Straightening the straightened record

The editorial in this week’s paper by Steve Hubbell, “setting the record straight” (Dec. 17 Other Voices) contains an error that perpetuates the misinformation about school finance in California.

In reading his paragraph regarding tax revenue per pupil contributed, he does mention that in the case of Los Altos School Distirct, the funds go to the state first, but he does not say that the $13,000 per student that he purports Los Altos Hills residents pay in property tax comes back after “equalization” to Los Altos School District as $5,000 per student.

I believe that the taxpayers reading the Town Crier that cannot attend board meetings or spend time understanding school finance should at least have the basic facts clear.

Los Altos School District receives roughly $5,000 per pupil, from the state after “equalization.”

Julie Mahowald

Los Altos

Renovated Berry is hazardous

The restructuring of Berry Avenue between Springer Road and Miramonte Avenue is atrocious. This project is another result of having money that will “disappear” if not used.

The bulb-outs (narrowing) are creating a hazardous driving situation, requiring traffic to weave when traveling between Springer and Miramonte; striping will be the only indicator of a curving path.

The bulb-outs also create a hazard to wheels because of their low visibility.

How will vehicles be parked? What about the vehicles dropping or picking up children at Loyola School or the child-care facility next door?

Jim O’Brien

Los Altos

City needs lesson in political correctness

Needless to say, I was very disheartened to read your Dec. 10 cover story “Sisters around the globe,” concerning the various Los Altos “sister” cities.

Have we learned nothing from the political correctness movement?

“Sister city” indeed - it reeks of the most blatant type of sexism (although understandable, since the term was founded in the unenlightened Eisenhower years).

We need to look only to our neighbor city, Palo Alto, for political correctness guidance in this respect, as I always get a warm, fuzzy feeling in my heart when I see their “Persons working” signs alerting motorists to upcoming street repair.

To remedy our city’s embarrassing faux pas, I have two suggestions.

First, we should establish a few “brother” cities. Hopefully these would be towns that are known for their excess beer-drinking capacity or have a high-ranking ratio of TV remote controls per capita.

Or, second, change the name from “sister city” to “sibling city” - that way the acronym LASCI for Los Altos Sibling Cities, Inc. would remain intact.

Fred Robertson

Los Altos

Companions suspect a fish story

As a spokesman for a partial group of the amateur fishermen that accompanied Dr. Richard Henning on the Baja Mexico fishing trip (Dec. 17 Travel section, Page 45), may I comment that the majority of this group were not aware of a trophy of this size being caught.

We would also like to express our amazement at what can now be done with a digital camera.

Marty Spangler

Los Altos