March 25, 2005

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Palo Alto Online

ReaderWire

Thanks to all you citizens of Palo Alto and greater Palo Alto, plus our local merchants -- the Palo Alto Weekly, Tomlinson Zisko LLP, Sheraton Plaza, Borel Private Bank, Whole Foods Market, Oak Creek Apartments and City of Palo Alto Utilities.

Having a tight budget-year again -- which meant no funds from the city coffers -- your pledges made, and paid, made it possible to engage an outstanding line-up to enjoy.

We're in for another great summer series of Twilight and Brown Bag concerts in our wonderful parks commencing June 14 (mark your calendar). I for one have experienced the last 23 years and don't want them to end. For that reason, I stepped forward and asked your support -- it worked!

Thanks to you all.
Uncle Elliott Bolter
Walter Hays Drive, Palo Alto

Curbing the problem

Once again my city fathers have thrown away my tax dollars on a totally useless project: I cannot even imagine what was spent on building curbs along the walkways through Mitchell Park.

I frequent the dog park and the result of this "improvement" is to create serious flooding along the path. This never occurred before these curbs were built. Not only is the path flooded but it creates a great deal of standing water, which as we all know, creates an ideal environment for mosquitoes to breed.

The dog area has been in serious need of improvement for years and efforts that have been promised again and again go unheeded.

In addition to the flooding issue, the slight rise of land adjacent to the dog park was promised to us as a much-needed enlargement for years as well, and now it has been completely torn up, with no information as to when it will be returned to its natural state or if it will indeed become a part of the dog park.

I have lived in Palo Alto for more than 25 years, and would like to know that my tax dollars are at least spent on projects that would improve our surroundings rather that creating nuisances.
Leslie Gerolde
Greer Road, Palo Alto

In the zone

As a former tenant for seven years in an adorable granny unit in Barron Park and now a tenant at the Palo Alto Housing Corporation's Alma Place in downtown, I feel I write with some experience in terms of living in affordable homes for single folks.

Both granny units and efficiency apartments are needed if we are to meet the housing crisis.

All neighborhoods in Palo Alto should strive to provide affordable housing in ways that fit into their neighborhood. Where apartment buildings don't fit into existing single-family-home neighborhoods, why not simply allow for more second units?

I am strongly supportive of the zoning change that would increase these units throughout our entire city. I urge others who, like me, would like to see Palo Alto supply modest homes for those of all income levels write to Mayor Burch and our City Council their support of this necessary zoning change.
Irvin Dawid
Alma Street, Palo Alto

A matter of opinion

I could hardly believe my eyes when under a photograph of a smiling Bill O'Reilly (Weekly, March 16) was the caption: "The Bill O'Reilly sneer factor."

The accompanying article stated that he said, "let's begin with you" with his "typical sneer."

One can only assume that the Weekly's editorial opinion is reflected throughout the whole paper. How unfair.
Valerie Fick
Parkwood Drive, Atherton

Caption snafus

For the record, that quonset hut building on the March 23 cover of the Weekly was Combes, not Combos, as it is twice called in captions inside.

Look very closely at the photo on page 22 and you'll see that was an "e," not an "o."
Don Fabiano
Watkins Avenue, Atherton

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