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Published on 08/12/1996 All articles from this issue

Letters to the Editor

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Letter carriers claim

mismanagement

I would like to respond to comments made by Mr. Charles "Chuck" Pruitt, postmaster of Los Altos Post Office, occurring in your July 24 issue of the Town Crier.

Specifically, the comment by Mr. Pruitt that, "A lot of the carriers are taking a long time to do their work because they are resisting change."

This comment is not only untrue, it is a slap in the face of every letter carrier in Los Altos.

It is a fact that the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) has taken exception to how some of the changes are being implemented, but we all recognize that change is always happening.

The NALC is not against automation. We are taking exception on how management is making business decisions that are counterproductive and anti-service.

In management's implementation of automation, they are moving carrier starting times to later in the morning, causing later delivery times.

In some instances, routes or portions of routes are not delivered at all.

Further complicating the issue is the "automation bundle" having undeliverable mail that the carrier must deal with.

Traditionally, the letter carrier has been able to remove this type of mail from the route every morning, prior to going to the street. Management's implementation of automation has now removed this process from the daily letter carrier duties.

The NALC has suggested to management several ways to implement automation that would resolve some of these problems while still achieving higher productivity through automation, but management has shown a deaf ear.

Automation should be working for us, the employees, and for our customers. Unfortunately, the sad truth is that we are working for automation. Our jobs have become more difficult.

Our customers deserve the best postal service that can be generated, and letter carriers are dedicated and determined to maintain and improve this great institution.

John M. Spencer

President, Branch 1427

Postmaster

explains position

While I appreciated the opportunity to be introduced to the residents of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills (Town Crier, July 24), I want to apologize to my employees for the reference made that "carriers are taking a long time to do their work because they are resisting change" and clarify some detailed items which were omitted from the article.

As a result of employee bidding, some employees chose different mail routes.

In some cases, this resulted in taking more time to deliver mail until the letter carrier became familiar with the delivery area.

Also, on some routes additional streets were added. Lastly, sorting methods were changed which takes additional time until employees are comfortable with these new methods.

The postal employees of the Los Altos Post Office are career professionals, and they are dedicated to providing quality service to the residents of this community.

Over the last six weeks they have gone through numerous changes affecting the way they perform their work.

Once these adjustments have been made, we are looking forward "together" in providing the best service possible to the residents of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills.

Charles Pruitt

Postmaster

Hidden Villa's been

a good neighbor

Thank you for your editorial and your support of Hidden Villa's policy to close the ranch and trails to the general public for the nine weeks (only four weekends) that our 51-year-old summer camp is in session. While we have received a great deal of understanding from people in the community regarding this decision, we are very sorry that some, including the Los Altos Hills Horsemen's Association (LAHHA), see it as unneighborly.

Hidden Villa staff and trustees have met several times with members of LAHHA and others to discuss ways that the horsemen could be accommodated during summer camp. Although LAHHA officials made creative suggestions, we unfortunately have found no compromise which would protect the quality and safety of the camp experience and be fair to everyone.

All the many, many farm visitors, hikers, families, joggers, volunteers, donors and horse people who enjoy Hidden Villa's resources would be interested in a compromise. But how can we compromise with one group and not the rest? To be fair, we have to be open to everyone.

I have had a difficult time understanding the criticism which has been directed at Hidden Villa because of this decision. In the two years I have been at Hidden Villa, I have heard and seen only welcome and neighborliness expressed by staff and trustees who care very much about carrying on the spirit of the Duveneck family's vision and generosity.

In every decision we make we ask ourselves "what would Frank or Josephine have done?" The four Duveneck children continue to serve on our Board or Advisory Board and all are supportive of this decision.

Hidden Villa Summer Camp is one of the Duvenecks' greatest contributions. While the Duvenecks were alive they also restricted access and visitors called ahead and signed in at their house so they would know who was on the property.

Hidden Villa is grateful for the support of the greater community. We strive for a continued open and positive relationship with LAHHA and all of our constituents based on mutual understanding and friendship.

Summer camp ends on Aug. 23, and we invite the community to enjoy Hidden Villa on every day but Monday from then until next summer.

Judith Steiner

Executive director,

Hidden Villa

Respect those who

respect trails

Recent coverage of the Los Altos Hills Horsemen's Association reminds me of how grateful I am to live in a high-tech area which still provides the opportunity to enjoy horses and access to trails. No matter how much our family may e-mail or "surf the net," we'll never outgrow our love for a friendly neighborhood linked with paths and trails.

As an "out-to-pasture" history teacher and trustee of the California History Center at De Anza College, I naturally appreciate anyone who has worked to preserve the best of our past whether it's an old house, an old tree, or the ability to ride through the neighborhood and hills.

Thank you, LAHHA. I know you would be the first to acknowledge that major credit for what has been preserved also goes to the Los Altos Trails Club, the Los Altos Hills Pathway Committee and especially to the Duveneck family of Hidden Villa Ranch. Long before we had an open space district (today's guardian of hillside trails), the diligence of these organizations and generosity of that family laid the groundwork for what we enjoy today.

While I'm immeasurably grateful for all past efforts that made our trail system possible, I sincerely appreciate new neighbors like the people up the street. I haven't met them yet so I don't know if they like the trail in front of their house or if they're just tolerating it. But I want to thank them for choosing to landscape in a way that highlights and beautifies the trail instead of hiding or blocking it. They give me hope that the trails will continue to be enjoyed.

Doni Hubbard

Los Altos Hills