By Theater needed, but how about smaller one?

As I listen to the arguments regarding movie theater vs. hotel in downtown Los Altos, gut feeling and common sense lead me to these thoughts:

1) It is good that our elected officials are taking a close look at tax revenue for our city, but with two more large hotel complexes going up on El Camino, do we really need another hotel in the area?

2) Jeremy Taylor has written two thoughtful and respectful letters to the Town Crier, presenting the teen perspective. Teens say this town “is boring and there’s nothing to do.” We need to listen to our teens, who want a theater, as do a large portion of adults in a recent poll.

3) The argument that theater chains are going under is a prudent and appropriate warning, and I agree it sounds like the town couldn’t support six theaters.

My suggestion, to take into account everyone’s needs and wishes: have three theaters - one a “blockbuster,” one an art house indie, and one a “G” for the little ones during the afternoon, then a teen movie at night.

In the space of the other proposed three theaters, have a fun area, with video games, skee ball, air hockey, etc. A flexible lounge area could be a place for kid birthday parties during the day, and a teen place at night. Grandparents could take grandkids into town for a nice afternoon together - an age appropriate movie, a little air hockey, then go for ice cream. Teens could come to town for pizza, a movie and video games. Adults could come for a nice meal and a movie.

Groups of neighbors, especially on summer evenings, could walk downtown to see a movie together. And the joy of having a wonderful town like we do is that people could walk around to all these places. Perhaps during weekday mornings the theaters could even be used for group meetings/lectures. Finally, I’m sure all the increased traffic to other sites downtown plus all those game quarters would add up to some sales tax.

This plan would provide enough “to do” for the various interested groups in our town, but not be so huge as to draw in hoardes of outside people with increased traffic, etc. The important thing is that it would be something positive both for family time and to bring the community together.

Harise StapleLos Altos

Better use of $1 million

It’s painful to read someone would offer a $1 million gift for a movie theater in Los Altos. There are so many more needy organizations - the youth club, senior center, library (parking opposite side) and other local programs - as well as charities, that would put the donation to better use.

If a movie theater (or hotel) were opened in Los Altos, I’d give it a 12-month life; 18 tops. Our village is no longer primarily the home of people in retirement. Our demographic mix is now much more diversified.

How would a theater owner, operating the small space at First and Main, afford renting first-run movies that would appeal to all ages?

Jerry KellyLos Altos

Get to know the neighborhood

As one of the residents living adjacent to the proposed development at the corner of Fremont and Maple, I thought Katherine Lang (Letters: March 28, 2001) might want to know a bit more about the neighborhood before deciding if she needs to be ashamed of us.

Perhaps she already knows my neighborhood, as she probably has driven right through it on her way to the Post Office or other businesses at Loyola Corners. Perhaps she has parked on my street while shopping at the old Farmers Market on a Saturday or Sunday.

Perhaps she has waved at one of the elderly retirees who lives here; they make up 50 percent of the residents on my street. Maybe she would like to know that this neighborhood has housed or currently houses teachers, nurses and firemen as well as college students, the very same type of people she is crusading for. They live here because it is an affordable area of town.

Ms. Lang says, “People like teachers are literally leaving the area because they can’t find a decent place to live.” Hey, we are already here in the neighborhood, and we want to keep it a decent and safe place to live. The neighborhood’s main objection is how increased traffic and off-site parking will affect our current standard of living. Mr.Warmoth, the developer and owner, is proposing a high lot coverage ratio as well as a building height much higher than the prevailing heights.

I think any neighborhood would want these items reduced and addressed, even one with teachers, nurses.

Regina ReganLos Altos

Media coverage spurs student violence

Is school still a safe place? Has it gotten to the point where students cannot stay after school for sports and extracurricular activities?

Do parents have to pick up their children from school when they live a few blocks away?

In the past several months there have been copycat attempts of the Columbine and Santana shooting incidents.

Los Altos High School had a gun threat, Mountain View High School had a bomb scare, and De Anza College was nearly bombed; the list goes on.

Are these troubled teens crying out for attention? It’s difficult to know what the motive is behind each situation. It’s scary to believe that kids can’t feel safe at their own school.

Who’s to blame? Media? Parents? Accessibility to firearms’? I believe the media glorifies violence. The media sensationalizes human tragedy. Violence continues because viewers demand to be entertained and at the same time become informed of what’s occurring in the world.

Studies show that in European countries where violence, especially teen violence, is not aired on television, copycat episodes do not exist. Is this coincidence? I think not.

I believe we must err on the side of child safety and agree not to publicize any teen violence. This controversial step will save lives.

Lisa Newton

Los Altos