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Published on 07/21/1999 All articles from this issue

Letters to the Editor

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A wealth of creative solutions

What a surprise! Those 15,000-square-foot houses dotting Los Altos Hills are now branded as water hogs (June 23 Town Crier).

It does take a bit of moisture to landscape if you have chosen lawns to fit a baseball-field-sized flower beds suggested by Martha Stewart, an Olympic-sized pool and several fountains copied from European chateaus intended to impress out-of-town yokels.

But not to worry. Comes water rationing, these owners simply call Crystal Springs for the lawn and posies; and Perrier for the fountains.

Now their neighbors will take a different approach to rationing: they'll have someone dig their own well. The creative solutions, if you have wealth, never cease to amaze me.

Dave MacKenzieLos Altos Hills

Common courtesy exists in Los Altos

Recently, as my son and I were crossing Foothill Expressway, our car ran out of gas. Just as panic was starting to set in, two exuberant teen-agers jumped out of their car and rescued us. Katie Sullivan and Bryce Larson (both locals), cheerfully pushed us to safety across Foothill Expressway. They could have driven right by us, and we never would have known. There still is common courtesy in Los Altos!

Cathi and John E. LerchLos Altos Hills

Our village is friendly, delightful

A letter to the editor (April 28 Town Crier) from former residents of our city, who were visiting after four years, described a "village" I did not recognize. To wit: Instead of being friendly, it had become a very commercial place. Pardon me. My neighborhood and all the other neighborhoods I go into are friendly. Our beautiful downtown "village" and Rancho, Loyola and the Village Corners, also, are busy, thriving and successful. The sales tax helps us all.

The letter said their friends are selling their houses and moving because they find the climate "hostile and the political anger shocking." We have different political factions in Los Altos, of course. It furthers the idea that a two- or three-party system works for the betterment of all.

The final jab was leveled at the police department. I have worked for the police department at different times, and may I tell you these are people of the highest caliber. They are well educated, dedicated and work night and day to keep all of us safe and sane.

I am so proud of my city. It is such a desirable place to live, work and bring up children. My family and friends who visit from out of town no longer wish to go to Carmel but rather prefer to spend the time here. They love our pretty downtown streets, the shops and the restaurants, as I do. They are especially impressed with our Community Plaza and our City Hall built in an orchard. To the people who work so hard to make this a thoroughly delightful community, I salute you. Thanks a million.

Virginia Roberts

Los Altos