The library is an obvious location, since both the library and the wall are great educational resources. Why not make room for both the wall and the benches?

"a" bench will be moved. A single bench...not re-moved, but relocated. Bryant opposed this decision because it would mean relocating one single bench. As if relocating it would mean people would stand around looking confused?! Is Bryant on medication?

Ronit Bryant (should be Tyrant?) needs to be recalled.

I'd guess her real reason to dislike the Berlin Wall is that it's a harsh warning of government tyranny, which is naturally her vision for Mountain View -- where she makes all decisions about what is right and wrong for everyone.

This is the same person who called these historical artifacts "ugly pieces of concrete", who suggested that senior citizens don't need drive thrus since they should just get out and walk everywhere, shuts down great businesses from entering Mountain View to revitalize El Camino because she thinks they'll be too popular (isn't that the idea of a good business???), and more.

She needs to resign from the Council, or it's time for us to force her out.

Well, Bryant is a council member with a vote...luckily the council has more level heads in the majority. We all have a vote as well come election day. I'll remember this nonsense

I was at the meeting last night, as I am for all the regular City Council meetings. I have been lobbying for a place of honor for the Berlin Wall since I first heard the story and although I thought that there were other locations that would have been more appropriate, I think the area selected close to the Library is an acceptable location. I would not have had a problem with moving or even eliminating both of the benches.

It is my hope that thousands, if not millions of people will come to view these awesome pieces of history and will remember (or learn about) what is was like when the Wall still divided East from West and perhaps even contemplate what our lives would be like now if it had not fallen or if the other side had won.

That's the decision that should have been made in the first place. Make decisions smarter, not harder.

The concern about the plaque (if there is one, since the article does not state if the concern is with the council or just the author of the article) is rediculous. The sentiments on the plaque are accurate. It does not say "ONLY America". It says American resolve and ideals made the fall of the wall possible. That is true and took decades of effort. This plaque was put there by a German immigrant, so it is hardly jingoistic.

The phrase "American resolve" is synonyms with President Ronald Reagan. That's why Councilmembers and their communist constituents have issues with the wall being torn down and dispalyed near the library on Franklin.

I suggest that the people in City Hall have to walk by these precious pieces of history during their typical lunch break. That would remind everyone just who their boss really is...THE MOUNTAIN VIEW TAXPAYER and the responsibility to them as well as the authority they have to ( usually ) disrupt their lives.
I might add that the MVPD be forced to do the same things because they need the same lesson taught to them as well.

VAC here. The Library is the perfect place to put this at. Why because people come to the library to read historical, watch DVD's, check out books, etc.... That was why we chose this spot. The park was a bad idea but I didn't care about that vote. We did what was needed at one end of the arrow for the park, and with the point being the Library because the vote for the Council then could vote. Council member Ronit did the back arrow feathers vote, everyone else said the nexus and the pointed end reason for the Berlin Walls was better at the Library because it is historical.

Three people spoke from the general public and I want to personally thank them for the Library site support.

[Portion removed due to disrespectful comment or offensive language] Small light industrial business are all gone on Evelin (the TOD corridor) and unemployment for hundreds of working class people. Even the VC's across the street are shaking their heads in disbelief wondering what our city is devolving into. Developer giveaways that are a gas tax scandal. It is more than just one council member, it is the whole of our Bay Area government.

The Council budgeted $50,000 to the installation?!?! I don't get it, I want to see an itemized estimate from several companies.

Great decision!
What a priceless commemoration to have in our city! My kids saw a section of the wall on display in DC and it really opened their eyes to this incredible piece of history. They were moved by it and it sparked some rich conversations with them as well as a greater appreciation of freedom & democracy. It's a privilege to have this in our community.

They should make me mayor, I know how to fix this town real good.

I'm surprised to hear of Ronit supporting Developers - this is not at all her perspective.
FYI - Developers pay more in fees today than at any other time in recorded history; hence, Pakinson's comments are incorrect. Read the bond assessment materials that made possible the streets, crubs, gutters, and overall infrastructure - therein lies the truth.

I guess I ruffled feathers here. So I will take back all I said in regards to Council member Bryant and my rant. Politicians are what they are, the person is just another person. But I will say this one thing, we need to take our city back.

Folks who own homes on the Cal Train Corridor live in fear of their property values thanks to High speed Rail and increased frequency of operation. As a real estate broker I feel for them. The small businesses in the Evelyn corridor are toast and they are laying people off. Even the AAA property behind Evelyn is readied for the ax. We are no better than San Francisco in the 1960's with government and the big Ape with the Sledge Hammer of urban expansionism.

In San Francisco, name calling is high entertainment. In Mt View its hands off.

And here we have a newspaper that is blind to everything happening, because of so much going on there is no way to keep up. In the end I could care less. We run out of water, I am prepared, we run out of sewage capacity, I am prepared. Time to write a book on the past 5 years and stop complaining.

One place has it right, the Vatican is ridding itself of the gilded cage nonsense and the new Pope is getting to being one for the poor and helpless. We need a sea change in our city, we are primed for development like we have never seen. It is our gas tax money being squandered for developers. Are these developers in the pockets of planning. Put it this way, I can count on one hand who is gilded in the minds of the city. Its rises to a scandal, a scandal of all the high payed people and to heck with the poor. We are not Hillsborough or Atherton. We are a rich diverse city of many economic factors, yet the poor get nothing but handouts for food, while developers suck dry the gas tax cool-aide and build things for the well to do. That's your council folks, hope you like what you get.

@ Nick. Exactly. This is not the first time Ronit the [Portion removed due to disrespectful comment or offensive language] has made silly statements. She actually takes prides in this silliness. It doesn't help that Mr DeBolt reports these items to let the public know whats going on during meetings. Maybe we should blame him for fanning the flames. LOL

Fortunately she will be termed out in two years. Most of the staff and council are embarrassed by her antics and ignore her. She likes the attention and is rarely at a loss of words on any issue, regardless of how ignorant she is on the topic. She wants everyone to know her personal preferences and is intolerant of anyone who has different preferences.

My inside sources tell me she has contacted staff and and wants Mr. Parkinson removed from his commission post.

Prefer the park but next to the library is a good place. Rather see it out then in some hidden part of Mountain View that no one will go and see.

Will make a comment about leased space on another post.

A piece of the Berlin Wall is perfect for Mountain View. East Germany had communism and now we have United Nations Agenda 21.

The "Bryant Tyrant" joke is old and not as clever as you think. I actually appreciate her frank comments, most of the time. If you don't like her, don't vote for her, but know that many of us don't find her as offensive as you do.

Stick to criticizing the issues, not the person, and you may have more luck converting people to your point of view.

[This is turning into a personal attack on the council member, which violates our terms of use. Stick to the issues, without attacking others.]

@Lame: You say "stick to the issues", which I normally agree with. But here the person IS the issue, so people feel compelled to respond. If she makes a lot of statements or votes people don't like, there will be commentary.

People complain about elected officials all the time. That is part of being a public figure. All the Dems did not stop complaining about Bush just because he won, and all the GOPers to the same with Obama. Not all of it is justified, but people should not be silent either.

@Lame, I'm with Ron. When a local pol. says that the reason she opposes putting sections of the Berlin Wall by our library is because it would mean moving a bench, she deserve all she gets. I mean someone saying she doesn't want to move a single bench for the _Berlin Wall display_ because she's seen people sitting on it?! She is being a disservice to the community and is making a joke out of her position. If she's just going to be ridiculous she should step down.

Yes, they are ugly pieces of concrete. They represent an ugly era of history.
The broken bits represent freedom from segregation and political tyrany (among other things).

They should be celebrated.

I fully support the placement of the Wall pieces in front of our library. The pieces could have been placed in better or worst places but here. They will become a welcome feature in our downtown to remember a piece of history in our world.

@Lame,

Nice try but we are sticking to the issues. As others have noted, this is not the first time she has made what some of us consider bigoted and silly statements about issues. She makes personal attacks all the time. Go to the city web site and listen to her comments on development and excluding others, comments on cell towers, comments on seniors, comments on developers, comments on car drivers, comments on smokers, comments on people using plastic bags, etc.

I also appreciate your frankness that you don't mind this type of silliness most of the time. After all she did get elected.

Frank Golzen, thank you for saving a piece of world history and for bringing it to the San Francisco bay area. I've never been to Berlin, yet I've always wanted to see its Wall. I wasn't around when it was erected, but remember when it fell. I found out about the Golzen segments only last month (February 2012) and have since visited them twice. Now I can finally say I've seen (parts of) the Wall. I'm thrilled! RIP Mr Golzen and thank you again. xoxo

Ronit Bryant is a native and citizen on Israel. Is there any doubt that she would oppose a German monument in downtown Mountain View? The only thing she despises more than a plaque favorable to American foreign policy is that the slab of concrete is from Germany.

P.S. East German small-town newspapers censored their readers' expression and erased all traces of dissent as well.

Bob, Is there a hidden message in all those sentences you've strung together in your post? There's certainly no clear message.

OK, she's a native of Israel (if you've gotten your facts straight, that is). The next few sentences are bizarre assumptions you've apparently made. Yes, there would be many reasons not to be certain that she would oppose a downtown MV "German monument" signifying the end to communist rule in Germany. (Who knows, she may even like listening to Beethoven.)

But the next comment really has my head spinning: "The only thing she despises more than a plaque favorable to American foreign policy is that the slab of concrete is from Germany." Has Bryant ever stated publicly or told you personally that she despises American foreign policy? Really? Could you share the details of what she said? Or is this just a figment of an imagination that embraces the kind of bizarre Jewish conspiracy theories that a certain member of a city commission has gotten himself into hot water over? Please, Bob, share your evidence. We're all eyes.

Due to repeated violations of our Terms of Use, comments from this poster are automatically removed. Why?