Short Takes Short Takes (June 30, 2004)

Give 'em the boot

Just because Woodside isn't facing the budget cuts that other towns are doesn't mean that town officials aren't checking under the metaphorical sofa cushions for any overlooked revenue. A small contributor to the town's coffers is the trail users fee charged to horse owners, which is used to maintain the town's network of trails.

Town Manager Susan George said the fees are coming in at expected levels, but no strenuous measures are being taken to get delinquents to pay up.

"We haven't been breaking people's knees," she told the council at the June 8 meeting. "If they don't pay, what are we going to do? There's no penalty."

"Put a boot on their horse," quipped Mayor Paul Goeld, cracking up his fellow council members.

Back in black (and white)

The white cars with the cornflower-blue logos may look friendlier, but some Menlo Park police officers would rather pilot more traditional black-and-white cruisers.

So the department has painted two of its cars black, with four white doors and a white top. Police decals for the cars are on the way, Chief Chris Boyd says.

"There's some research that suggests that the black and white color scheme is more visible in the community," he says.

The change, though, is limited at this point. Chief Boyd says converting the whole fleet over to black and white could cost $1,000 per car, an unlikely prospect during Menlo Park's budget crunch.

Good times

Stanford Park Hotel, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, would like guests to share their fondest memories of the hotel. The prize for the best story is a weekend stay in a suite, including breakfast and brunch for two. Send entries in pronto -- the winner will be announced by July 15. For more information, call Linda Beltran, 358-3615 or fax 577-1277.

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