The Town Crier recently published an article, an editorial and a guest opinion column defending Los Altos City Manager Chris Jordan. Council members and residents are accused of “vitriol” and “unfounded accusations” against him.

Los Altos Partners in Progress asks, “What is a Los Altos resident to believe?”

One of the many benefits of our great democracy is our right to question authority. And we appreciate those who take advantage of this right to air concerns with the purpose of exposing wrongdoing. We aim to do so ourselves.

But at what point does valid criticism become something else? When do questions turn into unfounded accusations?

Toy gun sales send negative message

We attended the Mountain View Art & Wine Festival last month and found it to be fun, well-organized and well attended.

There was, however, one disturbing issue that should be called to everyone’s attention: A vendor was selling rubber-band and slingshot toy guns. In view of the current gun violence across our country, and the daily loss of lives due to gun violence, this is sending a negative message to our children. It says it is OK to play with guns, to aim guns at others, and it enhances the power of gun usage.

The Los Altos School District is trying to finalize plans for important facilities changes. District officials attribute the need mainly to Bullis Charter School’s 15-year period of having inferior facilities. It’s almost as if they blame Bullis Charter School for needing a better facilities share for its 25% of district students.

Depending on where you get your news, you might think Los Altos has completely gone down the proverbial (storm) drain. What is clear is that some members of our city council are at odds with each other, and our city manager is under siege.

Recently, the Palo Alto-based Daily Post newspaper has published several slanted articles about where our city council has been meeting, and the articles have questioned the competence of our city manager and city attorney. The Post also has published articles attacking Councilwoman Jeannie Bruins. Add a few cranky Nextdoor posts, and you soon have a murky mix of misinformation.

  There are three additional letters published here that did not make the Town Crier's Sept. 25 print edition due to space constraints.

Is Mordo promoting anarchy or autocracy?

In his letter published in the Town Crier, Jean Mordo asserts that since city council members are “amateurs,” their subordinates (“professionals”) are entitled to ignore them (“Former LA mayor defends city manager,” Sept. 11).

Having 100% agreement between manager and subordinate is unnecessary and, in fact, is undesirable. However, refusing to do what he is ultimately ordered to do is called insubordination – a recipe for anarchy and worse.