Hello,
My name is Wolfe Gleitsman, and Ive been a Menlo Park resident for about
16 years. I recently learned that the city is considering raising a variety
of fees
to help generate revenue. However, I wanted to voice disapproval of one in
particular, which is about newspaper stands. I know that a lot of people
get their news online, but this seems like it would risk destroying a
considerable portion of newspapers distribution network. Local news is
harder to come by in general, and I hope the council can focus on other
revenue sources before this one.
Also, since many newspapers would likely end paper distribution, this fee
might eliminate itself as a source of revenue if the newspapers just give
up on news stands. Then the city gets nothing, and there are fewer news
sources available. Lose-lose, right?
Finally, as long as Im writing, Id love for the city to reconsider its
contract with Flock. The company has repeatedly violated peoples trust
,
and unless they are measurably increasing safety to an overwhelming degree,
they dont seem worth it. The fact that this type of surveillance is often
used to get around warrant requirements, or shared with agencies outside
our state
,
is also highly problematic. Honestly, how many cameras are truly needed at
the intersection of El Camino & Menlo Avenue? There seem to be more cameras
than traffic lights at this point, which, on top of the concerns above,
seems redundant and wasteful.
Thanks for your time,
-Wolfe Gleitsman
15 Nancy Way, Menlo Park
