August 27, 2004

LETTERS2theEDITOR

Mourning the loss of Evergreen Valley

Editor:
The other day I was on my evening walk going up Aborn Road past Ruby Avenue. As the heavy traffic whizzed past me at high speed and I walked past the housing development going up on what was the last orchard there, I felt a terrible sense of loss for the death of the Evergreen Valley area.

When hearing about the Heritage Room at Evergreen Valley College, with the history and photos of how the area used to be, I can’t help thinking, “Why?”

The descriptions and photos of the farmland and orchards has absolutely nothing to do with the coverage of wall-to-wall subdivisions packed from the valley floor to half way up the hills. It seems to be like a cemetery to mourn the loss of the “character” of a place that is now gone and never will be again.

The Evergreen Valley is no longer green or ever again will be the unique community it was.

When I mention the housing growth in Evergreen, not one neighbor, friend, store clerk or person taking a walk says they are for more growth. They agree we’ve had too much and it’s a negative thing.

Adding more housing or industry to increase the revenue for better roads, more roads [and] more schools is just adding more of the same; more people using the roads, more kids in the schools and, of course, more people using utilities. The next drought—it could get really ugly.

Obviously, my voice isn’t going to stop “the growth.” But, maybe we could be honest—bury “Evergreen Valley” and rename it “San Jose Southeast Subdivision.”

Mary Zeller
Valmaine Court