Letters Letters (December 17, 2004)

Awesome football season

Editor,

Fans of Amador football seem to be divided into two camps: those devastated the team didn't beat De La Salle on Saturday and those delighted that Amador had the chance to play a team the caliber of De La Salle. I put myself in the latter category, since I was privileged to coach many of Amador's players in the Pleasanton Junior Football League.

Amador had an awesome season and was unbeaten in thrilling games against other public high schools. De La Salle, while its record wasn't perfect this year for the first time in 10 years, played nationally ranked teams all over the country as well as local high schools. Its team is made up of players from all over the West Coast. Amador's team is made up of young men who live within a five-10 mile radius of the school. And while Amador's coaching staff headed by Rick Sira can certainly hold its own against any other public high school, De La Salle's team is coached by professionals who I'm betting are paid far more than the average high school coach. The starting lineup for De La Salle is players who are certainly going to be heavily recruited by college programs. For most of Amador's players, the game Saturday was the last one they will ever play.

De La Salle once again was awarded the NCS 4A championship, but I think Amador was the team who left the field feeling lucky to play in Cal's Memorial Stadium against a team they never thought they'd be matched against. Steve BarlowFoxswallow Circle

Editor,

How disappointed I was to see our council of Pleasanton decide to move forward with a special election, at the supposed cost of $150,000, to fill the final seat on the council vacated by Jennifer Hosterman.

I have not heard, perhaps I missed something, but I am not aware of a suggestion to temporarily fill that seat with the candidate who came in third during the election. I believe that would have been Jerry Thorne.

Think about it. It would save the taxpayers a lot of money that could be used for more important needs. It would get another person on board immediately so that decisions could be made quicker without "horn locking" among the four current council people. And, it would be temporarily filled by a candidate that has already showed interest in the position and that was supported by many voters in Pleasanton!

I ask the Council: What is there to lose? Or should I be asking: What is there to fear? I am afraid the latter question is of more concern.

If you feel this idea is worth pursuing, please take a moment and get in touch with the City Council of Pleasanton and tell them so. Their email address is: mlcampbell@ci.pleasanton.ca.us. To reach by phone: 931-5001. Marcia KernanPleasanton

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