Around Town Around Town (October 27, 2004)

THE POWER OF SONG . . . Frequent Palo Alto City Council audience member Ed Power often uses the oral-communications period of the meeting to speak out on his long-held grudge against the city. Last week, however, as he has occasionally done in the past, he decided to try a different take on oral communications -- singing. With the council at rapt attention, the white-haired Power serenaded them with the traditional song, "When You and I Were Young, Maggie." The tune, by George Washington Johnson and J.C. Butterfield, is about growing old. At the conclusion, however, Power couldn't help but revert to his gripe about the council's indifference to him. He said he hoped the singing brought a little more entertainment "than speaking to this blank-faced council."

WHEN SILENCE IS GOLDEN . . . There's no love lost between Palo Alto Mayor Bern Beecham and Councilmember Jack Morton when it comes to the amount of time Morton spends talking at meetings. Beecham, who is responsible for running council meetings, has been known to try to curtail his colleague's monologues more than once. Last week, though, the pair turned their standing disagreement into an occasion for a bit of humor. During a lengthy discussion of a land-use issue, Morton pushed his button to signal Beecham that he'd like to speak, but by the time his turn came, Morton's colleagues had spoken in support of his viewpoint. Said Morton affably, "Well, this is going the way I want it, so maybe I should bite my tongue." Beecham didn't miss a beat. He said, looking pointedly at Morton and grinning, "That would be a good idea."

POST-IT . . . Technology has come to the Palo Alto post office. With the new "automated postal center," it's now possible to ship packages, buy stamps and check ZIP codes without human interaction. Will it help shorten the long lines or just add to your frustration? Check it out for yourself -- the machines are open 12 hours a day (from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.), six days a week at the post office on Hamilton Avenue. Sorry, they're a no-go on Sundays.

ELECTION FORUMS ONLINE . . . Technology is also aiding voters for the first time this year. Voters who did not make it to community forums can go to the Midpeninsula Community Media Center's Web site (www.communitymediacenter.net/election2004) and find numerous candidate and state proposition debates. With a single click, voters can compare the answers of competing candidates to a specific question, including candidates for the U.S. Congress (14th district), state Senate (11th district), state Assembly (21st district), and local City Council races. Additionally there are three controversial state propositions featured: Prop. 66 would amend the three strikes law; Prop. 72 would force most employers to provide health coverage; and Prop. 71 would provide funds for stem cell research.

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