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Published on 02/01/1999 All articles from this issue

Letters to the Editor

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Your involvement can make a difference

On Dec. 15, the Los Altos City Council met to consider the Sherwood Triangle specific plan, which had been painstakingly developed by a committee of city residents and business owners over a six-month period.

The planning commission had increased the residential density recommendation for the Sherwood Triangle from seven to 38 units per acre.

Despite a common fatalistic sentiment among the attendees that the desire for more urban development would motivate any decision made by the city council, the city's policy makers voted to study the matter further before making a decision.

I applaud all of you who spoke out in favor of maintaining a low density standard for our town. Your involvement can make a crucial difference when the city council faces development policy choices.

Robert BurdickLos Altos

Service with smile lacking at post office

"Service with a smile" seems to be the motto of downtown merchants in Los Altos lately, where quick and friendly service makes shopping there a pleasure. Unfortunately, a trip to the local post office puts a damper on that "small town feel" of being downtown.

When most retail establishments put more cashiers on to handle a sudden rush, the P.O. remains stuck with its same two open cashiers. It is not a pleasant moment when the line snakes out the back door and the cashier closes the window and goes on break stating, "Someone will come soon."

This service issue is one that has gradually gotten worse in the past few years and has left customers frustrated and helpless. A call to the local post office finds us routed to some unknowing operator in another state.

What is the solution? How about a workshop given by other downtown establishments on quick service with a smile?

Linda ChangLos Altos

LAH council responsive to scheduling mix-up

Recently we became aware of a scheduling problem for our Cub Scout pack meeting (Pack 76) at Bullis school.

We learned of the conflict Tuesday night and the meeting was scheduled for Thursday evening.

The Los Altos Hills Town Council had also booked the room for that night for a council meeting. To make a long story short, the problem was a clerical error at Bullis during a transition of secretarial staff. The Cub Scout reservation was never placed on the calendar, although we had the paperwork in order.

So there we were with 42 Cub Scouts ready for their monthly pack meeting and a council meeting scheduled at the same time.

I sent e-mails to each of the council members and was amazed at the quick response that I got. Although the mix-up was not either of our faults, council members Steve Finn and Toni Casey immediately telephoned me and helped work out a solution. They offered the council chambers and Mr. Finn even offered his house! Town Manager Jeff Peterson also called and offered the council chambers.

I was amazed at the prompt response and the help that we were given by the members of our town government.

This responsiveness has set a good example of how government should work for our young Cub Scouts.

Benjamin Gikis

Los Altos Hills