Menlo Park Council Intentionally Discouraging Residents

What is quite possibly the most important City Council meeting in Menlo Park’s history is scheduled for Monday, October 22nd, at 6pm.  

There are three problems with this. First, our City Council meetings are regularly scheduled on Tuesdays, and that is what people expect. Therefore many people may miss this important meeting. 

Second, it just so happens to be scheduled exactly on the day and time of the third and final presidential debate, which most people will probably want to watch, especially during this all-important election year.

Third, having a crucial meeting on a matter of citywide concern at 6pm on any day, virtually excludes huge segments of our population, who are either just getting off work, or who need to be home making dinner for their children and families.

Our City Council meetings regularly start at 7pm. On Tuesdays.

Could it be that the city of Menlo Park wants to discourage residents from attending this vitally important meeting involving high-density zoning in numerous locations all over our city? It sure looks like it.

And to further complicate matters, the city is holding its regular Tuesday 7pm meeting the following day—but not allowing anyone who managed, against all odds, to attend the Monday night meeting and make a public comment, to speak out at the Tuesday night meeting. So we’re likely to have an under-attended meeting on Monday, followed by a largely silenced audience on Tuesday.

Concerned residents should email or phone the city and insist on making Tuesday the 23rd the initial meeting on this topic, and adding Wednesday, October 24th as an overflow meeting to give all residents the opportunity to voice their opinions.

Cherie Zaslawsky

Menlo Park resident