The sign in the storefront window located at 989 El Camino Real, corner of Menlo Avenue, has been REMOVED AND IS GONE. The store is known as "Just Add Water", a swim suit and summer wear store, that is next to a store called "A Tan For All Seasons".  

After nearly daily efforts on this long standing public nuisance which many felt was a public eyesore, it currently is no longer an issue. Yeah! Oh Happy Days!  

A GATEWAY   As a gateway to our downtown area, this corner has a wonderful potential. The store is closed, and has been for many years. The merchandise is old, faded,  dusty and rotting in place. It has the potential of being a fire and health hazard. The business is unique inasmuch as everything inside appears to be in  place, except there apparently are no employees. The windows are dirty, there is mail on the floor, it just sits there.  

SINCE 2001   Since approx. year 2001, following a dispute with the city and later followed up by the D.A.'s office, the large approx. 3' high by 15 ' wide red and black colored paper sign read, as follows:  

"Menlo Park Officer Ron Prickett and Deputy District Attorney Chuck Finney are corrupt, abuse power and violate civil rights".  

MANY TRIED   Over the years members of the Menlo Park City Council, members from the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce, Downtown merchants and others tried to have the sign removed - to no avail. A front page article appeared in the PALTO ALTO DAILY NEWS on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 followed by another article in THE ALMANAC on September 5, 2007. Articles dated back many years, including one published in The Almanac on April 18, 2001 and the Palo Alto Weekly April 11, 2001.  

TOWN SQUARE FORUM   The issue was also publicly discussed in the TOWN SQUARE FORUM. As of October 18, 2007, nearly 1,080 hits appeared with 35 comments. Many viewed this as a U.S. Constitutional - 1st Amendment issue of Freedom of Speech, while others argued that it went beyond this to be a nuisance. In the end, it remained for nearly six years, until now. Only an empty storefront window with a solid blue background remains.  

THE END   This appears to be THE END of a long standing community issue, which may eventually be recorded as a part of Menlo Park's history.        

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(http://autos.aol.com/used?NCID=aolcmp00300000002851) Received on Sat Apr 26 14:45:53 2008