November 28, 2003


Reader concerned about potential dog attacks at future dog park

Editor,

I wish Ms. Luis would have included stories about the number of dog-on-dog and dog-on-people attacks that have taken place in the park as the result of irresponsible dog owners. In the article, one such owner even states, "Well, it puts the 'off leash' dogs behind a fence so they're no longer threatening to people who are afraid of dogs." NO LONGER THREATENING! It is posted throughout the existing park that dogs have to be on leash! Cannot this dog owner find a way to stop the threatening actions other than build the park?

In the 7-8 years I have walked my dog on-leash in that park, I have had dogs try to attack my dog, jump up on me trying to get at my dog, and chase after me as I rode my bike through the park. I have seen vicious attacks on dogs, big dogs chasing smaller dogs across the park and Meridian with the owner frantically following behind, and dogs chasing deer. On one occasion, a German shepherd knocked an elderly woman down while she was holding her dog.

It is naive to think a dog park will do anything but exasperate the problem of off-leash dogs. This is especially troubling given there is a new playground that will share the same site. Who will take responsibility for attacks if they do occur? It's not a dog problem. Dogs do what they do. The problem is irresponsible dog owners who make the excuse their dog "just wants to play" or "is only a puppy" or "doesn't bite." What these idiots do not realize is other leashed dogs may not want to play, may be intolerant older dogs or may bite if provoked. Unfortunately a dog park will attract more of these types of owners.

There is a lot more depth to this issue than what was presented in the article.

Thomas Grinnell
Almaden Valley

SJUSD school closures concern Randol Elementary parents

Editor,

San Jose Unified is trying to close up to four elementary schools in the district. They are closing schools not on the basis of curriculum, high test scores, parent involvement, or even the amount of violence at the school. The basis of closure is on can they make money on the building if it is closed, how many students we can pack into a school like sardines. We are not allowed to ask questions out loud at any meetings. We have to write all questions on a piece of paper and they decide if they want to answer them or not. They have even gone through on questions without reading them out loud and said "not possible" and throw the question away without explaining a thing. They will have a closed meeting when they decide which schools to close so they won't have anyone angry at that moment.

Randol elementary scored fifth on highest testing in the district and is a blue ribbon school, but that does not stop Randol from being on the top 10 list to be shutdown. Randol has already took [sic] a big hit in funding this last year. Randol is a small school of around 450 students, but that has not stopped it from having one of the best elementary science programs in the state. In kindergarten these kids would learn about ultraviolet lights and the scientific names of birds, mammals, reptiles. My kids would come home from school talking about things that I didn't know about. Starting this year there was no money to fund the science program.

And they also are making classes bigger so they don't have to pay so many teachers. This year, third grade is 30 to 1 and next year they are talking about making first and second grade 30 to 1. This makes it nearly impossible for the kids to learn. The teachers are having a hard time teaching when they have that many students.

We would like the media at this or any other board meeting. If you have any questions come look at this school, look at how kids treat each other at school, and look at the respect that students have for the teachers, look at how many parents you see at the school on a daily basis to help out not only in the class room but outside of the classroom, too.

Jeremy and Jeannette Clarke
Blossom Valley

Water District’s solar project needs consideration before writing the check

Editor,

The somewhat uncritical piece in this week's issue of the Almaden Times Weekly on the Santa Clara Valley Water District's solar power project sounds for all the world like a reprint of a press release.

Let's look at a couple of things glossed over: Even taking SCVWD's unsubstantiated projection of the reduction in energy costs ($150,000 per year), the project would take more than 30 years to hit the breakeven point, and this does not consider upkeep on the system. It is not reasonable to assume that such a complex system will perform without major work for such an extended period of time.

Note that the district estimates that the cost of the project will be $4.6 million. It is disingenuous to argue that "only" $2.3 million will come from SCVWD capital funds. The balance clearly is made up by taxes from elsewhere. Money spent by public entities does not magically appear; it comes from taxes. The fact that the tax in question may be levied by another entity does not make it free money.

Over the years, I have watched as the SCVWD's headquarters complex has grown and grown. We were told when they started on the last set of architecturally striking buildings that they needed the space to allow them to move out of rented quarters; now they occupy both.

Perhaps a little more consideration before writing the check would be a step in the right direction toward reducing the cost of government in California.

William Beeman
Almaden Valley

Reader appreciates accuracy of Mt. Umunhum article

Editor,

I wanted to thank Lorraine Gabbert for her wonderful article "Almaden's Mount Umunhum Now More Accessible," which appeared in the Nov. 14 issue of the Almaden Times.

I know that she had seen the article that appeared in another newspaper that had some inaccuracies in it, and expressed that she wanted to be sure her article was accurate. Lorraine's in-depth article was not only carefully (and accurately) written, but also beautifully explained the access available at the Mt. Umunhum Area of the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve and the cleanup/restoration issues the Open Space District is facing before being able to provide public access to the top of Mt. Umunhum.

It was truly refreshing to read such a well written article. Thank you again for covering the Open Space District and its preserves, programs, and outdoor recreational opportunities available to the public.

Kristi Webb
Public affairs specialist
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District