Progressive agenda causes friction

Regarding Paul Boetius’ “Other Voices” column on accessory dwelling units (“City’s accessory dwelling unit claims contradict facts,” Jan. 9), I would like our city council members to individually respond to the charges made by Mr. Boetius as to the veracity of his statements and why, if he is correct, Los Altos is making code and ordinance changes that were falsely presented to the citizens as factual – changes that most people don’t either know about or want.

It seems to me there is friction between some of the city management staff and our city council members, whereby the city employees either have their own agenda to change our character, don’t understand our city, don’t understand the law or just plain don’t like the fact that housing prices may not allow them to live here. I don’t know where their loyalty lies, but it would be wise if our city council objectively looked at the people in key positions and figure out what is going on.

In the wake of recent news to start the year – yes, we’re all thumbs.

Thumbs-up: To the 2019 Mountain View City Council, which saw three newly elected members sworn in last week, along with the appointment of a new mayor and vice mayor. As mayor, Lisa Matichak brings a level-headed approach to leadership, while newcomers Ellen Kamei, Lucas Ramirez and Alison Hicks all come highly qualified to carry on the business of this high-profile city.

Los Altos School District trustees held a public forum Jan. 16 for local residents to voice their opinions about the ongoing facilities issues and Bullis Charter School’s Proposition 39-mandated facilities request.

The meeting was respectful and factual, and I’m optimistic that this will be a turning point in the ongoing conversation around facilities in the Los Altos School District. We’ve heard from the community a desire to know more about Bullis Charter School’s goals and intentions, so I’ve outlined some of my thoughts here. I am expressing my personal opinion and not speaking for the entire Bullis Charter School Board of Directors, but I hope this helps.

My wife and I began the new year by binge-watching two seasons of National Geographic television’s “Mars.” Once we got past the streaming issues and some low-resolution moments, we found ourselves enjoying a pretty riveting series.

“Mars,” produced by the acclaimed filmmaker Ron Howard (who starred in “Happy Days” about 300 million years ago), suffers from kind of an identity crisis – though ambitious, it can’t make up its mind whether it wants to be a documentary or a fictional drama. It’s both, and as a result, the pacing and momentum of the series often get compromised. Nonetheless, “Mars” proves very thought-provoking as it raises good questions about the prospect of traveling to and living on the inhospitable red planet.

During a bank transaction the other day, the teller asked me, “Are you Chinese?” I replied, “No, but everyone thinks I am; I get that question all the time.” She immediately responded, “That’s because your skin is not too white.” She paused a beat before adding, “Sorry to say.”

Standing in my bedroom in 1974, my mother schooled me once again with her steps for finding the perfect job. Having heard it all before, I wanted to scream. At 22 years old, I was now a college graduate and, in my snarky opinion, no longer needed her advice.

But as I pounded the streets of San Francisco’s Financial District in my long, homemade jean skirt covered in embroidered flowers and a peasant blouse that slid down my right shoulder, I began to wonder whether perhaps her words were true. High-end law firms and such had an image to protect – and looking like a bygone hippie didn’t fit the bill.