading zone” spaces, there has been a marked change in traffic patterns that I think were not anticipated. More people are double parking to discharge children for school, sometimes blocking cars in the new “loading zone.” The children then dart in between cars that are running and often in gear waiting to pull out. More people are making illegal U-turns as they compete to get fewer legal parking spaces creating hazardous conditions. Because there are fewer parking spaces, people are parking on side streets and much farther from school. The result is that more people are J-walking or crossing at intersections that do not have a crossing guard. On some mornings, there are so many more people crossing at the one intersection that does have a crossing guard that traffic backs up on Redmond Avenue, almost to Meridian. Then people speed past the school to make up for lost time on their way to work.

I have provided this information to elected officials and traffic police, but the parking situation has not changed. Increased police presence has helped, but I think that we need to re-evaluate the parking changes also.

We all want better safety for our school children and I hope we can all work together to improve it.

Dave Lovelace

Article on scanner overcharges is a good reminder

In response to an article that ran in our Sept. 26 issue on grocery store scanner overcharges, Alexander Winslow, director of public affairs for Safeway's Northern California Division, said the following, "This sure did generate a lot of internal interest. It was a good reminder--a good lesson learned for our store managers. I think some good is going to come out of this one."

Nearly daily mountain lion sightings reported on Alamitos Creek Trail

Editor,

The Santa Clara Valley Water District, Santa Clara County Vector Control District and City of San Jose Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services are working together in an effort to help Almaden Valley residents avoid a confrontation with mountain lions, which have been spotted the past couple of weeks in local creeks.

Nearly daily mountain lion sightings have been reported on the Alamitos Creek Trail, from Almaden Expressway south to Harry Road. In addition, mountain lions are being spotted along Guadalupe Creek, from Almaden Expressway west to Camden Avenue.

The water district is posting signs along the creek trails to warn patrons about the lions. In addition, the signs will provide tips for preventing a confrontation, as recommended by the California Department of Fish and Game. They include:

· Do not hike alone. Go in groups, with adults supervising.

· Keep children close to you. Animals seem especially drawn to children; keep children within sight at all times.

· Do not approach a lion. Most mountain lions will try to avoid confrontation. Give them a way to escape.

· Do not run from a lion. Running may stimulate a mountain lion's instinct to chase.

· Do not crouch down or bend over. A human standing does not resemble a mountain lion's natural prey.

· Do all you can to appear larger. Raise your arms. Open your jacket, if wearing one. Pick up small children. Wave arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice.

· Fight back if attacked. Mountain lions usually try to bite the head or neck; try to remain standing and face the attacking animal.

· Immediately report all encounters or attacks by calling the California Department of Fish and Game's 24-hour dispatch center, (916) 445-0045.

In addition to the signs, City of San Jose Parks rangers are patrolling sections of Alamitos Creek frequented by children and teens.

Mike Phillips, wildlife specialist for the vector control district, said the latest sighting on Alamitos Creek came Oct. 21. But Almaden Valley residents aren't alone. Mountain lions are also being spotted along Yerba Buena Creek near Evergreen Valley Community Center and along Saratoga Creek in Saratoga.

To report a mountain lion sighting, residents should call the Fish and Game dispatch center, (916) 445-0045. For more information about the local sightings, residents can contact Phillips at (408) 593-6216 or the Santa Clara Valley Water District, (408) 265-2607, ext. 2238.

Mike Di Marco,

Santa Clara Valley Water District