May 15, 2008

Letters

Look before you sign

Dear Editor: I've been a resident of Redwood City for 32 years.

I've seen the city grow and prosper with the leadership of numerous, dedicated citizens who served on our city council, planning commission, port authority, etc. During that time many topics have had major opposition but compromises were made and our city benefited from open discussions of the differences of opinion.

The proposed open space initiative is more about who controls the future growth of Redwood City than it is about open space. This initiative would change our city charter (the Constitution to our city), which has been in place for more than 75 years. It is not a document to be treated lightly, although most residents have probably never read it. The people trying to change our city charter are not Redwood City residents. They're hiring people to gather signatures for this initiative who don't understand the ill effects this change to the charter could have on the city.

The initiative's sponsors represent a very small, special interest group that wants to prevent new development from happening around the entire Bay Area. The initiative is disguised as "giving you a vote." In fact, it is depriving the majority of Redwood City's citizens a chance to effectively utilize their existing elected city officials and legal structure that provides them a true voice and vote for the future of their city.

I would urge all Redwood City citizens to look at the facts before signing anything. You'll find people who are residents of the city and want reasonable, planned growth, combining the needs of our environment, economy and community at www.SustainableRC.com.

Richard Panelli,

Redwood City



Ethanol and gasoline

Dear Editor: The green folks rattle their mouths, and like a vacuum cleaner suck along the average mind like a piece of lint. The big byword is now ethanol. All that will do is drive up the cost of corn. Twice as much as gasoline is required to get the same energy, which means twice as much must be carried and twice as much must be purchased. And it requires more energy than gasoline to make. Wow. We really scored on that brilliant move. And being an old racer, the stuff is almost impossible to see when it's burning. Gasoline will be our fuel for a long time. If Clinton had not vetoed the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge bill between visits with "that woman," we would be using that oil now. We have the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific and Atlantic shelves that contain more oil than the Middle East. That could make us self-sufficient. That is too simple for simple minds.

Joseph Locasto,

San Mateo



Nix nightclub proposal

Dear Editor: We residents of Redwood Plaza Village at 830 Main Street have been notified that there is an application for a conditional use permit to operate a restaurant with a bar/nightclub, Deseo's, at 851 Main Street. The permit request also indicates hours of operation from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.

We do not believe that a nightclub operating permit should be granted in this commercial/residential area. At 830 Main St., directly across the street from the proposed nightclub, is a building whose tenants are all senior citizens. There are also two more senior buildings behind the proposed nightclub on Walnut Street.

A nightclub will cause a great deal of noise and draw crowds of unruly customers. It has only been a short time since the sports bar, adjacent to our building, has been closed. This bar was noisy, caused numerous incidents requiring police action and had a number of customers with extremely noisy motorcycles. I think we can expect the same from this new applicant.

A nightclub is an inappropriate use of commercial space in our area.

Robert F. Robillard,

Redwood City



Huge project raises questions

Dear Editor: The Jewish community center development in Palo Alto is gargantuan in scope, completely dwarfing any other building in the neighborhood. This was presented and publicized as a "Jewish Community Center" for the purpose of "consolidating worship and meeting facilities." Now that construction is under way, it is apparently not a community center, but a truly monstrous housing and condominium development. Was it misrepresented to the city of Palo Alto? Were the city departments negligent in issuing the necessary permits? Was a giant commercial development given special consideration by masquerading as a religious project? Did the city "put one over" on the residents of Palo Alto? Many questions, few answers.

Stanley D. Duke,

Palo Alto



School bond measure

Dear Editor: As a resident of Palo Alto since 1946, I am often asked to comment on the changes I have seen over the years in our fine town. It seems nobody asks what is the constant that shows why I stay in this town.

If they did, I would without hesitance say the one factor in the city that stands out is the schools.

Having entered grammar school in the old high school on Channing Avenue, I soon moved to the new wing at Walter Hayes and then the new school at Crescent Park, finally graduating from Palo Alto High School.

Always over the decades, the school board has endeavored to meet the growing educational needs of the district in an orderly fashion. Now we are again approaching an inflection point with the current bond issue.

I wholeheartedly endorse the bond plan and urge its passage. It's needed. It's timely. It's appropriate.

Ronald Tuttle,

Palo Alto