Hi, Council
Now that Menlo Park has an Environmental Justice element, it needs to be implemented. We have said what we want over here: Healthy affordable food, less pollution and traffic, and for current residents to be around to enjoy those things - not to be pushed out by gentrification or climate change. The city could, for instance, create plans to channel, moderate and adapt to sea level rise. I know this means working with about a thousand other public bodies, but that’s the only choice we have. The city could provide legal counsel for tenants facing eviction, because once pushed out it is very hard to come back. The city could - along with the usual thousand other public bodies - make public transportation across Menlo Park in various directions attractive enough that people would prefer it to driving all day on the streets that surround us. Commit, follow through, create metrics and find money. Environmental justice can and should be part of every budget item.
I don’t know how you stand all this public service, and commend you for hanging in there. But seriously, now that we have the EJ element, act on it!
Nina Wouk
Belle Haven resident since 1986
