Around Town Around Town (July 20, 2005)

CUSTOMER SERVICE? . . . Gus Sanchez just got a lesson in how "it doesn't pay to complain." The co-founder of the Fiber Internet Center in Palo Alto, which connects businesses to the high-speed Palo Alto Fiber Network, e-mailed a city employee about the status of one of the company's projects. The city's Utilities Department has been doing work at the site, and Sanchez wanted to give his client a timeline for the fiber installation. Instead of an end date, however, the businessman received this reply back: "Gus, Your project at 525 University has been delayed due to your call to the Director of Utilities. The Director has asked (Project Coordinator) Manuel (Topete) for a considerable amount of information about this project. Subsequently Manuel has had to temporarily stop work on your project." So much for customer service.

JUST HIS LUCK . . . Stephen Pogue is experiencing déjà vu all over again. Pogue, an architect, is designing the three-story home on Santa Rita that's become the target of protests recently. But Pogue was also the architect for Elizabeth and Jaime Wong, whose plans for a two-story home became one of the most bitterly contested neighbor-to-neighbor fights in recent years. "Lucky me," Pogue said of the coincidence. Though the city's process has been improved to make for more amicable relations among neighbors, Pogue said it doesn't seem to be working. "That's what the IR (individual review) process is for, but that's not what's happening in reality," he said. "I hope that all gets resolved amicably. I don't think neighbors should be at each other's throats."

PILOT AMONG THE STARS . . . Stanford alumnus Steve Robinson was about to go on the trip of a lifetime last week -- until a fuel gauge malfunctioned. Yup, Robinson is one of the Discovery space shuttle astronauts. He received a master's degree in 1985 and a doctorate in 1990, both in mechanical engineering from Stanford University. Local pilots also recall Robinson used to fly out of the Palo Alto Airport, as a member of the West Valley Flying Club. Robinson has been working for NASA since 1979. When the shuttle does take off, it'll be Robinson's second time in space. His first flight was also on the Discovery.

TAKE TWO? . . . The city's Transportation Division is remarkably calm this summer considering they're about to hold a public meeting on the second Downtown North traffic trial this Thursday. The original traffic-management effort, which began nearly two years ago, sparked vociferous debate over the street barriers that were installed. At one neighborhood gathering, a moderator handed out guidelines for behavior at public meetings, which didn't keep one resident from yelling at another anyway. This time around, however, seems to be smooth sailing, with the residents much quieter about their opinions about traffic circles and turn restrictions. This Thursday's meeting will provide post-trial data on neighborhood traffic and give residents the opportunity to discuss the public-review process. Those interested can show up to the Art Center Auditorium, 1313 Newell Road, from 7 to 9 p.m.

SUPER SECRET . . . Yellow-and-purple lawn signs around town announce "Palo Alto's Dirty Secret" and the date July 20 with a picture of a woman holding her index finger to her lips. What's the secret? The sign is so cryptic, not everyone's clear on the concept. "I thought it had to do with recycling," said one longtime resident, who envisioned it as a day to put unwanted household items on the curb for pickup, as one local city does. But it's not about the environment; it's about the city's temporary workers, whose union is in negotiations with the city on a contract. On Wednesday, July 20 at 5:30 p.m., the union will be rallying at City Hall, 250 Hamilton Ave.

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