The editorial on Sept. 27 was, we believe, an effort to bring to a close the "coach controversy" as you described it. There are several facts we think must be clarified in order for that to happen.
The recent baseball controversy has deep roots within the Los Altos baseball community where strong feelings exist on both sides with parents who support coach Bowers and others who believe it is time for a change. The decision not to rehire coach Bowers was made after weighing input from parents and after evaluating expectations for a strong athletic program.It was stated that the district "has no legal obligation to reveal its reasons for not renewing this contract." In fact, the district has as obligation NOT to reveal its reasons. Public disclosure would invade Mr. Bowers' privacy , and it would be irresponsible for us to make this information public.
Several efforts were made to communicate with Mr. Bowers. Dr. Brazer established a meeting with him for that purpose in June, but it was canceled by Mr. Bowers without offering an alternate time. On June 30, Dr. Brazer called Mr. Bowers to communicate the decision. Mrs. Bowers advised that her husband was out but would be returning later in the evening. Dr. Brazer asked that he be called back that night or the next morning. Mr. Bowers did not call back, and has not since. Only after these efforts to meet with Mr. Bowers did Dr. Brazer write a letter to him. Indeed, except through his attorney and through parents, Mr. Bowers has been silent and has made no effort to communicate with anyone in the school district.
Our district has outstanding parent involvement and input in decision-making. This case was no exception. We hope all players, parents and the community will join us in moving on.
Ann Baker, President
MV-LA Union High School District Board of Trustees
'Pit' bull attack
I read with great interest the concisely reported article concerning the hearing on Sept. 30 at City Hall regarding the dog attack on Gwen Francis and her yellow Lab, Hogan. I attended that hearing in its entirety and was very impressed by the restraint of Francis and her eye-witnesses and that of the hearing officer James Beard.
I have been a resident of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills for the last 24 years. For the past 40 years, I have raised and trained 15 of my own dogs as pets, including German shepherds, black Labradors, Shetland sheep dogs, a cocker spaniel, a Belgian shepherd, and numerous mixes, one of which was a black Lab and bull terrier. During that time, I have also raised four black Labs for the Seeing Eye in New Jersey, and three German shepherds and a golden retriever for Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael. I presently own three dogs, one of which I have trained as my partner in Search and Rescue with the California Rescue Dog Association. I am also a licensed registered veterinary technician by the state of California. I believe this history gives me some credibility to speak to the issue of this dog attack regarding dog behavior.
I appreciated the side line column contained within your article reporting the Municipal code on vicious animals because, as Mr. Beard stated at the hearing, these would be the regulations upon which he would base his decision. Mr. Harrison's dogs violated each one of the four codes and therefore constitute being termed vicious animals and worthy of being destroyed. I was relieved to see in today's San Jose Mercury news that this was Mr. Beard's decision.
Any person who has owned more than one dog, no matter what breed, is soon aware of the "pack action" that takes place when those dogs confront a lone animal. We could liken this behavior to the "herd" action of the other animals or even our own human behavior when supported by others in aggressive behavior. When a person owns a breed of dog that is aggressive or has a reputation for being aggressive, that person is morally and ethically responsible and obligated to have control of that dog. I have always been aware that people are afraid of German shepherds for various reasons...the reasons do not matter. It is my responsibility to make sure that I have control of my shepherds at all times, either on lead or by voice control (no matter how much extraneous noise there is at the time).
It should not have mattered how much Gwen Francis was screaming out of fear, or how loud the horn was honking to try to distract the dogs or alert neighbors...Mr. Harrison had an obligation to keep his dogs under control. They did not respond to his voice command. With the acute hearing animals have, these dogs should have responded, but apparently they were already out of control. They did not respond to his personal involvement in trying to pull them off the attack, even when he lay over Hogan to protect him. He had no control over his vicious, attacking dogs. Mr. Harrison has received in kind what he has precipitated by not being able to control his animals.
The saddest part of this situation is that Mr. and Mrs. Harrison do not seem to be able to see the damage they have done toward the bull terrier breed. The adverse publicity that has been precipitated toward their dogs, and bull terriers as a breed, could have been avoided by responsible, controlled ownership of these dogs.
Bonnie Finsthwait
Los altos Hills
Traffic light
At the Sept. 19 City Council meeting, the City of Los Altos announced a much-awaited event-the installation of a traffic light at the corner of Grant Road and Oak Avenue. This intersection has long been a concern to many citizens in our city who have had to deal not only with the traffic congestion, but also with the threat to the personal safety of pedestrians, especially children.
Although Los Altans enjoy the small town feeling and ambiance our lovely City provides, we must also deal with the realities of Bay Area growth, as residents from surrounding communities use our main arteries and connecting highways in their daily commute. We applaud the City of Los Altos for not only recognizing the potential hazard at this intersection, but for also allocating the funds necessary for this traffic light installation.
Because of a joint effort between the City, its residents and the City Council, with additional support from the PTA and Los Altos School Board, we were able to effectively address this important safely issue. At a time when many people are disenchanted with government, it was a pleasure to witness, at a local level, the true spirit of cooperation.
Karen Lantz, Chairperson
Los Altos
Merchant thank you
The recent seventh annual ROCK BACK THE CLOCK family street dance held at Rancho Shopping Center to benefit the annual Festival of Lights Parade netted a record $4,503.88 donation.
Particular thanks is due to the following individuals and business' for their time and/or resources in making the event so successful:
Marie Backs, Mike Bruno, Bob Grim, Ken Haukom & Ed Hilton; The Blintz, Etc., Chef Chu's, Just for you Florist and Murphy's, Take'n Bake Pizza.
And a very special thanks to Steve Wozniak's A SOUND INVESTMENT music. Both the Rancho Merchant's Association and the Festival of Lights Association wish to thank everyone who participated and invite the entire community to enjoy the fruits of their labor by attending the parade on Sunday evening, November 26th.
Kevin Sawyer, D.D.S.
Conrad Heintzelman
Adobe Creek
Thank you for publishing the material I sent about the Adobe Creek review. I also received a call from Clyde Noel about his upcoming article. The review was very well attend. I want to thank you again for providing the citizens of Los Altos with the awareness of this issue. I was happy to hear one of the representatives from the Santa Clara Valley Water District comment that only in Los Altos would people be so interested in something like the Adobe Creek project.
Thanks again for you and your staff's excellent support of the Environmental Committee's work!
Curt Riffle
Los Altos
I SUGGEST WE DO NOT RUN 'ENDORSEMENT' LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. COULD GET OUT OF HAND IF WE GAVE EQUAL SPACE TO EACH CANDIDATE AND THEIR SUPPORTERS. JD
Candidate support
I have heard and contemplated the "platforms" stated by the candidates for the Los Altos City Council. It's apparent that three are most dedicated to the needs and concerns of our residents. They are Lou Becker, Jan Dobson, and Bob Norton.
None of the three leaders harbor any vested interests other than taking action to keep beautiful Los Altos a municipality operating in a manner for which we can all be proud.
Not only does the credibility of Becker, Dobson, and Norton stand out in voicing their stance on important issues, but they have the backbone to address sensitive problems in their advertisements appearing in your fine publication.
J. Michael Kelly
Los Altos
Ross Perot
Ross Perot is providing Americans with an historic opportunity to form a third political party and re-build how we conduct our democracy from the ground up.
To those who complain he has no platform: What does it take to get the point across? Plainly and bluntly-
a) Setting the highest ethical standards for the White House and Congress (no more gifts, trips, and junkets paid for by special interests).
b) Balancing the budget by developing a detailed blueprint, (eliminating the practice of keeping programs "off budget").
c) Passing a balanced budget amendment - requiring an annual financial report
d) Effective campaign finance reform by reducing the election cycle, abandoning the winner-take-all Electoral College, prohibiting early announcement of election results before the polls have closed and restricting campaign contributions to the electing constituents
And the list goes on!
To those who would decry that a rich man is putting his money where his mouth is, perhaps they would prefer that we retain the current system where "the significant money" flows sub-rosa from those who have their self-interest rather than that of the American people at heart.
Nancy Couperus
Los Altos Hills