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Published on 10/20/1999 All articles from this issue

Letters to the Editor

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Get along little dogie? Get real and compromise

Rome wasn't built in a day, but it was taken apart in a few. Some of the reconstruction was interesting.

"Home" today seems to mean property or economic quantity, not a place of affection, solace and community. It meant values, not a financial conquest - a place to exploit.

"Privacy" is a marketable and expendable commodity, unless it's your neighbors' bedroom window looking into your living or bathroom, or selling your personal data. There are places like that in the world you can move to in order to live like that.

Get real, those treelined neighborhoods you go to on the way to your "home" were created by efforts of the disparaged "old guard."

Get along, little dogie, or get real and compromise.

Patricia Coleman(No address given)

More about commissioner Wong

Why didn't the Los Altos Hills City Council excuse Charles Wong from the planning commission, after publicly confronting him with chronological documentation proving he violated the very permits, policies and procedures he was appointed to uphold?

Thinking the council saw something special in Mr. Wong, I went to the Sept. 23 planning commission meeting. I arrived at 7:05 to find the commissioners waiting for Mr. Wong. I heard no apology or explanation when he arrived. As the meeting progressed, it was obvious he was unprepared. Chairman Jinkerson had to announce a disclaimer that Mr. Wong's opinions did not reflect those of the rest of the commission. Each commissioner has, in the past, taken responsibility for their own opinions that they base on extensive review of documentation, staff review and recommendations, and a knowledge of Town permits, policies and procedures.

I feel it is not in the best interest of our community to allow Mr. Wong to continue on the commission. I feel he does not have the respect for the rules or the staff nor the integrity to uphold and support them. The council should remove him from the planning commission.

Betsy BertramLos Altos Hills

Measure H and I endorsement

On November's ballot there are two measures I would urge citizens of Los Altos to vote "Yes" on. Measure H sends a message of priorities to the Los Altos City Council. Measure I sets the maximum utility-user tax at 6.25 percent, an average household increase of $7 per month.

The city council understands the critical need to support public safety, recreation needs and ongoing facility, sewer and road maintenance. The city council has a record of responsible use of utility-user tax funds, often at an annual rate under the maximum limit. The city council was forced to increase the user tax to the current 3.5 percent after the State began a permanent $1.1 hold back in 1993. However, even at 3.5 percent, sewer and road maintenance have had to be deferred.

Having served on the Los Altos Traffic Advisory Task Force, I see a critical need for a full-time Traffic Unit in our Police Department. Being a Police Communications Supervisor in a neighboring community, I see a need for increased personnel in the 9-1-1 center. Being a father I see the need for added recreation facilities and programs. Being a taxpayer I understand we need to pass this measure to insure we have the public safety and other programs we deserve and need in this community.

Los Altos does not, and will never have, the luxury of a large commercial tax base. I have heard some decry the tax increase claiming more bureaucracy. I do not consider public safety, recreation programs, sewer and road maintenance bureaucracy. I consider them a necessity.

John Mattes, Los AltosMember of the Los Altos Traffic Advisory Committee and Blue Ribbon Budget Committee

Utility tax is more tax and spend

Our tax-and-spend Los Altos City Council has abandoned history in its quest to double the utility tax for a bunch of proposed expenditures, most of which the city can do without.

I would much rather have had access to the new Conner Park at Edith and Main the last four months than do with four motorcycle officers.

Moreover, when the first utility tax was put to the voters the then Council promised it would never exceed 5 percent. Now the council wants to exceed that substantially.

The council's vote to let someone else build two swimming pools on public park land and then let that group run it as a business to recoup its investment bought forth a storm of public protest. To avoid destroying one of the city's scarce park resources a suggestion was made to put it somewhere in the apricot orchard near City Hall. If my understanding of history serves me right, Gilbert Smith's widow gave that land to the city on condition it would preserve Gilbert's apricot orchard.

One of the things Los Altos prides itself on is keeping faith with the promises of past city councils. Therefore it seems to me that it is up to the voters to vote according to history, and if the current council can't seem to fulfill those historic promises, it is time for new blood that can remember or research that history and abide by it.

Charles W. HalleckLos Altos

Mural or cartoon on Main Street?

Wow, was I in shock when I drove by and saw the mural painted on Oct. 2 and 3 during the Celebrate Los Altos Festival reflecting 100 years of Los Altos.

I always thought this town was very cosmopolitan. But here is a mural reflecting "Cartoon Town."To add insult to injury, it says, "Welcome To Los Altos, Our 100 Years."

I have contacted several council members to see if there is anything we (residents and merchants of Los Altos) could do to have this painting taken off or at least not say "Welcome to Los Altos." The answer I got was that it would come down in March - MARCH? I know a lot of merchants and residents are very displeased to hear this.

I asked a council member how this mural had been voted on. He said he took a poll with downtown merchants and 38 percent were in favor of the mural and the other council members were in favor of it. I didn't know 38 percent was a majority vote.

If you agree with many of us about getting the mural taken down as soon as possible, please contact the city council's office at City Hall and voice your views

Marie YoungLos Altos

She agrees: Los Altos not disabled friendly

I am writing in response to the letter on Aug. 18 titled, "Los Altos is not 'disabled friendly.'"

When downtown was to be repaved I was very excited and then very disappointed to find that not one handicapped parking space was put in the entire street. I called the city and was told the merchants did not want to lose a parking space to provide a wider one with access and "we were able to get around ADA by planning parking for disabled behind in the plaza."

I pointed out that requires that one use a wheelchair or scooter, because if you can only walk a short distance you can not get around from behind the stores. Frequently, I have found the plaza spaces to be blocked.

I have raised the parking issue with two councilmembers. I have also talked to store owners about lack of access. Many stores are so crowded that one can not get in with a walker or wheelchair. I also wrote to Parking 2000 when they solicited concerns, but I had no response from them.

I do not feel a part of this town, as it is not accessible to me. I have two school-age children. We do not have wheelchair-access parks. Even when parks are updated or improved, this is not a factor that is generally brought in.

Some senior centers have an advocacy group to deal with issues such as this, but I was told that in Los Altos they don't get into things like that (the unpleasantness of life).

I have also spoken many times with city staff about the lack of code enforcement on corner lot visibility and my calls are not answered.

The argument is usually that access and visibility do not "maintain the Los Altos way of life." I would have to agree that Los Altos is not "disabled friendly."

Jane C. HoltLos Altos

Let's hear it for Olde Towne Band

The Los Altos Olde Towne Band appreciates the letter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Burch (Town Crier, Sept. 15).

They remind us of Los Altos' wonderful village atmosphere that is enhanced by the band's concerts in Shoup Park on the last Sunday afternoon of the month, May through September. They also inquire as to how they may support the band. Fortunately, the band is financially and emotionally healthy. The credit goes to: the generous contributions of its sponsors; the facilities provided by the city of Los Altos; the time commitment of its conductor/arranger Eldon Wiegman as well as all of the band members.

The community can support us by attending the concerts.

Jerry Rosenblum

Band manager