November 11, 2004

ValleyViewpoints

Thanks for making the Almaden Times Classic a success

Editor,
I would like to thank the Almaden Times Weekly and their helpful staff for co-sponsoring the recent Almaden Times Classic Run.

This year’s race was quite successful reaching some 440 runners. The publicity and coverage from the Times was invaluable. The profits support the many programs of the Almaden Valley Counseling Service. As a full-service counseling agency providing counseling for all ages, we are in the midst of our busiest year. We have increased our staff and office space and therefore our fund-raising goals have increased also. We thank the community and all of our sponsors and especially appreciate our relationship with the Times for co-sponsoring this event.

Thanks again.

Rocki Kramer
Almaden Valley Counseling
Service executive director

Reader suggests computer chip technology to aid coyote problem at the Villas

Editor,
Regarding the coyote invasion of the Villas of Almaden. It seems to me that we should be able to use the technology afforded us here in Silicon Valley. What comes to mind is the computer chip that is put under the skin of dogs and cats, to identify them in the event they are lost by their owners.

It appears that a method has been used to trap the coyotes that is non-lethal, yet effective. Utilizing the aforementioned chips with data that would include the date, location, and circumstances, along with the area in which they are released, could be very beneficial. It would certainly aid in the final disposition of this animal, should it elect to return to the same area after having been given an introduction to a new environment.

I would bet that if the residents feel frustrated with city government, and continue to be harassed and stalked by these wild animals, someone is eventually going to take matters into their own hands.

David Byers
Almaden Valley

After finding her dog dead, reader wants to know what to do about coyotes?

Editor,
We live in Almaden on Hollow Lake Way, right across from the hills and creek. Our small dog Titi (Papillion breed) was missing for several days. On Saturday, Nov. 6, the neighbor across the street discovered Titi’s remains on the hillside of their backyard. Only clumps of blood-streaked fur and two kidneys were left of Titi. The neighbor said that sometime on Thursday night he had seen a coyote carrying what looked like a white cat in his mouth, running from the street up towards the hillside. Evidently, the white cat was really our white dog, and the coyote had devoured him.

We spoke to a couple of other neighbors, who mentioned that recently they have seen a coyote here and there just walking down the street in daylight. We had just moved into the neighborhood a few months ago, and never imagined that coyotes and wild pigs (who had dug up our entire lawn a month ago) would be such a problem.

Your newspaper had some recent articles on coyote attacks in other parts of Almaden Valley, but did not mention our area. Have there been other reports in our area?

There have also been articles about people in Almaden attempting to repeal a law to allow trapping of coyotes. Whom can we contact if we’re interested?

We are very concerned that many neighbors are not aware of these coyote problems being in our area, as we were not aware. We fear that if nothing is done, the presence of coyotes will only increase and the coyotes become more brazen.

Thanks for any suggestions that you can offer on what we can do to help with this problem.

Regina J. Liu
Hollow Lake Way

Build the fields to help young people gain social skills

Editor,
On October 27th, City Planning staff, other City officials and Pat Dando came to a public meeting to “listen and inform” Almaden residents regarding the proposed sports fields. The image that stays with me from that meeting, a week later, are the two groups of four girls soccer players, ages 11-13, in uniform, who stood together at the microphone and so eloquently communicated what these fields would mean to them and the hundreds of other young people participating in youth sports in the Almaden community. These girls were bright, cheerful, energetic, confident and as I said, eloquent in their ability to communicate their opinion. They are the model of what every parent would like their children to be. I firmly believe that their involvement in youth sports contributes to their ability to interact socially as well as they demonstrated at that meeting. Young people like these girls and their development into adulthood is the reason we must build these sports fields.

Mark Osborn
Via Del Los Grande

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 newsroom@timesmediainc.com, or via mail to:

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