|
Publication Date: Wednesday, June 27, 2001 LETTERS
LETTERS
(June 27, 2001)
@lethead:Watch for opening of a true treasure
Editor:
In some communities it can take years for the residents to realize they have an activity or asset that qualifies as a "treasure." That realization may be triggered by the elimination of the activity or asset so designated.
Let me illustrate. Menlo Park and its neighboring communities are about to gain a renewed resource that from the day it opens will be a treasure. This will be the new Rosener House, which is nearing completion on Middle Avenue and is due to open in mid-September.
Rosener House will provide day care for up to 80 seniors. This is more than double the previous care capacity in a wing of the old Fremont school.
New programs and services will be multiples of the old. Residents and family members needing this day care should pay special attention and be anxious for the September opening. Many others will be aware of the newness and attractiveness of the new building but not appreciative of what Rosener House offers until they have a need.
Then this state of the art facility will be a welcome relief and become a treasure to them.
Bill Russ
Cotton Street, Menlo Park
@lethead:Cheers for Liz Kniss's stand on pesticide reduction
Editor:
Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss has shown foresight, wisdom and courage in championing a pesticide reduction ordinance for Santa Clara County at the May meeting of the Pollution Prevention Committee.
This is a very important public health measure which will ban the most toxic pesticides on Santa Clara County leased and owned parks, buildings and grounds. It will also require monitoring and posting of pesticides used and set up a model education program for using less toxic methods of pest control within the county system.
If the ordinance is ultimately adopted by the Board of Supervisors it will make Santa Clara County a model for California. The county will set an example for residents and businesses, showing them that using pesticide alternatives is safer, better and cheaper.
Pesticides are toxic by design and are an invisible threat to the health and well being of ourselves, our children, our pets, our water quality and our wildlife. A large and growing body of peer reviewed scientific literature highlights long-term cumulative human health effects, including learning disabilities, Parkinson's disease, endocrine disruption and cancer. In addition pesticides kill beneficial insects and cause soil degradation from the removal of beneficial fungi.
Pesticide alternatives such as baiting for ants or using mulch for weed control are effective and protect workers and the public who would otherwise be exposed to toxins unknowingly. We commend Supervisor Kniss for her actions and ask that the other Board of Supervisors support this ordinance at the county budget hearings this month.
Cindy Russell, M.D.
Foxwood Road, Portola Valley
{Editor's Note: Dr. Cindy Russell is chairperson of a group known as Pesticide Alternatives of Santa Clara County.}
@lethead:Laurel volunteer thanks her parents, teachers
Editor:
This letter is my way of thanking my friends, the parents and teachers, in the community of Laurel School.
In 1996 I came here from Georgia to spend my retirement years with my daughter, a teacher at Laurel School. Quite unexpectedly and with the permission of Principal Nancy Hendry, my daughter invited me to volunteer three days each week in her classroom of second graders. The years have flowed, one into the other, with always more adorable new faces, precious memories from the last year and promises of more such years to come.
In addition to enjoying the freshness and brightness of these seven- and eight-year-old children, I spend parts of these days writing my autobiography, which chronicles events from my first years in Southern Appalachia during the late 1930s when free textbooks were first issued to public schools. This book I am writing, a gift to my daughter, combines a diary of my present life in the bay area, the most progressive part of the world in the age of the computer. The contrast of then and now is striking.
Each May the Menlo Park City School District bestows a "Pillars of the Community" award. Last month I was among the happy recipients of this honor. As I gratefully grasped my symbolic pillar, I looked out on familiar faces in the audience and thought how much more they deserved the honor than I. Everyone I know in this community loves the schools and volunteer for everything. And in like manner the school system really cherishes the teachers.
I am constantly saying a prayer of gratitude that my daughter is a teacher here. Personally I am very grateful for my good fortune because this present abundance evolves from me mentally hearing the command five years ago, "Go west, young retiree" and enjoy the best years yet.
Deann W. Brady
@lethead:Not happy with Rep. Eshoo on power
Editor:
This is a letter to Rep. Anna Eshoo:
You are driving me more and more to the "left." I am writing to you about the energy crisis.
The blame rests with our own elected officials in Sacramento (and you know it).
I would like you to explain why no power plants were built in the past decade? How long did you expect to get power from other states? And now you want a "cap" from Washington, D.C.
Anna, it's not up to Washington, D.C. to bail us out. This crisis was caused by the environment "wackos" who run our state. You make the crisis sound like an "act of god." It was an act of stupidity on the part of our state officials.
Finally, I would like to remind you, when I make a mistake no one bails me out. I'm forced to take the loss. Every time a state "goofs" are we supposed to bail them out? I suggest you use some common sense. Caps do not fix the problem.
AngelinaTosco
Alma Street, Menlo Park
@lethead:Architect Cliff Moles will be missed
Editor:
I am writing to note the untimely passing in April of architect Cliff Moles of Woodside.
I attended a recent memorial for him and was astonished at the breadth of his involvement in our community. My experience with him in community matters was limited to his tenure on the Architectural and Site Review Board but I was not privy to all his other activities that benefited our town.
Cliff always did a detailed analysis of any project that came before us on the ASRB, and no matter how modest the project, he always made certain that it was an optimal design that would make a good visual contribution to the community.
His critical analysis was always done in that light. Cliff's departure so soon leaves an irreplaceable gap in our group and he will be sorely missed.
John A. Kapel, member
Woodside ASRB
|
