I would like to register my vote in favor of persuading Los Altos residents to consider the pathways as being an aesthetic as well as an environmental attribute to our community.
Perhaps they would be interested in walking the Wandervegs of Switzerland so that they could experience how communities and their residents have cooperated to provide pathways for the enjoyment, pleasure and safety of everyone. People who use the Deer Hollow area and the San Antonio Preserve for exercise and an opportunity to be in touch with nature can attest to the value of a place to walk, free of the dangers and congestion of traffic. If there were safe pathways for students, think of all the money we would save on school buses and family gasoline bills. Every time I experience the line of traffic at Montclaire School in the mornings, and again at dismissal time, I wonder at our lack of practical wisdom.
Perhaps the Town Crier can focus on some articles about communities where pathways have solved some of the practical problems of life, and how these pathways are financed.
Carolyn CourtureLos Altos
Disappointed in council's second-unit ordinance
In view of the critical need for affordable housing, I am distressed that our city is cutting chances for second-housing units by requiring that an applicant lot be at least 15,000 square feet - only 15 percent of the lots in Los Altos.
It is unfair for the Council to pass an ordinance seen by themselves and the city attorney for the first time at the beginning of a meeting. Is this proper notice to the public?
Four council members voted against our mayor in favor of this last-minute ordinance, rather than passing the one drafted by city staff. It would have permitted 10,000-square-foot lots to qualify, with all second-living units required to be affordable. Apparently these four council members were concerned about increased density and parking problems.
These would be minor, I predict. We residents of the 600 block of Paco Drive remember the first ordinance allowing approval of second units. enacted in 1981. The first four units permitted were on our block. There were no problems with density or parking. Quite the reverse: The owners of the four units were required to clean up the entire premises, upgrade the houses and remove extra cars.
It's too bad that ordinance was allowed to expire rather than being amended to require affordability. And it's too bad that the Council saw fit to substitute a weak version of an ordinance which might have made a small dent in the serious housing shortage without damaging current residents' rights.
Nancy MasonLos Altos
Holding line against leaf blowers
On May 26, the author of SB 1651, Sen. Richard Polanco of Los Angeles, withdrew the bill from consideration by the Appropriations Committee. Presumably he realized that there would not be enough supporting votes to pass the committee.
SB 1651 would have placed gas-powered leaf blowers under state regulation, thereby preempting local government control to deal with leaf blowers within their communities.
About 24 cities in California have banned gas-powered blowers outright and many more are considering similar actions due to the extreme annoyance of these noisy, polluting machines. In communities with bans there are thousands of gardeners working and making a living, despite abstract concerns by supporters or SB 1651.
The bill would set a noise standard (65 dba at 53 feet) and set up a whole layer of bureaucracy to certify blowers and establish approved testing facilities. Police departments strongly react to these regulations as being unenforceable. The state would also mandate that cities and counties could only ban blowers based on local initiative ballot issues. Election costs would be paid for by the cities.
SB 1651 is at odds with the massive efforts to clean up our air. The Air Resources Board has found that small utility engines such as those used in leaf blowers, are especially polluting. Yet, SB 1651 would have allowed blowers and prohibited their bans by cities.
Gas-powered leaf blowers are bad for the environment. SB 1651 seems to be dead for this legislative session, but we are ever vigilant since these politicians are very clever at getting around the rules.
This is a victory for all of the concerned people who worked so hard to inform the public of the bad aspects of this bill.
Myra OrtaLos Altos
Prom without alcohol works for LAHS students
Los Altos High School asked me to attend the senior prom in San Francisco this year with my alcohol screening device. When blown into, this device gives me an instant reading of any alcohol in someone's system.
A letter was sent home to parents advising them of this from the school administration, well in advance.
While at the prom, I randomly tested 90 students for alcohol. I had zero students with alcohol in their systems.
While at the prom, I spoke to numerous students who stated they have never had so much fun without the presence of alcohol. I was impressed with the idea of giving out coffee mugs, instead of champagne glasses, filled with a disposable camera and candy to the arriving seniors.
I feel the school administration should be applauded for putting together a successful senior prom.
I would also like to thank the Town Crier for writing articles addressing teen alcohol use, which I feel has helped educate parents and teens in our community.
Brent Butler
Schools Resource Officer
Los Altos Police Department