The city maintenance people should get a tremendous pat on the back. After the thousands of people and dogs who came to the Arts & Wine Festival, and left the streets and parking areas with all kinds of trash, by Monday morning, one would never have suspected such a crowd had been here.
Many thanks to the late-working people who put our town back together and keep it looking so great all the time
Mary Jane JohnstonLos Altos
San Antonio Hills board appreciated
I have read some letters and articles that were unfairly critical of the San Antonio Hills Association. The board members are a dedicated group of volunteers who are trying to uphold the quality and CC&Rs of our neighborhood.
In 1978, the citizens in this unincorporated Country Club area voted for R20 half-acre zoning. Although there are many lots that are smaller than a half-acre, it would in fact, prevent lots less than one acre to be divided and built on. I, for one, was happy that our neighborhood's spaciousness would be preserved.
About 10 years ago the county planning department changed their process and started allowing lot-line adjustments according to antiquated maps. This can dramatically change the density of our area. The San Antonio Hills officers have been very helpful by aiding the neighbors fight developers and the planning department.
The San Antonio Hills Association has won many battles and lost a few, but to imply they are overzealous is not true. They are simply trying to preserve the spaciousness and quality of our neighborhood that attracted us here in the first place. The existing lots that are nonconforming are not included in the moratorium, it is only for newly created lots, by the way of lot-line adjustment.
By the way, the officers of the San Antonio Hills Association are elected and voted for every year. So if you find that they don't represent you, run for office next time, and see if you do a better job.
I want to thank the board for their tireless effort in preserving our neighborhood.
Ineke LigtenbergLos Altos
Get out the leaf blower - democracy not at work
We attended hearings in Sacramento and the often-quoted remark "you don't want to watch sausage or legislation being made" is definitely true. It is a rude awakening to witness the actual making of legislation that affects our daily lives.
Sen. Richard Polanco's bill, SB 14, would cancel all leaf-blower bans in the 24 California cities with bans, including Carmel's 23-year ban. No city could ban leaf blowers without going to the ballot. City councils would no longer be free to decide what is best for their town. Blowers could be used seven days a week, all day long, and if you don't like it - tough.
It appears the garden shops, landscape associations, and blower manufacturers are trying to play the "race card," calling all who favor a ban "elitist." They evoke sympathy with dire tales about losing their jobs if they cannot use their blowers. We all know this is not true since cities with bans employ plenty of gardeners. Could the 24 cities with bans, Sierra Club, League of California Cities, four chapters of the American Lung Association, Air Quality Control Board, all be wrong?
At hearings citizens are either not permitted to speak or given only two-to-three minutes. Why? Because at the end of the legislative session, bills are backlogged, and it becomes more important to move bills out of committee than to study and vote on each issue fairly.
SB14 now goes to the full assembly for approval. If it passes, it will go to the senate. If it passes we have a chance for a veto by the governor. If that fails we will have the return of the filthy, belching, polluting, noisy machine called the gas-powered leaf blower. Echo, blower manufacturer and the garden supply shops, will be happy from the windfall of sales to the victimized gardeners.
Every assembly person and senator should be urged to vote NO on SB 14. Elected officials who don't care about the quality of our lives and favor big businesses will vote yes. Elected officials who care about us and the future of our environment will be counted with a no on SB 14.
Myra OrtaLos Altos
The insanity of recycling
Clyde Noel's article on the trash recycling struck a chord. Clyde, picture going to all the work you described - separate pile for cardboard bound and flattened, newspapers in bags, miscellaneous papers in one container, metal-plastic in another. Have you got a good picture of this?
Now picture it all still sitting there when you come home because the recycle truck didn't bother to come down your street.
Oh for the days with the recycle center on Edith Avenue where I could stop in when I had more items than I wanted around my home and sort it myself. I've been recycling since the Boy Scouts first collected newspapers more than 20 years ago. Since the government began mandating it, it has become so complicated even the garbage company doesn't want to pick it up. I have quit recycling. I hate the trash sitting around my house for two weeks. I hate how often they miss the recycle pickup. I hate how complicated it has become.
Throwing it all into the garbage can has simplified my life. Please, don't bother to tell me about the future. I did my bit long before most and still would if there was any sanity left.
Diane DavisLos Altos Hills
Ban all pets from the festival
You suggest that people do not bring pets to the festival (Arts & Wine Festival Magazine, July 8 Town Crier) and then you say if they must, have them on a short leash.
I have a dog and would not bring her to the festival. I think you should ban all pets from the festival. They are a disruption to the people trying to enjoy the day.
Johanna Sargent(No address given)
Animals, insects not threat; toxic pesticides are
I am disappointed in the old- fashioned "we must conquer" way Bruce Barton describes the insects and other animals that share our local living space. (Town Crier, July 29).
I was especially disappointed that he seems to believe that animals "threaten homes, health." Although some homeowners may wish to be free-of-insects-and-other-animals, they can never succeed, nor should they.
Most insects, for example, are beneficial or neutral to human interests. What would we do without bees to pollenate our fruits, or detritus feeders to help compost our soil? Even those "pesty" ants help with the cleanup crew in the garden and capture many problem insects including larval fleas.
Even those of us who are not happy to share our lives with animals, may inadvertently supply the "good life" for wild mammals by planting fruit trees, leaving out the cat food, or neglecting the lawn. Barton didn't even mention the worst pest of all - the introduced Eastern grey tree squirrels who destroy much of our fruits.
The real threat to health occurs when a homeowner applies toxic/persistent chemicals such as diazion in an effort to rid their property of "pests." Modern integrated pest management methods enable us to remove or keep out unwanted animals without endangering ourselves and our children or pets in the process, and avoid increasing problems by wiping out important natural enemies along with the toxics.
For example, Jim Thomas could have taken care of his raccoon problem by first spiking and then treating his lawn with the beneficial nematodes, which attack the soil-dwelling insects that the raccoons were eating. When optimum cultural methods are used, the raccoons will find nothing to eat.
Ruth TroetschlerChair, Pesticide Task ForceLoma Prieta Chapter, Sierra ClubLos Altos
Farewell Rudolph, we knew thee well
When the trees of the old apricot orchard on Fremont Road, Los Altos, died, the remaining trunk of one of them on the edge of the road resembled the head of a deer.
For several years someone decorated Rudolph, as this stump came to be known - with the appropriate attire for each holiday. As I drove by frequently, I would stop to photograph him in each new outfit.
Age, termites and vandalism had taken their toll in the past, but someone always repaired him and provided new antlers if needed.
Before the Fourth of July, I brought my camera to record his latest outfit. I was shocked to discover that someone had sawed the stump in half, destroying his red nose and the antlers.
Several notes and bouquets of flowers had been placed around Rudolph. One expressed my sentiments: "I'll miss you, Rudolph. You always gave my heart a lift."
Rudolph is beyond repair now, but he will be remembered and missed by the passing drivers and the children from the near-by elementary school who walked past every day.
Who could have harbored such a dislike for this pleasure-giving object as to cause its demise?
Carol Hughes
Los Altos Hills