2/20/21
Re: Today’s Daily Post piece: Local RV parking lot now open
Dear Mayor Tom DuBois, Councilwoman Lydia Kou, and Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian:
Congratulations to each of you for your part in making the official opening ( yesterday Nov 19, 2021 ) of Palo Alto’s first 24-hour safe parking program, for up to twelve vehicle, at 2000 Geng Road, on property owned by the city of Palo Alto, happen.
I understand that Santa Clara County will be footing the bill for the services provided at the site, to include clean water, bathrooms and free showers as well as staff to assist members of the vehicle dwellers community to access additional services and eventually the ability to move from vehicle dweller status into permanent housing.
Now that each of you have gotten the ball rolling, I am hopeful the City of Palo Alto can duplicate the County’s effort.
Mayor DeBois, from my perspective, it would be a great legacy for your last year on the council if Palo Alto could provide at least one more piece of Palo Alto property for an additional at least 12 vehicle dwellers ( in 2021) with services that match or exceed the services now being provided at the 2000 Geng Road site. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to assist you with this mission.
Again, congratulations to each of you for this outstanding effort to assist some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
Best regards,
Aram James
P. S. (Trivia for Joe Simitian) I missed the first portion of the Feb 10 city council meeting except for a few of Supervisor Simitian closing comments re his current Palo Alto office located at 270 Grant Street.
• My first lawyer assignment as a Deputy Public Defender ( circa 1978) was at the 270 Grant office building where the North County Branch of the Public Defenders Office was then located
• Supervisor Simitian here is a trivia question re the 270 Grant complex: Other then yourself, who is the most famous person to ever occupy a portion of the 270 Grant Complex? What is that person currently doing.
