Editor’s Note: Sports Page patrons inundated the Voice with letters last week in response to a Feb. 10 article about the bar’s struggles with city building inspectors. Many lamented what they said is a campaign to force the bar out of business to make way for the redevelopment of the Century 16 Cinema next door — and some accused the Voice of being in the city’s pocket.
Readers, from long-time residents to high-tech workers, credited bar owners Rob and Jackie Graham with giving them a place to unwind, reconnect with old friends, and, in more than one case, meet their future spouses. Following is a small sampling from the several dozen letters the
Voice received.Save the Sports Page
Editor:
I’m glad to see that the ongoing issue of will there or won’t there be a Sports Page in the future is being addressed as real news. I’ve worked in the Mountain View area nearly 10 years and there’s not a place my friends and co-workers would rather meet on a regular basis, despite the variety offered on Castro. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual, the staff friendly and genuinely personable, and the choices of beer on tap is admirable.
The Sports Page is place full of history and character, and it would be a travesty to see prejudiced bureaucracy and narrow-mindedness close down a place that so many people love.
From what I’ve read and seen, everything could be settled with the rebuilding of the Page from the ground up. If [building inspector Ron] Geary and the council truly aren’t trying to drive a non-Castro bar out of town (just think of places like St. James’ Infirmary or the Wagon Wheel that we’ve already lost), then I think a genuine effort should be made to help the patrons and the owner of the Page have a place for tomorrow.
Alicia Andersen
Mountain View
Editor:
Mountain View losing the Sports Page due to stubborn posturing is frustrating to those of us in the community who patronize it. I recognize and support the need for the city to create and enforce building and fire safety codes. On the other hand, how much money and effort does the city expect a business owner to spend to address code violations when city officials themselves admit there may be no way to bring the current building to code?
The city has rejected plans by the bar owner for a new building. It certainly starts to look like the city, out of spite or bureaucratic indifference, wants the Sports Page to close its doors.
The Sports Page is a place where people from all walks of life can come together to enjoy a drink, listen to a local band, and have a bite to eat. It’s a great, and necessary, place to unwind for those of us who work nearby at Google, SGI, Intuit, Microsoft and the rest.
Peter Cook
Mountain View
Editor:
We are new customers to the Sports Page as of late 2004. We love coming in for a lunch or dinner, and a few drinks (what a great selection of beer on tap). Watching all of the various sporting events at one time is heaven!
Cheryl and Chris Ortega
Sunnyvale
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