YOUR VIEWS
County parks stays on its mission to expand, improve opportunities
Dear Editor,Â
When the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors receives an audit report that highlights areas of potential efficiencies and savings, it means that the county’s process of checks and balances is working, precisely as intended when the systems were put in place.
The recent evaluation by the county’s management auditor of the county parks department finances confirmed the level of cash reserves and recommended more aggressive spending. Unfortunately, news reports that followed may have left readers with an incomplete understanding of the plan for acquiring and developing parkland and the restrictions that govern use of reserves. Be assured, we are not at a loss for ideas. There is a plan for use of all reserve funds, and the board of supervisors will make the final determination. Our mission is clear and consistent – to expand county parks for our community’s enjoyment and for the protection and preservation of our finest natural and cultural resources.
When voters approved the Park Charter Fund in 1972, and renewed it six times since then, they did so because they recognize that county parks are essential to the well-being of the community. Currently, at least 20 percent of the Park Charter Fund must be used to acquire land for parks. These funds cannot be used for development or operations. Our community expects an expansion of parkland, and the county parks department is actively pursuing opportunities for purchase. While money is currently available, the size of the reserve does fluctuate. Because land in our area is expensive, a single purchase could deplete the acquisition reserve. Over the years, it has been depleted many times. For instance, when we purchased the 2,940-acre Harvey Bear Ranch at Coyote Lake County Park, reserves were insufficient, so the county had to borrow funds.
The audit suggests that the county parks department is overly conservative in managing the park fund’s operational reserve and recommends spending a portion for improvements and maintaining a contingency account equivalent to three months of expenses. We believe it is more prudent to maintain a contingency account equivalent to six months of expenses because property tax allocations are made in two half-year installments. Although it may take more time and delay spending, we also feel it is important to follow a public process to determine development priorities. A great example is the plan to open the newest park in the county’s system: the 290-acre Martial Cottle Park, which is the magnanimous gift from Walter Cottle Lester.
A public master plan for the Martial Cottle Park is under way and targeted for completion in 2009. Development costs at full build-out will exceed current reserves. However, improvements will be phased to enable opening the park in four years. Many people are excited about the future of a new regional park in the heart of Silicon Valley, one that will celebrate the valley’s agricultural legacy.
During the past three years, the county parks department has built more than 30 new miles of trails and opened new visitor facilities across the system. Major development is currently under way, and more is planned for the future. Through public outreach, the board will decide the best use of the county parks fund assets for the growing needs of county residents.
For the past 50 years, the county parks department has served as the chief steward of this key community resource – 28 outstanding regional parks covering nearly 45,000 acres and more than 260 miles of trails. It is a trust that the department and the board of supervisors take seriously.
Lisa Killough is director of the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department. She can be reached my mail at 298 Garden Hill Drive, Los Gatos, CA 95032, (408) 355-2244, or e-mail her at li***********@********ov.org.
Drug abuse education is parent’s, not school’s responsibility
Dear Editor,
As a Sobrato High School student, I was shocked to hear about the drug bust that occurred last week. Even more shocking, a parent is blaming the school because they she did a poor job educating her child about drug awareness. Schools are already busy educating us on academics, providing after-school sports and activities, and making sure we are prepared for life after high school. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I was under the impression that making sure that teenagers know that drugs are bad is the parent’s job, not the school’s? Please stop blaming our schools for your lack of discipline for your children. They have enough to deal with.
Another appalling feature to the article was that there was no mention of Live Oak High School and its drug problems. The article made Sobrato seem like it is infested with drugs and alcohol, which is not the case. Yes, we do have drugs and alcohol sneaking under the very watchful eyes of Ms. Soto and our other yard duties, but it’s not a big issue. From my four-year Sobrato experience, drug deals are just marijuana and the occasional ecstasy pill and it’s only affected a few groups. It’s not some epidemic.
Kaitlin Miller, Morgan Hill
Gratitude for our firefighter heroes, they save lives and protect us all
Dear Editor,
The disastrous fire at Henry Coe State Park made me think about the many firefighters who risk their lives for us. One firefighter close to my heart is Todd Skraback, my uncle Todd. He is the captain of a fire station in Aptos. Saving lives and fighting fires is what he does three days a week!
On the four days he does not work, we have such an extraordinary time together, such as when we played with 10 little puppies. He has experienced many fires, he helps so many people, and I think he deserves a little recognition. As a result of his hard work, many more lives are saved by my uncle Todd. Thank you!
Samantha Nydam, sixth grade student
Barrett Elementary School
Only tough questions for Wal-Mart in light of Gilroy’s experience
Dear Editor,
If our politicians are going to allow a Wal-Mart grocery store, then I hope they learned a lesson from Gilroy’s experience. First, the city should make it a stipulation, before permitting the store, that WalMart can not leave the location until a replacement tenant has been signed or they pay a fee every month that would match the average amount of monthy tax revenue for the prior year – to be paid every month until a replacement tenant is found. Wal-Mart has a tendency to leave vacant buildings. After all, look at the old Wal-Mart store in Gilroy that Wal-Mart promised they had a replacement- yet it sits vacant. The other point Morgan Hill elected officials should learn is that Gilroy needs people from Morgan Hill to spend their money. Just refer to Gilroy Mayor Al Pinheiro and his upset comments about Wal-Mart opening a new store in Gilroy. Our elected officials need to bring more of our citizens’ spending dollars back home.
John Reese, Morgan Hill
Consumers bear the brunt of government taxes, not the corporations
Dear Editor,
Frank Crosby said to charge a tax on corporations to finance the war, well corporations don’t pay taxes, they only collect it after the government passes them. We, the consumers, are the ones who pay. So don’t be fooled.
Merry Christmas to all.
Ed Johnson, Groveland
