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Editor,

Palo Alto's Service Employees' International Union's (SEIU) leaders, representing almost 600 of the lowest-paid city workers, say (with firefighters): Don't be fooled! How can services and safety be maintained by laying off staff?

Consider:

1) SEIU workers offered to take 14,000 hours off without pay next year, saving half a million dollars.

2) SEIU workers contributed to an $800,000 medical benefits' reduction this year.

3) In 10 years, our unit grew by less than 10 percent. Undoubtedly, we have more work now. One example: A staffing study proved our libraries to be short more than 20 full-time workers to handle current workloads, and workloads are increasing.

4) This country has failing health care and retirement systems. We need to work for better ones, not erode what exists. SEIU is committed to this struggle. City workers gave up pay increases to have benefits and never received the high pay or stock options of the private sector.

5) Historically, City Council grants salaries near the mean in comparison with other jurisdictions. Is this city average in any way? Most workers will never afford to live here. Another example from the libraries: Before the current contract, librarians were paid the lowest wages in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.

6) Critics propose laying off "less valuable employees." Who or what jobs are these -- park rangers, utility linemen, librarians? How do the critics think services are provided, if not by workers?

Its services make Palo Alto what it is. Workers make services what they are. Maya Spector SEIU Local 715 Vice Chair, Palo Alto and Michael Blodgett SEIU Local 715 Chapter Chair, Palo Alto Marshall Street Redwood City
Avoid overcrowding

Editor,

I oppose the oversized housing project proposed for 800 High St.

Palo Alto needs housing for its teachers, workforce and public servants. It needs truly affordable housing that serves the needs of the community, not more luxury housing.

The few suitable sites that remain should be used to meet our affordable-housing needs, at densities compatible with the surrounding community. If this project is built it will place a greater burden on south Palo Alto to squeeze in more high-density development, on top of all the projects already planned for that part of town.

The main benefits will go to the developers while the residents will get more crowding and traffic. Ben Lerner Janice Way Palo Alto
Misguided approach

Editor,

Kingley Roberts writes that education is a privilege, not a right (Weekly, May 21). What a twisted, misguided approach to life.

I am reminded of the statement made by the attorney Joseph Welch to Senator Joe McCarthy: "Have you no sense of decency, sir?"

Perhaps you can avail yourself of your right to an education and open up your eyes and ears to the world and its inhabitants more compassionately without rejecting those who cannot match your prescribed levels of achievement. David Rapaport Maddux Drive Palo Alto
Ovation for Joe

Editor,

I usually steer clear of politics. So it was odd to find myself in a crowd of several hundred people giving a standing ovation for an elected representative.

The occasion was an awards luncheon for those being honored by Palo Alto Unified School District's PTA Council. It had probably been on the schedule for a year, but it just happened to occur two days after Governors Davis' "May Revision" of the budget.

The revision removed the property tax diversion our district so vehemently opposed. Many of us in the room had poured our time, energy, money and hearts into the opposition effort, and the excitement when Joe Simitian got up to accept his award was palpable.

As Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, Simitian took pains to point out that the seizure of local property taxes is not a budget cut. He asked what's to stop the state from laying claim to the additional property-tax revenue generated by local parcel taxes approved in non-basic-aid districts around the state?

In advocating for our community, Simitian became an advocate for communities across the state. I applaud Simitian and the other legislators who took a stand to protect the quality of education in California. Lynn Magill Cork Oak Way Palo Alto
Sacramento success

Editor,

Remember Jan. 15? You dropped the kids at school. One last sip of coffee, a quick scan of the morning paper and you would be off to spend your day just like every other.

But wait -- did you read that headline right? "Affluent schools hit hard in budget -- Davis seeks to dip into their property tax funds."

Life after that has not been the same in Palo Alto which, in the flash of a penstroke, was tapped to give the state $23 million of local revenues slated for our schools.

Noticeably alarmed, many people suspended their normal lives these past four months to convince Sacramento of the folly of this policy -- with considerable success on Wednesday, May 14, when Governor Davis deleted the proposal from his state budget.

Palo Alto owes a great debt of gratitude to Assemblyman Joe Simitian, State Senator Byron Sher, school district Superintendent Mary Frances Callan, school board members led by President Mandy Lowell, and the thousands of parents (the roots of the grassroots campaign) who together took thousands of hours out of their regular schedules to fight to keep our local school funding local. Lauren Janov Byron Street Palo Alto
A worthy chief

Editor,

As a 10-year volunteer at the Palo Alto Police Department, I congratulate Lynne Johnson on being sworn in as Palo Alto's next police chief.

I can attest from first-hand observation to her ability to handle difficult and sometimes controversial issues with competence and fairness. Johnson has given our city exceptional service for the past 28 years. She is certainly one of the most knowledgeable city employees we have, and we are all indebted to her for the way she has handled her previous position of assistant police chief.

I'm sure she will do equally well in her new job. Her comprehensive knowledge of our city and community with its many idiosyncrasies will hold her in good stead over the coming years.

It should be emphasized that Johnson is both respected and supported by the police officers in Palo Alto. Let's all give her our support.

Congratulations Chief Lynne Johnson. George Browning Sutherland Drive Palo Alto