I was very surprised and dismayed to hear Margaret and Ken's recollections of hearing hateful language during their campaigns. Anyone who has been reading the online version of the Voice knows that I too have been subjected to negative and stereotypical comments. It appears that in some ways, we still have a long way to go in terms of fostering civility, tolerance and respect.

I have overheard people speaking on several occasions about how people in certain other states are intolerant, but I have seen much of the same attitudes here, just aimed at different types of people. I have also had people tell me that they thought I was anti-gay, anti-immigrant or some other ridiculous thing.

As a newly appointed member of the Human Relations Commission, I hope that I will be able to participate in dialogues as well as set a good example for others in order to foster greater understanding and unity within our community.

I am very proud that I was selected to fill the seat that Ken Rosenberg vacated and I hope that I will prove myself as worthy and capable as he did.


Jim Neal
Old Mountain View

I hope the new City Council will put a stop to build build.

The new council will continue to grow Mountain View in a sustainable way. Whether its more jobs or more housing, we are the leaders in development. People want to live here and housing prices and rents reflect the positive climate that attracts a diverse population. This is a great town to live in. It offers far better public services than nearby towns. The leaders of Mountain View have allowed growth and innovation to take place and not shunned it like some nearby towns.

Which "public services" are far superior than our neighboring towns?

Both Sunnyvale and Palo Alto have superior parks.
Los Altos, Sunnyvale and Palo Alto have far superior Adult Education programs.
Los Altos and Palo Alto have superior school systems.

Oh, do you mean the rubberstamp-your-project services we offer developers??? Yes, those are superior than our neighbors!

We have newer and better parks. We have better adult Ed and our HS is just as good as LAHS or better. Our streets are well paved and we have less litter and fewer homeless. We have a better public golf course.

MV rules

>Which "public services" are far superior than our neighboring towns?

Palo Alto has a better library?

Although you're right... Cubberly is FAR better than MVCPA.

"We have newer and better parks."
How can we have newer parks when Sunnyvale just completed a major park? Mountsin View's "best" park is built in a methane-full landfill, is covered in goose crap and you can't bring your dog there.

"We have better adult Ed..."
You obviously never looked at the course offerings. Very little for adults--mostly for kids. Our three neighboring cities offer dozens more classes.

"...and our HS is just as good as LAHS or better. "
Not according to any objective measure (test scores) or even subjective ones.

"Our streets are well paved and we have less litter and fewer homeless. "I
Yes, MV does seem to hate the homeless. Often see the police harassing them. Something to be proud of? No!

"We have a better public golf course. "
Sunnyvale has a higher rated golf course. Not sure what is worse...the smell of methane from the landfill or the smell of thousands of goose droppings.

"Palo Alto has a better library? "
Palo Alto has THREE libraries and less population than Mountain View. Plus, they are rebuilding! Los Altos has an amazing library--far better than MV. Sunnyvale's library gives free access to a 3d printer.

Mountain View city government has been co-opted by businesses to focus on their expansion needs. Our neighboring cities have either prioritized resident quality of life and enrichment or at least balanced it. We sorely need to re-focus on our PEOPLE.

as for the number of homeless

WE DO NOT HAVE FEWER HOMELESS

mountain view had an almost 300% increase from 2011 - 2013 - the largest in the county

and the fastest growing segment of homeless in the county is north county including palo alto, mountain view, sunny vale, santa clara and cupertino

why - look to the displacement from rising rents, low wages, rising cost of living for fixed income folk and refugees from the tech industry after the great recession -- the homeless are not steriotypical with substatnce abuse
and mental health issue and transient behavior -- altho there are many - they are most often individuals and families who still consider mountain view their home


and if you define homelessness as no permanent residency (doubling up, in motel or vehicle or on the street) there are 4500 K-12 kids homeless in the county according to the department of education and in nearby sunnyvale 625
"homeless" kids

altho not visible they are all around if you look

mike

Some weak arguments. Saying the homeless population increased 300% is like saying it went from 1-4 people. It doesnt mean the population is greater than Mtn View

Saying Sunnyvale just completed one new park doesnt mean ours on average are not newer or nicer.

Our golf course is rated higher than sunnyvale and PA's. You obviously are not a golfer. Both PA and SV are mundane courses, flat and not challenging.

We have only one main library rather then the more expensive and less efficient branch library system. We have more daily users per sq ft of space.

We dropped our membership with PA animal shelter because they were inefficient and wasting money

The council focuses on providing great public services. it shows. We are growing while the other nearby towns are barely growing. We have a better quality of life. That why those folks drive to Mtn View to spend money .

If your so unhappy with services in Mtn View, then vote with your feet and move to sunnyvale, PA or LA

@ Sparty,

I normally agree with you, but saying Cubberly is better than MVCPA is just plain wrong. MV is so fortunate to have our Performing Arts Center. It's a real theater! Cubberly is a multi-purpose room.

Having worked both places, there is no comparison between the two.

can someone remind me how hate is a moral thing?

I'm sure the new Lenny will promote more housing, he wouldn't want to disappoint his rent-a-rabble after they came out to city hall meetings with him