LETTERS LETTERS (November 03, 2004)

Recalling the good old days at Las Lomitas

Editor:

I want to thank the lovely folks at Las Lomitas School District for the splendid 100-year birthday party.

I just hope I am as good looking as the school is when I turn 100, 37 years hence.

And computers, no less. When I attended Las Lomitas, 1946 through spring 1955, the only computer that was available to us sat atop our shoulders. The printouts came via our pencils that were guided so lovingly with our fingers that just grabbed the poor pencil so hard. And off we'd go.

You know, I would not trade those days for anything.

Gary Greg Leach
Morgan Hill

Quake threat too great for PV buildings

Editor:

I have a response to a Portola Valley town-wide mailing from residents opposed to the Town Center project.

Our 1950s Town Center buildings, abandoned by the school for which they were built because of earthquake issues, have been in serious need of maintenance, expansion, and retrofitting for years. The conundrum of whether to spend funds to remodel the old buildings that sit atop a fault-line, as proposed by the authors of the letter, or to rebuild on safer turf has been under study for nearly 10 years.

The town has summoned geologists, engineers, accountants, architects, and volunteer committees to evaluate the possibilities, and has spent half a million dollars on geological analysis. Ultimately, the overwhelming majority opinion of the Town Center Advisory Committee, (a group of 35 residents who held study sessions to consider the options) and of the City Council, was that sinking money into old buildings on a problematic site was pound-foolish.

The quick conclusions offered by the author's consultant cannot be taken seriously because he has not participated in the thorough aforementioned study and analysis. Plus, his assumption of a fault-line in the location of the new buildings is based on an out-dated map, and is contrary to recent geological findings.

Dozens of residents have participated in the design process, and have helped create an exciting plan that will include an expanded library, meeting rooms and recreational areas, as well as town offices. It will be expensive and may have to be built in stages, but when done it will be an attractive, functional, community asset.

Nancy Vian,
former member, City Council

Poizner's presidential choice not relevant

Editor:

Some people are concerned over whom Steve Poizner will vote for president, as if this choice has any relevance to a state office.

Mr. Poizner is a Republican running for the State Assembly, not a federal office. A proper question is: what are the candidates' California political alliances?

His opponent, Democrat Ira Ruskin, is wrapped in the failed economic policies of Gray Davis while Steve Poizner embraces the enlightened social and responsible fiscal policies of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Mr. Poizner has refused campaign contributions from all special interest groups and political parties while Mr. Ruskin has accepted significant contributions from numerous special interest groups, anxiously lining up at the public trough for our hard earned tax dollars. Steve Poizner wants to break this unholy alliance of special interest groups and politicians.

He wants to stem the exodus of California businesses and jobs to other states due to the onerous bills passed by our myopic Legislature. The Legislature doesn't realize that businesses don't have to stay in California -- that they can choose to leave and take their jobs with them.

Texas, North Dakota, North Carolina and other states are aggressively courting California businesses to relocate in their more reasonable states and their recruitment has been a resounding success. Our tax and jobs bases are eroding due to our legislature's reckless behavior. Steve Poizner wants to restore sanity to the political process and not strangle the businesses essential to our economic recovery.

Hank Lawrence
Sharon Oaks Drive, Menlo Park

In Assembly race, trust Ruskin, not Poizner

Editor:

As I learn more about Ira Ruskin I am more and more impressed with his can-do record while on the Redwood City Council in the areas of environment, education, and housing. He has proven himself.

By contrast I see Steve Poizner using manipulation and deception to spin and confuse the facts. He calls himself "a teacher" when he was never employed by a school and merely volunteered one hour a day for a few months. This is very deceptive.

Mr. Poizner also claims to be pro-choice, but has made large contributions to openly anti-choice politicians and as a Republican is subject to party discipline. I do not trust him to stand firm on this issue. Given Mr. Ruskin's track record, I do trust him when he says he is pro-choice.

Mr. Poizner also serves corporate interests by supporting Proprosition 64, which would hamstring efforts of public interest groups to protect our air, ground and water from pollution while actually doing nothing to stop individual lawsuits, frivolous or not. Proposition 64 is supported by big oil and tobacco corporations, but opposed by environmentalists. Mr. Ruskin opposes it.

Mr. Poizner points to Arnold Schwarzenegger as his role model. However, since he was elected, Arnold has taken in gigantic sums from corporate interests and has vetoed numerous bills designed to protect consumers and the environment when they were opposed by his contributors.

This support for corporate contributors is what you can expect from Mr. Poizner, who also takes large contributions from corporate CEO's. He does not define such contributions as special interest money. I do. Don't you?

Ira Ruskin will represent the interests of the people of California and not those of a privileged few. He deserves your vote for California State Assembly.

Gail Sredanovic
Ashton Avenue, Menlo Park

Lambert, Sinnott are best for council

Editor:

If voters of Menlo Park make the right choice Tuesday, there is a bright and optimistic future for our beautiful city. Release Menlo Park from burdensome ordinances. Save Menlo Park from policies that obstruct streamlining and progress. Save Menlo Park's city services with a fiscally responsible City Council. Entrust Menlo Park to lifelong residents. Vote for Mike Lambert and Lorie Sinnott for City Council on November 2.

Mary Gilles
Hermosa Way, Menlo Park

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