Was TC singled out for ‘gay pride’?
Roy Lave’s letter to the editor in your May 24 edition is puzzling. On behalf of the Los Altos Community Foundation, he chastises the Town Crier for calling the parade a “gay-pride parade.” But the Town Crier is not alone.
On May 11, the Mercury News article was captioned, “Gay-pride parade in Los Altos receives city OK as free-speech issue.” On May 22, the Palo Alto Daily News’ article is captioned, “Los Altos due for first gay pride parade.” The same “gay pride parade” wording is used by CBS.com news, the Mountain View Voice and numerous others.
Where are Mr. Lave’s reprimands to all these other news outlets for their alleged inaccurate reporting? Is there a reason or hidden agenda for singling out the Town Crier?
Barrett McGrath
Los Altos
Civics taught in real time
As a Los Altos High School senior writing a paper on freedom of speech for my civics class, I was captivated by the real-time civics lesson unfolding here in Los Altos.
Brook Garrettson’s May 17 letter to the editor, “Offended by Gay Parade,” had a profound effect on me. The true test to our Constitution is: Will we support freedom of speech when spoken by those whose values stick in our throat, as the parade issue does with Garrettson?
What I believe Garrettson fails to see is:
• Freedom of speech is a primary right that no group will ever surrender.
• In-your-face politics is our culture, like it or not.
• Your parents sacrificed to raise you in a town that believed in the American ideals that the oppression of a few is the oppression of all.
• While the Gay/Straight Alliance is in the spotlight today, wait a few years - another group will want to be recognized.
• The traditional American family will be fine and will coexist with nontraditional families such as single-parent families and blended/step families.
• Los Altos should not isolate itself from current issues but should encourage debate on them.
Frankly, the money spent for the parade is well worth it if it reminds us of what we learned in civics class.
R.J. Goulden
Los Altos
Thanks for the parade
This past Sunday, I had a wonderful experience marching in the Gay/Straight Alliance parade as a member of the Los Altos Voices for Peace group. I have lived in Los Altos for 42 years and this is the first time in a long time that I have been proud of our city. It was very heartwarming to see the streets lined with happy and supportive onlookers. Thank you to the group of students who didn’t give up hope and thanks to every other group that supported this parade. Well done.
Lynne Farrell
Los Altos
A parade is a right?
Re: Mayor Ron Packard’s comments in the May 17 issue: Mayor Packard, Please show me the location in the constitution that gives the right to a parade?
I didn’t realize that not giving a parade permit abridged the right of free speech or peaceable assembly.
I assume that from now on, all high school clubs, community organizations or anyone who applies for a parade permit will also be given this “constitutional right.”
Pam Bryant
Los Altos
Foul ball on Spartans
It’s disappointing that your coverage of the suspension of a player and coach from the Mountain View High School baseball team far exceeded any reports of their successes.
The entire team - especially seniors Jeremy Hamon, Joe Hatasaki, Adam Lanthier, Jason Marshalla, Kevin Mueller and Andrew Rossi - has participated in the revival of a program that had wallowed in mediocrity for years.
During their four years at MVHS, the Spartans qualified for the CCS tournament three times, won their first CCS game in about 20 years, won an El Camino Division championship, moved up to the much tougher De Anza Division and established themselves as a contender there.
I’ve enjoyed your Los Altos High baseball stories and pictures all season. But MV’s third-place finish in the De Anza Division is also worthy of attention.
The accomplishments of the Spartan baseball team deserve more respect. They earned their spot in the Division I bracket. Congratulations, Spartans!
Skip Mueller
Los Altos
How do Friends treat friends?
It began with an exposé in the newspaper and was followed by an inspection by the town (of Los Altos Hills) of the staff quarters at Westwind Barn. The inspection revealed safety and health-code violations. One of the quarters housed a family who had been at Westwind for 15 years.
Instead of taking remedial action immediately to bring both living quarters up to code, Friends of Westwind informed the two ranch hands that they no longer could live at Westwind, although they would still be required to provide 24-hour coverage. For the family that lived together, this meant living apart for several days a week. The ranch hands would now have to share a bed in the smaller of the two quarters on alternate nights.
The net of the actions taken by Friends was that two dependable and longtime employees were made homeless. To add insult to injury, the board of Friends informed the ranch hands that, as of May 1, they were going to receive an hourly salary of $7.48 - a substantial reduction from their previous salaried position, which included housing. So it should come as no surprise that both employees gave their two-week notices.
Surely, this is not the way Friends should treat friends. Nor is this how, I believe, the residents of Los Altos Hills want to see their community barn being run.
Jitze Couperus
Los Altos Hills
