Street Talk

By Shari Kaplan

Do you think that Leland High School should get permanent lights so that the school and local organizations can use the football field for night games?

(Asked at Via Valiente Plaza)

“I kind of have mixed feelings. It's the school's decision, because they're paying for the lights. But it's also a concern for the neighbors, because they have to live with it. People do say that the nighttime football games are better than the daytime ones.”

Adam Hydorn , 14

Almaden Valley

Leland High School student

“I didn't know people were complaining. I'm concerned for the people who live nearby. Maybe the neighbors should have a meeting with the school. But you can't always get everything perfect in life—maybe both sides can compromise. And there's always something the neighbors can do—like close their curtains.”

Mimi Fujii , 39

Almaden Valley

Art studio teacher

“I think the lights should be adequate for a nighttime football game. You need good lighting to be able to see all of the high passes. I have no problem with the lights. I've been to a few games and I've seen them.”

Bernie Genetti , 77

Almaden Valley

Retired engineer

“People need to get over themselves and think about the kids playing the games. The more the school can do for the kids, the better. If you're in your own home, why should it really matter? It's a rich neighborhood thing. I don't think you'd find the same sort of complaints in a middle-income neighborhood. It'd be interesting to know how many people complaining have kids in the high school.”

Dan Robideaux , 29

Almaden Valley

Engineer

“The lights are cool. Sometimes it's kind of funny to see people blinded by the lights! But anyway, you can see the football during the day, but not at night without good lighting. You can't really even tell what's going on on the field without the lights.”

Dale Buurma , 13

Almaden Valley

San Jose Christian School student

“The lights aren't on every night, so why are people bothered? My kids went to Leland; football is part of high school life. I know I'd get annoyed if the light between my neighbor's house and mine was on at night, but if it's once in a while, you can live with it.”

Anca Voicu , 48

Almaden Valley

Engineer