Transparency dictates Measure M
Dear Editor: Glen Rojas’ Sept. 13 letter damning Save Menlo’s yes on M initiative neglects to mention that he and the Menlo Park City Council gave away the store to developers.
He says ” … the Specific Plan was based on a solid foundation of input and scrutiny by the citizens of this city.” All true. But he neglects to mention that the yes on M initiative only asks that future development stay within the original, agreed-upon vision for zoning downtown Menlo Park, of which he was part.
He also neglects to mention the secret, unvetted subcommittee agreement between the city and Stanford, which specifically cut out participation by neighborhood residents appointed to negotiate and participate.
Transparency is the issue, and you have to wonder how many other issues and projects got clouded over and neglected during Mr. Rojas’ “30-plus years of local government” experience.
Vote yes on M.
Dan Dippery,
Menlo Park
Secretive Palo Alto council
Dear Editor: Regarding that which has been released concerning the secret meetings between the Palo Alto City Council and developer John Arrillaga: One of the primary mandates of any gathering of a council or board is the Brown Act. California Code No. 54950-5463, which was passed in 1953, guarantees the public’s right to attend and participate in meetings of local legislative bodies. “It is the intent of the law that their actions be taken openly and that their deliberations be conducted openly.” Thereby, it clearly disallows any sense of secrecy. The Brown Act solely applies to California city and county government agencies, boards and councils.
This was obviously enacted to protect both parties involved and the citizens from discussions or behaviors that might smack of coercion, collusion and/or corruption.
If ignoring the Brown Act did, in fact, happen between the Palo Alto City Council and Mr. Arrillaga, then all members of the council should be forced to resign, or, at least, not be re-elected. Money should not be the mode of influence.
Mimi Kugushev,
Menlo Park
Save Menlo Park’s character
Dear Editor: As a co-founder of the Menlo Park Farmers Market 22 years ago, I am voting to support Measure M, which will bring balanced development to our city. Measure M proposes a blend of office, residential and retail space. Current City Council members have failed to safeguard our city’s small-town character. They support proposed overdevelopment and predominantly high-density office space. Menlo Park has been a wonderful place to live, but residents will be negatively affected if Measure M is defeated. Measure M promotes true open space, not private balconies and enclosed terraces.
If Measure M fails, the high-density plans for El Camino Real will impact adjacent residential neighborhoods. All residents who value our town’s small-town character need to vote for Measure M. Please reject the financially backed developers who will not have to live with the outcome of their immense proposals.
Margaret H. Carney,
Menlo Park
Feeding the public hysteria
Dear Editor: I was watching Scott Pelley on “60 Minutes” Sunday night doing a piece on the mentally ill. First he covers himself by saying that the majority of mentally ill are not violent. Then he goes on to his story about them in regards to homicide and suicide, playing into the public hysteria about the mentally ill, which is clearly why he did the story in the first place.
Remember CNN’s ‘”Black in America 1,” “Black in America 2” and “Black in America: The New Promised Land — Silicon Valley?” This shows clearly what the media’s desired impact is. It would have been more appropriate if Pelley had broadcast how the vast majority of the mentally ill would like to work but nobody will hire them.
We have street gangs and organized crime in this country whose constant violence earns them Academy Award-winning movies such as “The Godfather,” “Goodfellas” and “Menace to Society.” Movies that I actually got out of my seat and left because of their disgusting acts of violence. The truth is, there is more violence from those who are not mentally ill than there is from those who are. Also, I have to say that CBS is becoming a terrible broadcast company, especially in terms of network television. It could try a story like “Poor and White in America,” but that of course wouldn’t be politically correct either.
Patrick Field,
Palo Alto
