Hills needs resident involvement
Compliance with the state’s housing mandate is the most significant challenge facing Los Altos Hills, yet, most residents have little or no knowledge of its potential impact on the rural nature of our town.
We have many standing committees, but we have no Housing Element Committee. We need resident involvement. LAH has many capable residents who are willing to contribute: architects, builders, environmental experts, and others knowledgeable about the state requirements. LAH residents have real skin in the game to meet the Housing Element goals in a way that is positive for the development of the town and deserve an opportunity to participate in that process. A standing committee would also improve both perception and reality of the transparency of the decision making process. Residents from every area of town want to be part of such a committee.
The council is suggesting an ad hoc committee. We disagree. The normal role of an ad hoc committee is to address short term projects. There is no notice of meetings, no published minutes and no oversight.
A standing committee is subject to the Brown Act. Meetings are noticed so that residents can attend and participate. Minutes are recorded so all residents can access them and understand the issues. It provides residents more opportunity to express ideas and for the council to get better input. It is critical that you attend the February council meeting. Together we can forge a path forward that is collaborative and inclusive and supported by the community.
Cheryl Evans
Los Altos Hills
Bruce Barton’s celebration is well deserved
I was thrilled that Bruce Barton was honored by the city of Los Altos for his 32 years as the Town Crier Editor-in-Chief, and that he was also named “Los Altan of the Year” by the Town Crier.
I couldn’t agree more that Barton put together a paper that kept the reader engaged and informed. My husband and I have been reading the Town Crier every week since we moved to Los Altos in 1991. We have always been impressed by the wealth of information about local news/events and goings-on in this town that we have grown to love so much.
Although I never actually met Barton, I had many email interactions with him over the past several years. As a volunteer with Citizens’ Climate Lobby since 2014, I submitted multiple climate-related letters and OpEds to Barton. He was always supportive of my volunteer endeavors and published almost everything that I sent his way. He also published several letters from other local CCL volunteers. To get that kind of recognition from the Town Crier was very much appreciated. I will forever be grateful to Barton for this, as he helped to raise awareness about the need for action on climate change.
I wish Barton the best as he enjoys his well-deserved retirement years!
Paula Danz
Los Altos
The rat dilemma
My friends, we’ve got trouble right here in Altos city with a capital T and it rhymes with p and it stands for pests. We’ve gotta figure out a way to kill the rats – and keep the ecos happy too.
It’s time to write your state senators and state reps (not federal) and bring back the poison for the rats before they destroy every car, get into every house, eat all your wires and bring disease.
Please don’t write me about the owls. If they were doing their job, as you keep promising us, we wouldn’t have these problems. We would have dead rats. I have tried all the suggestions; however, glue traps caught my nuthatch, large snapping traps caught my white crown sparrow and a towhee. I love owls, but why are they more important than the perchers?
I’ve paid thousands to my rat guy to seal everything. He said this is the worst infestation he’s seen in his 25 years. With one poison brick I can kill multiple rats and maybe one owl – or maybe not even an owl. It seems much better than multiple sparrows. Using peppermint spray just pushes them to your neighbors. Is that what you want?
Write and bring back the bricks. Please!
The state Senator for Los Altos is Josh Becker, and state Representative is Marc Berman.
Diane Brauch
Los Altos Hills
