Reader upset about polling location ‘musical chairs'

I am a resident of Almaden Valley. I just tried to vote today and found that once again my polling place has changed.

The poll worker informed me that it is due to re-zoning. The last neighborhood I lived in, the polling place was the same for as many years as I can remember. I got so frustrated today after following the address on my pamphlet that led me to the wrong polling place where the poll worker instructed me to drive about 3/4 of a mile in another direction to the proper polling place that I forgot to make a particular vote!

Why does my polling place change every year? I'm pretty sure the houses are not jumping up and playing musical chairs, why does my polling place play musical chairs?

Tell me who is responsible because the next time I vote, the proper elected official will feel it in the ballot box and I will make sure everyone in my neighborhood knows who keeps screwing with our voting locations. Isn't the whole idea to get as many people to the voting booth as possible, or do we only want the ones who have time to go hunting around the area to find where the darn polling place is?

A poll worker told me that our polling places change here every year. While I've only lived here a few years, it would be interesting to know how many areas in the Bay area are in the practice of changing polling places. There is no point in it. Except to deter voting. And that should upset everyone.

Olaf Aalop

Safeway official says Times article is a good lesson

The article in the Almaden Times Weekly Oct. 1 issue on grocery store checker mistakes 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 the article.

Alexander Winslow

Director of Public Affairs, Safeway's Northern California Division

Sean Dinno's family thanks Almaden community for help after son's near-fatal accident

Editor,

As many of you are aware, on Sept. 9, 2003, our son, Sean Dinno, was in a very serious car accident. This accident happened at approximately 8 p.m. at Camden and Coleman avenues as he was driving home from soccer practice. He sustained severe head trauma, broken ribs, a fractured pelvis and a fractured femur.

The cause of the accident is unknown. After an extensive investigation, with no witnesses, no skid marks, and no evidence of mechanical failure, the only conclusion was wet roads and an inexperienced driver, since Sean had only had his license for about two months.

A past student at Williams Elementary School and Bret Harte Middle School, Sean is currently a 16-year-old junior at Bellarmine College Preparatory. Holy Spirit is our Parish Church where Sean is an altar server and he also plays competitive soccer for the Almaden Blasters.

From the moment the accident took place, people from all walks of the Almaden community, and far beyond, came to the aid of our family. The outpouring of prayers, cards, calls, flowers, visits, food and offers to do anything to help was overwhelming. Sean's prognosis was uncertain for several days. We truly believe that the positive outcome to this tragedy was made possible with the help of extremely competent doctors as well as an incredible network of Almaden residents. It comforted our family to know that everyone was surrounding us and lifting us up at such a critical time.

We are so proud to live in the Almaden Valley. Our hope for all of you is that none of you ever have to experience this “parent's worst nightmare.”

From the bottom of our hearts – a most sincere thank you to all.

Dana and Peter Dinno and family