These are the stories that got people talking and kept reporters hopping. The events and decisions that signaled a new era, caused upheaval and consternation, and kept the Letters to the Editor column full.
Newsroom staff chose these five as the top stories in 2006: An election that promises to change the direction of Menlo Park politics; investigations, turmoil and staff changes in Atherton’s busy building department; an outpouring of donations for the new Town Center in Portola Valley; an escalating cold war between bicyclists and residents in Woodside; and a huge school bond that will change the shape of public school campuses in the Menlo Park City School District.
As they say in Tinsel Town, these stories have legs.
Battling over bicycles in Woodside
Love ’em or hate ’em, bicycles were big news in Woodside this year. The year started with intense debate between equestrians and mountain biking enthusiasts over opening a trail to bike use in Huddart Park.The county ultimately tossed that hot potato on the back burner when the Board of Supervisors approved a draft master plan for the future of the park that keeps the existing prohibition against bicycles on park trails. The county plans to have an environmental impact report on the master plan prepared in 2007.
In June, the Woodside Town Council came under fire for refusing to grant a permit to a charity bike ride. The public hearing tapped a wellspring of frustration and resentment from some residents who said they felt besieged by the droves of recreational cyclists who ride through town. Bicyclists said they felt equally besieged by hostile motorists, and a fundraising ride for Woodside High School faced a boycott by some cyclists.
In October, Town Attorney Jean Savaree said that Woodside’s limit on bike rides and other special events was unconstitutional and should be stricken. It remains to be seen how Woodside will handle the strained relations between two-wheelers and four-wheelers in the new year, when warmer weather lures more bikers through town.
Building blues in Atherton
There were a few rumblings, but no one expected the amount of turmoil that would erupt when longtime Building Official Mike Hood suddenly retired in June, shortly after Atherton officials admitted to hiring an investigator to look into allegations of impropriety in the department. The town’s small building department does a huge amount of business — about $2 million annually in fees — as the pace of additions, remodels and rebuilds continues unabated.In the months that followed, the building department’s practices were scrutinized in three internal audits, a series of procedural reforms were initiated, and the department’s permit technician, Lois English, was reassigned. A group of Atherton residents and builders, upset over the changes, formed Atherton Residents for Responsible Governance, and threatened to recall City Councilwoman Kathy McKeithen.
Another contentious issue was the controversial excavation fee, a $22-per-cubic-yard surcharge to pay for road damage caused by dirt-laden trucks. After collecting approximately $350,000 in the fees and facing threats of legal action by affected builders, the City Council reversed itself in September and voted to overturn the fee and refund the money, with interest.
The town’s choice of a new building official, expected to be made early in the new year, is being anxiously anticipated by building department regulars, who hope that speedy, customer-friendly service will continue to be a priority in Atherton.
Voters oust Menlo Park council majority
Voters in November dumped incumbents Mickie Winkler and Lee Duboc, who were part of a majority that controlled the council for four years, and elected three political newcomers. Although the election’s outcome shocked some, in other ways it was a typically contentious Menlo Park campaign season.The election signaled a change in the city’s direction, as residentialist-leaning council members now have a four-to-one majority for the next two years.
Independent but like-minded opposition candidates Heyward Robinson and Rich Cline were top voter-getters, joining Kelly Fergusson and Andy Cohen on the council. Ms. Winkler and Ms. Duboc finished last and next-to-last, respectively, though their running mate John Boyle edged out opposition candidate Vincent Bressler for the third seat.
The third member of the former council’s majority, Nicholas Jellins, didn’t run for re-election.
The vote-rich Willows neighborhood once again proved a political powerhouse, putting two of the three opposition candidates over the top, according to the Almanac’s analysis of precinct returns.
The Menlo Park political scene was rife with controversial issues in 2006, including: council approval of a major condo and commercial project on Derry Lane; proposals to develop Bayfront Park; disputes over the process to privatize operation of the city’s new aquatics center; attempts to privatize the city-run Menlo Children’s Center; and city budget shortfalls brought on by dwindling sales taxes.
New Town Center for Portola Valley
Digging deep, private donors raised the kitty for a new Town Center in Portola Valley from $1.5 million to $13.1 million in 2006, thanks to contributions made in a quiet campaign. The fundraising campaign also introduced a Noah’s Ark of donor categories, ranging from the moneyed Mountain Lion to the lowly Stellar’s Jay, thus giving the animal kingdom financial rankings.Town officials settled on a three-building design — a Town Hall, library and community hall — by Siegel & Strain Architects and Goring and Straja Architects, both of Emeryville.
The project was prompted by the 2002 discovery of an earthquake fault trace running under some of the Town Center complex that forced town officials to consider rebuilding on safer ground. This fall, the old Town Center buildings were taken down, and materials salvaged for use in the new buildings.
A second, more public phase of the fundraising campaign is under way to raise the additional $6.9 million the project will need. The project schedule has the new Town Center’s grand opening occurring sometime in 2008.
Bonds to transform Menlo Park schools
A major transformation of campuses in the Menlo Park City School District is on the horizon, thanks to a $91 million bond package approved by voters in June.Anticipating a big leap in enrollment over the next 10 years, the district will use the money to replace portable classrooms at Laurel, Encinal, Oak Knoll and Hillview schools with permanent classrooms, and build 20 additional classrooms.
Also on tap are new multipurpose rooms at Encinal and Oak Knoll to give students and teachers more room for assemblies, performances and indoor sports, Superintendent Ken Ranella said. Funds will also go toward relieving parking and traffic problems around schools with redesigned parking and carpool lines.
Mural-covered Hillview Middle School is poised for the biggest metamorphosis: The campus — crowded with portables and new buildings from a 1995 bond measure — is facing a 38 percent jump in students by 2014. In March, the school board is expected to decide whether to raze most of the existing buildings and rebuild Hillview as a two-story school, which would allow the district to maximize playing field space. Among building options is to add new facilities and keep some existing ones.
Another big change in the district came in October, when the board voted to alter grade configurations at the district’s three elementary schools. Encinal, now a grade 3-5 school, will become a K-5. Laurel will add a third grade and become a K-3 school. Oak Knoll will continue as a K-5 school.
