LETTERS LETTERS (December 22, 2004)

Effort at feudal system failed in Atherton

Editor:

Thank goodness many Atherton residents (both Realtors and non-Realtors) showed up at the City Council meeting last Wednesday to demonstrate that Atherton and its sophisticated, educated and well-heeled residents do not really believe that they can run a feudal political system using the surrounding Realtors/independent contractors as their vassals. Wendy B. McPherson

The writer is a Realtor in Menlo Park.

Great lights brighten Sherwood Way

Editor:

Kudos to Sherwood Way for really getting into the spirit of Christmas. They have literally and figuratively added "light" to the season. Any young children (3 to 93) seeing what these neighbors have done will be totally thrilled.

Thanks, Sherwood.

Tom Lynch Claremont Way, Menlo Park

New Valley buildings in jeopardy too?

Editor:

After reading the article on non-insuring retrofitted buildings at Town Center of Portola Valley, I have come to the conclusion that the town had better reconsider the necessity of building $15 million worth of new buildings.

After all, the old buildings are already being insured. If retrofitting won't merit insuring, what makes the council think that building $15 million worth of new buildings will guarantee insurance. And, if they do get insurance for buildings built on a rupture zone, or beside it, what must the budget be for $15 million worth of insurance on these new buildings compared to what we pay for insurance already?

While the council is at it, they might consider getting a risk manager with a bit more common sense. Does Mr. Beverly sleep comfortably knowing that the buildings now being insured are neither new nor retrofitted? Something smells fishy to me about this whole thing.

How is it that the existing buildings are insured, but retrofitted buildings would not be? Does this make sense to anyone out there? Are the people in Portola Valley really so unintelligent that they couldn't figure out the incongruities for themselves? I think not.

Rosemarie Luce

Los Trancos Road, Portola Valley

Parcel tax is best solution for Atherton

Editor:

Continuation of the parcel tax (that must be approved every four years) requires the Atherton City Council to show residents that it is spending their money wisely.

This new business tax would remove that scrutiny, and would ultimately cost any new or departing residents an unreasonable fee. Last year the council was floating the idea to raise the parcel tax by $400 to $1150 and it received a negative response from residents. I am sure that if these fees are enacted, in lieu of the parcel tax, spending restraint on the part of the City Council will be removed.

Jerry Leugers Lowry Drive, Atherton

Landmark microwave shop to close

Editor:

Another local asset, Friedman's Microwave Ovens in Palo Alto's Town & 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 & 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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