Publication Date: Friday, February 25, 2005
ReaderWire
ReaderWire
(February 25, 2005)
'Who's in charge?'
Recently staff-generated proposals have progressed too far in city processes without any policy direction from the City Council. This results in chaos and confusion for everyone over the issues, prompting the question: "Who's in charge?"
Under the City Charter, the City Council sets policy and the city manager implements it. It's appropriate for staff to alert the council to problems and seek council policy direction.
It's not appropriate for staff to be spending city funds doing studies, holding focus groups and public relations campaigns to advance projects that have not had council policy direction.
Yes, the council pays attention to staff and community input in setting policy and that's its job. For an orderly process, the council needs to take the reins.
Emily M. Renzel
Forest Avenue, Palo Alto
Nimbyism at its best
Now Albertsons on Alma Street is going to close in March.
So the neighbors who fought against its expansion won't have any grocery at all in their neighborhood.
Talk about Nimbyism at its best.
Harry Press
Escobita Avenue, Palo Alto
Idea for Fry's sizzles
Palo Alto City Manager Frank Benest's suggestion for a redevelopment area around Fry's Electronics is a good idea that is long overdue.
Not only would this provide an opportunity for Fry's to upgrade, but new housing, retail and offices should and could be part of this ideal mixed-use area that is currently an eyesore and embarrassment for Palo Alto.
This could also be an incentive to jumpstart the South El Camino Real corridor, which should be second in line for an overall upgrade.
B.H. Bocook
El Camino Way, Palo Alto
Applause for police
We wanted to take a few moments to express our appreciation for the men and women of the Palo Alto Police Department (PAPD).
We unfortunately have had to call them to our home several times in the last two months. All the officers we've interacted with have been very professional, helpful and supportive. The caliber of these officers far exceeds what we would expect from any police department, but I'm sure equals just what Chief Johnson expects of them.
Thank you PAPD, and keep up the good work.
Don and Michelle Romero
Encina Grande Drive, Palo Alto
Full court press
Presently a "high-stakes battle" is raging between the East Palo Alto Rent Board and the East Palo Alto City Council, which acts in concert with City Manager Alvin James.
The hotly debated issue is the fact that to date the city's finance director, Sandy Salerno, has raided the Rent Board's reserve trust account to the tune of $60,000. At the direction of the Rent Board, its attorney, Byron Thompson, brought suit against the City Council in Superior Court.
As a result, Mr. Thompson was summarily terminated by the city manager in retaliation for doing his legally responsible job. The litigation -- EPA Rent Board vs. EPA City Council -- is presently at the appeal stage and awaiting a later hearing.
The EPA Rent Board's present predicament is: Now that Mr. Thompson has been terminated, who will represent the board in court? The answer lies in fact that a pro bono attorney has generously committed his services to represent the Rent Board's appeal.
Therefore, the EPA anti-Rent Board elements have been dealt a serious body blow. Their plot to assign Michael Lawson (the city's hired gun) to do double duty -- represent the council and the Rent Board -- (like assigning the fox to the hen house) has been derailed.
Larry Henderson
Newell Road, East Palo Alto
E-mail a friend a link to this story. | 
