LETTERS LETTERS (August 31, 2005)

Grateful for Atherton benefit concert

Editor:

As executive director of the Support Network for Battered Women, I want to publicly thank Atherton Vice Mayor Charles Marsala for holding Vienna Teng's benefit concert at his home.

It saddens me to read the attacks against Mr. Marsala for opening his home to such a vital cause. No one likes to think about domestic violence, much less talk about it. But it affects and devastates families in every community across all socio-economic and ethnic lines. Domestic violence is an equal opportunity destroyer.

With concern for his neighbors, Mr. Marsala established an early time for the event: 5 until 8:30 p.m. He distributed a flyer offering complimentary tickets to all of his neighbors on Emilie, MacBain and Howard streets as well as offering 20 tickets to the Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Volunteers monitored parking in the area and most guests were directed to the parking area near Henry Schimpf Field.

County statistics show that over half of the domestic violence homicides of women and children were from upper middle class families who never called the police or filed a complaint. Our experience shows that women of status and privilege are more reluctant to reach out for help, perhaps out of concern for their husbands' careers.

Every nine seconds in our country, a woman is beaten by her intimate partner. That is why the Support Network is grateful for community leaders like Charles Marsala who lend their homes and raise their voices to end this devastating community disease. Sylvia Hines, executive director, Support Network for Battered Women

Finding the negative in Allied Arts story

Editor:

Yesterday when I found the Almanac at my front door I was very excited to see that Allied Arts is both on the cover and is a feature article.

Now I can only say how disappointing this article was to me. There was a negative tone that kept popping up throughout the article. Casting doubt as to whether or not "Allied Arts" is going to make it is positively ludicrous.

The volunteers are very dedicated, many have been there for years, and they know what they are doing. Of course it will be a success, just as it was before the closing. Instead of discussing the slow start, why didn't the author talk about the care, love and excellent craftsmanship that went into restoring the Guild and the beauty of the gardens?

Throughout the last 30-plus years, I have always enjoyed my meals at the Guild. Of course, it is a different experience than going to a regular restaurant. That is what makes it enjoyable. It's similar to visiting someone's home. And the food is served with care, cheerfulness and attention by the volunteers.

I was appalled by the statement about the Traditional Shop "now filled with appealing items that are a big improvement over the skimpy offerings it had right after opening." I was at the shop's opening, and I certainly did not see "skimpy offerings."

And the statement, "Proceeds from the restaurant benefit needy children who are patients at Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital" is most derogatory. I have been a volunteer at Packard for nearly 15 years, and calling the patients "needy" is very offensive indeed.

The patients at Packard have a wide range of backgrounds, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and many are from other countries. Many patients are fighting for their lives -- with great spirit and bravery.

Which brings me to one final subject -- the disgruntled neighbors around Allied Arts. If they don't like being around property that holds events, why did they ever move there? Since the grounds must be vacated at 8 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, I don't see that there is any reason to complain.

R.A. Edwards Menalto Avenue, Menlo Park

Council was wrong on zoning decision

Editor:

The Almanac has recently run a series of letters attacking City Council member Kelly Fergusson and her support for maintaining community oversight of residential development projects.

These writers promote the notion that Ms. Fergusson and other opponents of the recently passed single-story zoning ordinance are motivated by a desire to "redesign someone else's home." These fears are not supported by the facts.

"Neighbors are reluctant to criticize another neighbor's project and do so only when they feel a need to protect their own property and quality of life," writes Patty Fry, a former chairman of the Planning Commission.

We wish that we lived in a community where zoning ordnances are not necessary and everyone builds the "perfect" house -- a house that meets all of our needs with minimal negative impact on our neighbors. Experience has shown us, however, that this is not always the case.

For these situations, Menlo Park, like other nearby communities, needs clearly defined guidelines and knowledgeable people to interpret them. The challenge is to find a balance that allows homeowners to develop their property without undue interference from the city or neighbors, while providing neighbors with protection from adverse impacts to their property.

Unfortunately, the recently passed zoning ordinance does not maintain this balance, and leaves Menlo Park residents vulnerable to unfettered development.

Heyward Robinson

White Oak Drive, Menlo Park

--
Fergusson camp had shot a zoning change

Editor:

Let's see if I've got Menlo Park's recent zoning debate right.

The City Council just passed minor zoning changes to simplify the permit process for the smallest, single-story residential projects.

In the course of the public debate on this matter, both Mayor Mickie Winkler and City Council member Kelly Fergusson sent letters to the Planning Commission expressing their views, and Ms. Fergusson additionally spoke at two commission hearings on the subject.

In the end, both the unanimous Planning Commission and the City Council disagreed with Ms. Fergusson's position, and the single-story rule changes were enacted. At this point, reasonable people would conclude that all sides had an opportunity to weigh in on the issue, and that the city made an informed decision.

Unfortunately Ms. Fergusson and her residentialist allies, unable to accept that her arguments were unpersuasive, instead accuse both the entire Planning Commssion and her Council colleagues of corruption.

This is the sad pattern of behavior that comes out every time this group does not get its way in city matters. At this point, Ms. Fergusson's campaign promises last fall to "treat all citizens with respect," are sounding pretty hollow.

Mary Gilles

Hermosa Way, Menlo Park

An excellent job at Sand Hill intersection

Editor:

I have been meaning to write for several months to point out the excellent job that Stanford University has done revising this complex intersection at Sand Hill Road, and at no expense to the taxpayers.

Trees have been retained or moved wherever possible and the bridge on Sand Hill quickly widened. Also, PG&E took this opportunity to underground the 60-kilovolt line that serves Portola Valley, which cleared the view. Already my trips through that area have been more pleasant.

The complete closure of the short stretch of Alpine Road is of course inconvenient for now, but it is necessitated not only by moving the northern retaining wall, but the addition of a lateral bridge structure out over the golf course to the south. The benefit of all this being that we will have improved traffic lanes, collector lanes for turns, and room for bicycles to safely share the right of way. Gordon Harper Joaquin Road, Portola Valley

E-mail a friend a link to this story.