By Packard Foundation should stay

I was dismayed to read about the formation of a group (Aug. 22) whose interest seems to be to prevent the Packard Foundation from remaining in Los Altos.

I think I speak for a majority of residents who want to encourage the Packard Foundation to stay in Los Altos. I am proud to share our village with a world-class foundation that does so much for our environment, open-space and farmland preservation and world social issues such as education and child welfare.

I would suggest the citizen group instead focus on discouraging the large national chain Walgreens from taking over the old McWhorter’s location or encouraging the new development at First and Main to create a spa facility that would better meet their and the rest of the community’s needs.

Curt RiffleLos Altos

Think twice about blaming Packard

The Los Altos Coalition to Save the Village certainly has the right idea in attempting to slow the growth and expansion of major businesses in the charming downtown Village. There is no doubt that chain stores such as Walgreens will completely change the look, feel and atmosphere that has made Los Altos the desirable place to live and visit that it is today.

The Coalition, however, should think twice about attempting to oust the Packard Foundation. This reader does not agree that the Packard Foundation is taking away the quality of life and causing the loss of amenities in Los Altos as claimed by the group. We have been most fortunate to be the home of that august organization.

The Packard Foundation has always maintained an extremely low profile while bringing dignity, employment and a tremendous boost to our amenities and economy. We have been the fortunate recipients of over $11 million in the last 30 years!

Wouldn’t it make more sense to form a coalition to assist Reach and The Spa of Los Altos in finding another location convenient to most of their members? If we asked, the Packard Foundation would probably help us with this, too!

Robin and Tom ListonLos Altos

A supreme ‘amenity’ for our village

I find the behavior of the “Los Altos Coalition to Save the Village” appalling. Having had the privilege to work closely with Dave Packard for more than a decade, I can confirm that his monumental international reputation as role model for entrepreneurs, statesmen, and philanthropists alike is well-deserved.

It is my hope that the “coalition” will study this uncommon man’s history sufficiently to come to its senses, and to desist from its destructive course.

Most of us would count the Packard Foundation’s presence in our community as a blessing and an honor as the supreme “amenity” our village could ever have.

Carl J. ClementLos Altos Hills

Pools use to serve those beyond Los Altos

In the letter to the Town Crier of the Aug. 22 issue, Ursula Hester, a member of the Board of Directors of Los Altos Masters, who were operators of the Covington Pool, is quoted as stating the vast majority of Covington Pool users were Los Altans.

This broad statement doesn’t tell the readers what number were taxpaying families (not just users), who will be burdened with additional taxes for the construction of any new pool. In fact, the vast majority, which she claims, is actually a very small minority of Los Altos families.

I feel that the City should not be involved in what would be considered an undertaking of the private business sector. The city should consider seeking an organization or a private investor to provide to build any pool. The city could set aside a determined piece of land in Rosita Park for the pool with the stipulation to lease the site on a 40-50 year lease.

It is unreasonable to expect the taxpayer of Los Altos to foot the bill for such an undertaking. It should be financed by the private sector with the land leased by the City.

Ed AustinLos Altos

Not a community pool facility

Ursula Hester, in her letter of Aug. 22, states that Los Altos needs a community swimming facility. On that point, we are in agreement, but such a facility should not be located at the end of a dead-end street in a historically residential neighborhood adjacent to an elementary school that will open in September 2002.

Regarding the question of whether the proposed Aquatic Complex at Rosita Park is a regional or community facility, I refer to the Business Plan developed by Los Altos Masters and SPLASH.

If the facility were to be a truly community swimming facility, why would a market analysis be included in the Business Plan?

This market analysis defines and locates 39 swimming facilities in Los Altos and local communities and discusses competition between these facilities for programs. A direct quote from the plan follows: “Los Altos Masters is confident that the program can be even more competitive in our local market when we move into the new facility.”

In my view, when a swimming facility must compete with others in the area for customers and programs, that facility is no longer a community facility, but rather a Regional Aquatic Complex.

I seriously doubt that there are enough customers in the city of Los Altos to support the proposed two-pool complex without relying upon nonresident users or a city subsidy.

Roy PresleyLos Altos

Cities need to open access to broadband

The lack of DSL and cable broadband Internet access and weak cellular phone coverage in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills is truly shameful. I had assumed this was due to inaction on the part of service providers.

David Gustavson’s letter and the article on the Sprint PCS antenna at St. Luke’s (Aug. 15) suggest instead that access to these services has been blocked by city policies of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills.

I am one of those who believe in retaining the rural atmosphere of Los Altos Hills. However, making broadband Internet and wireless telephone service available for all Los Altos and Los Altos Hills residents would have little or no adverse financial impact on the cities, and probably very limited visual impact.

At the same time, the benefits in terms of convenience and safety are near-universal. This goal should be a high priority for both cities.

Peter B. EvansLos Altos Hills

Not challenging survey; offering assistance

I wish to correct a misimpression created by the Town Crier in its “LAH resident challenges town survey results” article (Aug. 22).

I never said I was challenging the statistical results of the survey or that there had not been enough analysis of the results. Instead, with 20 years of market research experience, I was simply offering my assistance to the town to learn more about resident preferences from the data collected.

In my communication to the Town Crier I also said, “I think the current LAH Town Council’s decision to move forward with a survey was a great breath of fresh air.”

Tom LeFevreLos Altos Hills

City should watch its language

During the week of August 20-24, the city of Los Altos mailed a flyer to its citizens titled “Shape the Transportation Future of Los Altos - Transportation Charrette.”

For some, the use of foreign words always sounds more sophisticated than plain English. “Charrette” is a French word for a horse-drawn tip cart used for the transportation of goods, garbage and manure. A smaller model could be pulled by a man and was then called charrette a’ bras.

This silly flier evokes the use of tip carts as a way to solve the transportation problems in Los Altos while preserving “the village atmosphere.” To have a workshop with community input and call it a charrette is not a clever gimmick, it is just nonsense.

It must be noted, that during the French Revolution, charrettes were used to take people to the guillotine and got the name of charrettes des condamnes (tip carts of the condemned or tumbrels).

C. DubrulleLos Altos

An apt description for Mary McLanathan

This little note is to thank you for the delightful article, which appeared in your Aug. 1 edition.

“Volunteer flower power” is a good description of Mary McLanathan!

Since meeting Mary many years ago, I am always impressed with her knowledge (which she is always so gracious to share) and her skill at growing these lovely flowers that she often uses in her arrangements.

Her garden puts you in mind of the spectacular Victoria, British Columbia’s Butchart Gardens right here in Los Altos.

Besides all of her volunteer work, Mary is a very special, generous, hard-working lady and a wonderful person to have as a friend.

Thank you for sharing her story with our neighbors and continued success to you in keeping us informed of the happenings in Los Altos.

Rosemary A. Panec

Los Altos