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Publication Date: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 LETTERS
LETTERS
(October 12, 2005)
Candidate has own view of endorsements
Editor:
In explaining the endorsement criteria of the Menlo Park Firefighters Association in the election of three candidates to the fire district board, Tom Neylan, the association president, told the Almanac that the endorsements had more to do with the work experience of the chosen candidates. Candidates Ollie Brown and Rex Ianson had direct experience working in the district, and Scott Freiermuth "grew up in Menlo Park, and his brother's a fireman," he said. "He understands our jobs." '
Since I have actually been a firefighter (and a smokejumper), and since I have lived in the district for almost a quarter of a century, I suspect that the union actually used some other criteria. And I am pleased that I did not meet those unstated criteria because they probably relate to my unwillingness to give the union what it wants in the forthcoming contract negotiations.
Peter Carpenter
Larch Drive, Atherton
Rear-view mirror could have helped cyclist
Editor:
When I drove down Woodside Road on Sunday, I came across the scene of Michelle Mazzei's fatal accident only a few short minutes after it had occurred. This tragic event happened in a clear stretch of road with a wide area for cyclists to the right. In reading the details today, my fears were confirmed that this may have been a preventable death.
The news reports said that she was wearing a helmet, but did not indicate whether or not she was wearing a rear-view mirror. Having cycled for three decades on busy roads, I have found a rear-view mirror to be an invaluable safety device -- one that is required on cars, trucks and motorcycles. Sadly, many of my cyclist friends do not use a mirror due to the extra weight, wind-resistance, or "uncool" factor.
I do not know if Michelle was using a rear-view mirror, but I urge all of my fellow road cyclists to always use one in the hopes that it might prevent an accident such as this sad one on Sunday.
Tim Prachar
Placitas Avenue, Menlo Park
Oak Knoll School lost a family member
Editor:
Oak Knoll Elementary School lost one of its family members last week.
Michelle Mazzei, a vibrant teacher and lover of life, was taken from us at age 34 in a tragic bike accident. The entire Oak Knoll family is heavy with sorrow. My two children did not have Michelle for a teacher nor did I know her personally. However, I saw her often on the campus -- never without a bright-eyed demeanor. Her energy was effervescent.
During this past week after her death, I kept wondering how cyclists and motorists would ever be able to coexist on the roads without such fatal encounters. There is simply no way to get around the fact that as cyclists we have little chance of survival if we or a driver makes a wrong move. As motorists, we have a huge burden to drive with zealous care.
How many of us continue to engage in cell phone conversations while we drive? How many of us don't wear helmets while we share the road with two-ton vehicles? How many of us bike down the wrong side of the road? How many of us zone out while we're driving? How many of us dart across traffic with a simple extension of the arm assuming all the drivers will see us? How many of us pull out from a parking space or driveway without looking for cyclists or pedestrians?
Michelle's death compels some of us to do something in her memory. Can we change our behavior? As a Transportation Commissioner for Menlo Park, I would like to invite anyone who would like to be involved in an "Awareness and Education" campaign for cyclists and motorists to please contact me at "maryngilles@earthlink.net." I believe our community needs to renew its commitment to cherish and protect life as we travel through it on bikes and in cars.
Mary Gilles
Hermosa Way, Menlo Park
Packard children are losers in Allied Arts case
Editor:
Memo to Morris Brown:
In response to your letter in last week's Almanac, with the heading, "Neighbors deserved to win," I first would like to strongly state that the only people who deserve to win in this situation are the patients at Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital.
Furthermore, you are not even a neighbor of Allied Arts - your residence is on Stone Pine Lane, which is clear across town. I "Googled" your name on the Web and learned that in 1998, you and your group, Menlo Park Tomorrow, also tried to stop the building of the large office complex that has replaced the Home Savings building at the corner of El Camino Real and Encinal Avenue. At that time you said "Traffic is the No. 1 concern of Menlo Park residents."
Perhaps you haven't noticed, but Menlo Park is no longer the sleepy little town of the 1960s and '70s, when the major cause of a slowdown in traffic was an elderly lady in her very large Cadillac.
The statement in your letter, "It is truly unfortunate that the Allied Arts Guild, which does such good work, will now suffer considerable financial losses..." very much summarizes the almost gloating attitude conveyed by you and your group. If you really felt that "it is truly unfortunate," you would not be participating or supporting in such actions.
What is very much at issue here is the work in support of the children that the Guild has been doing since the 1930s. Having been a volunteer at Packard for nearly 15 years, and working directly with the patients, often at their bedsides, I have seen firsthand the unbelievable struggles and diseases that these children endure. It would indeed be "truly unfortunate" if the Guild was unable to continue their good work because of the unnecessary obstacles caused by the neighbors supported by you and your group.
Why your group cannot support a little more traffic and an evening's wedding festivities is incomprehensible to me. Perhaps your group should be renamed "Menlo Park Yesteryear." Shame on you, Mr. Brown, for causing undue hardship on the Guild.
R.A. Edwards
Menalto Avenue, Menlo Park
Auxiliary has supported hospital for years
Editor:
I am saddened, sickened and sleepless over your Allied Arts articles in last week's paper.
History shows that the Woodside-Atherton Auxiliary members used to ride the train and sell pencils to the travelers in order to raise money for the Stanford Convalescent Children's Home. But now, after all the planning, City Council hearings, threats, court appearances, agony and worry, I think it would be easier to sell pencils. I will surely get a permit to do so.
I am committed for life to WAA and the Packard Hospital, always knowing that if I can help one child with a life-threatening disease it is more than worth my humble efforts.
In fact and in magnitude, the ladies of all the auxiliaries work wonders for Packard Hospital. We are able to help 30 Centers of Excellence and over 50 Clinical Specialties. The Children's Home has become an internationally recognized facility. Revolutionary new programs merge medicine and engineering by utilizing digital technology, telescopic robotic tools, cardioscopes and bold new instrumentation.
As exciting and marvelous as all this is, there remains the reality of a child with a life-altering medical situation. We are able to help by funding uncompensated care for any child. Perhaps where the Allied Arts Guild does best is at a smaller and more personal level of supporting "beyond the hospital walls."
We assist the outreach programs, "kid call," advocacy, chaplaincy and even supplying the Packard Van. Most of us are blessed with good health and abilities. Aren't we fortunate to be able to support the brilliant staff, the children and their families?
Thank you neighbors, visitors, businesses, corporations and great friends for helping us beyond imagination in our endeavors.
Sue Chaput
Alamos Road, Portola Valley
Why does foe of library live in Portola Valley
Editor:
Having read Al Engen's letter about not needing a library in Portola Valley makes me wonder why he lives there.
If, as Mr. Engen said, DVD's, CD's and films are available online, we might as well close all libraries and bookstores all over the state. There also are lots of community events going on: something that gets lost in the more modern "developments."
Why stop with the library in Mr. Engler's efforts to save taxpayers' money? What do we need several dozen parks in Woodside and Portola Valley for? One or two might just do for the few people using them. The others could be sold for development. Why hold the annual town-BBQ, when there are several street festivals in nearby towns? Why spend any money on anything that provides a service or entertains the community?
Portola Valley is not just a place where one lives because of the nice environment, good schools or big houses. It's also a place where people want to gather. It would really be sad if Portola Valley couldn't afford a library anymore. It's bad enough that several businesses have recently closed, particularly on Portola Road.
Mr. Engen said that "only 500 people have no access to computers in Portola Valley." Well, maybe so, but they might be among the elderly ones: the ones who developed this town many years ago. And for me doing a lot of my work in Portola Valley, I'm always glad to have access to the Internet, without me having to carry a wireless lap-top
around.
Dieter Hurni
Eighth. Avenue, Redwood City
Money still needed for Trees for Menlo
Editor:
Menlo Park is a "Tree City USA" and plans are in the works to complete Stage 2 of planting more sycamore trees on the south end of El Camino Real.
However, money is still needed to complete this work, which will positively affect the future appearance of our wonderfully green city. With the coming rains, now is the perfect time to get this project completed.
Individuals, families, and groups are encouraged to donate $500 and their names or memorials will be added to a plaque that presently rests in the sidewalk in front of Cafe Barrone. Please contact Trees for Menlo, 856 Creek Drive, Menlo Park, 94025. Thank you.
Margaret H. Carney
Claremont Way, Menlo Park
The value of horses and libraries
Editor:
Day of the Horse is a great way to encourage Woodsiders to consider the horse, the value of horse manure and the rare and the wonderful trail system the town enjoys. Join WHOA to learn more.
Last week's letter from Bill Lane noted the value of libraries as buildings housing books and people and shared ideas that is a more empathetic way of learning and sharing than sitting in front of a computer.
Holding a book in your hands, turning the pages and delving into the illustrations is in many ways similar to the tangible delight we feel when owning and caring for a real live horse. Few things teach responsibility faster than owning and caring for a horse, which means mucking out his stall, brushing him, remembering to fill the water trough and feed that big four legged beast. Just like holding a real book in your hands, the rewards are endless.
The actual fun begins when you ride your horse out onto a trail in Woodside, carrying that magic key to the horse-trail gates in a reachable place while your horse supposedly stands quietly but quite often spins and snorts, adding to the combination of fun and nervousness.
The trail system is unique. but it has to be understood. Perhaps with the impetus from dedicated horse lovers like Carroll Ann Hodges and the founders of WHOA, new movers and shakers to Woodside will learn that their privacy will be respected while the spirit of Woodside and its horses oozes under their newly installed Keep Out gates and continues onto its shaded trails.
Here's to a real welcoming library in Portola Valley, and to snorting horses and leafy trails forever in Woodside.
Trish Hooper
Portola Road, Portola Valley
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