Mountain View Voice November 6, 2015 by Mountain View Voice

Voya brings glitz to North Bayshore WEEKEND | 29 NOVEMBER 6, 2015 VOLUME 23, NO. 41

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MOVIES | 32

Self-driving cars: safer, but more crash-prone, study says By Mark Noack

utonomous vehicles may be better drivers than their human counterparts, but they seem to get in car crashes more frequently, according to a new study out of the University of Michigan. The study arrived at that conclusion after comparing the reported crash statistics between self-driving cars to national rates. The study focused largely on Google and the company’s recent intensified testing of auton-

‘You can have a vehicle with a higher crash rate that is still overall safer.’ RESEARCHER BRANDON SCHOETTLE

omous-vehicles in Mountain View, which has tallied more than 1.2 million miles on the road. Researchers also included

data from other companies testing self-driving cars, including Volkswagen and Delphi Automotive, but those firms had only minimal testing in comparison. As of September, Google’s fleet of self-driving cars was involved in 11 crashes, all of which were determined to be the fault of other drivers behind the wheel of conventional vehicles. In a flat comparison of crashes per mile driven, that accident rate for selfdriving cars would be more than See CARS, page 22

Water district fends off fraud allegations BOARD MEMBERS SPLIT ON RECENT CONTROVERSIES By Kevin Forestieri

he Santa Clara Valley Water District has been in deep water in recent months, following allegations of fraudulent charges and conflicts of interest that could have tainted the district’s relationship with one of its contractors. District staff were on the defensive at last week’s board meeting, spending two hours attempting to assuage any fears the board of directors might have regarding recent media reports. Emails written by Engineering Unit Manager Roger Narsim and published by San Jose Inside in September indicated that the engineering firm RMC Water and Environment had billed the district for $350,000 for work that it had not performed on a project it was hired to do several years ago, and called into question costs paid to the firm totaling $512,000. The district has continued to work with RMC despite the possible financial discrepancies. Earlier this year the board

INSIDE

authorized CEO Beau Goldie to negotiate and execute contracts without board approval to get work started on a $800 million recycled water program, citing the severe four-year drought as a reason to move quickly on the project. Goldie awarded RMC a $1.3 million no-bid contract to do “preliminary engineering work” for the new project. For some, that contract is raising red flags. One of the district’s high-ranking officials, Deputy Operating Officer Melanie Richardson, is married to RMC coowner Tom Richardson. Media reports claim the “firewall” policies created to keep Richardson from working directly on RMC projects were weak, and allowed her to sit in on meetings related to her husband’s work. The red flags were enough to prompt an investigation of the water district by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, including requests for district contracts with RMC, according to a September story by San Jose Inside.

At the Oct. 27 board meeting, Chief Financial Officer Najon Chu said the district did an internal audit of its financial documents with RMC, including a review of invoices, and found no irregularities and no noncompliance issues. Chu assured the board that the district pays only for work completed, and has ways of avoiding the large-scale fraudulent billing reported in the press. “The district has system controls in place ... to prevent payments made beyond the executed contract agreement amount,” he said. But this was contradicted in an email by Narsim in April 2014, where he raised red flags about payments to RMC that he said exceeded the amount of money authorized in the firm’s “not to exceed” contract. Instead, he wrote, the contractor was charging the district for time and materials, rather than sticking to the contract’s maximum amount, which allowed costs to balloon See WATER DISTRICT, page 10

VIEWPOINT 26 | GOINGS ON 34 | MARKETPLACE 35 | REAL ESTATE 37

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Clifford Yip, a World War II veteran, stands in front of his Mountain View home. He joined the Army as a teenager, and credits the military with expanding his future prospects.

Willing to serve MV VETERAN SHARES WORLD WAR II EXPERIENCES AS A CHINESE-AMERICAN By Mark Noack

ountain View resident Clifford Yip, 87, remembers growing up in California knowing that as a ChineseAmerican, his options could be limited. His family told him he had three obvious places to work: the grocery, a laundromat or National Dollar Store, a Chinese-owned retail chain. He was still a teenager when Pearl Harbor was bombed, bringing the United States into World War II. The war with Japan left most Americans suspicious of anyone who looked Asian, he recalled. Other children at school sometimes shouted

insults or hurled dirt clots at him and his friends. “We looked Oriental, and they looked down on us,” he said. “We even had buttons saying we were Chinese, but it didn’t really make a difference.” Yip made what might seem a counter-intuitive decision when he was 17 years old — to join the U.S. Army to fight overseas. Yip’s story is not the typical battlefield account. He said he “lucked out” by never participating in combat, and his two years of military service consisted mainly of being stationed in a pacified Japan. Nevertheless, his experience See VETERAN, page 13

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Q A + E BRIEFS

‘(R)EVOLUTION’ What goes around comes around, so they say, and with “(R)evolution,” San Francisco’s celebrated Theatre Flamenco returns to the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St. This time, they bring with them flamenco legend Carmen Ledesma from Sevilla, Spain, among other artists. “(R) evolution” goes live on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25$45. Go to goo.gl/LfEfNg or call 650-903-6000.

‘SPACE LAUNCH!’ Stanford has a new space for art, and this weekend, it will be commemorated in an unusual way. The McMurtry Art and Art History Building will be the site of “Space Launch!,” a dance performance installation that takes place this Saturday, Nov. 7, and Sunday, Nov. 8, at 3 p.m. Presented by the Chocolate Heads Movement Band under the direction of Aleta Hayes, a faculty member of Stanford’s Department of Theater & Performance Studies and its Dance Division, “Space Launch!” combines live choreography with vocal music and futuristic costumes in an immersive work that honors the architecture and spirit of the new building. No reservations are necessary to attend these free performances, which will begin at the McMurtry Courtyard, 355 Roth Way, Stanford. To learn more about the Chocolate Heads Movement Band, go to chocolate-heads.squarespace.com or email ahayes@stanford.edu.

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Burnett in the 2015 The New York Times bestseller for children and middle-grade readers, “Rad American Women A-Z.” The book’s author and illustrator will hold a discussion at Palo Alto’s Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, this Saturday, Nov. 7, at 4 p.m. Tickets are $5-$10. Go to goo. gl/HLQH9B or call 650-223-8649.

For the month of November, Palo Alto’s Pacific Art League at 668 Ramona St. highlights the work of photographers in the main gallery show, “Exposed.” And this Friday, Nov. 6, 5:30-8 p.m., the exhibition kicks off with a free First Friday reception featuring food and drinks, a performance installation by Lessa Bouchard and new works by Redwood City students. Go to pacificartleague.org or call 650-321-3891.

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100 W. El Camino Real, Suite 63A Mountain View ( Corner of El Camino & Calderon ) Among the works on view at the “Exposed” photography exhibit is Judy Kramer’s “Ladybug.”

‘THE ODYSSEY’ It ain’t your average high school play. Tonight, Friday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m., Palo Alto High School opens an evocative, minimalist new production of a Homerian classic. “The Odyssey” plays at Paly’s new Haymarket Theatre, 50 Embarcadero Road, through Nov. 13. Tickets are $7-$10. Go to palytheatre.com or email palyboxoffice@gmail.com.

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TASER USED IN BANK DISPUTE Police arrested a Hayward man in Mountain View over the weekend after he allegedly refused to leave a credit union and resisted arrest, prompting officers to tase him. Officers were called to the Meriwest Credit Union building at 580 North Rengstorff Ave. on Saturday, Oct. 31, at around 12:50 p.m., following reports of a customer who was causing a disturbance. The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Yiu Qune Kong, was refused service at the credit union because of lack of identification, but he refused to leave, according to police spokeswoman Leslie Hardie. After management at the credit union requested officers remove him from the business, Kong allegedly resisted police officers, clenching his fists and twisting out of the hold of the police officers, Hardie said. Officers eventually used a Taser on Kong to control him, Hardie said. Kong was arrested and booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail on charges of trespassing and interfering with a lawful business, and resisting an officer.

FIGHT IN THE MONTE CARLO An Oakland man was arrested early Monday morning after he allegedly punched a patron in the Monte Carlo Night Club for talking to his wife. The suspect, 25-year-old Ramon Garcia Romero, reportedly got into an altercation with the victim, a 24-year-old San Jose man, around 1:49 a.m. Monday morning inside the downtown nightclub. Romero attacked the victim after he tried to talk to See CRIME BRIEFS, page 10

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LocalNews MOUNTAIN VIEW VOICE

Q CITY COUNCIL UPDATES Q COMMUNITY Q FEATURES

City looks for new transit to avoid crowded roads GOOGLE TO STUDY EXPANDING LIGHT-RAIL TO NORTH BAYSHORE

“It’s something that’s new and not on the road,” Kasperzak said. hether it might be “From my perspective, this is a monorail, magnetic about doing that initial research.” By its nature, the study sespod cars or even gondolas, Mountain View leaders say sion on citywide transportation there needs to be a better transit offered a broad issue to tackle alternative to the city’s congested and staff urged council members to focus on what they roads. wanted. Several counLast week, members pointed Mountain View ‘We have a cil to the North Bayshore council members gave a vague out- nice, generous area as a top priority since it is projected to line for what they employ tens of thouhope will be a first company sands more workers step toward creating a new fixed-rail that’s going to in the years to come. A few council memtransit system. In a study this.’ bers endorsed the idea late-night Oct. 27 study session, the MAYOR JOHN MCALISTER of some kind of personal pod cars, giving council instructed riders more freedom staff to focus on early planning for a new system to choose their destination. This wouldn’t be the first time to connect the city’s downtown commercial core to its rapidly city leaders embraced such as growing jobs center in the North idea. Just a few years back, city officials expressed interest in Bayshore area. Explaining his hopes at the launching a local pilot project start of the discussion, Council- for SkyTran, a NASA Ames man Mike Kasperzak said he Research Center-based private wanted to focus on transporta- company that builds high-speed tion ideas that didn’t place more pod car systems that travel along burden on the city’s already an overhead electromagnetic rail. The company had created a overcrowded streets. Exactly what kind of system basic proposal for a transit netthat would be is anyone’s guess, work through town that would he admitted, but he believed the connect various sites north of city should begin preliminary Highway 101 to the downtown work now to be ready for future area. Creating an 8.5-mile sysplanning decisions and funding tem would have cost between opportunities. At best, he wanted $60 million and $130 million, the city to start thinking “outside See TRANSIT, page 24 the box” for new ideas. By Mark Noack

MICHELLE LE

Rey Rodriguez (center), meets with Mountain View’s Parks and Recreation team as the new Shoreline Athletic Fields are readied for opening day on Nov. 14.

New fields offer room to play SHORELINE ATHLETIC FIELDS ADDS MUCH-NEEDED SPACE FOR YOUTH SPORTS By Kevin Forestieri

fter 11 years of studies, planning and construction, Mountain View is set to open the new Shoreline Athletic Fields next week. The city is celebrating the grand opening of the $15 million facility, which adds over 5 acres of badly needed field space, on Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon. The driving force behind the Shoreline Athletic Fields was a lack of field space in the city. Rey Rodriguez. the senior project manager, said planning staff has been looking at what kind of new recreational fields

could be added since 2004 — and more importantly, where they would be located. Since the areas south of Highway 101 are built out, Rodriguez said staff decided to look northward, to a new multi-field facility in the North Bayshore area. A 2008 study found that the city had a 19.75-acre “deficit” of fields, causing overcrowding in places like McKelvey Park. And it’s not just for baseball, either. “The number of requests for field use has increased over the last few years with the growth of nontraditional sports, an increase in year-round sports

and the popularity of club sports,” the report states. The new athletic fields could certainly do the trick. The fields include a baseball and softball diamond, along with several soccer fields that can be in use at the same time, according to Lauren Merriman, recreation supervisor for the city. There are lines drawn in the turf for lacrosse as well. The fields will be open to the public daily. Just like at any other park in Mountain View, youth sports organizations will have priority to use the fields See SHORELINE, page 18

Huff Elementary School principal wins national recognition ONLY SEVEN PRINCIPALS IN THE U.S. WIN TERREL H. BELL AWARD By Kevin Forestieri

t’s been all good news for Huff Elementary School lately. The school received the National Blue Ribbon School award for high student achievement earlier this year, and now has one more accolade of which to be proud. Huff Principal Heidi Smith

received the 2015 Terrel H. Bell award, making her one of only seven principals in the nation to receive the award this year. The award recognizes principals for playing a vital role in student achievement, even under frequently challenging circumstances, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Smith was selected, in part,

‘To be one of seven leaders in the nation, it’s humbling.’ HUFF PRINCIPAL HEIDI SMITH

because of her passion for social justice and equity at the school, according to the Department of Education’s website. She ditched Huff’s Gifted and Talented Edu-

cation (GATE) program in favor of “Enrichment for All,” a new program that extends elective classes and activities to all students at the school.

“Since the transition, student morale has improved, as have studentsí oral presentations and critical thinking skills. Achievement gaps have narrowed, and the program has fostered a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all students,” according to the website. On Friday morning last week, Smith visited one classroom after another, greeting the students and checking on the lesSee PRINCIPAL, page 18

November 6, 2015 Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q

LocalNews

Farewell to Bumble Bee Health Foods AFTER 58 YEARS, OWNERS OF FAMILY BUSINESS SAY IT’S TIME TO RETIRE By Kevin Forestieri

ohn and Karen Farrell run a two-person crew at Mountain View’s Bumble Bee Health Foods store, fielding questions about probiotics and stocking the shelves with specialty health foods, supplements and a tremendous supply of teas and herbs. The store, located on the corner of Latham Street and Escuela Avenue, has been in the vanguard of health foods since it opened in 1957 as a local, independent pharmacy. Now, 58 years later, the couple said they will be winding down the business and retiring, bringing to an end one of the Bay Area’s oldest health food stores. John Farrell has been running the store with his wife Karen since the 1970s, and said the store has been in the business of selling vitamins, herbs, homeopathic medicine and probiotics long

before it became trendy, and certainly well before Dr. Oz started touting “miracle” health foods to mass audiences. Karen’s father, Clifford Barnes, opened up the store back when Mountain View looked radically different, Farrell said. Before the city becoming a thriving center for technology, Farrell said the business’ next door neighbors included a woman who raised chickens, a produce stand and an open field. The pharmacy was converted to a health food store in 1972. While the city may not have that same small-town feel, Bumble Bee Health Foods has kept the same vibe. Farrell said he and his wife try to answer any questions customers might have about a particular product, including all the possible health effects and how it might affect a customer’s other symptoms, like high blood pressure. If someone comes in looking for a gout remedy, for

MICHELLE LE

Karen and John Farrell are closing up Bumble Bee Health Foods, the store Karen’s father started in 1957.

example, Farrell said they might direct them to celery seeds or cherry extract. If they can’t answer, it often means a quick call to a biologist or a pharmacist to figure it out. “People come in with questions all the time, and hopefully

we’re knowledgeable enough to answer,” Farrell said. The store also takes requests for products, some of which can’t be found anywhere else in the area, Farrell said. Some of the products kept on the shelves are there just for the one or two cus-

tomers who buy it. And besides, where else can someone easily get a jar of desiccated beef liver tablets? Farrell said customers are comfortable hanging around See BUMBLE BEE, page 24

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LocalNews

Voters reject Los Altos bond measure A bond measure to fund renovations at a Los Altos park and community center has been roundly rejected by voters in Tuesday’s election, according to complete unofficial election results. Measure A proposed providing $65 million in bonds to replace the Hillview Community Center, which is nearly 70 years old, and make improvements at Hillview Park. About 72 percent of voters rejected the measure, one of only two on the ballot in Santa Clara County in Tuesday’s election. Measure B, the renewal of a $96 parcel tax to benefit the Union Elementary School District in

West San Jose, was the other measure and it appeared to be passing easily on election night. Both measures required twothirds approval to pass. Proponents of Measure A said it would create needed areas for recreational activities at the Hillview center and park, and comes at a time of low interest rates and construction costs. However, opponents said the project’s plan proposed taking up a space three times larger than other community centers in neighboring cities like Saratoga, and that the total estimated cost of the project is around $87 million. Bay City News Service

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Q OBITUARY

MARY DIAZ ROBLEDO Mary Diaz Robledo, a longtime resident of Mountain View, died Friday, Oct. 23. She was 83. She was born on April 12, 1932 in Brawley, Calif. to Lucrecia Diaz and Jose Fierro, the third of five children. In 1937, at age 5, she moved with her family to Mountain View, where she attended Whisman School and Mountain View High School. She joined her siblings working in the orchards and row crops of the Santa Clara Valley. At age 19, she married Manuel L. Robledo. Together they raised three children before divorcing in 1971. In the 1950s, during the transformation of Santa Clara County into an industrial economy, she joined droves of local young women who left the fields for the assembly lines of a fledgling electronics industry that would evolve into Silicon Valley. She worked for Ampex Corp. and retired from Hewlett Packard after rising to a supervisorial job. Her family said she was an ardent fan of the San Francisco Giants, and at company picnics was the cleanup hitter with a big bat but slow feet. She would knock the ball far over the heads of outfielders, only to reach first base, or second base on a good day. She was an avid gardener and was accomplished at crocheting and quilting, according to her son. In retirement, she joined the “Knit-Wits,” a group of

retirees at the Mountain View Senior Center who made dolls that were donated to children in need. She was a regular contributor to charities devoted to children, seniors and veterans, her family recalled, and she was a talented cook who mastered Mexican dishes as well as Italian recipes she learned from close friend Mary Milani. She was equally proud of her Mexican heritage and her American citizenship, and proudly and dutifully voted. She survived two near-fatal auto accidents in the 1980s and 1990s, and two bouts with cancer that resulted in a double mastectomy, according to her family. She was preceded in death by her mother Lucrecia Diaz; sisters Ignacia “Nacha” Carrillo and Margaret “Maggie” Robledo; and brothers Cristobal “Chris” Carrillo and Guadalupe G. “Lupe” Fierro. She is survived by her daughter Marie “Lola” Dolores Blach; sons Richard “Rick” Luis Robledo and Roberto Manuel Robledo; six grandchildren, Andrea Olmos, Bernardo “Sonny” Olmos, Nicole Inocencio, Danielle “Danie” Robledo, Ricardo Alejandro “Alex” Robledo and Roberto Antonio “Rob” Robledo; and three great-children. At her request, memorial services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

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(650) 969-2600 • drmcevoy.com November 6, 2015 Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q

LocalNews

PUBLIC NOTICE FORMER NAVAL AIR STATION MOFFETT FIELD Restoration Advisory Board Meeting November 2015 The next regular meeting of the Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) for former Naval Air Station (NAS) Moffett Field will be held on:

Thursday, November 12, 2015, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at: Mountain View Senior Center Social Hall 266 Escuela Avenue Mountain View, CA 94040-1813 The RAB reviews and comments on plans and activities about the ongoing environmental studies and restoration activities underway at Moffett Field. Regular RAB meetings are open to the public and the Navy encourages your involvement. To review documents on Moffett Field environmental restoration projects, please visit the information repository located at the Mountain View Public Library, 585 Franklin St., Mountain View, CA 94041, (650) 903-6337. For more information, contact Mr. Scott Anderson, Navy Base Realignment and Closure Environmental Coordinator at (610) 524-5808 or scott.d.anderson@navy.mil. Visit the Navy’s website: http://www.bracpmo.navy.mil/brac_bases/california/former_nas_moffett_field.html

COURTESY OF CURTIS BANKS

Mat Snider tackles Stefano McCoy after his walk-off hit in the Bronco Championship game in 2005.

Local PONY baseball league turns 30 By Carl Sibley

os Altos-Mountain View PONY baseball is stepping up to the plate for its 30th year. The local youth baseball league opened its 2016 season’s registration on Nov. 1, celebrating 30 years of baseball. PONY baseball first made its way to the area in 1986, when Jim Wilson, founder of the Los Altos-Mountain View branch, brought the program to Los Altos. Back then, the local PONY baseball had just under 300 players in three divisions: Pinto, Mustang, and Bronco. Now there are nearly 900 players in nine divisions. PONY league is characterized by thematically-named divisions, which start with the Shetlands for 5- and 6-year-olds and end at the 19-and-under Palominos. The distance between the pitching mound and home plate, and the distance between bases increases incrementally as the age divisions rise, with new mechanics like stealing bases introduced along the way. “LAMV also allows the opportunity for players to be on teams with friends in the area and not be divided by city boundaries,” said the local league’s current president, Curtis Banks. He said that’s something that sets the organization apart from other youth baseball leagues in the area. For the youngest divisions, Shetland and Pinto 1 (age 7) and Pinto 2 (age 8), players are put on teams with other children from the same school or who have requested to be together. For the older children, starting at age 9 with 8

Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q November 6, 2015

COURTESY OF CURTIS BANKS

Nick Verducci, holding the team bear, and Robby Treadwell (seated with glove) enjoy a moment in the dugout at a 2004 Pinto 2 game, with Cameron Browning (#12) looking on.

Mustang 1, through the Pony teams for ages 13-14, tryouts and a draft are used only to ensure that teams are balanced. “It is the philosophy of LAMV PONY baseball that ‘Everyone Plays Real Baseball,” Banks said. “There are no ‘cuts.’” The PONY league participated in the development of the fields at Rosita and at Blach school, and the program also works with the Boy Scouts each year on Eagle projects to improve its fields. “LAMV prides ourself on serving the community, serving kids in the area and providing them with a great opportunity to play baseball. We’ve had a great 30 years and we’re looking forward to the next 30,” Banks said. Registration for the 2016 season opened this month To register, or for more information about LAMV PONY, go to www.lamvpb.org. V

November 6, 2015 Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q

LocalNews WATER DISTRICT Continued from page 1

well above what was authorized. The issues raised by Narsim went unaddressed, and in May of this year Narsim wrote another email explaining that RMC appears to have been paid $350,000 for work that it had not performed. The work in question was for the Lower Silver Creek Flood Protection Project in San Jose, where a number of amendments to the contract boosted costs and raised questions by staff. Deputy Operating Officer Chris Elias explained that one project “task” RMC was to perform had a $375,000 price tag. But because of changes in the plans and a “number of needs that emerged,” that amount jumped to $1.7 million. Payment of the added costs was made through an inter-task fund transfer, according to Deputy Operating Officer Katherine Oven, effectively pulling money out of subsequent tasks and forcing district staff to complete the remaining work. Board member Barbara Keegan criticized the shifts in funds, calling it an “informal process” that skips important steps in modifying the consultant’s contract and paying for the work done under the revised agreement. The board also received no notification of these modifications. Elias agreed that the process was flawed. “That is one of the lessons we’ve learned,” he said. The idea of an internal audit didn’t sit well with board president Gary Kremen, who pointed out that no outside third-party

auditor had been involved in looking through the invoices and other financial documents. “Basically, you’ve audited it yourself,” Kremen said. Goldie said the board could authorize an independent audit to see whether the district’s accounting was up to snuff. Though some board members questioned whether an outside review was needed, they all agreed to send it to the board’s audit committee. Board member Linda LeZotte said she would go along with the audit referral if it would satisfy any concerns, but that she had total confidence in district staff. She told staff that they have been “maligned” by innuendo and some of the questions posed to them over the last several months. “If we want to spend the money to redo your work, that for 15 years has been impeccable, I’ll go along with it,” LeZotte said. Conflict of interest in the high ranks District staff also attempted to dispel concerns that Melanie Richardson had been somehow involved with RMC contracts. Chief Operating Officer Norma Camacho told the board she reviewed the correspondence, invoices and agreements with RMC and found no formal or informal communication between her and water district staff working directly on RMC projects. While Richardson did conduct annual reviews for two “unit managers” working on RMC projects, Camacho said, the district will be looking to change that and further increase

that degree of separation from the company. Former board member Brian Schmidt spoke at the meeting, saying he felt the characterization in the San Jose Inside article that suggested Richardson had an undisclosed conflict of interest was not accurate. He said working with district staff, Richardson would always disclose her relationship anytime a project came up that RMC was working on. “The process of disclosure and maintaining a wall to protect against conflict of interest was in place. I never saw any problem with that,” Schmidt said. “I think it’s just a shame the newspaper didn’t try to find out additional information. All they needed to do was pick up the phone.” Schmidt said potential conflicts of interest are something the district just has to deal with. He used the city of Palo Alto as an example, and said plenty of employees and even council members have spouses at Stanford, which occasionally creates conflicts. “These just exist,” Schmidt said. “You just have to work them out.” Expedited plan under fire At the April 28 board meeting, the board voted to grant Goldie the power to jump-start the district’s recycled water plan. In the agreement, Goldie could execute contracts with several consulting firms, including RMC, for up to $10 million. Now that the controversies surrounding RMC have surfaced, Deputy Operating Officer Garth Hall said, there are new allegations that the staff “created” an

urgency around the problem, leading to a contract agreement with RMC that bypasses the normal bidding process. These allegations are completely unfounded, Hall said. “Ms. Richardson had absolutely nothing to do with the development of any part of the expedited program, and in particular the part that had to do with the selection of RMC,” Hall said. “This accelerated program is not something that staff created at all. This is something that staff brought forward to the board in light of the (drought).” Kremen was again unsold. He demanded to know how the project could be considered an emergency worthy of bypassing the bidding process when the recycled water facility wouldn’t be functional until 2021. “How is this an emergency in any sense of the word?” Kremen asked. Hall said these types of large infrastructure upgrades can’t be done at the drop of a hat, and that the district needs to get started now. He reminded the board that the state is in the fourth year of the worst drought on record in California, and said no one knows enough about the predicted El Nino storms’ effects yet to rely on getting relief this winter. Retailers are cutting as much as they can, he said, but the fact remains that they may be in the same situation next year. “We can’t keep doing this to the community without causing economic harm, failing to provide tangible long-term water supplies,” Hall said. “To sit and not pursue this with the prospect of an ongoing drought,

Adult Day Care and Support

in my view, is irresponsible.” Board member Tony Estremera, who called the twohour exchange a “Benghazi hearing,” said the focus should be on the board, not district staff and not Richardson. He said it was the board’s decision to act with urgency and use single-source contracts, and that any heat about that decision should be on the board instead. At the meeting earlier this year, the board voted 5-2 to allow Goldie to execute the $10 million in contracts with no board approval, with members Dennis Kennedy, Rich Santos, Nai Hsueh, Estremera and LeZotte voting in favor, and Keegan and Kremen voting against. Estremera said the media hardly mentioned that five board members supported the expedited process. “We wanted this to be quick; we expect to be quick. We know that you need to start right away,” he told staff. “So yeah, you’re right, you followed our direction as a board, you did what we asked you to do with respect to getting the contracts out.” LeZotte criticized Kremen and Keegan for feeding into the controversy by talking to the press about their opposition to the expedited process, rather than keeping it between board members. “Two people who disagreed took their beef to the press, instead of taking it to us,” LeZotte said. “That’s the shame, that we’ve spent the last 20 minutes nitpicking a contract because somebody lost a vote.” Keegan said she took exception LeZotte’s comments, and that there were plenty of people from the public and staff members who were concerned about the issues regarding contracts with RMC. “People asked me why I voted the way I did, and I explained that,” Keegan said. “I was not out rabble-rousing, I was not out disrespecting either staff or my fellow board members. I believe that I have a responsibility to answer the questions from the public and also to answer the questions from the press.” V

Grand Opening and Dedication of the

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Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q November 6, 2015

Saturday, November 14, 2015 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 2450 Garcia Avenue, Mountain View Event includes Dedication Ceremony followed by a Reception, Children’s Activities, and Food Trucks. Fields will be open for league play at the conclusion of the event. Donations of gently-used sports equipment will be collected and donated to Community Youth Sports Organizations. For more information, please call the Recreation Office at (650) 903-6331 Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mountainviewrecreation

CRIME BRIEFS

Continued from page 4

a group of women on the dance floor, one of whom was Romero’s wife, according to police spokeswoman Leslie Hardie. Romero allegedly punched the victim in the nose, causing minor lacerations to the face. The victim did not require medical attention, Hardie said. Romero was arrested and booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail on charges of battery and public intoxication. —Kevin Forestieri

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November 6, 2015 Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q

117 Lyell Street, Los Altos Offered at $1,988,000 Quiet Charm in Desirable Location Local attractions are within easy access of this peaceful 3 bedroom, 2 bath home of 1,647 sq. ft. (per county), which occupies a lot of 7,721 sq. ft. (per county) in a sought-after neighborhood. Updated with new paint and new flooring, the residence includes a fireplace, an attached twocar garage, fruit trees, and a large, gated backyard. Near Shoup Park and steps from downtown Los Altos, you will be an easy stroll from Covington Elementary (API 975) and near other top Los Altos schools (buyer to verify eligibility). For video tour & more photos, please visit:

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Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q November 6, 2015

LocalNews VETERAN

New monument honors Mountain View vets

Continued from page 1

in the Army opened up a wealth of new opportunity at a time when Chinese-Americans were treated as second-class citizens. “When I was in the military, it was like I was just one of the guys,” he said, sitting at his kitchen table, wearing a “Proud American” T-shirt. By enlisting, he was following his older cousin’s footsteps, but he had other reasons. Yip and his family had plenty of experience with the soldier’s life through his aunt, Margaret Chung. His aunt was an influential figure of San Francisco’s Chinatown. Not only was she the first female Asian-American physician in the U.S., and she also was a political activist working to improve Sino-American relations as Japan was invading China. To about 1,000 U.S. soldiers, she was better known as “Mom Chung” and she corresponded with them and threw lavish parties for them at her house whenever they were in town. Yip, barely a teenager at the time, frequently helped out at these parties, and he quickly learned that a serviceman’s uniform was a magnet for the ladies. He still remembers watching a pilot with a girl on each arm, and thinking he was the coolest guy in the world. So Yip signed up for the Army Air Forces in 1944 as the war was nearing its climax, with the aim of becoming a pilot. That didn’t work out, after early tests proved he was color-blind and thus ineligible for further flight training. An Army officer asked which division he wanted to join instead, and Yip picked the Airborne Division, not knowing at the time that meant being a paratrooper, he said. Yip joined the 188th Army Airborne Division, a regiment famous for raiding the Los Banos Japanese internment camp in the Philippines and liberating prisoners of war; however, his company was kept in reserve and did not participate. He came to be stationed in Japan at Sendai, and he encountered a war-weary Japanese population who was remarkably amiable. He regularly bought cheap cartons of cigarettes from the military commissary for some of the civilians, he said. Returning to the U.S., Yip met and soon married his wife, Dorothy, and he began pursuing a better life. He finished his high school diploma, having left school to enlist. Upon graduating, he enrolled in college through the G.I. Bill and he began studying engineering in hopes of designing the planes he

MICHELLE LE

Clifford Yip, talks about World War II from the kitchen of his home in Mountain View, where he moved after getting a job with Lockheed Martin.

once yearned to fly. He eventually landed his first job at Northrop Grumman, helping build planes such as the F-5 fighter jet and flying wing aircraft. “I started out as a draftsman, drawing sections of wings or whatever they needed at the time,” Yip said. “I loved it.” In 1958, he took a job at Lockheed Martin in Sunnyvale, a city he said he had never heard of before. Yip, his wife and their three children began looking at buying a home in Mountain View. A real estate agent led them to several homes near the train tracks, and Yip soon understood that he was being

steered clear of certain areas of town. He spotted one “For Sale” sign at a home near Rengstorff Avenue, and told the agent they wanted to look at it. The agent told the Yips flat-out that certain neighborhoods didn’t want Asians nearby, he said. Yip was undeterred, and he approached the homeowner and made a direct offer. The owner agreed to the sale, and Yip and his wife live in that house to this day. The Yip family were among the only Asians in town at the time, he said. His son Ken Yip said he remembers being able to count the number of Asian children at his school on one

COMPANION UNIT REGULATIONS UPDATE COMMUNITY MEETING

hand. Nonetheless, he said he felt included by the community, and he has fond memories of growing up and playing with the other kids in the neighborhood. Today, Clifford Yip believes he is the last surviving member of his World War II platoon. Last month, for the first time he took a trip to Washington, D.C. through the national nonprofit Honor Flight, touring the monuments and memorials dedicated to the nation’s veterans. He was part of a group of 26 veterans who participated. At each stop, he said he was amazed as total strangers walked up to him and thanked

Council Chambers, City Hall 500 Castro Street Please join us to discuss the City’s Companion Unit regulations and ideas for how they can be modified to encourage more Companion Units in the City. Following this meeting, staff will develop draft regulations and will present these at Environmental Planning Commission and City Council meetings in 2016. All are welcome to attend this community meeting.

him profusely for his service. “It was the most impressive group I’ve ever been with,” he said with tears welling up in his eyes. “It just made me so honored to be part of this flight.” Email Mark Noack at mnoack@mv-voice.com V

Inspirations a guide to the spiritual community LOS ALTOS LUTHERAN Bringing God’s Love and Hope to All

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 19TH 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Mountain View city officials will be unveiling a new monument next week to honor local military veterans who defended the nation. The memorial — officially dubbed the Veterans Recognition Plaque — will be prominently displayed at Eagle Park and will feature 17 large granite plaques engraved with the names of veterans and donors. City officials describe it as the largest veterans’ monument created in the city in decades. The new monument will be formally dedicated in a Veterans Day ceremony that will feature special presentations by Maj. Gen. Nickolas Tooliatos of the U.S. Army 63rd Regional Support Command, the 191st Army Band and the Army Honor Guard. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 11 at Eagle Park at 650 Franklin St. Mark Noack

Children’s Nursery 10:00 a.m. Worship 10:10 Sunday School 11:15 a.m. Fellowship Pastor David K. Bonde Outreach Pastor Gary Berkland 460 South El Monte (at Cuesta) 650-948-3012 www.losaltoslutheran.org

To include your Church in

Inspirations Please call Blanca Yoc at 650-223-6596 or email

byoc@paweekly.com

MOUNTAIN VIEW CENTRAL SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH Sabbath School: 9:30 a.m. Saturday Services: Worship 10:45 a.m. Wednesday Study Groups: 10-11 a.m. Pastor Kenny Fraser, B.A.M. DIV

MORE INFORMATION Contact: Diana Pancholi | 650.903.6306 | diana.pancholi@mountainview.gov.

1425 Springer Rd., Mtn. View - Ofﬁce Hrs. M-F 9am-1pm www.mtviewda.adventistfaith.org Phone: 650-967-2189 November 6, 2015 Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q

27390 Deer Springs Way, Los Altos Hills Offered at $2,988,000 Exquisite Home with Panoramic Views Awaits Customization Breathtaking views can be admired from almost every room in this exquisitely crafted 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath home of 2,511 sq. ft. (per plans) that sits on a lot of approx. 1 acre (per survey). In the final stage of a luxurious remodel, this carefully detailed home awaits your customized finishes while offering a terrific gourmet kitchen, an attached twocar garage, and an enchanting outdoor retreat with a heated pool. Nearby trails loop through the scenic foothills, while top Los Altos schools are easily accessible (buyer to verify eligibility). For video tour & more photos, please visit:

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Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q November 6, 2015

12444 Robleda Road, Los Altos Hills Offered at $3,988,000 Stylishly Updated Home with Poolhouse Be enchanted by this terrific gated property of approx. 0.81 acres (per county), which features an extensively updated 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath home and a 1 bedroom, 1 bath poolhouse with a combined living area of approx. 5,000 sq. ft. (per county). Exciting features like randomplank oak floors, LED lighting, cathedral ceilings, two wet bars, and three fireplaces add exuberant luxury to this home. The property also provides a paver motor court, a three-car garage, and a pool, and is just moments from downtown Los Altos and excellent Los Altos schools (buyer to verify eligibility). For video tour & more photos, please visit:

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OPEN HOUSE Ken DeLeon CalBRE #01342140

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November 6, 2015 Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q

LocalNews

Community Health Education Programs

Q COMMUNITYBRIEFS

“OSCARS” OF SCIENCE

For a complete list of classes, lectures and support groups, or to register, visit pamf.org/healtheducation.

All our lectures and events are free and open to the public.

November and December 2015 Healthy Aging Strategies for the Middle Aged Nov. 10, 7 to 8:30 p.m. How can you prepare for a successful and healthy aging journey? Join us to learn how to use the current best medical evidence to make the right health care decisions for you.

Tech CEOs, top researchers and Hollywood celebrities will converge at Moffett Field on Sunday for what might be considered the Academy Awards of the science world. Now in its fourth year, the Breakthrough Prize honors outstanding research achievements in a style meant to lend some glamor to the staid world of science. A true red-carpet affair, the Breakthrough Prize was started by a group of local tech titans, including Sergey Brin, Anne Wojcicki and Mark Zuckerberg. The ceremony will award prizes of $3 million for achievements in the fields of physics, life sciences and mathematics. For the first time, the event will feature a Breakthrough Junior Challenge for students who produce videos depicting scientific or math principles. This year, the ceremony will be hosted by Seth MacFarlane, best known as the creator of the cartoon TV series “Family Guy” and will feature other musical and celebrity guests. The award ceremony will be shown live at 7 p.m. on the National Geographic Channel. More information about the event can be found at breakthroughprize.org.

NEW HOME FOR PILATES STUDIO Palo Alto Center ∙ 650-853-4873 795 El Camino Real, Jamplis Building, 3rd Floor, Palo Alto

Sleep and Your Child Nov. 17, 7 to 8:30 p.m. PAMF pediatrician Manisha Panchal, M.D., will discuss how to prevent and resolve sleep issues by establishing a consistent bedtime routine and helping your baby to learn to self-soothe. Sunnyvale Center ∙ 408-730-2810 301 Old San Francisco Road, 2nd Floor Conference Center, Sunnyvale

Feeding Your Young Child

Mountain View’s longstanding Pilates studio Center of Balance will open its doors next week on its new North Bayshore studio, located just one block from its old digs. The fitness center — one of the first Pilates studios in the Bay Area — originally opened 18 years ago in a renovated industrial space off Pear Avenue. In recent months, the Center for Balance and other neighboring businesses, such as the Pear Avenue Theatre, had to find new locations after property owner Google decided the warehouse space would be redeveloped into tech offices. The Center of Balance was among the former tenants that received help with relocating, moving to a 5,000-square-foot facility at 1110 La Avenida Ave. Husband-and-wife owners Tom McCook and Karen deMoor said the new studio include state-of-the-art exercise equipment and renovated rooms. The new studio will open on Nov. 9. Mark Noack

Nov. 21, 9 to 11 a.m. Learn how to provide the structure and support your child (ages 1-5) needs to become a happy, healthy eater for life. Based on the work of Ellyn Satter, an internationally-known therapist, dietitian and author. Palo Alto Center ∙ 795 El Camino Real, Palo Alto ∙ 650-853-2961

Aging and the Reproductive Cycle Dec. 8, 7 to 8:30 p.m. PAMF reproductive endocrinologists Alexis Kim, M.D., and Mary Abusief, M.D., will explain fertility check-ups and discuss treatment options that can help facilitate conception and a successful pregnancy. Mountain View Center ∙ 650-934-7380 701 E. El Camino Real, 3rd Floor Conference Center, Mountain View

Feeding Your Young Child Dec. 17, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Learn how to provide the structure and support your child (ages 1-5) needs to become a happy, healthy eater for life. Based on the work of Ellyn Satter, an internationally-known therapist, dietitian and author. Santa Clara Center ∙ 2652 El Camino Real, Santa Clara ∙ 650-934-7177

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Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q November 6, 2015

LocalNews

City looks into growing RV encampments By Mark Noack

ountain View officials are taking a closer look at the growing number of people living in motor homes and trailers on city streets. In recent weeks, certain city streets have seen an increase in RVs and trailers being used as permanent homes by people who say they can’t afford housing in the area. These clusters include about 20 parked along Cristano Avenue near Rengstorff Park and about a dozen more near Latham Street by a Target department store. The situation has created conflicts in the neighborhoods, with nearby residents complaining the RV camps are fast becoming a source of garbage, noise and safety problems. City Manager Dan Rich distributed a memo earlier this week giving a basic outline of the situation. So far this year, police have towed 20 motor homes and other campers, which is an increase from past years, he noted. Right now, Mountain View police are

only enforcing violations when complaints are made, Rich said. The city faces difficulties in addressing the issue, since there is a “humanitarian aspect” as well as the health and safety concerns for people living on the street, he said in the memo. In many cases, RV dwellers aren’t doing anything illegal, so long as they relocate every 72 hours and follow other vehicle code rules. Rich noted that in the past,

RV dwellers aren’t doing anything illegal, so long as they relocate every 72 hours. the city had tried to use parking restrictions to prevent overnight campers from staying on Crisanto Avenue near Rengstorff Park. But since the campers can easily move their vehicles to another

MICHELLE LE

RVs parked along Latham Street are drawing complaints from neighbors.

street, the problem moves elsewhere. Instead, Rich explained that the city would remove restrictions on car-camping on Crisanto near Rengstorff Park, and could increase police and ranger patrols in the area. In the coming days, Mountain View police officers will be handing out informational pamphlets on laws that apply to people living out of their vehicles. Passing a law forbidding car camping would be problematic, according to the memo. Facing a similar problem in 2013, the city of Palo Alto tried banning sleep-

ing in vehicles overnight, but soon abandoned that law when a similar ban in Los Angeles was ruled illegal by the U.S. Court of Appeals in the Ninth Circuit. The three-judge panel ruled that the Los Angeles ban was vague and essentially invited police to discriminate against the homeless. A Santa Clara County Housing Task Force in September recommended creating a pilot program of “safe parking” sites where people living in their vehicles could safely stay. The task force suggested creating four

such lots throughout the South Bay, including one near Mountain View. However, the county Board of Supervisors decided to put only $50,000 toward the pilot program, enough to create safeparking sites only in San Jose. In his memo to the city, Rich pointed out that Mountain View could look into creating its own safe-parking site. But he noted that finding a suitable site would be a challenge. City Council members have expressed interest in having a discussion about the issue, but no date for such talks has been set. V

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LocalNews SHORELINE

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for game days, but the fields are otherwise open to all, Merriman said. Mountain View Little League President Mike Reelfs said the new athletic fields will definitely help, since field availability has been scarce lately. There are 37 teams of Mountain View kids who need to practice, Reelfs said, and doubling up teams on the same practice field can pose safety concerns.

The recreation department expects a majority of people using the field will be coming in on weekends. LAUREN MERRIMAN, MOUNTAIN VIEW RECREATION SUPERVISOR

“We are very grateful for new and more fields in Mountain View and look forward to many games out there,” Reelfs said. To the south of the fields is a play structure for children, batting cages and a 300-square-foot concessions stand. The facility also includes 182 parking spaces, which Merriman said would be enough even for a “worst case” scenario — a big game ending right as spectators and players for the next game are coming in. Directly to the east of the parking lot is a half-acre of burrowing owl habitat. While the location seemed ideal for building a large facility on undeveloped land, it wasn’t without its problems. The field is

PRINCIPAL

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son plans of the day. She said she started doing the classroom visits to get a good look at what activities are going on at the school, and to log how rigorous the learning objectives are from day to day. But she said it doesn’t take much to encourage

MICHELLE LE

Shaun Chilkotowsky, the city’s recreation coordinator, measures the distance from home plate to third base at the new Shoreline Athletic Fields on Oct. 29.

partially on top of a landfill, and as the garbage decomposes, the land settles, Rodriguez said. This could lead to some pretty lumpy fields as the ground sinks over time. In other to minimize the effect on the field, the city dumped 120,000 cubic yards of soil on top of the field site, compressing the land and speeding up the sinking process by about 10 years. For a period of time, most of the site was covered up with piles of dirt 20 to 25 feet tall. “What would normally take a

number of years we could do in a short amount of time,” Rodriguez said. The field itself is composed of artificial turf, which the City Council favored instead of grass back in 2011. Council members said the synthetic alternative will allow for heavier field use, while city staff cited sticky regulations in regards to irrigating a grass field without the water percolating into the refuse that lies beneath. When the city goes in to replace the artificial turf every 8

to 10 years, Rodriguez said that would be the time to re-level the field for any depressions caused by the decomposing landfill. Another challenge with the location is that it’s far from most of the city’s residential areas, compared to alternatives like McKelvey Park and the Crittenden Middle School field. Nestled between Shoreline Golf Links and tech companies like Google and Intuit, the field seems best situated for software engineers on their lunch break. Merriman said traffic getting into the area is

also a concern, and the recreation department expects a majority of people using the field will be coming in on weekends. “It’s definitely not a neighborhood location,” Merriman said. The opening day celebration will include a brief ceremony and a ribbon-cutting, as well as soccer and baseball games later that afternoon. The event will also include food trucks, give-aways and children’s activities, Merriman said. Email Kevin Forestieri at kforestieri@mv-voice.com

teachers to go the extra mile. “They love what they do. It never feels like they need motivation — they’re always looking for solutions and improvements,” Smith said. Another one of Smith’s goals is to promote what she called “STEW,” a play on the typical science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum,

that injects writing into the mix. She said any time students are working on science or math, they keep a journal to catalog what they learned and put it into writing. When she found out she had been selected for the national award, Smith said she was thrilled. “That was very cool. To be one

of seven leaders in the nation, it’s humbling,” she said. Colleen McCullough, a secondgrade teacher at Huff, said Smith always has the students’ interests in mind, and has offered plenty of support to the teaching staff as well. She has an open-door policy for teachers and is always ready to listen to new ideas, she said. “She is easy to work with, and is always open to our opinions and feedback,” McCullough said. Huff PTA board member Claire Quesnel-Oueini commended Smith for rallying parents and staff, who all come from very different backgrounds and experiences, under the common goal of doing what’s best for the students at the school. Smith joined the district as Huff’s new principal in 2012, and relocated from her home in

New York. At the time, former superintendent Craig Goldman called Smith a “gem” that they would’ve missed had their search not included out-of-state applicants. Goldman told the Voice that he was very excited to hear that Smith had received the Terrel H. Bell award. Smith has both the vision and leadership skills to take on any challenges she faces as principal of the school, he said. “It was a wonderful day when she decided to join the Mountain View Whisman community,” Goldman said in an email. The awardees, including Smith, will be honored at the annual National Blue Ribbon School ceremony on Nov. 9 and 10 in Washington D.C. Email Kevin Forestieri at kforestieri@mv-voice.com

Support Mountain View Voice’s print and online coverage of our community. Join today: SupportLocalJournalism SupportLocalJournalism.org/MountainView 18

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672 Sand Hill Circle, Menlo Park Offered at $1,488,000 Atrium-Style Townhome on Golf Course Tucked away in a sought-after neighborhood, this 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom multi-level townhome of approx. 2,390 sq. ft. (per seller) offers an atrium-style design overlooking Sharon Heights Golf Course. Displaying updated colors and lighting fixtures, the home also enjoys terrific features like central cooling, a sunny kitchen, an office, a master suite with soaring ceilings, and an attached two-car garage. Located steps from one of the neighborhood’s swimming pools, this fine home is also near Sand Hill Road, Woodside’s Horse Park, and top Las Lomitas schools. For video tour & more photos, please visit:

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516 Thompson Avenue, Mountain View Offered at $1,198,000 Quiet Setting, Ideal Location Updated and sky-lit, this 3 bedroom, 2 bath home of 1,116 sq. ft. (per county) offers a lot of 5,403 sq. ft. (per county). Accented by beamed ceilings and new interior colors, the homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charming spaces include a living/dining combo with a fireplace and a sunny master suite. Other features include a two-car garage, a new paver patio, and fresh landscaping. Steps from local parks and conveniences, this home is also walking distance from Monta Loma Elementary (buyer to verify eligibility). For video tour & more photos, please visit:

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1531 Tyler Park Way, Mountain View Offered at $1,988,000 Modern Luxuries, Original Charm Extensively updated and elegantly appointed, this 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom home of 3,381 sq. ft. (per county) offers a centrally located quarter-acre lot (per county). Deep porches, white oak floors, and a variety of handsome woodwork underline the homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s authentic character, while spaces that include formal living and dining rooms, a tastefully remodeled kitchen, and a den with a fireplace provide plenty of room for both everyday living and entertaining. The gracious master bedroom is privately arranged with another bedroom that can easily transition into an office, while the walk-out lower level offers large, flexible spaces. Other features include a detached two-car garage, a private backyard with a paver patio, new paint, and fantastic new landscaping. This home is just steps away from the exciting facilities of Cuesta Park, and is also within walking distance of both Mountain View Shopping Center and Grant Park Plaza. Fantastic nearby schools include Benjamin Bubb Elementary (API 920), Graham Middle, and Mountain View High (buyer to verify eligibility). For video tour & more photos, please visit:

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LocalNews

Mountain View Whisman School District OPEN ENROLLMENT 2016-17 (Kindergarten – 8th grade)

January 8 - February 5 Kindergarten Information Night Wednesday, December 2 Castro Elementary School 505 Escuela Ave. Spanish: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm English: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm MVWSD offers Choice Programs: Mistral Elementary: Dual Language School (Spanish/English) Stevenson PACT/Parent, Child, Teacher (parent participation) For more information and to schedule an appointment, please visit our website at www.mvwsd.org Para información en español, visite nuestra página web.

750 A San Pierre Way • Mountain View, CA 94043 650.526.3500 • www.mvwsd.org

VOICE FILE PHOTO/MICHELLE LE

A cyclist looks over at a Google self-driving car as it travels on Shoreline Boulevard during morning rush hour.

CARS

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Enrolling Now • Grades K-8 Adding Students in 4th Grade! Open Enrollment Ends January 29 www.BullisCharterSchool.com • CA Distinguished School • National Blue Ribbon School • #1 Ranked Public School in CA Parent Info Nights for Grades K-5 - Wed., Nov. 18 - 7:00 PM for Grades 6-8 - Tues., Dec. 8 - 7:00 PM 102 W. Portola Ave., Los Altos

Inscribiendo Ahora Para el Proximo Año Grados K-8 ¡Espacio en 4to grado! Inscriba a su hijo/a antes del 29 de enero. www.BullisCharterSchool.com • Escuela distinguida de california • Escuela nacional cinta azul • Escuela gratis pública del puesto #1 en california Noches de Información para Padres de Grados K-5 - miércoles, 18 de noviembre de Grados 6-8 - martes, 8 de diciembre a las 7:00 PM 102 W. Portola Ave., Los Altos Si le gustaría hablar con alguien en español por favor llame a nuestra oficina al 650-947-4100. 22

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four times the national rate for accidents, according to the report. But those numbers needed to be heavily adjusted for a useful comparison, explained Brandon Schoettle, a researcher with the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute. Human drivers often fail to report crashes, whereas any collision involving a selfdriving car has to be reported under California law, he said. After adjusting for this and other factors, his new numbers showed self-driving cars had about twice the crash rate. But that’s not to say autonoMICHELLE LE mous vehicles are more dangerous. Schoettle emphasized Google’s latest type of self-driving car is a frequent sight on Mountain that autonomous vehicles have View streets. only been involved in car-oncar crashes, and those collisions have always been caused There were no crashes involv- consider reasonable. Schoettle emphasized that by other drivers. Self-driving ing the company’s autonomous his analysis had a wide margin cars are rear-ended more often cars in October, he noted. “We publish the details of all of error and it was based off a than regular cars, but they are much less likely to be hit head- crashes we’ve been involved limited data set. Due to those in on our website each month, limits, he cautioned against on. “The big picture for self- and there’s a clear theme of drawing any hard-line concludriving cars is even though human error and inattention,” sions about self-driving technology. This kind of analysis you might be involved in he said via email. Exactly why human drivers would become more useful as more crashes, it’s still a safer crash to be in,” Schoettle said. are more prone to crash into self-driving cars accrue more “It’s a mixed message. (Self- self-driving cars is something miles on the road. “We’ll continue this line of driving cars) have higher crash of a mystery, Schoettle said. rates, but certainly not because Taking a guess, he said perhaps thinking,” he said. “You can they’re doing anything wrong.” human drivers weren’t used to have a vehicle with a higher Asked about the study, the driving patterns of self- crash rate that is still overall Google spokesman Johnny driving algorithms, which can safer. The two aren’t mutually Luu said that the company’s sometimes result in the cars exclusive.” self-driving cars have not once braking more frequently, and Email Mark Noack at been at fault in an accident. longer, than a human might mnoack@mv-voice.com V

620 Willowgate Street #2, Mountain View Offered at $988,000 Spacious Townhome Enjoys Prime Location Enjoying a private setting in a well-located neighborhood, this 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath townhome of 1,690 sq. ft. (per county) provides vaulted ceilings and large, comfortable spaces that include a spacious eat-in kitchen and a living/dining room with a fireplace. In addition to a detached garage and a backyard retreat with mature fruit trees, this fine home offers excellent walkability to Caltrain, Castro Street, and Stevens Creek Trail, while terrific Mountain View schools are easily accessible. For video tour & more photos, please visit:

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LocalNews Math Help

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MICHELLE LE

Karen Farrell assists a customer at Bumble Bee Health Foods on Nov. 3.

BUMBLE BEE

Continued from page 6

Mathnasium of Mountain View-Los Altos 2510 W. El Camino Real, Ste. #4, Mountain View 650-941-MATH (6284) mountainviewlosaltos@mathnasium.com www.mathnasium.com/MountainViewLosAltos

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the store and talking for half an hour or more just to chat. He said the high cost of rent in Mountain View continues to be the top issue on everyone’s mind. Over the decades working at the store, Farrell said he noticed an increased demand for health food products, as many of the vitamins and supplements they stock turned into national dietary trends. The interest brought new customers to the market, but it also brought in competition from larger chain stores. Stores like Sprouts and Whole Foods, which have picked up in popularity over the years, are able to sell many of the same vitamins and supplements as independent stores like Bumble Bee Health Foods, but at a significantly marked down price, Farrell said. While Bumble Bee Health Foods has cut its prices to stay competitive, many other small health food stores have folded. “In the ‘70s there were five

TRANSIT

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city staff estimated in 2010. When the idea came back for consideration last year, council members had largely soured on pursuing it any further. Coincidentally, Mountain View will be playing host this week to an international pod car conference, Podcar City, which is expected to draw about 200 advocates of the technology. The event will take place Nov. 4 to 6 at the city’s Performing

The interest brought new customers to the market, but it also brought in competition from larger chain stores. independent health food stores within 2 miles,” Farrell said. Now, Bumble Bee Health Foods is the only one left, he said. The competitive environment did prompt some cutbacks. The store, which is now heavily stocked with teas, grains, supplements, herbs and medicines, used to sell raw milk, goat cheese, carrot juice and other groceries. Farrell said the rise of the Trader Joe’s chain was the biggest reason they had to ditch the larger selection, but back in the 1970s, they were the only store in the area selling them. “In those days, this is where you’d have to get this stuff,” he said. During its heyday, the store had as many as five employees, but since the business is winding down its operations, it’s just been the Farrells running the shop. They work six days a week,

Monday to Saturday, with John Farrell coming in on Sunday to manage the store. Neither of them have taken a vacation since 2001, they said. Their last employee, Farrell said, left because of the high cost of rent in the area. Farrell said the store has always prided itself on getting the more expensive raw materials from providers in countries like Germany for its products, which ratchets up the costs. But because they have had to slash prices to stay competitive, it’s been more and more challenging to run the small independent store, he said. To him, that was a sign that it was time to retire and close up the shop. “When prices become the prime motivator, it’s time to quit,” he said. Email Kevin Forestieri at kforestieri@mv-voice.com

Arts Center and will feature panel talks on how such systems can function in urban settings. At the study session last week, Mountain View leaders differed on which transit system would be the best option to pursue. Mayor John McAlister made the point that the quickest option would be to work with systems already established in town, particularly light rail. In recent meetings, McAlister had disclosed that Google officials were in talks with the

Valley Transportation Authority over studying a possible light-rail extension from Ellis Street to North Bayshore. A Google representative at the Thursday meeting indicated an agreement had been signed to begin the study. “We have a nice, generous company that’s going to study this,” McAlister said. “I think this could be the first (plan) that would be studied, implemented and funded.” Email Mark Noack at mnoack@mv-voice.com

655 Kingsley Avenue, Palo Alto Offered at $4,798,000 Tuscan-Inspired Luxury in Professorville Charmingly remodeled and boasting an array of luxuries, this centrally located 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath villa of 3,627 sq. ft. (per county) occupies a corner lot of 6,313 sq. ft. (per county). Hand-blown glass lighting fixtures, copper sinks, and white oak floors adorn the gorgeous interior, which includes a highly customized gourmet kitchen, a sensational master suite, and a lower level with a family room. Offering a backyard retreat with a fireplace, this exciting home is blocks from University Avenue and moments from parks, local shops and cafes, and excellent Palo Alto schools. For video tour & more photos, please visit:

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Viewpoint

Q EDITORIAL Q YOUR LETTERS Q GUEST OPINIONS

Q EDITORIAL

THE OPINION OF THE VOICE

Founding Editor, Kate Wakerly

Q S TA F F EDITOR Andrea Gemmet (223-6537) EDITORIAL Associate Editor Renee Batti (223-6528) Arts & Entertainment Editor Elizabeth Schwyzer (223-6517) Special Sections Editor Brenna Malmberg (223-6511) Staff Writers Kevin Forestieri (223-6535) Mark Noack (223-6536) Intern Carl Sibley Photographer Michelle Le (223-6530) Contributors Dale Bentson, Ruth Schecter DESIGN & PRODUCTION Marketing and Creative Director Shannon Corey (223-6560) Design and Production Manager Kristin Brown (223-6562) Designers Linda Atilano, Diane Haas, Rosanna Leung, Paul Llewellyn, Nick Schweich, Doug Young ADVERTISING Vice President Sales and Marketing Tom Zahiralis (223-6570) Advertising Representative Adam Carter (223-6573) Real Estate Account Executive Rosemary Lewkowitz (223-6585) Published every Friday at 450 Cambridge Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94306 (650) 964-6300 fax (650) 964-0294 Email news and photos to: editor@MV-Voice.com Email letters to: letters@MV-Voice.com

Water district needs outside audit, firmer policies

he county District Attorney’s Office is looking into allegations of improper conduct and payouts of public funds for work not performed for the Santa Clara Valley Water District, an investigation prompted by the Metro newspaper group’s news reports on questionable billing and a possible conflict of interest involving a contractor and a high-ranking district administrator. This is a welcome development, given the district board’s apparent reluctance to hire an outside auditor for an independent financial review. Will the DA’s investigators find evidence of criminal wrongdoing by the district and the contractor, RMC Water and Environment? It’s far too early to know. But what has become clear from recent disclosures by the district is that the public agency’s administration has been unacceptably lax in its oversight of how private contractors are hired, how they are supervised, and how they are paid. The troubling revelations that have surfaced in recent weeks involve the water district’s relationship with, and possible over-payments to, RMC — a firm co-owned by the husband of the district’s deputy operating officer, Melanie Richardson. District administrators assert that an adequate “firewall” exists that prevents any involvement by Richardson in matters pertaining to the projects RMC is carrying out. But the district hasn’t provided the firewall policy upon request.

The seven-member district board in April authorized CEO Beau Goldie to bypass the traditional bidding process and directly negotiate with RMC for preliminary engineering work on an $800 million water recycling plant — an ill-advised move approved on a 5-2 vote. Goldie in August awarded RMC a $1.3 million contract, despite concerns raised more than a year before by staff that the district had paid RMC hundreds of thousands of dollars for work it had not performed on an earlier project and that proper billing and payment protocols had not been followed. Now that these serious concerns have surfaced, several board members who had given Goldie the go-ahead in April to negotiate a contract with RMC with no bids from other companies are on the defensive. Board president Gary Kremen — who with member Barbara Keegan voted against the April authorization of an expedited contract process — was dismissive about an internal audit that found no irregularities or compliance issues. Kremen’s response to the self-audit was justified. The district should not only have its books reviewed by an independent auditor, it should bring in outside expertise to help craft “best practice” financial and oversight policies. Board member Keegan was on target when she criticized how the payments now in question were made to RMC through shifts in funds from one project to another, calling it an “informal process” that bypasses important steps. V

News/Editorial Department (650) 964-6300 fax (650) 964-0294 Display Advertising Sales (650) 964-6300 Classified Advertising Sales (650) 964-6490 • (650) 326-8286 fax (650) 326-0155 Email Classified ads@MV-Voice.com Email Circulation circulation@MV-Voice.com The Voice is published weekly by Embarcadero Media Co. and distributed free to residences and businesses in Mountain View. If you are not currently receiving the paper, you may request free delivery by calling 9646300. Subscriptions for $60 per year, $100 per 2 years are welcome. ©2015 by Embarcadero Media Company. All rights reserved. Member, Mountain View Chamber of Commerce

Q WHAT’S YOUR VIEW? All views must include a home address and contact phone number. Published letters will also appear on the web site, www.MountainViewOnline.com, and occasionally on the Town Square forum. Town Square forum Post your views on Town Square at MountainViewOnline.com Email your views to letters@MV-Voice.com. Indicate if letter is to be published. Mail to: Editor Mountain View Voice, P.O. Box 405 Mountain View, CA 94042-0405 Call the Viewpoint desk at 223-6528

Q LETTERS

VOICES FROM THE COMMUNITY

INSTALL FLASHING LIGHTS FOR PEDESTRIAN SAFETY I was sad to hear of the death of Michelle Montalvo. I have lived near El Monte for years. It has always been a trouble spot. The most successful solution I have seen for alerting traffic to the presence of a pedestrian is where the person triggers flashing lights that are embedded in the road along the crosswalk. They have these on San Antonio in Lost Altos and I think it is a brilliant solution. Regardless of the number of lanes, all the the cars approaching from either direction can see the flashing lights and are alerted to slow way down and stop for a pedestrian. It is unambiguous and doesn’t require figuring out what all the rest of the traffic is doing, or why. In heavy traffic across four lanes it is often difficult to

Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q November 6, 2015

see if there is even a pedestrian there, or where they are located. The traffic flows normally when no one pushes the button to trigger the lights. We don’t need to chop down the trees, or build more flower beds in the middle of intersections. As long as there is a shopping center, a bus stop, fast food, and a residential neighborhood adjacent to each other there will be people crossing the road there. I think this gives everyone, motorist and pedestrian, the best chance for it to happen safely, regardless of the time of day, the amount of light, or the weather conditions. Lynn Miller Solana Drive

COMMUNITY MEETING WAS ‘DEFICIENT’ Last Oct. 28 there was a community meeting to discuss

the huge Saint Joseph church parking lot development project. This meeting took place in the basement of Saint Joseph church, and its purpose, we were told, was to “present the development plans to the public, answer questions the public may have and to take public feedback on this mixed use office/housing project.” The meeting was hosted by the Sobrato Corporation that will be leasing the church land. It was attended by parishioners, and non-parishioner neighbors who will be affected in some ways by the development. The meeting was held in mere compliance with city regulations but deficient in many ways. The Sobrato presenters could not answer many of the questions asked, some as basic as where parishioners would park every Sunday when coming to Mass during the long, months of destruction/ construction work. The did not even had microphones. Many wanted to know how

the revenues from the 50-yearleased land would benefit Saint Joseph Parish. No concrete answer was given other than saying that a current church loan to the diocese will be paid, and some church and parochial school improvements will be taken care of. The chief financial officer of the Diocese of San Jose was present but refused to stand before the audience to give information or answer questions many of us had. He made himself available only to answer one-on-one questions at the end of the meeting. And as much and the Mountain View community is bleeding because of the greedy rent increases, unjust evictions and lack of affordable housing, the longtime promoters and supporters at the parish and diocese level of this huge development project have not mentioned or included in it the “affordable housing” element to benefit at least a few in our community. Job Lopez McCarty Avenue

Viewpoint

A flat minimum-wage hike could harm local restaurants ity between tipped and untipped employees, and allows an o employer wants to see employer to raise wages to reward employees struggling. experience and longevity. Research shows that teens But small businesses themselves struggle to keep their with work experience have a doors open and provide jobs on much higher chance of long-term a daily basis. Already, 50 percent employment and higher earning of restaurants close their doors in potential, but a higher minimum less than five years in business. In wage in a struggling economy order to balance these challenges, edges unskilled workers out of minimum-wage increases need the market. Studies show these to be slow, steady, predictable are the first employees to lose and targeted to those who truly jobs when wages are increased. These entry-level jobs are a critineed it. The local restaurant and busi- cal opportunity for young workness communities came together ers because they teach the skills and presented a smart and tar- needed to succeed in any future career includgeted proposal ing teamwork, that balanced leadership and the need to Guest Opinion responsibility. increase worker A teen wage wages with the need to maintain the growth and helps protect these opportunihealth of local small businesses, ties for young workers. Fi na l ly, m i ni mu m-wage which was largely ignored by the Mountain View City Council. increases must be slow, steady Even so, as the council considers and predicable for small busia minimum-wage increase, we nesses to survive. Given that must create a policy that is tar- restaurants are already struggling geted and thoughtful to ensure to adjust to the latest increase, that wage increases reach those and labor accounts for 40 percent of costs, these additional, more who truly need them. Some of the ways we can strike a aggressive wage hikes are causing productive balance include a total small businesses — the majorcompensation model to create ity of which are minority- and income equality between tipped woman-owned — to make undeand untipped workers, slower sirable choices such as cutting implementation period for small employees, reducing hours and businesses, and a teen wage to pro- increasing prices. Other options include the tect entry-level opportunities for young workers. These mitigations earned income tax credit because protect jobs and ensure higher it most effectively targets financial relief to California’s lowest wages for those who need them. Restaurants have a unique busi- wage earners. Success for employees and ness model, in which minimumwage employees are actually employers is dependent on among the highest earners. While opportunity — opportunity that servers and bartenders can often diminishes when wage increases double or triple their income are implemented without any when factoring in their tips, buss- mitigating measures. We must ers, washers and line cooks often include necessary mitigations as earn only a few dollars above the part of a thoughtful, comprehenminimum wage and thus, do not sive minimum-wage increase to see the benefit of an increase to ensure that we do not do more harm than good for Mountain the minimum wage. Total compensation should be View’s lowest-paid workers. included, which guarantees a tipped employee a total taxable Jessica Lynam is the director of super wage, freeing up lim- local government affairs in the ited labor dollars for non-tipped Bay Area for the California Resemployees, who often earn sig- taurant Association, representnificantly less than their tipped ing the interests of locally owned counterparts. Total compensa- restaurants through advocacy and tion is a win-win for all staff as outreach to local city and county it shrinks the income dispar- level municipalities. Jessica Lynam

twitter.com/mvvoice November 6, 2015 Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q

List with DeLeon Realty be f o re D e c e mbe r 1 5 , 2 0 1 5 for the Spring 2 0 1 6 mar k et and yo u will re c e iv e: • a $1,000 gift card to The Home Depot. • 25 hours of handyman time. • a special pre-marketing plan* for your home, including: - exposure on DeLeon Realty’s Spring Showcase website. - inclusion in DeLeon Realty’s newsletter (65,000 copies). - inclusion in newspaper inserts (64,500 copies). • our industry-leading marketing plan, including: - full-page newspaper ads. - Google & Facebook ads. - Chinese newspaper & radio ads. - 12-page custom brochures. - professional photography. - a professional-quality video. - a 3-D tour. This is in addition to the complimentary services we provide to all our sellers, including: • free property inspection. • free pest inspection. • free staging**.

*Pre-marketing for Spring Showcase will roll out the first week of January 2016. * *Includes all fees associated with design, delivery, set-up, de-staging, and the first month of furniture rental. Disclaimer: This offer applies to listings with a signed listing agreement between Nov. 1, 2015 through Dec. 15, 2015. This is a limited-time offer for homes which will be listed to the MLS by May 1, 2016. Past listings and transactions are excluded from this offer.

650.488.7325 | info@deleonrealty.com | www.deleonrealty.com | CalBRE #01903224

Q Mountain View Voice Q MountainViewOnline.com Q November 6, 2015