Rishi Kumar City Councilmember, Saratoga My monthly City Council update http://www.rishikumar.com/newsletter.html Intern with Councilmember Kumar http://www.rishikumar.com/intern.html Direct all city/council related emails to rkumar<at>saratoga.ca.us Connect with Rishi —> Facebook.com/Rishi || linkedin.com/in/rickkumar PHONE 408 805 5993 || Facebook.com/VoteRishi || @rishikumar1 Office hours: 1st Saturday every month, Bell Tower Bistro (10AM to 11AM) Keep up with the latest, subscribe to Councilmember Rishi Kumar’s newsletter http://groups.google.com/group/GreatSaratoga CONFIDENTIALITY NOTE The information in this message is copyright protected and confidential information that is legally privileged and is intended only for the use of the individuals or entities named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination or copy of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please immediately notify us by telephone at 408 805 5993 or reply to this email informing us of the incorrect address. Please also delete this message. Thank you.

1. A u g u s t 2 0 1 5 N E W S L E T T E R
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Cell phone towers:
Saratoga’s Issue
Dear Friends,
Being a hi-tech executive, I understand very well how
technology improves life. I am always applying my
learning in high-tech to city governance. New cell phone
towers may be necessary address the capacity needs that
more and more electronic devices are demanding. But it
is important to establish a framework of how we make
changes in Saratoga - needs to be well thought out, something we
did very well historically and established the special Saratoga
brand.
We have established policies of how we incorporate technology in our lives. For example - we have a law that prohibits
texting while driving. So establishing frameworks is important. Thus, I truly believe that Saratoga’s WIRELESS
COMMUNICATION TOWERS AND ANTENNAS ordinance needs to be updated. We should consider adding setbacks
and other parameters consistent with the aesthetics and quality of life expected by Saratoga residents. Cell phone
ordinances in Cupertino and San Jose are more stringent. I have brought this up twice on the council meeting, and will
continue to do so. Working in piece meal manner creates a hodgepodge inconsistencies and uncertainly. We need to
make sure that our neighbors are heard and I will continue to do that so that overall policy that benefits Saratogans is
achieved.
Yes I voted AGAINST the 3 cell phone towers on Prospect at the city council meeting last Wednesday August 19th after
careful deliberation - the only dissenting vote. But, like with every project that comes up on the city council, I research
the issues, read about them and then show up at the council meeting with an OPEN MIND to make the choice that
works best for Saratoga and our citizens. So with future cell phone tower discussions, I will continue to have an open
mind that works best for our citizens - after all I was trusted by them to represent them on the council.
I would love to hear from you - please do provide your feedback to rkumar@saratoga.ca.us what you think about this
issue
Thanks, Rishi
At the 4th
annual
Saratoga has Talent

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On August 22nd
Saratoga put on its
4th
annual talent competition as a
fundraiser to raise money for the
Saratoga Senior Center. Many
contestants from all ages took part
in a fun competition in the Joan
Pisani Community Center in front
of a panel of honored judges and an
entertained audience. Food and
drinks were on sale as well, and
over 250 people attended. The
competition was split into a
younger division and adult section.
Our judges panel included:
Senator Jim Beall,
Assembly members Evan Low
Assembly member Kansen Chu
Former Mayor Jill Hunter,
Principle Paul Robinson,
Retd Music Director Mrs Vicky
Wyant
Music Director Mr Jow
Music Director Mr Pwu,
and Mandeep Singh.
Thanks to all those who
volunteered and made the event a
success!
Healthy cities
grant for water
filling stations
The City of Saratoga received
$10,000 from Santa Clara
County’s Healthy Cities for the
Partnerships to Improve
Community Health Award. The
Award is to install 2 water filling
stations in city locations that have
heavy pedestrian, bicyclists, and
equestrian traffic. City staff will
be installing one water filling
station at Joe’s Trail and one at
Blaney Plaza. The funding will be
in effect in October 2015.
4th
annual
Saratoga has
talent!!
A U G U S T H A P P E N I N G S
Last week, deputies were
dispatched to 20000 block,
Thelma Avenue on a report of a
possibly interrupted residential
burglary. The reporting
party(R/P), a next door
neighbor, saw a black male
wearing a black hooded
sweatshirt go into the back of
the residence at 2000 BLOCK
Thelma. As the R/P was on the
phone with the victim, the
resident at the above location,
she saw two black male suspects
come out of the house with a
bag. The victim also pulled up
to his residence as the original
R/P was taking photos of the
male suspects and the getaway
vehicle, a white Dodge, which
was parked in front of the
victim’s residence. The male
suspects dropped the bag and
fled on foot while the getaway
vehicle sped off. Units arrived
on scene shortly, set up a
perimeter and began searching
for the suspects. The female
suspect, who drove the
getaway,
…continued above
Perimeter setup in
Saratoga- thieves
caught
voluntarily showed up where we
had the first suspect detained and
began to lie about the fact that
she had nothing to do with the
burglary and she didn’t know
who the suspect was. She ended
up confessing to the whole thing.
At another location in San Jose,
we located the vehicle belonging
to the third suspect, who is
wanted by multiple agencies. It’s
a matter of time until the third
suspect is caught. Thanks to our
resident’s vigilance and reaction!

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Saratoga annual
youth tech day
Brews and blues
festival
Opera in the park-
downtown
wildwood park
On Saturday September 12th
The
young students of our community
are invited for a fun, interactive
learning experience about Software
and Technology at the first annual
Silicon Valley Tech Day tech. This
event is free and open to *all*.
Panel discussions, demos,
interactive learning, hackathons
and much more. We want to
provide an opportunity for every
student of our community to learn
software and coding. WHERE:
Saratoga's Joan Pisani Community
Center 19655 Allendale Ave,
Saratoga, CA 95070. WHEN:
September 12th, 1:30pm to 6pm
Sign-up at
tinyurl.com/SiliconValleyTechDay
U p c o m i n g e v e n T S
The second annual Brews and
Blues Festival will take place on
Saturday, September 5, from 3 to
7 p.m. at Wildwood Park, 20764
Fourth Street. The event will
feature craft beers, local wines,
tasty barbecue, and exciting
music by Shakedancer Blues
Revue. According to Saratoga
Chamber of Commerce
Coordinator Pat Martell, “This
festival offers so many different
things—craft beers, incredible
barbecue, and exciting live rock
and blues musicians playing non-
stop—all in a beautiful park.”
Bay Shore Lyric Opera will present
a free performance of Mozart's
masterpiece opera DON
GIOVANNI on September 12th in
downtown Saratoga's Wildwood
Park. Show begins at 4pm sharp
and ends at 6pm. Professional
opera singers, Don Hoffman,
Jennifer Der Torossian-Studley,
Eric Coyne, Norman Espinoza, and
more perform Mozart's exciting
opera under the baton of the
prestigeous Maestro Eric Kujawsky
and world-renowned pianist,
Tamami Honma.
Documentary
screening
September 20th Noon to 3pm
COWSPIRACY: The Sutainability
Secret, OM SURYAYANAMAHA.
RSVP here:
http://tinyurl.com/SaratogaScree
ning. Hosted by: Saratoga Hindu
Temple & Community Center
with Santa Clara County Activists
for Animals. Cowspiracy: The
Sustainability Secret is a
groundbreaking feature-length
environmental documentary
following intrepid filmmaker Kip
Andersen as he uncovers the most
destructive industry facing the
planet today. This shocking yet
humorous documentary reveals the
absolutely devastating
environmental impact this industry
has on our planet.
Saratoga’s
bollywood night
Bollywood Night in Saratoga this
Friday, September 4th at Blue Rock
Shoot. Please RSVP here:
http://tinyurl.com/saratogabollyw
ood. Facebook events page
https://www.facebook.com/event
s/1652360598326182/. We are a
kids/ family friendly Bollywood
based talent show, where anything
and everything goes. We love
songs, dances, stand-up comedy,
musical performances etc. from all
parts of the world. This is a relaxed
cozy setting, to inter-mingle and
make some new friends- There is
no charge...you get in free, getting
out maybe a challenge. :) When? –
Usually the 1st Friday of the month
(check our facebook) Where? –
Blue Rock Shoot (14523 Big Basin
Way, Silicon Valley, CA)

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A u g u s t G L I M P S E S
On the Fremont
parade float: india’s
independence day
C i t y c o u n c i l u p d a t e
No parking
approval
We conducted the 5th meeting in
the Hakone Project series at Joan
Pisani Community Center, as the
Hakone architect team discussed
their future plans. More updates
and meetings to follow. Are you
plugged in?
Hakone garden
project
A Saratoga neighborhood got NO
PARKING restriction enforced on
a desired street in a matter of
week. They approached me barely
a few weeks ago, I directed them
to Public Works, they worked
with the Traffic and Safety
Commission and presto, their NO
PARKING request is a
reality...matter of weeks. Yes, it is
easy to work with the city of
Saratoga, reach out to me if you
need help
How can you get
your free
drought gear?
We have most pieces of the drought
gear available for Saratoga
distribution. The only parts that we
still do not have are the buckets.
Our city will be announcing a date
soon to alert the population of when
they arrive. The location will also be
announced with the date.

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Attending the 4th
annual flag ceremony
for Indian
independence day
Chatting with
congressman Honda
about Highway 85 at
the 280/i/880 ribbon
cutting

6. WWW.RISHIKUMAR.COM || WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/VOTERISHI || RKUMAR<at>SARATOGA.CA.US
Speaking at
the FOG:
Political
education
discussion
Our 13+ judges at Saratoga has Talent 2015
L to R Principal Paul Robinson, Assembly
member Evan Low, Senator Jim Beall,
Assembly member Kansen Chu, missing in
the pic Mrs Vickie Wyant
Saratoga has Talent - the 4th year of some
scintillating talents is behind us now. It is a
lot of work to make this happen, but
watching these high energy, talented
contestant is very rewarding - and then our
Seniors thanking us from the bottom of
their heart with the fundraiser contribution
- priceless. We have a new model - letting
the youth of our community drive the
sponsorship and community engagement -
creating opportunities of learning and
empowerment. This is the model that we
will continue to harness for this talent
show every year and make it a win-win for
our youth ...and the Seniors.
Organizing the 4th
annual neighborhood
block party

7. AND THE WINNERS ARE….
WINNERS 5-12 competition:
1st place: Venice Lauren
Barbiran, 2nd place:
Prerana Archaryya, 3rd
place: Kayko Lee, 4th place:
Isha Sarkar. WINNERS: 13+ 1st
place: Ken Cioffi, 2nd place:
Nevin Richards, 3rd place:
Isha Mangal, 4th place: Qi
Ming Ng
At the Pranic Healing
gathering - hosting
Master Co in Saratoga
With the Indian
Ambassador to
the US - Arun
Kumar Singh

8. THE PM MODI VISIT ORGANIZING TEAM
West Valley
community
service Back to
school
shopping for
local kids

9. At the
Vietnamese
thank you
America event
At the Pakistani Independence
Day celebration with
President Dave Cortese,
County Supervisor
Saratoga Gateway
Celebration and Zoe
Alameda’s cake cutting

10. At a Friday Drought
Tour - organized by
Santa Clara Valley
Water District
Attending
a mere
kala event
in palo
alto

11. Playing
volleyball
in the
sandpit of
El Quito
park
Entertaining the Seniors of Priya Living