Village? Suburb is more like it

Randy Rhody

To the downtown merchants, Los Altos is a “village.” Our Town Crier calls it a “town.” The city council calls it a “city.” Clearly, Los Altos lacks an identity.

I propose that we adopt the title “suburb.” I say this as someone who likes to be outdoors and perceives Los Altos as a place that is friendly to buildings and cars, but not to people.

I was appalled when earlier this year a proposed minor extension of the Hetch Hetchy trail from Los Altos Avenue to El Camino was quashed by Via del Pozo residents. I am amazed at the Rosita neighborhood resistance to the swim complex. I was disheartened when I read that Los Altos Public Works is asleep at the wheel with respect to our segment of the Stevens Creek Trail. Any or all of these projects would be a long-term benefit to everyone and an asset to Los Altos.

When I want to swim, I go to Eagle Pool in Mountain View. When I want to bicycle without endangering my life, I go to Stevens Creek Trail in Mountain View. When I want to walk or run, I go to the Shoreline area in Mountain View. (Even couch potatoes must acknowledge that when we need to shop, we go to Mountain View.)

Clearly, Los Altos is only a suburb to more people-friendly communities nearby. What I don’t understand is, why have Los Altans, confined to buildings and cars, allowed that choice to be made for them?

Can’t wait for a new pool

Leslie Warren King

I am a lifelong resident now raising my own family in Los Altos. I learned to swim at Covington Pool, swam with the Los Altos Aquatic Club at Covington through high school, and after college, returned to Covington Pool as a masters swimmer.

I count myself as one of the many thousands of Los Altans who are cheering the demise of the lawsuit that blocked progress toward our new community pool for so long.

As a homeowner myself, I have the utmost concern for neighborhood rights. But, I have no empathy for a small minority of opponents who have held the project hostage for years. Unless they bought their homes before 1954, there was an existing pool in their neighborhood or the new pool project was in the works. The city of Los Altos has given all citizens ample opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns on this and other issues.

It’s a shame when neighbors resort to costly litigation against a city which has gone out of its way to solicit community input. Personally, I can’t wait to get back in the water in Los Altos.

Two additions needed for coffee story

Marge Bruno

The article about coffee shops in downtown Los Altos (Aug. 17) was interesting. Unfortunately there were two glaring omissions - both outstanding examples where the full range of coffees - from the traditional to the more unusual and exotic espressos, lattes, macchiatos - are also readily available.

They are the Cruz’n Cafe and Le Boulanger at opposite ends of Main Street. Both are independently owned and both are most generous in their support of community events. Additionally, both offer a warm, small-town atmosphere where it is common to run into friends and acquaintances - sometimes by design but, more often, by serendipitous coincidence. They have earned our support.

‘Relay’ compassionate, but others are not

John G. Preston

The “Relay For Life”, recently held in Los Altos and other towns around the country, was a wonderful demonstration of people’s values and compassion.

My wife’s name was illuminated several times as a gift from loving friends.

There are other less caring values abroad in our community.

My wife loves our small white “house replica” mailbox. There’s nothing spectacular or original about it; she just enjoys seeing it as a part of our home,

On Mothers’ Day this year my wife was in bed. Having just had her chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer and not feeling good at all. I had to inform her that some mindless cretins had, for the third time, smashed our mailbox. I have again, for the third time, rebuilt the “mail house.”

These inane. compassionless idiots who take pride in destroying other peoples’ property, such as the recent graffiti incident at our school, their parents who afford them the money for cars and spare time to relieve their boredom in these vandalistic pursuits - and the ability to coerce authorities to condone it - ought really to re-examine their values.

They ought to take a lesson from those thousands of wonderful people who took part in “Relay For Life” and use their assets for building instead of destruction.

Finds La Poll candidacy troubling

David Casas

I understand that Francis La Poll has submitted his candidacy papers for the Los Altos School Board, an elected body that manages the No. 1 district in the state. I personally find the thought of his candidacy very troubling.

My criteria for supporting a school board candidate involves the basic criteria that they will make decisions which will benefit the greater good of the community. I find it difficult to believe that Francis La Poll can honestly fulfill this fundamental tenet.

As a parent, resident and citizen, I look for the following qualities in those who wish to serve our community in an elected position: a deep sense of integrity, pragmatic knowledge, a selfless perspective, process oriented, ethical and an effective communicator.

Francis La Poll has been unyielding in his support of costly litigation against the very district he now wants to manage. During this time, the district has had to spend $200,000 defending itself against a lawsuit his charter school board initiated. In short, his support of this litigation has diverted precious dollars away from the genuine educational needs of our children.

A few months ago, another writer penned, “being a trustee of the LASD is a tremendous job.” She added, “you must think about what is best for the majority of the students in our district in terms of finances, academics, efficacy, enrichment and much more.” I wholeheartedly agree.

As a community, we need to ensure our district is protected from the predisposed self-interest of any one candidacy. I urge you to seriously consider other candidates, who genuinely have the well-being of the Los Altos School District foremost in their mind.