By Send letters to editor Bruce Barton at the Town Crier, 138 Main St., Los Altos 94022, or e-mail:

Finding a way

to run again?

In 1999, voters approved term limits for Los Altos City Council members by 76.1 percent. Ignoring the will of the voters, Councilman Francis La Poll is running for a third term. Apparently he has found some legal loophole to justify his bid for re-election.

I think voters have all had quite enough of politicians who find a way just to get their way.

I urge the voters of Los Altos to demand enforcement of the opinion we already expressed at the polls - the enforcement of city council term limits.

Honoring the will of the voters is the honorable thing to do. La Poll should remove his name from the slate of council candidates and end his bid for re-election.

Donna Shoemaker

Los Altos

Arguments against

candidate puzzling

I am writing in response to the letters of Randall Hull and Ken Girdley in the Aug. 20 Town Crier.

Their arguments against the candidacy of Francis La Poll for City Council leave me puzzled.

Hull says, “La Poll considers himself more important to the city than the policy or the will of the voters.” It is difficult to understand how La Poll will serve another term if the will of the people is he not be returned. Hull also criticizes La Poll’s political ambition. Surely, if an individual were politically ambitious he probably would not commit 12 years to the city council.

Finally, Hull says the council needs a “new perspective and new blood.” I wonder what Hull feels is so bad about Los Altos that needs drastic change. Even if La Poll wins a third term, 40 percent of the council will be “fresh blood.” Do we really need the majority of the council to be inexperienced? One only need look at the state Legislature to see what an inexperienced majority has wrought.

Girdley tells La Poll that the voters “told you” they “don’t want you running for a third term.” I don’t recall that La Poll’s name was mentioned in the ordinance. In fact, it was written in a way that allows La Poll to run for a third term.

I sincerely feel that Los Altos is a better place to raise a family due to the efforts of La Poll. He has worked for youth and families and to maintain the character and qualities of Los Altos that we love.

In considering the two-term limit, I can see situations where it can be beneficial. However, La Poll’s record shows that Los Altos has benefited from his efforts and would continue to benefit from them for four more years.

Cheryl Weiden

Los Altos

Benefits to third

term by La Poll

The decision by Francis La Poll to run for a third term in this November’s city council election has clearly become a controversial issue in light of the term limits that were approved by the voters in 1999. There are, however, some benefits that we should also consider.

As city council consists of five councilmembers, the election of three new members in one year would leave only two experienced individuals. While some of the other candidates on the ballot do have some experience in the city’s affairs, it would still take a lot of time and energy on their part to become as conversant in all aspects of city administration as the existing council has become.

I would prefer to see three experienced council members available to advise and mentor the new members, rather than two. Furthermore, if Mr. La Poll is re-elected, this would then result in a more even election schedule for the future, in which two new council members would be elected in 2005, one in 2007 and two in 2011.

There is also some concern that as an incumbent, Mr. La Poll is limiting the number of seats available to new candidates. While this may be true for this year’s election, there would still be opportunities for new candidates in the future, without running against an incumbent.

How attitude has changed in the last two years. There were after all, no challengers to incumbents Lear and Moss in 2001.

David Jaques

Los Altos

A simple

thanks

I think it appropriate and well deserved to thank Carol McKee, the lady who l.andscapes for the city, and Henry Nesmith of Los Altos Hardware. We should all be looking for chances to thank people who do outstanding service in our town.

LeRoy Smith

Los Altos