Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor (February 18, 2005)

Too much money for damaging Castro trees

Editor:

With government supposedly strapped for money, why spend $96,000 for Castro Street trees?

In hindsight, the city claims it made the wrong choice in selecting the Idaho locust because of brittle branches, weak limb attachments and so on.

What guarantee can the city now offer taxpayers that the council-approved sycamore, Chinese pistache and crape myrtle selected to replace the locust will perform any better?

Trees have their place, and small areas in concrete along Castro Street are not the place for them.

They need space and conditions suitable for their species to thrive. Trees are not for man to control, alter and interfere with their growth pattern and habits. Imagine what trees of 40 to 60 feet will drop on sidewalks, buildings and the street. With a 30- to 40-foot spread, trees will make contact with storefronts and stretch over rooftops with costly damaging effects and liability against the city.

What about the city's responsibility for care, maintenance and cleanup at taxpayers' expense and even more? Below the surface, tree roots will damage sewers, sidewalks and so on.

Time was when trees were unseen and unheard of in downtown Mountain View. The canopy providing shelter and protection from the weather was in the way of storefront awnings, some of which were quite interesting.

Certainly, there are alternatives to trees that could make our downtown interesting, inviting and different from others, and less costly. Frances Trimmer S. Rengstorff Avenue

Happy with day workers' service

Editor:

I used the day worker center at St. Vincent de Paul's for the first time a few months ago and have nothing but praise for Maria Marroquin, who was the center's director. I was surprised and disappointed to see all this controversy about her flare up and wanted to write so people would not be dissuaded from using the center.

When I went there looking for a laborer, Marroquin was helpful, friendly and patient as she explained the details of hiring someone. The biggest impression I left with was her concern for the welfare of the workers. She even had lunch prepared for the worker I hired because I showed up at an awkward time just before the center fed the workers.

So, for about $10 per hour, if I remember right, I got someone who went right to work, worked hard for 5 to 6 hours and did exactly what I wanted. Then about a week later, the center called me to see how it all worked out for me and to ask if I was satisfied. Imagine if all service-oriented businesses worked out this well. Bob Sims Diablo Avenue

Dissatisfied with school-closure process

Editor:

As a Bubb School parent, I have been following the recent school closure issue. As we all know, these are difficult times for public schools in Mountain View and throughout California.

My hope was that the district staff would conduct the closure process in a well-organized, thorough and transparent fashion, thereby building credibility and confidence in our local schools at a time when public support and goodwill is greatly needed.

Unfortunately, things don't seem to be working out that way.

I was amazed at Superintendent Eleanor Yick's opening comments at the study session Feb. 10, which seemed to confirm many of the Slater and Castro parents worst fears, i.e. that the district staff switched into "school-closure mode" without making a meaningful effort to investigate other alternatives. The follow-up discussion by the trustees seemed to further reinforce that point.

On a more pragmatic note, the quality of the presentations made by the district have unfortunately been disappointing. For example, PowerPoint slides contained careless errors (e.g. "District Enrollment 2004-20014"). What message does this send to skeptical parents about the competency and efficiency of our district staff?

I hope that the district can turn this process around and build consensus in the community on a plan that effectively serves the long-term needs of our children. The local parents I know, including me, love our children's classroom teachers. We also want to believe in our district staff, but first we need to see evidence of effective leadership as we move through this very difficult process. Jim Pollart Emerson Lane

KMVT cutbacks a concern

Editor:

KMVT's abrupt act of self-mutilation, as reported in the Voice last week, should be of concern to all Mountain View residents who valued our use of this facility to learn how to inform and talk with each other.

I fear that when our "community access station" dismisses its uniquely talented and dedicated community access director, it not only lost its soul, it lost the platform from which it could best have launched a campaign to secure additional funding. Julie Lovins California Street

Monta Loma concerns are legitimate

Editor:

The Mountain View Voice and the city council do the Monta Loma neighborhood an injustice by categorizing those of us who do not support 631 units of housing at the Mayfield site as "fearful of lowering property values." This makes it easier for our concerns to be dismissed as "nimbyism" and not valued as legitimate.

The proposed 631 units of market-rate housing will have a statistically insignificant impact on property values. My concerns, and my neighbors', are quality of life and environmental impact issues. We are concerned about traffic, overcrowding, higher demands on city services, noise, jobs and aesthetics.

Our neighborhood has been impacted by other developments, including The Crossings; 120 low-income studios at San Antonio Circle; 76 units planned for the eastern corner of the neighborhood; and the future development of the Campus for Jewish Life. San Antonio Road has become the major commuter corridor between Highways 101 and 280, more so now that San Antonio Circle changes are in place and Los Altos has shut down one lane of through traffic on El Monte Avenue. Adding 631 units will effectively double the number of homes and add more than 2,400 daily car trips to neighboring streets.

I disagree with Council member Mike Kasperzak that "growth is happening whether we like it or not." I thought it was the council's job to determine how much growth the city would allow, especially when that growth represents a net cost to the city. Rezoning the Mayfield property and allowing high-density housing in a single-family neighborhood represents more than passively watching growth overtake us.

During this process, I learned that the council cares more about what lobbyists want than they care about the needs of residents. I believe the council has made up its mind to rezone the property and seek high-density housing. Why bother holding a rezoning hearing? Why bother with a sham environmental impact report? Now I better understand why voters pursue ballot measures or lawsuits to be heard by their elected officials. Sharon Jones Elka Avenue

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