LETTERS LETTERS (August 11, 2004)

Grateful for work of Councilman Chuck Kinney

Editor:

I wish to express my support for the work and dedication Chuck Kinney.

I know I speak for many when I say I am disappointed by his decision not the run for another term on the Menlo Park City Council. I certainly understand his decision, however. I am sorry that his voice has been silenced by the council majority currently in power.

Seldom has one person made so much difference to so many. I am speaking of Mr. Kinney's vision and hard work in making Trees for Menlo a reality. Not a day goes by that I don't feel a deep appreciation for the beauty that has made so much difference on El Camino.

I don't think we realize how much of what we treasure is lost everyday. To see some of it restored is deeply renewing as well as aesthetically pleasing. I am not even a citizen of Menlo Park but my gratitude to Chuck Kinney is no less heartfelt.

Nancy Arbuckle
Redwood City

Another quality article from Nancy Lund

Editor:

Nancy Lund's piece on People and the (San Francisquito) Creek was a delight, as invariably are all the articles she writes for the Almanac.

She brought up the school that Doris and Martin Erreca ran just a little east of Piers Lane on Alpine Road, near Interstate 280.

A couple of years ago I was doing some research on that part of the world -- Stanford Weekend Acres, as we are called -- and the Erreca's daughter, Julie, told me that Martin and Doris bought the nearly 3-acre tract right after World War II for $3,000 and that it was so far distant from downtown Menlo Park that all the couple's friends considered that it just might as well be on another planet!

Ted Bache
Happy Hollow Lane, Menlo Park

Avoid 'mission creep' at Town Center

Editor:

I have been away and recently caught up on your stories about the Town Center project.

I am pleased to see that the charette sessions have progressed and generated some good ideas for the plan of the new location. By this, I mean the transfer of the existing core functions -- administrative offices, corporation yard, library and a multiuse building of the same size -- to the new site. Close behind would be some provisions, to the extent space is available, for nature classrooms and an art gallery.

However, I have seen one item that I would classify as "mission creep" and that is the preschool proposal, which would need its own playing space and pick-up/drop-off areas. But while I strongly believe that preschools have proven value, this is an activity that the town was not engaged in at the present site. I believe that the town should hold the line to its present commitments, which does not include a preschool program.

Another form of "mission creep" is inflating the size of these buildings as they move to the new site. This also should be avoided.

One might argue that some of our nature programs, tot judo, and so on, show that the town is in the educational business. Those activities are recreational in nature and rely on space in multi-use rooms. They are much more informal.

Finally, how is a choice to be made when there would certainly be a number of preschools making applications?

I believe we should stick to basics and move on with the detailed planning.

Kirke Comstock
Coalmine View, Portola Valley

Is Poizner a wolf in sheep's clothing?

Editor:

In response to your August 4 story about Steve Poizner: My experience in observing candidates who claim to be moderate and independent Republicans is that as soon as they get into office, their loyalties switch to the party and not to the people they are representing.

If Steve Poizner is so moderate, why did he contribute money to George Bush's campaign? Let's take a look at Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger who, like Mr. Poizner, funded his own campaign saying he owes nothing to special interests. Look what happened when he got into office -- he has raised, in this short time, more money than Gray Davis did while he was in office. Guess who is giving the Governor money -- rich corporations, rich people, and so on. Look how he behaved while working on the budget -- only the Democrats had to compromise on social programs; the Republicans got their way in not raising one single tax on the wealthy.

Let's keep on sending quality elected officials to Sacramento from the 21st District like Joe Simitian and Ted Lempert. Ira Ruskin has proved himself over and over again as a man representing his community -- his record as Redwood City councilman and mayor has proven his capabilities over and over again.

Do not be fooled by mere promises. Look at their records and vote for the candidate who represents the people in his community.

Lorri Holzberg
Sharon Road, Menlo Park

Cyclist thanks those who helped after accident

Editor:

On the morning of July 10 I was involved in a bicycle accident along "The Loop" near the Portola Valley Library and Home Road.

Although I do not remember the accident or what followed, my husband tells me that there were many people who came to my aid. Since I have no way to contact them individually, please print this letter to express my thanks to all the people who offered help, including the two fellow cyclists who stopped, called 911, and used their own bikes to block traffic. Thank you also to the kind deputy sheriff driving San Mateo County Sheriff's Car No. 41 who helped my husband and our toddler son. Thank you to the Woodside Fire Protection personnel and the EMTs who came to help, and to the trauma workers at Stanford Hospital, as well as to the planners, volunteers, and taxpayers who put this system into place.

Lovinda Beal Blohm
Portola Road, Portola Valley

Las Lomitas alum has fond memories

Editor:

As an alumnus of Las Lomitas Elementary School, I am very pleased to see that they are having a centennial party.

My time as a student there began in 1946 ended when I graduated in 1954 as an eighth grader. The school was small but lovely. My family and I moved to Menlo Park in early spring of 1946, in time for me to complete my first year of formal eduction -- kindergartern. The classroom was the home of Circle Acers and there was a nice creek that ran through the school grounds, which in due time was diverted to a culvert.

Though Las Lomitas was a small school, we did have our notable people of higher education to assist us along. Those of whom I speak include Dr. Carl Sharsmith, Dr. Carl Duncan and Jack Hensill, all of whom played an important roll in my life, as I am sure they did with others. It is no wonder that Las Lomitas has such good rankings. Take care and may Las Lomitas enjoy another centennial, in due time of course.

Gary Greg Leach
Morgan Hill

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