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

Disappointment over MV decision

I am writing to express my disappointment at a recent decision made by the City of Mountain View. For the past 15 years, the Mountain View Masters Swim Team has been a loyal customer of the city of Mountain View. The team is composed of more than 300 registered swimmers who live and work in Mountain View. Further, these registered swimmers, including myself, pay monthly or annual dues to utilize Eagle Park Pool and other great benefits of being part of the Mountain View Masters Swim Team.

Recently, the City of Mountain View decided to perform pool maintenance on Thanksgiving Day, causing the swim team coaching staff to cancel the daily practice. Unknown to the City, Mountain View Masters Swim Team has held practice on Thanksgiving Day for the past 10 years.

Last year’s Thanksgiving Day practice attracted more than 70 swimmers. To the team’s surprise, the decision was made last minute and not communicated to the coaches.

It is extremely disappointing to realize that the city is unacquainted with Mountain View Masters Swim Team’s organization, dedication, community service, competition involvement and local swimmers. The Mountain View Masters Swim Team is a revenue-generating program that the city does not have to staff. I would think that such a program would have more impact on the city and decisions made by the city?

Lisa A. Barella

Mountain View

Perplexed by Quiznos decision

I am perplexed and disappointed by the Los Altos City Council’s decision to deny Quizno’s an opportunity to open on Main Street. As a longtime resident of Los Altos Hills with a business license in Los Altos, I have heard (for many years) the mantra that we have to maintain the unique “village” character of our downtown.

There are many things I love about our town. However, realistically given the unchecked rents in the downtown, small private shops run by independent entrepreneurs have often struggled and failed. Perhaps the council does not fully appreciate how depressing it is to see so many empty and abandoned shops in our little town. Ghost towns are neither charming or inviting. For many of us, this defines the “decline of our downtown,” and not the addition of a lively and bustling eatery such as Quizno’s.

The key to maintaining Los Altos’ character is to assure all stores (even if they are “generic”) are run with a warm personal touch and respect to customers. Alas, once again the Council was reflexively put off by the fact Quizno’s was a chain, despite its unique offerings and enthusiastic following.

Dr. Sharon Nash

Los Altos Hills