May 21, 2008

Letters

Parks measure

Dear Editor: All mothers, fathers and caregivers in San Mateo County know how important our local parks are - our children use them regularly. Yet they may not be aware that Measure O on the June 3 ballot provides badly needed new and dedicated funds for local parks and recreation.

My local park is my family's second home, providing a place for my child to play, learn about nature and socialize with other young children. While the playground is generally well-maintained, when things break they just get taken away and replacements are a long time coming. The situation will get worse if Measure O doesn't pass as park budgets are being threatened across the county. Measure O is estimated to cost individuals less than $20 a year, a small price to pay for well-maintained, clean and safe parks where our children can play.

Please join me in voting yes on Measure O.

Heidi Schell,

San Mateo



Poor plant choice

Dear Editor: The newly renovated area around the Burlingame train station really looks beautiful and shows so well when people emerge from the train. However, I would like to voice a big disappointment on the choice of plant-ings in the dividers outside Royal Donut heading over the train tracks. The "spike" plants used in the dividers are very unattractive and there is no variety of other plants.

Barbara van Dillen,

San Mateo



Children's theater

Dear Editor: I am distressed by your editorial Sunday, "Sad ending to probe of kids' theater." While I agree that this has been sad for all involved, you have drawn some unfounded conclusions.

When you write that "public and donated funds were carelessly spent and mishandled," you have no basis for this statement other than the allegations released to the press by the police. There are no accusations by individuals associated with Friends of the Children's Theatre that any donated funds were used inappropriately. The donations always supported theater activities, programs and purchases of equipment, some of which was stolen last summer.

Before making such a statement, you should have interviewed present and past treasurers of the Friends who could certainly have explained how donated funds were used. As for allegations that public funds were in any way mishandled, not only was the criminal investigation dropped, but as yet the administrative review is continuing, as you have noted.

Prior to the time in which it is proper for the staff to publicly counter these allegations, it is wrong for the press to continue to treat allegations as if they were proven facts. It is a great disservice to this community as well as unfair to the people involved.

Suzan B. Stewart,

past president of Friends of the Children's Theatre,

Palo Alto



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Dear Editor: So, the city officials have come up with the brillant idea to fire the Palo Alto Children's Theatre director, Pat Briggs. In my opinion, they should be considering this for whoever is responsible for audits and financial reporting from the Children's Theatre. Obviously, the city was lax in its supervisory role and needs to step up to the plate and accept its responsibility.

Briggs was not hired as an accountant or bookkeeper, but as an artistic director of one of the most renowned theaters for children in the United States. As a former president of the Friends of the Palo Alto Children's Theatre, I consider Pat a friend of almost 40 years and a treasure to behold.

Cathy Latterell,

Palo Alto





Exit strategies

Dear Editor: There was no exit strategy when the Iraq war was started, despite many warnings. There is no exit strategy for Guantanamo prisoners. One who was released turned suicide bomber. The rest of them are candidates for such action, having been terminally abused by imprisonment without charge. The only exit strategy Bush and Cheney have is Jan. 20, 2009.

Gunther Steinberg,

Portola Valley