Thanks for easing hardship
This letter is to openly thank you for printing the story (”Memorial fund for girl set up after mother found dead,” Aug. 16) about my daughter’s death and also to express our apprection to those who contributed to ease our hardship.
Some people sent contributions anonymously, so this is the only way I can thank them.
Eva Koltai
Mountain View
CASEY RETURNS
Recently, some 8,000 LAH residents were graced with the latest “Newsletter” from the LAHCA (The Los Altos Hills Civic Association), which can only mean that somebody is running or pushing for public office. This secretive publication (the “editor” is never revealed, and communications with their “post office box” are not returned) has narrowly escaped prior accusations of being an illegal PAC (Political Action Committee). The LAHCA pur ports to “represent” some 1600 undocumented “current members” and to speak for
“informing” and “encouraging friendship”; yet the polished and well-edited articles are
craftily spun-up with adverse opinion and political commentary, and non-”members” are
explicitly not welcomed at their gatherings. Previously, credit was bestowed upon
one Toni Casey as “founder,” while prior “Presidents” included close Casey-confi-
dantes Evan Wythe, his wife Janet Vitu, and William Kearns.
And now, Voila! who appears under the cover with a captivating photo-op
smile as their new “President”? You guessed it! None other than the deposed Diva
who admits to thriving on conflict and controversy. Here she exposes herself as
running an organization that takes in money while not acknowledging its members,
not having or revealing its bylaws, appointing its “Steering Committee” in secret, self-
electing its “President” without notice, and speaking collectively for its members (”To
our dismay..” “LAHCA questions the attempt…”, “We are very concerned that…”, “We
would prefer that…”, “LAHCA is very concerned about…”, “We believe the Town
should…”, “We urge the new Mayor…to redirect the City Council…”, “The LAHCA
finds that…”, “LAHCA supports the…” after neither surveying their member’s posi-
tions, nor requesting their permission. Even Steering Committee Members have
stated surprise at being so “appointed.”
This is the same Toni Casey who once systematically persuaded (steam-rolled?)
three residents to join her on the City Council so they could control and rubber-stamp
pre-determined decisions during what became “sham-ful” public hearings.
Yes, this Town may benefit from “not allowing cougars to forage on our small
animals,” as the publication advises, but one thing it does NOT need is a wolf in
sheep’s clothing, nor the proverbial wool pulled over its collective eyes.
With all due respects, diversity of opinion, townwide participation, and thought-
ful deliberation are healthy for our Town. But let’s all be especially wise and watchful
against the return of monolithic, Egocentric Democracy - as in ‘of Casey,’ ‘by Casey,’
and for Casey.’
Roger W. Burnell
Los Altos Hills 1
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