By Among caring, quality people
We wanted to share our appreciation and thanks to all the sponsors, contributors, volunteers and especially those who donated to the “Los Altos Cares” event held Oct. 7 at Shoup Park. What a proud moment for Los Altos and Los Altos Hills.
We understand that the total amount donated exceeded $60,000.
Special thanks and congratulations are due to Jamie and Meredith Carpenter of Jocco’s and Ay Ay Ay restaurants for the idea, inspiration and follow through. They have proven, once again, that as Americans we care - that we can overcome adversity and be a positive role model for others.
We are very proud to live among such caring and quality people.
Cliff and Joan RudolphLos Altos Hills
More traffic safety needed
I agree with Ms. Roderick (Letters, Oct 3) that that there is a traffic and safety issue around LAHS. We should do more to protect the schoolchildren of all ages who we are actively encouraging to walk or bike to school with events like Walk to School Day and Almond Walks.
Construction on-campus only aggravates the traffic hazards in the area. However, forcing everyone to come and go from the Jardin entrance, as she suggests, would only make a bad problem worse.
I hope the high school administration will work with the neighbors to develop a traffic plan that makes going to and from school as safe as possible for everyone.
Chris WrightLos Altos
Local districts shortchanged in IT
The Los Altos School District is suffering from reverse discrimination from the state government of California.
Most high school districts in the state have applied for and been granted IT budgets that are an embarrassment of riches. Examples: Orange Unified School District in fiscal year 1999-2000 bought IT services worth $407,277.12 using state funds. Moreno Valley Unified School District used $1,187,007.82.
By contrast, the entire LASD has not been allocated a single dollar for outside IT services. LASD has one full time person on staff. Volunteers serve all other IT needs.
LASD does not even have the budget for a grant writing person, who could help direct some of these funds allocated for IT.
I have two children, one in 10th grade at Los Altos High and one in seventh grade at Egan School, and am constantly dismayed by the lack of IT funding from the government.
The demographics of the school district outlaw any monies that the district can receive from the government based on need. However, we pay good tax dollars which should ensure that the district have reasonable IT funding (school lunches, school buses are also issues that are not even tried). LASD children should be heirs apparent to their Silicon Valley legacy.
The fundamentals of social justice are not being served here. Does the state expect us to pull our children out of public schools in the Los Altos area and put them in expensive private schools?
Pia GangulyLos Altos
Stroke victim thanks helpers
I wish to thank the police department, the fire department and the paramedics for coming to my aid on Aug. 11. I had a stroke and they came after I called in minutes to my door.
The policemen looked around and locked all the doors behind them.
The paramedics took me out to the stretcher. They had to carry me out because they couldn’t get the stretcher in the house because it was too narrow to come into the house.
I couldn’t talk. They were patient and kind. I didn’t catch their names.
I would like to thank them for their concern and caring.
Helen HennessyLos Altos
Uninformed about pit bulls
I am responding to the Oct. 3 letter from Mario Bonicelli. Mr. Bonicelli indicated, “Someone in the animal services is mixed up in what are lovable breeds and those that are not.”
People associated with the Palo Alto Animal Services are knowledgeable individuals providing a great service for animals.
To Mr. Bonicelli, I respectfully ask where you got the information on which you base your opinion about pit bulls? I have had experience caring for pit bulls and found them to be very lovable. I did not observe any violence or bad behavior with these pit bulls. I have not read anything in my research on the breed that would indicate that they have a predisposition toward violence. Certainly nothing I read equated them to a loaded gun.
Likewise, I do not feel that it is macho to own a pit bull, do not get a thrill while looking at “its big teeth,” do not love dangerous adventure and carrying around a loaded gun. You indicate that “some breeds have a bad reputation for violence and it is therefore a responsibility to sort out the bad actors.” Is this a responsibility that you have assumed? If so please educate yourself before proceeding further.
Did you mean to imply that because an animal is surrendered to the animal shelter it must automatically be assumed to be suspect? Fortunately others do not share your opinion. When I sought to adopt this pit bull, it had already found a good home.
Thank you Town Crier for publishing the photographs and descriptions of animals in need of adoption. Thank you, Palo Animal Services, for the valuable service you provide.
Doris Herrin
Los Altos
