Letters Letters (March 03, 2004)

Resident hopes to save weekends from noise

Editor:

As a 16-year-resident of Mountain Home Road in Woodside, I have witnessed this relatively quiet "horse community" become a highly disrupted construction zone.

Weekdays starting at 6:30 a.m. traffic levels increase to at least10 times above normal due to workers going to large and lengthy projects (often lasting four or more years) on Mountain Home or adjacent roads. We also have a loud diesel bus transporting workers during the day to the Ellison project.

There is no sense of community on weekdays. It is dangerous to ride horses along street trails and we can't even consider allowing our children to ride their bikes along these busy roads.

I realize weekday construction is necessary, but limiting the hours to those specified by the building department (Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) should be enforced and the town should allow residents to report rule violations directly to the building department rather than to the sheriff.

As far as weekends, let's restore the rural feeling of Woodside. This is a community where we should able to safely raise children, ride horses and sit peacefully in our backyards. A true community puts personal needs aside for the well-being of all its members. What is more important than safety, peace of mind, and quiet?

Please do not allow major permitted construction on weekends. Give us back two days of peace.

Nancy Zucconi
Mountain Home Road, Woodside

Endorsements outweighed dollars in Valley vote

Editor:

The February 18 article by David Boyce concerning the Portola Valley Measure H Referendum, contends that the measure was defeated because the "yes" side raised only half as much money as the "no" side.

Measure H was strongly supported by present and past political officials, prominent, well-known residents and by editorials in the Almanac. If the value of this support for the "yes" side is taken into account, the effective total would surely exceed the cash and in-kind gifts given to the "no" side.

Bernard F. Bayuk
Paloma Road, Portola Valley

Mayor's response was a class act

Editor:

I read with great interest Menlo Park Mayor Lee Duboc's guest opinion in last week's Almanac in response to criticism about taking donations from the Realtors' association and the labor council.

Her response was dignified, informative and responsive. I endorsed Lee Duboc because she is a straight shooter and a class act. I am glad that Lee presented herself and her views in such a way as to merit the support of these groups.

It is my hope that Lee's dignified and thoughtful response puts an end to this matter. If there are people who don't like Realtors and labor, so be it.

George R. Liddle
Oakfield Lane, Menlo Park

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