Dear Council Members:
Re: quiet zone for Menlo Park.
I think , as a 35 year Menlo Park resident, I am uniquely qualified to address the quiet zone subject. For 15 years, I was part of a group here on the peninsula that fought statewide her, principally. On the basis that it would destroy and divide the city and the peninsula. WE were a private group, filed lawsuits, won some and lost some. I was one of the principal attorneys on the project, along with my friend Stu Flashman who was lead attorney. But our work delayed the project to such an extent that many members of the legislature had time to realize what a boondoggle it was, and it has recently been characterized by everyone as a colossal failure. Some of you may remember my colleagues in this struggle, Morris Brown and Martin Engel , who, along with me, lived here in Park Forest across from Menlo College. They are now deceased, but the battle goes on. During our 15 years of opposing statewide her, our group represented Atherton and during that time, Atherton established a quiet zone from Watkins all the way through Atherton. This means that the horn does not blow at all while traversing Atherton. This is always a long battle and it took Atherton almost 4 years to achieve its goal. Menlo Park started the project more than 2 years ago and MUST STICK WITH IT to achieve a quiet zone through a large part of our town. The residents have worked too long and hard to achieve this; pleae do not deny us this important benefit, which will be with us for our peace and serenity for the rest of our lives. . I also know that the railroad (Caltrain) is no big fan and you are dealing with the bureaucracy. So be determined and do not squander the investment you have made thus far. Our peace and serenity AND our property values will be greatly enhanced with a quiet zone. We are depending on you as our representatives to carry through DILIGENTLY with the finalization of our quiet zone after so much time and effort.
Michael J. Brady
191 FOREST LANE
Menlo Park Ca 94025
650 207 5737
