Hello City Council,
My name is Alisha Westerfeld and I am a resident of Belle Haven and Menlo
Park. For this years priority setting meeting, we need to focus on the
most pressing issues facing the Menlo Park community and our most
vulnerable neighbors.
To that end, please prioritize work on the following issues:
1) Urgently implementing the Anti-displacement strategy that was identified
as the most pressing concern through our Environmental Justice and Housing
Element plans.
2) Implement recommendation 1 through 10 presented by the food systems ad
hoc subcommittee as part of Environmental Justice Element implementation.
Escalating food prices and food insecurity are already impacting residents
throughout Menlo Park, particularly in the Belle Haven neighborhood. The
recommendations include a fresh food voucher, a farmers market, and
investment in a community garden.
3) As our Environmental Justice Element requires, please promote equal
access to public facilities by ensuring the Belle Haven pool is publicly
owned and operated, has programming and hours that meets the needs of
working people and seniors, and is free or heavily discounted for Belle
Haven residents.
Our environmental justice element is the strongest representation of our
communities needs and priorities, please do everything you can to continue
urgently implementing the changes identified through that community-led
effort.
Thank you for time and attention,
Alisha Westerfeld
1367 Sevier Ave Menlo Park
