Dear Supporters,
Tomorrow is another crucial moment in the fight to save the Girouard family’s home. The MidPen Board of Directors meeting is happening TOMORROW, Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 7:00 PM PST. This is our opportunity to show MidPen that the community stands with the Girouards.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
Why is this not on the agenda?
Despite multiple requests, MidPen has not placed the Girouards' situation on the agenda. The District Clerk forwarded the request to the Board but stated that legal and real estate matters are not discussed in Open Session. However, no legal proceedings have been initiated by either party, meaning this topic can be discussed openly. The Brown Act (California’s open meeting law) affirms the public’s right to participate in government meetings, yet MidPen has only listed an unspecified Closed Session item on tomorrow’s agenda.
📌 Join the Meeting at 6:55 PM PST!
🗓️ Date & Time: Wednesday, February 26, 2025 - Join at 6:55 pm!
📍 In Person: 5050 El Camino Real, Los Altos, CA
💻 Via Zoom: https://openspace.zoom.us/j/88903534331
📞 By Phone: Dial (669) 900-6833 or (346) 248-7799 and enter Meeting ID: 889 0353 4331
If you cannot attend, you can still help by submitting a public comment to the MidPen's Board to voice your support!
MAKE A STATEMENT – PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS
🔹 To Speak at the Meeting:
- In Person: Fill out a comment card and submit it to the District Clerk BEFORE 7:00 PM. Your time commitment is about 15-30 minutes at the meeting!
- Via Zoom: Register by submitting a public comment form before the meeting starts at 7:00 PM PST.
- Oral comments are limited to 3 minutes per speaker.
🔹 To Submit a Written Comment:
- Submit a public comment form online at least 2 HOURS before the meeting.
- Comments submitted after this will be read after the meeting.
WHAT TO SAY:
- Share your personal story about the Girouards.
- Emphasize that MidPen should recognize the Girouards’ occupancy rights and resolve this matter by granting a long-term lease so they can justify investing in necessary home repairs.
WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO:
At the February 12 MidPen Board Meeting, 11 supporters attended in person, and more tuned in remotely. Today's update photo features Jeremiah Girouard addressing the MidPen Board with a compelling statement. Watch the recording of public comments here.
MidPen’s General Manager Ruiz made a public statement:
- MidPen has "been trying to work actively… to arrive at an agreement that both… parties can support. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to come to an agreement in our discussions so far. We would like to resolve this amicably, and I urge engagement and fruitful discussions."
Yet, despite this statement, MidPen issued a third eviction notice after the meeting. We must hold MidPen accountable to their own words—"fruitful discussions" require meaningful engagement, not eviction notices.
KEY FACTS TO KNOW:
🔹 MidPen is publicly funded – they are listed as a taxing agency on Santa Clara County property tax bills. Your voice matters!
🔹 MidPen’s Good Neighbor Policy commits them to engage with and consider concerns of adjacent residents. Yet, MidPen ignored the Girouards’ inquiries for several years while obstructing their ability to make home repairs. Their actions contradict their own policy. Read the policy here.
🔹 The Brown Act protects transparency. The public has a right to discuss governmental decisions that impact them. The Board has failed to provide clarity on whether they have formally agendized the Girouards’ case, leaving the public in the dark about discussions that should be open. Read the Brown Act here.
WHERE WE STAND:
We have until March 10—let’s keep applying pressure. MidPen has gone from ignoring the Girouards for several years to engaging in discussions. That is PROGRESS!
🚨 BREAKING NEWS: The Girouards’ story has gained traction! Mountain View Voice, SFGate, and Channel 5 have taken an interest. The Los Altos Town Crier has already published an article. Read the Town Crier article here.
📈 Momentum is growing:
✅ $9,000+ raised on the Girouards' GoFundMe - donate to provide direct support!
✅ $3,500+ contributed to Change.org to spread awareness and keep the platform free
✅ 550+ petition signatures collected both online and in person
✅ Over 15,500 petition views and nearly 240 shares
COMMUNITY ACTION:
📍 Flyers distributed across Los Altos and Palo Alto
📍 Signage posted at Rhus Ridge trailhead
📍 A physical petition book is available for hikers and neighbors to sign
Next Steps – THE FIGHT CONTINUES
Every signature, share, donation, and public comment strengthens our case. The Girouard family has given so much to our community—let’s show up for them TOMORROW, Wednesday, February 26 at 7:00 PM PST!
Thank you for standing with us. We couldn’t do this without you.
— The Rees, Schroeder, and Girouard Families