LETTERS LETTERS (April 20, 2005)

Motorist's view of cyclists isn't so rosy

Editor:

Although I understand last week's Road Rage article was taken directly from the police report, note that there were no witnesses and only one side of the story was told.

I don't dispute that the motorist should have called the police. I just question who the victim was in this example of Road Rage.

And most importantly for women traveling alone, what would Lt. Jones suggest the 51-year-old female motorist do when an enraged 36-year-old male bicycle racer dismounts his bike at a stop sign, yelling all the while, coming at her car, and allegedly jumping on the hood?

Being a motorist in Portola Valley and dealing with arrogant and overly aggressive bike riders, I'd like to hear the other side of this story - that of the driver. I appreciate the bicyclist's need to train, get exercise, and get from point A to point B, but I regularly encounter groups of several cyclists riding tandem, large groups of 50 or more riders taking up the entire roadway and the lone thrill seeker that rides down the middle of a winding road. Although it may be disconcerting for the bike rider to hear a horn honk from behind, it is no less alarming for a driver to come around a hairpin turn and come upon one or more bicyclists.

We have to learn to drive and ride together courteously and share the road peacefully. I can't help but wonder if Mr. Arp (the cyclist in the incident) had looked for a driveway or pull-out to move into when he was "moving slowly" down Old La Honda Road and let the motorist pass, whether this unfortunate incident would have occurred.

B. Bianchi, Portola Valley

Libertarian arguments on tax questioned

Editor:

The Libertarian Party opponents of Measure V, the Redwood City school parcel tax question, have been citing questionable and erroneous data and linking unrelated statistics and reports to support their opposition to the measure.

Their data includes factual errors and their ballot argument undercounted the number of students educated by the school district by almost 1,000 children. These are significant errors that should cast doubt in the minds of your readers about their ability to analyze this issue and understand the funding crisis faced by our local elementary schools.

Opponents believe funds from the facility bond measures already approved by voters are being used to pay salaries and finance education programs. To use facility bond funds for anything other than what voters approved would be blatantly illegal and would lead to state prosecution of any district using facility bond funds in that manner. Our opponents should know this, but they don't.

Opponents have stated in the past that public schools should be eliminated. All children would go to private schools or be home schooled if their parents couldn't afford private school. In this view, society should take no formal role to educate children or provide special support to children with disabilities such as dyslexia or Down's Syndrome. Is this the type of education system we want for our children?

The facts to support the need for Measure V and the parcel tax are clear. If Measure V does not pass next year, 57 teachers will be laid off, class sizes will increase, music programs will be eliminated, math and reading specialists will be laid off, and library hours and librarians will be cut by 50 percent.

The elementary school students in our community need our support and need the funds that would be generated by Measure V to maintain a quality educational environment. Real programs that support the basic building blocks of education will be eliminated without Measure V.

Please join me and vote Yes on Measure V.

Jeff Ira, Redwood City Mayor

Issue is choice on sprinkler question

Editor:

I could not agree more with architect Mike Lambert's guest opinion in last week's Almanac.

He pointed out an important aspect of the fire sprinkler debate that has gone largely ignored: the issue of choice. No one disputes that safety is a positive value. But how far should the city go in making us safe for our own good?

As one example, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 292 children under five drowned in bathtubs between 1996 and 1999. By banning installation of bathtubs in new construction and remodels, in favor of shower-only bathrooms, it is obvious that lives would be saved.

Should Menlo Park adopt such an ordinance as well? Under the logic behind the proposed fire sprinkler ordinance, the answer would be yes. And yet, most people would be outraged by such an intrusion into their ability to make personal choices about their homes.

Let's not lose sight of the fact that homeowners can install sprinklers right now if they see fit, without being forced to do so by the city. Let homeowners make their own safety choices.

Brian Schar, Laurel Avenue, Menlo Park

Parcel tax is the way to go in Atherton

Editor:

We feel voting for the renewal of the Atherton parcel tax is the appropriate way to go in the June election.

Atherton's uniqueness and quality of life depends to a large measure on the quality and level of service received from town government.

Despite the large increase in assessed valuation and total property tax revenues, the town's share has not made up for the lost income from other sources that the state has appropriated.

If service levels were to be reduced or capital projects cut back, we would all feel the relative impact despite the size of our parcelsor how much we are paying in taxes.

It, therefore, seems reasonable that we join together to put up the funds needed to ensure that Atherton's government can continue to provide us with the current level of service.

Jerry and Shirley Carlson, Mount Vernon Lane, Atherton

Appreciation for Craig Breon, and all other volulnteers

Editor:

One can only hope that when Craig Breon returns from his global adventure that he will choose to reside in his native Portola Valley and put down roots in this wonderful town where he invested so much of his talent and energy.

My goodness, the man could sure run a meeting. Even in the most emotionally-charged Planning Commission hearing, I would smile as he (masterfully) would keep things modulated and respectful. He made the town a better place for all of us.

David Boyce's article made me mindful about how much I appreciate and admire my fellow Architectural and Site Review commissioners, Planning commissioners, the Town Council and all of the committee members who volunteer in town, as well as those who have served before.

There are those dark and stormy nights when the last thing I may want to do is drag off to a meeting, but as I drive home down quiet country roads, I know why I go. But I also go because serving in town government inspires and invigorates me and makes me feel connected to a greater good. It brings up the adage, Think Globally, Act Locally. If every town had a government like this, we'd be in pretty good shape. Thank you to Craig and to all the rest of you excellent folks.

Danna Breen Alpine Road, Portola Valley

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