LETTERS LETTERS (October 13, 2004)

Reader knew former Las Lomitas superintendent

Editor:

I was overjoyed to see your article about Charles Niederhauser, the former Las Lomitas School District superintendent in the October 6 issue.

My family and I had the pleasure of renting a house on his property on Creed Drive from 1975 to 1981. During that time we got to know him and his equally exceptional wife Ruth. He continually dazzled all of us with his inquisitive mind and wonderful sense of humor.

He would perform magic tricks for and read stories to our young children and their friends. His wife Ruth would recite sections (from memory) of the poem Evangeline when they delivered the mail to us each day.

As a testament to his teaching, Charles had a steady stream of past students visit even into his 90s, paying homage to the man that set the standards for their lives. Charles and Ruth lived as he taught; they were always learning, always sharing, and always enjoying every minute of their lives.

My wife and I were with Charles when he died, and even then, I believe he was curious about what would happen next.

Steven de Laet
Cambridge Avenue, Menlo Park

Mayor's '02 mailer promised childcare center

Editor:

Regarding Menlo Park Mayor Lee Duboc's version of the "truth" (Letters, October 5), readers should note that her "archives" are apparently incomplete or her search for her truth was merely selective.

Among the "Ideas and Goals that Make sense for All Menlo Park Residents" in Ms. Duboc's final slate campaign mailer of 2002 was "Support quality, affordable child care and build the Burgess Child Care Center."

There was only one Burgess Child Care Center at that time and that was a new facility, not a renovated one, ready to go out to bid. The final estimate for the entire project, including extensive site work, was $6.1 million, not "...almost $7 million..." The city had already set aside $5 million outside of Measure T to construct this facility.

When opponents of the Child Care Center supported Ms. Duboc's candidacy, everyone should have been prepared for what was to come. The expressed commitment to "Build all of the projects approved as part of Measure T, on time and within budget," appears to have been a political calculation. Within two months of her election, Ms. Duboc had selected an architect who was willing to discredit the approved design and recommend remodeling the abandoned lead-and-asbestos infested police building.

Many of us now understand that Ms. Duboc had no intention of following through on her promise to the voters to build the Child Care Center. The truth is that she values a hasty response to criticism over the truth.

Steve Schmidt
Central Avenue, Menlo Park

Upset at city-purchased art

Editor:

I live in Menlo Park and work for Lockheed Martin, while my husband works for Hewlett-Packard, so we are not small business owners in the city but homeowners and we are against the tax/fee called One Percent for Art.

The city is not responsible for art, or for providing child care. It is responsible for safe streets and city services such as police, fire, water and building codes.

Also, I am upset that the city paid over $200,000 for the sculpture on Willow Road.

We should not be making it harder for business in the city.

Melinda Caruso,
Sherman Avenue, Menlo Park

Report from voter registration effort

Editor:

I'm a new volunteer to register all voters.

My first experience was at a Redwood City Safeway in mid-September. The table already there was manned by two men hired by the Republican Party to register voters, $20 per Republican, $1 per Democrat.

Clearly the pay is strong motivation to favor Republican registration. The public stopping at the table knew nothing of this; in fact, the "red herring" draw was a petition to install safety belts on school buses.

Since then I've talked with others doing this, in Menlo Park and Redwood City. Some are local; some are from out-of-state. Several were wary of answering my questions.

Different tactics were used to attract people; one had an adorable chihuahua curled up on the table. That fellow also sported a "Vote for Nader" sign. Obviously, if one didn't register as a Republican, the next best tactic would be to subvert undecideds to Nader.

I was surprised, then impressed with what Republican money can support. I'm one of thousands still volunteering. Yet I wonder if citizens in my community really know what's behind this particular registration mask.

It's a challenge to be an informed voter nowadays.

Laurel Bergman
Park Street, Redwood City

Ormondale says farewell to Joan Damm

Editor:

The final farewell to Portola Valley teacher Joan Damm was well attended as friends, family, fellow teachers and administrators gathered September 24 to dedicate a mulberry tree in her memory on the Ormondale School campus. She died two years ago at her home in Gilroy.

Thank you to all who attended this dedication and for sharing your memories of the time you spent with Joan during her years in the district. It was a fitting farewell to such a dedicated and loving teacher, who retired in 2000 after 32 years in the district.

Anne Creevy and Earlyne Mund
Portola Valley

E-mail a friend a link to this story.