Publication Date: Friday, July 16, 2004
ReaderWire
ReaderWire
(July 16, 2004)
Swap a success
I want to thank City Council members for making the right decision to approve the Hays-Rinconada land swap. Shame on that handful of "torte terrorists" who tried to scare the council into getting what they want with a litigation threat.
Kudos to our council for being wise, brave and level-headed enough to make the best decision and stem the tide of governance by litigation.
Negotiating this solution is a great example of the city and school district working together. It will save Palo Alto taxpayers a bundle of money and the multitude of headaches it takes to tear down and move three classrooms skirting the edge of Rinconada Park.
JudyAnn Edwards
Seale Avenue, Palo Alto
Swap a mistake
Both the Palo Alto School District and the City of Palo Alto made a very bad mistake in allowing school buildings to be built on Rinconada Park. A solution to the current problem is not to swap valuable park land, which violates the city charter and will open the city to a lawsuit.
Nor should the school district be asked to spend money that it needs for educational purposes to remove the building and restore the park to its public purpose.
Palo Alto is always generous towards the Palo Alto School District, which we all recognize as an important part of our community. Let us be generous once again and ask the City Council to authorize the city to pay for moving the buildings and restoration of Rinconada Park.
In return the school district can repay the community by allowing both it and the schools to concentrate attention on more important matters.
Marvin and Alison Lee
Harker Avenue, Palo Alto
Cordell should speak up
I believe it is vital for public officials -- elected, appointed and employed -- to be open and honest with the media as part of their responsibility in serving the public interest. I developed this philosophy when I worked for a public agency (the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District) for five years and was responsible for public communications.
For the past six months I have thought that it was unfortunate that Councilmember LaDoris Cordell refused "to talk" to the Palo Alto Daily News; in fact, it was downright petty. Urging city employees to do the same is way out of line.
If a public official is doing his or her job in a responsible manner and serving the public to his or her best ability, there should be no problem in talking to the press about it. It's part of open government.
I think Councilmember Cordell should take the Daily News up on its offer to write a Guest Opinion. I assume the Weekly would extend the same offer.
Carroll Harrington
Melville Avenue, Palo Alto
Aiming higher
There has been much heat on Palo Alto City Councilmember LaDoris Cordell following her public comments regarding her refusal to speak to the Palo Alto Daily News.
I say, hats off. For too long the Daily has provided the public with sensationalistic and sometimes inaccurate information. I'm all for having numerous news outlets in our city. But maybe this latest reflection by an elected official and former judge will encourage the Daily to aim toward higher journalistic standards.
Daniel Rand
Park Boulevard, Palo Alto
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