Endorsements: Fergusson campaign rebuts charges Endorsements: Fergusson campaign rebuts charges (September 29, 2004)

Editor:

The accusations in Shirley Chiu's September 22 Almanac letter against Kelly Fergusson are false, and set a troubling tone for this campaign season.

First, Ms. Chiu claims Kelly Fergusson's signs were illegally placed at a local store. The Menlo Park police confirmed that these signs, on private property, fully comply with the sign ordinance. Kelly's campaign is proud to have the support of many local business owners.

Second, Ms. Chiu baselessly attacks Toni Stein for "campaigning illegally on Oak Knoll school property." All of Kelly's back to school night volunteers have stood only on public sidewalks, without obstructing access -- a right the First Amendment protects.

Though Ms Chiu's letter implies neutrality, she and her husband, Richard Li, have endorsed Lorie Sinnott for City Council, and were business clients of Sam and Lorie Sinnott's architecture/construction company. (Ms. Li's father, who lives near L.A., gave $500 to Lorie's campaign.)

The Chiu/Li's recent Cambridge Avenue three-level, multi-family project was a prime example of why there was a referendum that ultimately caused the rescission of zoning Ordinance 926, principally authored by Sam Sinnott.

We need to rise above factually inaccurate accusations, like Ms. Chiu's, and instead focus on substantive issues that affect our city's future, including zoning revisions. Candidates who profess to seek an end to "divisiveness" should first repudiate baseless personal attacks made by their own supporters.

Gail Slocum, former mayor,
and campaign manager for
Kelly Fergusson for Council

Setting record straight about 'no-growth'

Editor:

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to Pat White's accusations in last week's Almanac claiming that I am a no-growth type who is somehow responsible for the struggles of downtown merchants. Let's set the record straight.

I firmly believe that we can help Menlo Park's businesses thrive. For that reason, I contributed my 25 years business experience of generating significant revenue and profit during last year's Business Roundtable effort.

Mr. White seems unhappy with the results achieved downtown by the city's business development manager (an experienced and capable businessman). If so, why doesn't he encourage the City Council to dedicate more attention to the businesses that produce revenue and provide goods and services to the community?

As a Planning Commissioner, I was one of two who opposed the decision to allow the church meeting room in prime retail space downtown. The much-desired hardware store is limited to less space than it desired, has no room to grow, and cannot provide patron access from the rear parking lot. Further, nearby businesses express concerns based on prior experience about impacts of the large youth group meetings.

In contrast, the project was approved by Planning Commissioner Lorie Sinnott, whom Mr. White endorses in his letter, and by the City Council majority bloc whose decisions he seems loathe to criticize.

Menlo Park faces real challenges. Personal attacks and false accusations to justify political endorsements are not conducive to solving them.

Patti Fry
Wallea Drive, Menlo Park
former Planning Commission chair

Commissioners should support council

Editor:

While it is regrettable, the resignation of the entire Arts Commission was probably inevitable given the deep philosophical difference it had with the City Council.

However good the arts ordinance may have been and however well-intentioned the arts commissioners might have been, such a dramatic action can only be interpreted as a coercive gesture against the council.

We in Menlo Park should recall that while all commission members are good public citizens who volunteer their time for the good of our community, all commissioners serve strictly at the discretion of the City Council and that is as it should be. Members of the council are our elected officials. Only the council has the power to legislate and the power to appoint.

We do not expect our elected president to work with a cabinet not of his own choosing and inclined to work against his policies. We should not expect our council to be similarly bound. The Arts Commission's stubborn position that the existing ordinance was the only good ordinance is unhelpful and their petulant departure childish.

I have faith that the council will pass a new arts ordinance that beautifies our wonderful town, has broad popular support and does not unduly burden a small number of business owners.

Mike Lambert, candidate for city council, has made several proposals to fund public art that deserve consideration. His position is that public art is the community's gift to itself and that therefore, the revenue to pay for it should be broadly based. This is a very fair notion that should be incorporated into a new arts ordinance.

Richard Li
Crest Lane, Menlo Park

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