Dear Menlo Park City Council, My family and I are homeowners in the Belle Haven district of Menlo Park. As Menlo Park residents we expect the City Council to employ the highest standards for how and where voting districts will be drawn. We believe that this can only be assured by an independent commission that has binding authority, and is free from political bias. We strongly disagree with the City Attorney's recommendation to enlist an advisory commission. Our disagreement is based on years of documented, inequitable distribution of political power and resources across our city. The governance of the City of Menlo Park *must* be fairly decided upon and guided by all its citizens and communities. It is common sense that an independent commission will provide a more fair and balanced view of our city's communities, and establish an equitable division of voting blocks. Rest assured that there are ample residents of the Belle Haven neighborhood who would be qualified, interested in, and able to sit on the City Council to help better represent the immense, gorgeous diversity of our lovely city. Thank you for service to our community, and for your commitment to free and fair elections. Respectfully yours, Jeanette M. Worthey -- "We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of the dreams." - Arthur O'Shaughnessy Nette Worthey 223 Terminal Ave. Menlo Park CA 94025 415.425.6153 Received on Wed Nov 29 2017 - 18:42:42 PST
