By Group supports school parcel tax
SPARC, the South Peninsula Area Republican Coalition, is proud to announce that its board of directors has unanimously voted to endorse Measure H. Measure H is the parcel tax for the Los Altos School District which will be on the ballot Nov. 5.
As concerned Republicans we believe strongly in the importance of good education. The Los Altos School District, which has proven itself best in the state for many years, is of vital importance to the families in its community and helps keep property values high.
Measure H is necessary to save important district programs and prevent further teacher layoffs. We have full confidence in the district and the continued oversight of its Citizens’ Advisory Committee for Finance. We urge our fellow Republicans to join us in supporting Measure H.
Sid Hubbard Secretary, SPARC
Not owning up to parcel tax
I received an unsolicited phone call from a woman who asked if I wanted the Los Altos School District to maintain quality teachers, small class size, up- to-date textbooks and modern science labs. When I agreed with her, she than asked that I vote yes on Measure H.
Upon discovering that she was campaigning for a ballot measure, I asked if she could tell me a little bit more about the measure.
When she simply repeated what she had already told me, I rephrased my question, three times.
All three of her responses were essentially the same, that the measure helped provide a better education for the children.
Not once in her response did she tell me that the measure would also raise my property taxes. I do not appreciate the deceptive practices by the supporters of this measure, and not only will I vote no on the measure, I’ll campaign aggressively and honestly for others to do the same.
It’s a shame the woman who called me blocked her phone number from my caller ID. I’d like to call her back and thank her for bringing the matter to my attention.
Aaron A. BroholmLos Altos
What happened to Winbigler asbestos?
I’m sure I’m just one of many local residents who is following the Winbigler story as it unfolds before us. My question is, who removed and disposed of the asbestos? Was it done by a licensed, certified abatement contractor as required by state law?
I suspect the penalties for improper removal and disposal of asbestos far exceed the recently assessed $27,000 fine.
Ken GirdleyLos Altos
‘Let’s Roll’ not officially released
I appreciate the Town Crier running Christian Mignot’s story on the heroes’ anthem “Let’s Roll.” We should never forget the heroism Todd Beamer and thousands of others showed on Sept. 11 last year.
The CD I have shared with numerous people, including Greg Kihn at KFOX, people at Columbia Records and others, has not officially been released. In fact, the CD now in limited circulation only contains “Let’s Roll,” not other songs and Christian’s story suggests. When Todd’s father David and our colleague David Wright and I discussed this, the idea was to release “Let’s Roll” as a single, and any proceeds would go to the Todd M. Beamer Foundationn which helps 9/11 survivors and at-risk children.
If you readers are interested in receiving a copy of the CD, I’d be happy to it to send them in exchange for a minimum $10.00 donation to the foundation.
Noah D. Mesel Los Altos
Negative even about traffic mitigations?
Opponents of the planned Los Altos Community Pools are so focused on painting a negative picture of the project, they are in danger of defeating the very features that address their concerns. The proposed “snack shack” (referred to as a commercial concessionaire’s stand by project opponents) could be shared among pool and ball field users, and need be nothing more than shaded counter space with electrical access so that parent volunteers can provide spectators with a cup of coffee and a hot dog during the 7th inning stretch. Without it, guess what Mom and Dad will do? That’s right: jump in the car and speed down to Starbucks so they can make it back in time for Junior’s next event in the pool or at-bat. Isn’t that exactly the kind of traffic that opponents claim is their main objection to the pools?
LaNae AvraLos Altos
Call to keep curator of Redwood Grove
I am sure that all of you know Keith Gutierrez and most of you have children who have benefitted from his wonderful programs at Redwood grove. If you know him, I don’t need to tell you what a wonderful asset he is to our children and our community. What you may not know is that Keith has been serving the families of Los Altos for the past 9 years as an independent contractor, not as an employee of the city.
Keith would very much like to become a city employee, giving him a guaranteed salary, health care benefits, workmant compensation, and stability for himself and his family. He has been involved in discussions for the past year and a half with the Los Altos recreation dept. in attempts to make this happen. To date, his attempts to become a city employee have been delayed, put on the back burner, and just plain ignored by the recreation department. Keith cannot afford to continue to share with us his experience, expertise and knowledge of nature under the current conditions. He is currently considering employment alternatives. This is bad news for us. As the city drags its feet, we may be about to lose the most unique asset the recreation department has.
I am asking for your help, for Keith’s sake and for the future of the redwood grove programs. Please take a moment to send an e-mail or write letters to the members of the Los Altos city council.You can reach all of them at once by going to the City of Los Altos website at “www.ci.los-altos.ca.us” .Let them know how important Keith Gutierrez is to our community.
Chris Hon
Los Altos
