Editorials
2017
Fire board should broaden representation with appointment
The Menlo Park Fire Protection District board will soon appoint a new board member to fill a vacant seat. There are seven qualified applicants for the post, but one outstanding candidate would enhance the board's ability to understand the needs of an underrepresented area of the district.
October 4, 2017 | 9 comments
Threatened legal action is opportunity for better representation
The city of Menlo Park is the latest local jurisdiction to be threatened with litigation over its at-large election of governing-body members. And while threatened legal action may not create the best environment for making public policy, the City Council should consider this an opportunity.
September 6, 2017 | 5 comments
Menlo Park library decision should be revisited
The city is poised to embark on a major capital project that will require the spending of more than $20 million in public funds without having first identified that project as a priority and, equally troubling, without a meaningful public discussion.
August 16, 2017 | 21 comments
Time for city to create a policy on accepting gifts
Who should decide the timing of public-facilities development and the spending schedule for city funds in Menlo Park? The recent offer of a local philanthropist to contribute at least $25 million toward the rebuilding of the city's main library muddies the answer to that seemingly simple question.
August 1, 2017 | 10 comments
Protecting our community in the era of Trump
Last week the Menlo Park City Council gave preliminary approval to two ordinances that might be seen as "Resist Trump" measures. They may appear to be symbolic gestures now, but given White House rhetoric and recklessness, they may become needed strategies in the future.
May 30, 2017 | 7 comments
Vote yes on Atherton's Measure A to fund new civic center
Atherton's Measure A asks voters whether the town should supplement private donations and existing dedicated funds with available non-dedicated money from the general fund to build a new complex to replace the decrepit set of buildings and trailers that now serve as the Town Center.
May 23, 2017 | 4 comments
School district's lapse undermines public trust
The Woodside Elementary School District is doing the right thing this week by setting on a more transparent path in filling a board vacancy after earlier stumbling on a course of action that raised many questions about the openness of the process.
May 17, 2017 | No comments yet
Scope of Menlo Park library study far too narrow
Given the popularity of the city's library branch in Belle Haven, and the significant limitations of that branch with regard to space and hours that it's open to the public, why did the city focus only on the needs of the main library's users when considering the future of library services in Menlo Park?
April 7, 2017 | 7 comments
Pig chase is cruel, and sends wrong message to kids
Does an event that allows children to chase down frantically fleeing baby pigs to capture one for a ribbon constitute animal abuse? An equally important question: Do the values imparted to children who participate in such an event reflect the values we want our children to embrace as they find their way in the world?
March 15, 2017 | No comments yet
Woodside council ducks ethics issue, despite code's mandate
The town of Woodside says it spent nearly $27,500 on an ethics-related investigation of one of its longtime volunteers, an expenditure that Woodside residents might hope would result in something beneficial. What they got instead are troublesome unanswered questions, not the least of which is whether the investigation was warranted or merely a witch hunt.
February 22, 2017 | 3 comments
Woodside council needs to follow the ethics code, conclude investigation process
After the town of Woodside spent nearly $27,500 on an ethics-related investigation of one of its longtime volunteers, the Town Council at its meeting Tuesday (Feb. 14) may drop the matter cold without issuing a ruling on whether the volunteer actually violated the town's ethics code. The town's mayor is recommending that the matter be closed and "no further action be taken on this complaint" -- which is ironic, given that closing the case now may itself be a violation of the ethics code.
February 13, 2017 | 2 comments
Yes on Measure X to keep schools thriving
The Menlo Park City School District community is appealing to voters once again to support a parcel tax, 10 months after two tax measures went down in defeat.
February 7, 2017 | 68 comments
Greek restaurant Taverna opening in Palo Alto
By Elena Kadvany | 1 comment | 7,095 views
Food Party! 420
By Laura Stec | 1 comment | 995 views
Expanding the taxation of online sales
By Steve Levy | 6 comments | 851 views
Reader Guest Post: Life's Map
By Aldis Petriceks | 2 comments | 788 views
Couples: . . . “Joy is greater than sorrow,“ . . . “Nay, sorrow is the greater.”
By Chandrama Anderson | 1 comment | 525 views
2018 guide to summer camps
Looking for something for the kids to do this summer, learn something new and have fun? The 2018 Summer Camp Guide features local camps for all ages and interests.
