Letters to the editor Letters to the editor (December 19, 2003)

Qualification is first criteria for leaders, says former mayor

Editor:

In regard to your editorial on local government needing women, I would agree that diversity on the city council is important.

However, diversity should include both gender and ethnicity. But this diversity issue should not preclude the most important criteria. And as the editorial stated, the community needs and should demand leaders who are fully committed, communicative and qualified.

And so I reiterate: this should be the first criteria in selecting a city council member; second should be diversity. The city of Mountain View has been fortunate to have dedicated and qualified council members in the past. We can only continue this if we put our selection criteria in proper perspective.

Art Takahara
Foxborough Drive

McCafe has a grateful repeat customer

Editor:

I went to the El Monte Avenue McDonald's last week on Dec. 4 to have a break with a co-worker between business appointments. I was glad to see the added choices of gourmet latte coffees and the new selection of food, although the extra real pleasure of my afternoon visit was having the staff there find and save a small bag in which I was carrying about $15.

I hadn't noticed that I had dropped the money while ordering coffee and talking to my associate. After about a half hour, when I returned to the car and couldn't find the money, I went sadly back in the McCafe and asked if they might have found it.

I want the community to know I am sending special compliments to the management and staff of the McCafe for holding my money to return to me. What could be better than to do business where the people are honest, as well as providing yummy beverages and food? I will go back often.

Lynn Stone
Castro Street

E-mail a friend a link to this story.