Election 2004: Belle Haven candidates' debate: schools, crime and off-leash dogs Election 2004: Belle Haven candidates' debate: schools, crime and off-leash dogs (October 13, 2004)

By Rebecca Wallace
Almanac Staff Writer

Many residents of the Belle Haven area of Menlo Park have long felt forgotten on the other side of the freeway.

They want to be treated like the rest of the city -- which includes having their children enjoy the same caliber of education as youngsters on the west side of U.S. 101.

So schools were high on the list of issues brought up October 6 at a City Council candidates' debate held by the Belle Haven Homeowners' Association, attended by about 25 people. The forum was held in the Menlo Park Senior Center in the Belle Haven community, which is largely poorer and more diverse than the rest of the city.

Dominating the discussion was the disparity between the Ravenswood City School District, which is headquartered in East Palo Alto but includes Belle Haven Elementary School and a few other schools in Menlo Park; and the Menlo Park City School District, which encompasses some schools on the west side of Menlo Park and in Atherton.

Menlo Park City schools traditionally have had greater resources, while the Ravenswood district has struggled with funding, lower test scores and leadership troubles.

Moderator Matt Henry, a Belle Haven resident and city planning commissioner, asked the four candidates their opinions of the Ravenswood district and which district they thought would best serve Belle Haven students.

Without hesitation, Andrew Cohen said Menlo Park City is the superior district and that residents should do what they can to move Belle Haven children into it, even though the process could be difficult.

"If I'm elected, I will work ceaselessly to make that happen," he said.

Michael Lambert also said he would look into the process, but noted that it would be "challenging."

The city has no authority over the school district, although it does jointly run the Belle Haven Library with the district.

Kelly Fergusson, though, said "leadership and strength should come from within Belle Haven," and encouraged Belle Haven residents to register to vote in greater numbers so they could improve their current school board.

"Are you going to get a good response from a school board member who lives in Atherton?" she asked. "Maybe, maybe not."

For her part, Lorie Sinnott said city officials should assist the Ravenswood district by improving community services offered outside the schools, such as the YES Reading program. The city could work with businesses to find funding to enhance these organizations, she said.

The candidates are competing for two four-year terms on the council.

Crime worries

Worries about crime -- which sometimes seem perpetual in Belle Haven -- reared their heads again as Mr. Henry asked the candidates their views on the police department.

Ms. Fergusson, a Willows resident, said her neighborhood shares many of Belle Haven's concerns.

"We find (drug) needles in our parks. The police department needs to step up enforcement there," she said.

The community is an important part of enforcement, Mr. Lambert emphasized, saying that residents need to report information they know about crime suspects.

Ms. Sinnott said city officials need to make sure the planned new police substation in Belle Haven is built on time.

Mr. Cohen touched on the broader issue of feeling safe, expressing concern about residents being menaced by dogs. The city should require muzzles on pit bulls and other possibly dangerous canines in public, he said.

Off-leash dogs

The issue of when, where and whether to allow off-leash dog areas in one or more parks is a hot one all over the city.

Mr. Henry asked the candidates whether they thought Belle Haven's Kelly Park, next to the senior center and the Onetta Harris Community Center, is suitable for off-leash dogs.

Ms. Fergusson and Ms. Sinnott said they don't think it is, and Mr. Lambert said the city should look into having off-leash hours in the large Bayfront Park at the end of Marsh Road.

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