Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor (November 11, 2005)

Council should attend Shoreline shows

Editor:

For a long time now, there have been discussions about the appropriate use of complimentary tickets to Shoreline Amphitheater given to city council members. It seems that the original intent of these tickets has gotten lost somewhere. The idea was that the city council members (policy- and decision-makers) would be able to witness first-hand the operation of the amphitheater.

Last week's issue of the Voice told us about police Chief Scott Vermeer going to the city council and describing the problems his officers have encountered during one particular event held annually at the amphitheater. He should not have needed to do this. Our city council members should be fulfilling the responsibility of these free tickets, and at least one of them should have been present at this event, especially due to its history of violence in past years. Once again, these free tickets should be viewed as a responsibility, not a perk. Paul Landefeld Miramonte Avenue

Build child care center on private site

Editor:

Why is construction of a private child care center in Rengstorff Park a bad idea? Here are some answers: This project would take from the many to give to the few. It would destroy a part of the park used freely by Mountain View residents of all economic backgrounds, for the benefit of a few well-off families.

Child care is abundant in the city at the prices proposed for the new center. The project isn't needed. What's required is affordable child care.

City council members are overly optimistic people, and as such, cannot consider failure. But, just for a moment, consider the consequences if the child care operator goes bankrupt, or a long-term recession hits the area, sapping the need for a child care facility. In this case, what can be done with the building? It becomes a liability to all city taxpayers.

If a child care building is to be built, it makes more sense to construct it on land that can be sold with the building. Then, if it ever becomes a liability, it can be sold. If built in Rengstorff Park, the city owns it forever.

Finally, the effects of hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma on building costs must be considered: Prices for construction materials are going through the roof, and there is scarcity. Will the building come in below budget? Help the effort by canceling this project. Robert Pollak W. Middlefield Road

Child care center in park possibly illegal

Editor:

All of Rengstorff Park, including the Community Center and the Senior Center, is dedicated for use as public facility. They must serve the general public, and do.

A child care facility would not. On the contrary, the facility and its parking lot would deprive the public of a much-loved picnic area with its grove of tall shade trees. It is far from traffic and train noise, in a section of town already in need of more park space.

Now, with the recent conversion of 48 acres of land in the South Whisman area to residential space, there are far more appropriate places to put a new child care facility in Mountain View. It is not too late for the city council to reconsider its possibly illegal decision. Alex Eulenberg S. Rengstorff Avenue

Wasted water on Castro Street

Editor:

As a resident of Old Mountain View, I've come to enjoy my daily walk along Castro Street to the Caltrain station.

However, most mornings I notice city employees cleaning the sidewalks along Castro Street with high-pressure hoses. I appreciate the need to keep Castro Street clean, but these hoses use an enormous amount of water.

New York City actually bans hose cleaning for much of the year as a water-conservation measure. Mountain View should follow suit, or at least reduce the use of hoses in favor of more environmentally friendly measures. Anna North Oak Street

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