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Palo Vol. XXVII, Number 49 • Wednesday, March 22, 2006 ■ 50¢ Alto Parents urgedGolf to stop collegecourse not a admissions 'frenzy'sure Page 3 shot www.PaloAltoOnline.com Page 3 STATE CHAMPS! Paly boys refuse to lose Page 16 Norbert von der Groeben Q Upfront Planning reorganization draws sharp rebuke Page 3 Q Sports Pinewood girls win second straight state title Page 26 Q In Business A tale of two bidders for Merc, Daily News? Section 2 apr.com REDEFINING QUALITY SINCE 1990 Reading between the emotional line makes the difference between finding a house and a home. PALO ALTO Great North Palo Alto cul-de- sac with 4 spacious bedrooms and 2.5 baths. This home is on a 14000sf lot and can be easily updated and/or expanded. Rare opportunity for buyers who want to customize or build new. $2,395,000 PALO ALTO Enjoy sophisticated comfort in this beautifully remodeled 3 bedroom, 2 bath classic Craftsman bungalow just minutes from downtown Palo Alto. Traditional features paired with must have modern amenities. $1,095,000 PALO ALTO This unique 3bd/2ba Eichler home has been updated. Open floor plan with vaulted ceilings. Upgrades include new kitchen with granite counters, maple wood cabinets, new appliances, and new pergo floors. $1,098,000 apr.com | PALO ALTO OFFICE 578 University Avenue 650.323.1111 APR COUNTIES | Santa Clara | San Mateo | San Francisco | Alameda | Contra Costa | Monterey | Santa Cruz Page 2 • Wednesday, March 22, 2006 • Palo Alto Weekly UpfrontLocal news, information and analysis Brain drain in planning department? Reorganization proposal draws sharp response The e-mail prompted an accusa- knowledge,” according to a city new “deputy director.” tion from Planning and Community manager’s report. The city manager’s report argued from former employees Environment Director Steve Emslie The new plan, from Emslie and the new organizational plan would by Bill D’Agostino that Kott violated their trade organi- City Manager Frank Benest, calls for “improve reporting relationships” zation’s code of ethics by his criti- combining Kott’s position and that and “increase policy collaborations he City of Palo Alto’s planning department is suffering from low mo- cism of a colleague. of the top planning manager into a and community outreach.” rale, “brain drain” and an “inability to recruit talented, national-class” In the past two years, the plan- new “chief planning and transpor- In the e-mail, Kott called the plan Temployees to replace those who recently resigned or retired, according ning department has lost numerous tation official,” thereby folding the “ghastly.” to an e-mail from a former top employee. top personnel to resignations and transportation and planning divi- “The bureaucratic overkill in the That correspondence, from former Chief Transportation Official Joe Kott, retirements. All told, they “repre- sions together. The department, un- proposal may be worthy of a place was sent to the City Council last week in response to a planned reorganiza- sent nearly 90 years of institutional der the proposal, would also hire a tion of the department. (continued on page 7) CITY COUNCIL Golf course not a sure shot Plan referred to Parks and Recreation Commission by Lauren McSherry lans to redesign the Palo Alto Municipal Golf Course ran Pinto a sand trap Monday night, as the City Council discussed a host of uncertainties surrounding the proposal. Among the unknowns: flood-control projects along San Francisquito Creek, the closing of Palo Alto’s landfill and even the hazy future of the Palo Alto Air- port. In the end, the council voted 6-3 to refer the matter to the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission for fur- ther study, with council members John Barton, Bern Beecham and Norbert von der Groeben Norbert von der Groeben Dena Mossar dissenting. Last year the council directed staff to investigate redesigning the golf course to make room for more athletic playing fields. That staff report was released last week. Like Mountain View and Los Altos, Palo Alto is facing a severe playing field shortage. War and peaceniks “The problem has only gotten Several hundred antiwar protestors rallied in downtown Palo Alto Saturday afternoon to mark the third anniversary of the start of the war in worse and is at a critical stage,” Iraq. After listening to music and speakers, the protestors walked down University Avenue chanting “U.S. out of Iraq, Bush Out of Washington!” Parks and Recreation Commissioner The event was sponsored by the Peninsula Peace and Justice Center and co-sponsored by many groups, including Multifaith Voices for Peace Jeanette Marquess told the council. and Justice and American Muslim Voice. It was one of many such rallies held around the country. Undecided land-use issues weighed heavily in the council dis- cussion of the redesign project’s Residents’ Association. The neighborhood encompasses feasibility. NEIGHBORHOODS Kathy Durham — who has served roughly 880 households west of El Mossar noted the San Francisqui- as the association’s president for Camino Real, and about 100 people to Creek — which originally flowed five terms — eked out a one-vote attended the election. Absentee bal- through the middle of the 170-acre Neighborhood leader victory, keeping her from being lots were accepted. golf course site — was redirected in booted off the board of directors at Durham announced during Sat- the 1920s. One flood-control solu- the annual election Saturday. Run- urday’s meeting she was stepping tion for the Joint Powers Authority narrowly escapes coup ning for vice president, she received down as president but would be (JPA) could be to realign the creek 82 votes; her opponent got 81. running for the seat of vice presi- again to eliminate a sharp bend. But Complaints about Mayfield agreement may have The push for a leadership change dent. it will likely be several years before worked against College Terrace’s Durham was apparently fueled by grumbling The political upheaval came in the JPA — locked in its own efforts about the lack of neighborhood rep- the wake of the candidacy — also to deal with the federal government by Lauren McSherry resentation during Mayfield nego- for vice president — of Fred Balin, — will be able to act, she added. tiations and the perceived failure a resident known for his fervent Public Works Director Glenn ld wounds from the city’s controversial Mayfield Agreement with of association leaders to protect opposition to the Mayfield agree- Roberts told the council the possi- Stanford University reopened last Saturday as a group of neighbors some neighborhood streets from ment. bility of moving the creek had not Oattempted to oust a longstanding leader from the College Terrace cut-through traffic. (continued on page 12) (continued on page 12) Palo Alto Weekly • Wednesday, March 22, 2006 • Page 3 Oregon Sante Fe Shakespeare Tour Opera Tour June 5-9, 2006 August 6-11, 2006 703 HIGH STREET, PALO ALTO, CA 94302 (650) 326-8210 PUBLISHER Our CREATIVE TRAVEL ARRANGERS William S. Johnson (650) 854-4412 EDITORIAL Jay Thorwaldson, Editor Fax (650) 854-2102 • Email: [email protected] Marc Burkhardt, Managing Editor Lic# cst 2040042 www.creativetravelarrangers.com Jocelyn Dong, Associate Editor Allen Clapp, Carol Blitzer, Assistant Editors Keith Peters, Sports Editor Town Rick Eymer, Assistant Sports Editor by Don Kazak Rebecca Wallace, Arts & Entertainment Editor Don Kazak, Senior Staff Writer Bill D’Agostino, Lauren McSherry, Be a Knight. Alexandria Rocha, Staff Writers Norbert von der Groeben, Chief Photographer Three years later Faculty with passion. Strong Nicholas Wright, Staff Photographer Marjan Sadoughi, Photo Intern Academics. Students Mentored Tyler Hanley, Assistant to the Editor & Online Editor oments before taking the “Thank you Palo Altans for car- and Instructed. Average Class Sue Dremann, Staff Writer, Special Sections stage Saturday afternoon ing and not being apathetic,” City Size 23. AP and Honors Classes. Cammie Farmer, Calendar Editor Jeanne Aufmuth, Dale Benson, M to address the antiwar Councilwoman LaDoris Cordell Competitive Sports Program. Lynn Comeskey, Tim Goode, Jill Slater, Susan Tavernetti, Robert Taylor, Contributors rally in Palo Alto, Karen Meredith said. Extensive Fine Arts Program. Adena DeMonte, Benjamin Lincoln, of Mountain View was asked if “We are now in the majority posi- Educational and Service Trips. Elizabeth Perry Editorial Interns she ever got tired of speaking out tion in this country,” Paul George Accredited by WASC and ACSI. DESIGN against the war in Iraq. She looked of the Peninsula Peace and Justice Passion • Knowledge • Integrity • Faith Carol Hubenthal, Design Director Come be a Knight. Diane Haas, Lynda Lumish, Sue Peck, Senior out over the several hundred people Center told the crowd, citing opin- For a campus tour, contact Admissions Designers; gathered in Civic Center Plaza. ion polls showing a majority of Dana James, Sarah McAleer, Charmaine Director, Jackie LaFrance (ext. 222 or Mirsky, Scott Peterson, Designers “On days like this, I don’t feel so Americans think the war was mis- [email protected]) to make an appointment. alone,” she replied. “Some days, I take. PRODUCTION Jennifer Lindberg, Production Manager feel alone.” Dorothy Hassett, Brooke Fox, Meredith lost her son, Lt. Ken Sales & Production Coordinators Ballard, to the fighting in Iraq. “On days like this, I THE KING’S ACADEMY ADVERTISING Now, as a member of Gold Star A Christian College Preparatory Junior and Senior High School • Grades 6 -12 Michael Howard, Advertising Manager don’t feel so alone.” Cathy Norfleet, Display Advertising Sales Assistant Families for Peace — families who —Karen Meredith Jasbir Gill, Janice Hoogner, Sandra lost a member in Iraq — she speaks Valdiosera, Display Advertising Sales 562 Britton Avenue • Sunnyvale, CA 94085 • www.tka.org • 408.481.9900 Kathryn Brottem, Real Estate Advertising Sales often against the war. Last August Joan Merritt, Real Estate Advertising Asst.