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Published on 10/27/1999 All articles from this issue

Letters to the Editor

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Foothill-De Anza bond would update facilities

Measure E on our ballot asks us to vote for a $248 million bond issue to repair and upgrade the facilities at Foothill and De Anza Community Colleges.

Our colleges rate tops in the nation among community colleges. Designed for 13,000 students, they now have an enrollment of more than 40,000 and expect a 5 percent annual increase over the next few years. Yet the lean years of the early 1990s did not permit the maintenance or capital expenditures needed to keep up with the twin onslaughts of more students and new technology.

I was on the Foothill campus last winter during a rainstorm, not an especially heavy one. But in three of the four buildings I was in, there were pails all over the place to catch the leaks. I could only imagine the condition of aging computers, not to mention plumbing and electrical equipment.

Think of the changes that have taken place just in the last few years which affect the lives of all of us, but especially of students young and not-so-young who are seeking to modernize their skills in order to meet the needs of changing times.

I'm proud of Foothill and De Anza. Are you? Let's give our colleges the money needed to maintain excellence. Let's vote YES on Measure E.

Nancy MasonLos Altos

College bond measure a rip-off, Libertarian says

Voters in the Foothill-De Anza Community College District are confronted with a $248 million bond measure on the Nov. 2 ballot (Measure E).

The actual cost of the bond measure would depend upon the interest rates as the bonds are sold over several years. If interest rates remain low, the interest may total a mere $300 million. But even at such low rates, the average cost of repaying the bonds would be about $3,000 per voter.

Especially with the cost so high, voters should demand to know precisely how the money would be spent. The problem is that Measure E does not promise how the money will be spent - except in general terms - and the district has failed to produce documentation to substantiate any of its asserted estimates for the renovation and added buildings currently in its non-binding plan.

My political party, the Libertarian Party, questions the efficacy of more government spending and borrowing. Bond measures are almost suspect - especially when the state government already has bond proceeds and surplus tax money it can give to community colleges.

But I do not oppose Measure E just on broad principles. Measure E appears to be a monumental rip-off with the projects and figures totaling $248 million simply concocted.

Marvin B. RudinSunnyvale

Measures H, I a return on investment

"Return on investment" is a common business term. Have we considered how investing in our community might affect Los Altos?

Measure H and I ask us to adjust an existing utility tax by about $7 a month. It is fair for us to ask, "What is our return on investment?" The answer - quality long-term 911 emergency communication services, proper street and sewer maintenance, neighborhood traffic enforcement, traffic engineering and after-school park and recreation programs for kids.

More than $1.1 million in annual existing local tax revenue was permanently diverted by the state starting in 1993. We see the effects of this daily - patch work and deferred repairs and maintenance of our streets and sewers, kids turned away from after-school programs, 911 services stretched to the limit.

This is a pivotal opportunity to improve our quality of life within Los Altos.

Kurt AyersLos Altos

Stuck with another tax hike

The soon-to-be election is likely to be ignored except by those people having a direct benefit from the outcome. We will soon be stuck with yet another tax increase (Measure I).

Contrary to circulated misinformation, Measure I's primary focus is not funding of street maintenance; it is to increase the funding to an already bloated police department. A small-town police department that develops a SWAT team. A department that proudly issues tickets by the thousand when a simple and far less costly speed-indicating trailer would probably do as well or better. The same police department investigating petty thefts of bicycles while experiencing an embarrassing number of bank robberies.

An excellent idea would be to reject both Measure H and I and carefully check both the intent and budgets for this folly.

Robert PerlcottLos Altos

Mural poll results clarified

Marie Young misunderstood my poll numbers in her letter about the mural. Prior to voting on the mural at city council, I asked opinions of owners, workers, and a few customers in a walking survey of establishments along State and Main streets. I gave everyone three choices, (1) as proposed with the words "Spirit of the Millennium"; (2) change words to "Welcome to Los Altos"; (3) no mural at all. Each person got one vote for one of the above.

Out of 84 votes total, there were 10 votes (12 percent) for millennium wording, 56 votes (67 percent) for "Welcome to Los Altos," 18 votes (21 percent) for no mural.

This is a total of 79 percent in favor of the basic graphic that was put up.

There were also some recommendations to replace Santa Claus with something more neutral, but still a symbol of the Festival of Lights Parade. I asked for that change at the council meeting, but we left the final approval to the arts committee.

My own opinion, not counted in the 84 votes, was no mural. But I supported the mural in council, in accordance with the poll results.

Since Santa did show up, however, I think the mural should be painted over after Jan. 1.

Regarding the destruction of our cosmopolitan image, perhaps that is a plus. It has certainly benefited our local humorists and songwriters.

How much was the benefit for charity?

Finally, I appreciate the good work of Jim M'Guinness and Pat Farrell in achieving the proposed graphic in that scale using many amateur painters.

King LearLos Altos

Mural reaction was complete opposite

In response to the recent letter (Oct. 20 Town Crier) decrying the Celebrate Los Altos mural: My reaction to this mural was completely the opposite - what a whimsical, colorful, lighthearted community endeavor.

Also, this is not permanent nor was it ever intended to be.

"Cosmopolitan" people and this town can also appreciate and embrace new ideas and all types of art. Let's relax and welcome as many of these community projects as feasible. As a mom with five children, I am happy to say that we are all enjoying this beautiful addition to our town.

Teri StetzLos Altos

Analysis needed before pool decision

We are opposed to constructing a pool in Los Altos. We are not opposed to those who want a pool. Nor are we adversaries of officials who may vote in favor of locating a pool in the city.

We are concerned that before a decision is made which will significantly and adversely impact the environment, a thorough and objective analysis of the proposal be undertaken, including consideration of less intrusive alternatives.

Also, that decisions at each level be informed, supported by facts and serve the best interests of the entire community. We do believe the city must treat proposals from non-profit organizations in the same manner they do commercial enterprises, as the effect on the community is the same.

Our concern is before any natural resource is destroyed, the decision-making process be subjected to rigorous public debate. Workable solutions are better reached when the community is instrumental in determining those solutions.

Cheryl Kershner, David KaysLos Altos

Is Videoman victim of our dot.com age?

On Oct. 16, I went to the local Videoman store on Second Street in Los Altos and rented a video. The clerk told me that Oct. 17 is their last night in business. I, and several other customers who were in the store, were extremely sad and upset to hear that.

Our whole world is now about to become a dot.com place with only chain stores like Blockbuster and Starbucks to complement the Internet businesses. Pretty soon contact with a knowledgeable person at a small store will be unknown.

Why should we go into town when we can do everything on the computer? Do we really need human contact when we can stare into a grey screen for hours on end?

When I returned home I heard a commercial on the radio telling me that now I could talk to my computer and my voice would be heard by my e-mail friend. Have these people never heard of a telephone?

I'm sure I sound like a cranky person who hates change. I am not. But there is a difference between change for the better and change that diminishes human contact.

I do wonder why in this country we have to overdo everything and then later discover what we have lost when it is too late. I don't think huge chains and hours spent on the computer will ever replace small, personal businesses and communication with real people. Does anybody else feel this way?

Dolly SacksLos Altos Hills

Why no weed abatement at Edith-San Antonio?

J. G. Domingue's article on page 5 of the Oct. 20 issue deals with weed abatement. It brings to mind this thought: We wonder why no weed abatement effort has yet been directed at the weeds at the northwest corner of San Antonio and Edith?

L. W. JohnsonLos Altos

Neighborhood schools should be top priority

The Los Altos School District board's recent decision on revised boundaries was not just an administrative exercise. Rather it was an opportunity for them to set visionary public policy for our schools and the community. I now want to strongly encourage our board to:

Maintain a clear policy of promoting neighborhood schools. Out of the close bond between schools and their nearby resident families comes the parent, student and neighborhood involvement that leads to excellence. The board clearly gave high priority to assigning children to their closest neighborhood school. Unfortunately, there are a large number of children in the district who do not have a neighborhood school (such as those living north of El Camino). The board chose to send them to more crowded campuses (e.g., Almond vs. Covington), which means that some children living near these more crowded schools had to be reassigned elsewhere.

It would have been preferable to assign those children to whichever campus could have accommodated them without displacing nearby resident children. Whenever the board revisits the boundary issue, I hope they will reconsider this aspect of their decision.

Take prompt action to formalize policies regarding future growth in order to preserve neighborhood schools.

There is no reason to assume the boundaries will have to be constantly overhauled. The board discussed how policies could be set for limiting transfers to crowded schools and for assigning children from new developments. Since development is booming as we speak, those policies need to be established right now and then made clear to developers. The result will be a stable school environment for our children for many years to come.

Keep the school size issue in perspective. The board - like much of our community - prefers smaller schools to larger ones. Their concern about this issue should stay tempered by the fact that all the Los Altos campuses are small by most standards and the variation in size between campuses involves tens, not hundreds, of students. Different studies define "small school" very differently, so no number is "magic." However, the most powerful finding of most studies is that school size is only a key factor in student achievement when other factors are held equal. In other words, school size is not more important than variables like student and parent involvement. And that involvement will be greater when children attend their neighborhood school.

Debra KleinLos Altos

New 'Corner Park' looks great

I think the new park looks great, especially the meadow grass. It's a really nice change. Conner Park is acceptable as a name but if you prefer something neutral it wouldn't take much to change it to Corner Park.

Dale Peterson

(No address given)