LETTERS LETTERS (December 15, 2004)

Looking back at Mike Lambert's campaign

Editor:

In response to James Madison's letter last week, another salient feature of democracy is freedom of speech. Our newspaper kindly affords us the opportunity to speak our minds. I believe some people write things that are purposefully misleading.

I would like to respond to Mr. Madison's assertion that "landlord groups made significant contributions to Michael Lambert" with the implication that these were commercial landlords and that somehow Mike Lambert took contributions from the evil landlords whose rising rents have driven business away from our town.

First, the Tri-County Apartment Association (from whom Mike received a contribution) does not represent the interests of commercial landlords. It is an organization that offers guidance to landlords of residential properties.

Second, Mr. Madison seems to be proposing rent control in our commercial district. I think we all agree that exorbitant rents are contributing to our downtown vacancies; however, I would ask if Mr. Madison would put a limit on how much his house is worth when it comes time to sell it. Playing with the law of supply and demand is tricky business. Nonetheless, Mike Lambert was not taking contributions from downtown landlords who choose to keep their vacancies alive by charging high rents.

Those who perpetuate the myth that Mike Lambert was a "special interest" candidate and an evil developer because he is an architect are simply obscuring the truth. The Menlo Park residentialist's last minute hit piece about Mike having a "development interest" in Menlo Park (his house?) is the sort of dirty tactics that creates the divisiveness in our small city.

Residents of Menlo Park have been misled into voting for people who I believe are controlled by powerful special interests, particularly the no-growth agenda. Obscuring the truth is nasty business and leaves us all with fear and mistrust of those candidates who resort to these strategies in order to get elected. One no-growth politician in our town said recently the "end justifies the means." I think that sums it up.

Mary Gilles

Hermosa Way, Menlo Park

Paying homage to departing council members

Editor:

Public service by its very nature and definition is "public,", yet there's no job description, no set of directions to follow.

In some ways it is a very personal matter. Each elected official brings his own skill sets, work ethic, and values to the job. It is very much a meritocracy with achievements and outputs dependent on inputs and personal abilities. Menlo Park has been blessed to have councilmen Paul Collacchi and Chuck Kinney working so hard on our behalf for the last eight years.

Chuck Kinney's concerns about our community's aesthetics and environment have permeated his actions. The Trees for Menlo campaign may be his most visible legacy, with London Plane trees now planted along much of El Camino Real.

The San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority is also a part of his legacy. And he has played a pivotal role in protecting our water supply with his involvement in the Bay Area Water Users Association. Paul Collacchi has also brought his own set of skills and values to his service to the community. And the city is a better place for it. Paul brought an entirely new level of analysis to the decision-making process. He was the first to take a comprehensive view of the cumulative impacts of commercial development on the city's resources. Future councils should pay attention to the analytical tools Paul has left for them. Ignoring them will be at the community's peril. Paul also brought us the annual January goal-setting process, which allows the council as a collective body to work with city staff to determine what can be accomplished in the upcoming year, given council goals, staff and capital constraints. It's a great legacy and planning tool. Paul also worked tirelessly on the city's behalf in our "town and gown" involvement with Stanford University. His work on the Stanford General Use Permit will have lasting impact and benefit to all who live in Menlo Park. And his careful analysis of the Sand Hill/Santa Cruz intersection and its subsequent redesign to achieve its promised level of service is another example. Finally, I'd like to thank both Paul and Chuck for their early involvement and strong support for Measure T, the Menlo Parks and Recreation Bond Measure. Their vision and hard work leaves Menlo Park with the ability to upgrade its aging infrastructure and rehabilitate its parks and recreation facilities, including: * Improvements to nearly every park in the city. * Renovation and creation of new soccer and Little League fields, basketball and tennis courts, tot lots, and a skateboard park. * Rejuvenation of the 40-year-old Burgess Recreation Center, including three new swimming pools. So, on behalf of the entire community, I just want to say "thanks" for all your time, effort and hard work. You've left Menlo Park a better place.

Mary Jo Borak, former mayor Santa Rita Ave., Menlo Park

Portola Valley district settles litigation

Editor:

Over the past year the Portola Valley School District has been involved in litigation with Lindsay Bowen concerning the possible construction of a baseball diamond on the Corte Madera school campus as part of Measure J project work. I am pleased to announce that Mr. Bowen has reached a non-monetary agreement with the school district following mediation and will withdraw his lawsuit.

As part of that agreement, I want to state clearly that the Portola Valley School District fully supports the community's efforts to provide a safe baseball diamond at Corte Madera School for recreational use and will dedicate a portion of the school property for this purpose. The school district welcomes the opportunity to work together with the Town of Portola Valley and youth sports organizations in exploring this effort to bring a baseball diamond to Corte Madera.

Deborah Rappaport, president Portola Valley School Board Dear Editor:

Landmark microwave shop to close

Editor:

Another local asset, the Friedmans microwave store in Palo Alto's Town and Country Village, is closing soon.

Store manager Dennis Hallam has a wealth of knowledge about microwaves -- knowing what is available for any need, fixing the machines if needed, and carrying a comprehensive collection of the cookware for microwave ovens.

What will be left? Big Box stores with little or no knowledge of models, no local repair, and little availability of cookware. Mr. Hallam's business declined by 30 percent last year and with the sale of the Town and Country property he expects rent increases that will make his business impossible.

I'm not surprised that he is leaving after watching the way our locally-owned and operated businesses have been forced out by rent increases, leaving this area impoverished in terms of special expertise and the range of stores needed for daily life. Caroline Beverstock

Walsh Road, Atherton

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