Last week, San Francisco Chronicle opinion writer Emily Hoeven published a hit piece against Save Downtown Menlo – calling our grassroots effort “unhinged.”
Here’s just one excerpt, regarding our concern over inadequate parking:
So, who would actually be inconvenienced?
Most likely wealthy shoppers from Portola Valley, Woodside and Atherton who drive to downtown Menlo Park and “absolutely believe they’re entitled to their parking spot in front of their store,” Karen Grove, co-founder of Menlo Together, a group that advocates for affordable housing, sustainability and economic justice, told me.
If that’s what Menlo Together thinks of the people who use our downtown, then it’s no wonder that they don’t want us to have a vote on its future.
Fortunately, if our ballot measure passes, the people of Menlo Park will have a vote. And that’s a good thing — because there are better places for the housing we need, and because our downtown businesses wouldn’t survive the current plan.
In response to the biased op-ed, The Chronicle published these two excellent Letters to the Editor defending us - including a reference to this important analysis of how our Housing Element could be updated.
As you can see from the above, writing letters to editors is great way to assure that our voices are heard. You can also write directly to the city council at city.council@menlopark.gov
Another way to pitch in is to help fund our ballot measure campaign! So please donate today. Your contribution will demonstrate our resolve and provide resources our that our volunteers need.
And lastly, to our friends in Portola Valley, Woodside, and Atherton — we LOVE having you in Downtown Menlo Park. It’s your downtown as much as ours, and we’re proud to have you as neighbors.
Thank you,
Save Downtown Menlo
P.S. The "Next steps" below are for Change.org, not us. Instead, please visit savedowntownmenlo.org. And to get emails directly from us and not rely on Change.org updates, subscribe here.
Paid for by Save Downtown Menlo: A Coalition of Residents & Local Businesses
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