Reaching out to Katrina victims

The awesome, devastating force of Hurricane Katrina last week surely puts a lot in perspective for those of us living under the sunny skies of Los Altos.

While we debate over traffic calming and zoning regulations, thousands of people are fighting for their lives in the southeast after what’s been called one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history.

Packing 140 mph winds, Katrina pummeled New Orleans and surrounding areas Aug. 29. Hundreds are feared dead. President Bush last week pledged $12 billion in aid. But much more is needed.

Already, many local residents are reaching out. The Palo Alto Area American Red Cross, which includes Los Altos and Los Altos Hills in its jurisdiction, is collecting donations to aid Katrina victims. The Los Altos Community Foundation has established a Hurricane Katrina Fund. It will act as a fiscal agent and deliver local funding to the Baton Rouge Community Foundation for distribution.

As we did with the tsunami relief fund earlier this year, we have created the Town Crier Gulf Relief Fund to collect local donations for two notable charities, the Salvation Army and Habitat For Humanity.

Salvation Army officials are currently aiding residents and “first-responders” as part of a multimillion-dollar operation to help the helpless now. Habitat For Humanity pledges efforts to rebuild homes for thousands left homeless by Katrina over the next several months.

For details on how to make tax-deductible contributions, see page 5.

help, even in a small way. Collectively, it will make a big difference.

Goodbye to Harry

Flags at Los Altos City Council flew at half-staff last week in honor of one of the most colorful figures in local government history - the one and only Harry Kallshian. Harry, a 12-year councilmember and two-time mayor, died Aug. 21 at age 92.

Harry, it seemed, loved a good argument. He offered his many conservative opinions freely and assertively, often through his longtime column in the Town Crier, “Kallshian’s Corner.”

“Get rid of the present Congress of 535 members (House and Senate), and their 20,000 employees that cost us over $2 billion annually,” he once wrote. “Do away with primary elections. Why do we have two elections that cost millions?”

It’s ironic that even his accomplishments are up for debate. He was honored in 2002 for in part, leading the way for the placement of large granite blocks that mark the entries to Los Altos. But one other former councilmember likened this to Al Gore’s claim that Gore invented the Internet.

So what do we best recall about a man who once inspired the Los Altos Follies song, “I’m Not Wild About Harry”?

Harry expected people to debate issues in the spirit of agreeing to disagree. At the end of a debate, he extended his hand in friendship and wished his neighbor well. He was puzzled that some would take what he said as a personal affront.

Perhaps, in these days of political arguments rapidly dissolving into personal attacks, we can appreciate the value of old-fashioned debating, as Harry did.