Letter to the Editor: Preserve Cuesta Park Annex

Your last opportunity to let the Mountain View City Council know your opinion on turning the Cuesta Annex into a five acre ditch, one of the two proposals being considered, is Tues., Jan. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Council Chambers in City Hall. 

The Santa Clara Valley Water District says they need the land for a flood basin, even though the historical evidence of flooding on Permanente Creek (all the way back to the 1950's) is lacking. To make matters worse, the Sierra Club is suing LeHigh Cement Plant for releases of toxic residue and solvents into the Permanente Creek channel, which will settle into the Cuesta Annex topsoil and damage the healthy ecosystem which exists there.

And, why would the Mountain View City Council even consider such a proposal that would destroy the last natural, undeveloped parcel in Mountain View? Many people enjoy the solitude of the Annex or simply walking their dog and getting some exercise. This clearly is inconsistent with the goals of Mountain View's General Plan to increase park land in the city. Council members have received signed petitions from over 475 residents who want to preserve Cuesta Annex.

Cyndy Riordan