Council Members:
Where to begin?
My husband and I are Menlo Park residents and live in the Willows. I have worked in the Belle Haven community, at a non- profit ,
for almost 30 years. I have seen and experienced many changes over time, but one aspect of our city has not changed. We are one
city, on paper. However,we are separate but not equal in reality. Let's look closely at our wonderful Menlo Park children. On the
west side of 101, the kids attend some of the very best schools in the state, if not the nation. In the Belle Haven area, unless
the students attend private schools (most are unaffordable), they attend schools in the Ravenswood District which has some of the
lowest ratings in the nation! How can we tolerate this? We need equal educational opportunities for all.
Ideally, our schools should be integrated culturally and economically. We have a lot to learn from one another. The "west side"
children would benefit greatly from getting to know their Belle Haven buddies and vice versa.
It is my dream that our dear Menlo Park, comprised of many fine well-meaning people, will come together as a city and learn to
know and appreciate one another.
I believe the goal for Menlo Park must not be" separate but equal" but needs to be "one city for all."
With your leadership and committed citizens, we can make this happen.
Thank you for your hours and hours of hard work on behalf of all of our community members!
Sincerely,
Kathy Connolly
