Publication Date: Friday, August 19, 2005
ReaderWire
ReaderWire
(August 19, 2005)
Support for T&C
Recent commentary has focused negatively on Town & country Village and the changes occurring as the new owners begin renovations to the property. As merchants and small-business owners, we know that changes are often unsettling and sometimes hard to understand.
We hope that the community will continue to support the special shops and services that have made Town & Country a unique part of Palo Alto for more than 50 years.
When Town & Country opened in the mid-1950s it was innovative and beautiful -- the first of its kind. Although people were sorry to lose the picturesque oak groves, fields and pony rides provided by the previous owners, they were charmed by the rustic buildings, the unique shops and the beautiful landscaping that made it a gathering spot for all Palo Altans.
Over the past 50 years, as tenants have come and gone, we have all missed the special services that each provided. Yet we have also enjoyed the novelty and enrichment that new stores offered.
Now Town & Country is again in the process of change. The new owners, Ellis Partners, are experienced in the restoration of historic properties. Since their purchase of the property last year, they have been actively involved in the daily management of the site, performing long-awaited maintenance and planning improvements that will make Town & Country once again a destination spot.
As merchants in the center, we look forward to serving the community as the renovations begin and hope the community will continue its interest in and support of the unique small businesses in Town & Country.
Leila P. Lyons, Lyons Ltd.
Kelly Marik, Spot - A Pizza Place
Carol Garsten, Nature Gallery
Malcolm Stroud, Scott's Seafood Restaurant
Victor Marku, Douce France
El Camino Real, Palo Alto
Police-building emergency
Recent articles have not described clearly the reasons why Palo Alto needs a new police building. Our present facility is well below minimum standards set by the state and in some areas has failed state inspections. To avoid state sanctions we must build a new facility and upgrade our police capability.
Lack of space is the overriding problem. Secure areas must be set aside where men, women and adolescents can be detained separately. The grand jury found space woefully inadequate for processing and storing property evidence and holding impounded vehicles.
The ordinance storage sections must be brought up to required state standards. The Department of Homeland Security has supplied Palo Alto with new equipment that is presently stored off site. It must be stored on site, ready for immediate use.
The existing structure has marginal electrical service, ventilation and parking. The plumbing is old -- showers and bathrooms require substantial improvements. Locker-room space is so inadequate that male and female reserve officers are assigned one locker room. Two and three department employees share an office designed for one. The present building has no space available for much-needed expansion.
Neighboring cities have better police buildings than we do. Potential police recruits compare their facilities to ours and we lose well-qualified applicants.
The need for an upgrade has existed for years. To avoid state sanctions we must now build a new police facility.
George Browning
Sutherland Drive, Palo Alto
Bush vs. Sheehan
I have heard too many comments on the news about anger toward Cindy Sheehan (whose son died in Iraq) because it is felt that she is dividing/polarizing the country.
Ms. Sheehan is not dividing the country. Our president is dividing the country with his ever-shifting responses (or non-responses) to questions about the war in Iraq. And our media is actively encouraging this by not holding him accountable for his statements.
Why has there not been uproar about the fact that he has changed his explanation for being there at least three times? Why has there not been uproar about his statements that he would fire whoever "leaked" the CIA agent info? Has Karl Rove been fired?
Remarkable silence. And so on. Cindy Sheehan is asking for answers and she is entitled to them, as are we.
Americans do not, as a rule, blindly follow the leaders. Should we start now, just because President Bush and his advisors say it is unpatriotic to question? I don't think so.
President Bush needs to be held accountable and, at the very least, answer Cindy Sheehan.
Sandra L. Guinn
Webster Street, Palo Alto
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