Dear Members of the Menlo Park City Council,
I am writing to express my deep concern and frustration regarding the protracted delay in processing our neighborhoods annexation application. Ten years is an unacceptably long period for residents to wait for a decision that directly impacts our lives and community. Please add this to your list of priorities.
We, the residents of the West Menlo Triangle neighborhood, are eager to become full and active members of Menlo Park. We believe that annexation would significantly benefit both our community and the city as a whole. Our primary reasons for pursuing annexation are as follows:
* Right to Representation: We desire the fundamental right to vote in city elections and to have the opportunity to run for office in the city where we reside. Currently, we are disenfranchised, lacking meaningful input into the decisions that affect our daily lives.
* Local Law Enforcement: We seek law enforcement services from the city we live in. The current reliance on the County Sheriffs Office, located two towns away, has proven inadequate. We feel underserved and believe that Menlo Parks police department would provide more responsive and effective protection for our community.
* Improved Community Safety: Our unique geographic situation, being an enclave surrounded by the county, has resulted in a jurisdictional void. Neither the city nor the county has adequately addressed our needs. This has led to the loss of six approved and funded road safety projects, severely impacting the safety and well-being of our entire community. This is a matter of public safety that affects everyone who drives, walks, or bikes in this area.
* Lost Tax Revenue: Since our application was submitted, the City of Menlo Park has forfeited an estimated $1.1 million in potential tax revenue. This represents a significant loss of resources that could have been used to improve city services and infrastructure.
The current limbo state is detrimental to our neighborhood and represents a missed opportunity for Menlo Park. We urge the City Council to prioritize our annexation application and take swift action to bring this process to a timely and favorable conclusion.
We respectfully request a clear timeline for the resolution of our application and a commitment to addressing the concerns outlined in this letter. We are eager to work collaboratively with the City Council to ensure a smooth and mutually beneficial transition.
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.
Sincerely,
Kristin Kassaei
2045 Sharon Rd
