By Scott Wong

Draeger’s Markets Vice President John Draeger said his company will not take part in the mudslinging that has beleaguered Los Altos Hills politics in recent months, but neither will it infringe on free speech rights guaranteed by the First Amendment.

“We value all of our customers and we don’t feel that permitting free speech rights should ever alienate any customer,” he said.

“We do not intend to get drawn into the issues being presented, but we do have to abide by the constitutional rights.”

The downtown Los Altos grocery store, located on First Street, was dragged into the political melee when Manager Bob Larrieu received a heated phone call two weeks ago from outgoing Los Altos Hills Councilwoman Toni Casey.

Casey denounced management for allowing a petition drive in the Draeger’s parking lot sponsored by the citizens group LAH Open Space, according to resident Mark Jensen, who rebuked the councilwoman at the Nov. 21 Los Altos Hills council meeting.

Casey and other angered residents called Larrieu and told him they would never shop at Draeger’s again, Jensen said.

Casey could not be reached for comment, despite numerous phone calls and messages.

Larrieu, who deferred all comments to Draeger, suspended petitioning in front of the store midday on Nov. 21 but allowed it to resume the following morning after consulting with administration, Draeger said.

Draeger said he has not had any communication with Casey regarding the petitioning.

California Supreme Court’s 1979 decision in Robins v. Pruneyard Shopping Center affirmed that individuals’ free speech rights of expression and petition also apply at a privately owned shopping mall. In 1980 the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the decision.