News digest News digest (January 24, 2003)

Mercury News sues city

The San Jose Mercury News filed a lawsuit against the city of Palo Alto Wednesday for allegedly violating the Brown Act and the California Public Records Act. The Palo Alto Weekly filed a similar lawsuit Jan. 17.

Both lawsuits are in regard to an Oct. 30 closed-door Palo Alto City Council meeting and the subsequent refusal to release records pertaining to that meeting. The public and press were not allowed in the Oct. 30 meeting so the council could discuss a memo written by City Attorney Ariel Calonne.
JLS students shine in Golden State Algebra exam

Students from Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School amply demonstrated their math skills in the Golden State Algebra exam as 81.8 percent scored a six (high honors) on a scale of one to six. Only 8.4 percent of the participating students statewide received high honors.

The multiple-choice, written-response exam covered fundamental algebraic skills and concepts. It was taken by 198 eighth-grade JLS students in spring 2002. All students who took the exam had a score of four or above.

Students with scores of four or better receive recognition from the state of California on their high-school diplomas.
Junkyard backers speak out

Some 20 people came before the East Palo Alto City Council Tuesday night to ask the city to reconsider its decision to phase out community auto wrecking yards, which occurred at the end of the year.

The last remaining wrecking yard was closed by police Jan. 2. Infinity Towing, owned by Make Baker, was the last full-service auto dismantler in San Mateo County, he stated in a letter to the city.

"I feel we deserve a place in the community," he told the council Tuesday night. Baker argued his wrecking yard should be allowed to continue operating until the city is closer to making a decision to replace his and other wrecking yards with a redevelopment project.

"Making a business shut down without replacing it doesn't make sense to me," Baker said.

The city, however, considers the matter a done deal and the council stood by its decision.

. -- Don Kazak
Health insurance sign-ups Saturday

Families with children who do not have health insurance are invited to apply for free or low-cost insurance this Saturday, Jan. 25, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the board room of the Palo Alto Unified School District office, 25 Churchill Ave.

The insurance is available to qualified Santa Clara County and San Mateo County residents through three plans: MediCal for Children, Healthy Families and Healthy Kids. To apply, a family member needs to bring proof of residence, proof of income, and the child's birth certificate and Social Security number. Both English- and Spanish-speaking staff will be on hand.

The event is sponsored by the Children's Health Initiative, the school district, and the office of Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss. Those interested in signing up are asked to make an appointment by calling either (650) 329-3736 or (650) 329-3767.
First planting for Trees for El Camino Project on Saturday

The first of several hundred new trees along El Camino Real will be planted at El Camino Park on Saturday, as a new project gets kicked off.

The group doing the planting, the Trees for El Camino Project, is hoping to improve El Camino Real's landscape by adding hundreds of trees along Palo Alto's main thoroughfare. Saturday's festivities begin at 10 a.m.

County Supervisor Liz Kniss, Mayor Dena Mossar, Councilman Vic Ojakian, City Manager Frank Benest and Stanford Vice President for Public Affairs Gordon Earle are expected to speak at the event.

"This is a hands across El Camino project," said Betty Meltzer, one of the group's co-chairs.

Planting of the first phase of trees will begin in the fall.