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Published on 10/06/1999 All articles from this issue

Letters to the Editor

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Swimming pool not appropriate

McKenzie Park is not a suitable site for a community swimming pool. With only a few acres of available parks and open space, the city needs more open space and parks, not less. Removing the two lighted tennis courts that are free to the public, and replacing them with a pool that is fee-imposed and use-restricted, is not in the community's best interest.

The organization SPLASH stated at the Sept. 15 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting that of the more than 1,300 swimmers who currently use Covington Pool, only 700-plus are Los Altos residents. More than 600 swimmers come from other cities including Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto and Cupertino to use the current pool. Traffic at the intersection of Springer Road and Fremont Avenue, which services McKenzie Park, is already at an all-time high, nearly gridlocked at morning and evening rush hour. Placing more cars from outlying areas and increasing traffic to access a community pool would be poor city planning.

The streets bordering the park and most of Loyola Corners were designed in the '40s and '50s, and were not meant to carry the traffic that would be necessary to accommodate a pool. One block away on Berry Avenue Loyola School parents and neighbors have described the traffic as "horrendous" because the streets are too busy and unsafe and children are not allowed to bike to their local school. Consequently, parents drive them. Children could not bike safely to a pool in this park.

Many of the park's neighbors and senior residents spoke out against locating a pool at McKenzie Park at the meeting. Their reasons for opposition were varied, but all maintained that they use McKenzie Park and appreciate its current amenities. The heritage trees located around the tennis courts form a canopy not unlike a sanctuary that is much appreciated.

Please preserve what little open space we have. Don't try to shoehorn in a pool facility that would result in the loss of a small park jewel. To consider removing a local park facility that is free to local residents and replacing it with a facility designed to also accommodate out-of-town swimmers is irresponsible. Our city deserves better.

Melinda and Doug ReedLos Altos

Councilwoman should recuse herself

During the Los Altos Council meeting on Sept. 28, a disturbing event occurred. One of the purposes of the meeting was to determine whether the City of Los Altos should build a swimming facility as requested by the Masters Swim Club and, if so, where the facility should be located.

Councilmember Kris Casto chose to vote on this issue, despite the fact that she is a member of the Masters Swim Club. Ms. Casto should have abstained from the discussion and voting on this issue given her relationship with the very group asking the City to permit them to build, among other structures, two swimming pools in a public park.

Instead Ms. Casto said she did not have a conflict of interest because the city attorney advised her no conflict of interest existed as long as she did not profit financially as a result of her vote.

It is inescapable that this situation creates a conflict for Ms. Casto, even respecting the legal definition she proffered as her defense.

Regardless of how the Masters Swim Club fashions its request, ultimately taxpayer funds will be involved in maintaining and operating the facility. With the Master Swim Club's proposal, already public resources are going to consultants to study possible locations. Eventually the city will be required to conduct and pay for environmental studies of any potential sites, public hearings will be required and any contractor decisions will be subject to the city's bidding process.

Based on the facts surrounding this controversy, to maintain the fairness and credibility of the democratic process of our city, I believe Ms. Casto must recuse herself from all decisions impacting the proposed swimming facility.

Ms. Casto, contrary to your candidacy statement, I do not feel you represent me, a Los Altos citizen, but concerning this matter you represent the Masters Swim Club.

Doug BaneyLos Altos

Don't like remodels? Get over it

(In response to Susan Kerr's "Other Voices" of Sept. 29)

OK, I am guilty. I am one of those homeowners who dared to take the plunge and disrupt my entire neighborhood.

What can I say? I bought a ranch house years ago in a town I happened to love. I had no children at the time, and the house seemed more than adequately sized for my husband and me. But, lo and behold, we decided to have kids. Silly us.

And I know what some of you are thinking. "When we were kids we lived in a two-room house where six kids shared one bedroom. And we walked 10 miles to school with our little brother on our back."

I am sick and tired of the "old guard" living in the past and complaining about all the new construction in Los Altos. Life goes on. Families are changing and growing.

And even though people have more disposable income, guess what? They still can't afford to move. So they choose to upgrade their homes and make them more beautiful and salable. In the process of doing so, guess what? They are driving your property values way up.

Now I happen to know that those who complain about building and the two-story monstrosities happen to be those who live in those three-bedroom, two-bath cottages in "prestigious old Los Altos." Yes, the inexpensive ones that go for $865,000.

Get real! All these remodels that are disrupting your Saturday morning coffee are making it possible for you to sell your homes at a tidy profit.

Life goes on, people's needs change and so do their portfolios. Leave those who wish to have a bigger house be. Sell your "cottage" and go somewhere where there are no trucks and bulldozers. Maybe it's time for you to move on.

Vilma SinclairLos Altos

Garage sale ordinance a bit much

First, the remodel of my home must work for my neighbors.

Second, I have two days to well things I have accumulated over three decades.

What next? My Christmas lights must be taken down by Dec. 31?

Edie Drobny

Los Altos