Ms. Chaiken-
Thank you for the feedback contained in the email sent yesterday. We will
certainly take your viewpoint into consideration in scheduling future
community events.
Regards,
David Boesch, City Manager
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Ora Panitz Chaiken [mailto:ora@odsd.org]
Sent: Wednesday, January 05, 2005 2:06 PM
To: 'City of Menlo Park'; CITY.COUNCIL@menlopark.org
Subject: RE: Breakfast With Santa Saturday 12/4/04

Dear City Council members,
 
In addition to this email, my children received notice of this event through
their local public schools. I would like to give you my feedback.
 
I find it inappropriate that the city is sending out invitations to a
Christmas event. You may say that Santa is not a religious figure, but
Santa is clearly associated with Christmas. I would have been okay if this
was promoted as a winter holiday party, not just for one religion. However,
I can't understand why the city is spending our resources on a Santa party.
If we want to build community, how about a get together to plant trees or
clean up trash, or a communal book-reading day. I have enjoyed the
community Fourth of July celebrations in the past, and the Summer concerts.
I feel that this particular event is not worthy of being continued. Perhaps
before a potential Easter Egg hunt in the Spring, someone can review our
city's priorities and the meaning of a "separation between church and
state."
 
Respectfully,
Ora Chaiken
1036 Sonoma Ave

  _____

From: City of Menlo Park [mailto:CAMENLO@govdocs.com]
Sent: Friday, December 03, 2004 7:44 PM
To: ora@odsd.org
Subject: Breakfast With Santa Saturday 12/4/04

The City of Menlo Park Community Services Department in cooperation with the
Menlo Park Fire District, Young Latino Leaders, and the Menlo Park Rotary
will be hosting the annual "Breakfast With Santa" on Saturday, December 4,
2004 from 8 -11 a.m. at the Burgess Recreation Center located at 700 Alma
Street.

Activities will include pancake breakfast, visiting with Santa in person,
holiday craft making, letter writing to Santa, good food, and a fun time
with friends. Event admission prices are: adults $5, children 12 & under $3
($1 off with donation of an unwrapped toy to the Fire Fighters Toy Drive).
Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras to take pictures of their
children with Santa. .

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<http://www.govdocs.com/service/user.html?code=CAMENLO> . All you will need
are your e-mail address and your password (if you have selected one).

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Received on Thu Jan 6 10:57:35 2005