Spectrum
Letters
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all candidates for city council to disclose whether they live in Palo Alto, and ask all candidates for school board who have school-age children whether their children are enrolled in Palo Alto schools. It has come to my attention that at least one candidate for the school board has school-aged children who attend (or did attend) private school while the candidate served on the school board. I was shocked to learn this, and I think Palo Alto voters need to know this before they decide how to cast their votes. Personally, I believe that someone who wants to serve on the school board should believe our schools are good enough for their own children, just as I believe that someone who wants to serve on the city council should choose to live in Palo Alto. Peggy Kenny Cowper Street Palo Alto
Fight urbanization Editor, The Palo Alto City Council and the Palo Alto Planning Department have obviously decided that massive urbanization is what they want for the city of Palo Alto. It is obvious that the concerns of residents for a peaceful neighborly place to live are of no concern to
them. They are pushing for remaking this city into a mini-Manhattan complete with bumper-to-bumper traffic, overcrowded schools, massive noise, air and visual pollution. Remember when the city council used to talk about being green and sustainable? Now it is all about keeping developers happy and destroying the ambiance of the city. We need a referendum on the ballot that limits all buildings to the zoning that is listed in the comprehensive plan: nothing over 50 feet and no more exemptions with planned community zoning without a public vote. We need to elect city council members who are not in the pockets of developers and who will fire planning department employees who are. Interesting how they didn’t announce this project until after the slate for the city council election was final. Tina Peak Palo Alto Avenue Palo Alto
Palo Alto under seige Editor, It’s the ’50s and ’60s again! Palo Alto is under siege by developers. After Measure E, we now know that no park is safe from developers. 1. Measure E locks up 10 acres of our Baylands Park for 10 years and will cost millions to figure out if this project is remotely feasible. 2. (John) Arrillaga, a developer,
wants to add our 7.7 acres of land adjacent to Foothills Park to his own 44-acre estate. This land was given to us by the Lee family for conservation. We should honor that gift and add it to Foothills Park. 3. Arrillaga also wants to develop the El Camino Real/University Avenue entrance to Palo Alto with four huge high-rise, traffic-generating buildings and usurp part of El Camino Park. Two committees studied this area and recommended an enhanced transportation center above all else. This development does nothing for Palo Alto, only enhances the developer and eliminates future alternatives for our city. 4. The Bike/Pedestrian bridge across 101 near Adobe Creek. This bridge could be good if the east end does not destroy Baylands Park marshes and eliminate a great stand of trees used by Baylands birds. If it does use parkland, it must go to a vote. The answer to developer Arrillaga is easy. NO. Our parks are not for sale or expendable for private development. Enid Pearson, former Palo Alto City Council member Forest Court Palo Alto
Patron or patrón? Editor, The no-brainer is the council’s/ staff’s consideration of John Arril-
laga’s project. It is an insult to the people of Palo Alto and the physical integrity of this city. Arrillaga was described as a “patron,” which was reflected in “the generosity encompassed in his plan.” He may define himself a “patron” and behave as if he is a “patron,” but in Spanish the word “patrón” means boss. Arrillaga is not a “patrón” and we are not his employees. This council was not elected to regale Arrillaga or entertain a development inconsistent with the composition of this city. Arrillaga oversaw the construction of buildings he paid for at Stanford with his “low tolerance of bureaucracy” and “getting his way.” Stanford did not always share Arrillaga’s designs, but went ahead with the projects. We Palo Altans are not beholden to this man, his development or his arrogance. Palo Alto is not Stanford. The proposal that Stanford gets a steady “revenue stream” is troubling. Our state colleges and universities need such a “permanent revenue stream.” Stanford is not in the financial doldrums. The project does not appear to benefit anyone except Arrillaga and Stanford. It does not “reflect the character of today’s downtown.” The lack of respect the council/staff have for Palo Altans is reflected in the report’s short four-day notice. Are they trying to ram this monstrosity down our throats?
Missing Hobee’s Editor, I am saddened over the closing of Hobee’s in Town and Country Village. Hobee’s has been a staple in this location long before I was even born. Despite its further distance from my home, Town and Country was one of my favorite Hobee’s because of the exciting buzz of the many surrounding Palo Alto activities and businesses. It was one of the most relaxing locations to just sit in a sunny spot with a delicious breakfast and read the newspaper or people watch. With their Minnie Mouse pancakes, delicious salad bar and cozy atmosphere, Hobee’s was a key part of my childhood dining experience. There is nothing like their piping-hot blueberry coffee cake topped with sugary cinnamon crumbles and melty butter drizzled on top. Luckily, there are still other locations to visit. But, it will be sad to drive by and see the empty space eventually filled with one of the many newly opening businesses. A piece of history has been removed. Alyssa Jacobson Oakhurst Avenue Los Altos
MARSH2012 MADNESS
ANNUAL
6 TH
“Disservice” is a nice word for deceitful maneuvering. Joni Reid Embarcadero Road Palo Alto
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