INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Our Neighborhoods
1st Place
GENERAL EXCELLENCE
California Newspaper Publishers Association
DECEMBER 23, 2016 VOLUME 24, NO. 48
www.MountainViewOnline.com
650.964.6300
MOVIES | 18
Landlords take Measure V to court JUDGE ASKED TO HALT MEASURE V, CITY CHERRY-PICKS WHAT TO DEFEND Meanwhile, the suit also argues that the city’s eviction protecwo days before being tions would essentially transfer enacted, Mountain View’s the value of rental property voter-approved rent-con- from landlords to longstanding trol law, Measure V, is being chal- tenants. The measure’s creation lenged and potentially halted by of a new Rental Housing Committee is also being challenged a lawsuit by landlord advocates. On Wednesday afternoon, Dec. as discriminatory because it 21, city officials say they learned allows only two members to the California Apartment Asso- own or manage rental property ciation had filed a civil complaint or work as real estate agents or in Santa Clara County Superior developers. As part of the Court seeking to lawsuit, the apartoverturn the rent ment association is control charter ‘We believe requesting a temamendment as well as a set of emer100 percent in porary restraining order to block gency eviction prothe validity of Measure V and the tections approved eviction protecby the City CounMeasure V.’ tions from taking cil following the effect, city officials election. JULIET BRODIE, MOUNTAIN The action came VIEW TENANTS COALITION say. That request will reportedly as no surprise — be reviewed by a CAA officials had repeatedly warned leading up to judge in a hearing scheduled for the election that the Measure V Thursday (Dec. 22) morning, rent-control charter amendment after the Voice’s press deadline. In an email to the Voice, City would spur a legal challenge. Just last week, they informed the Attorney Jannie Quinn said her city in a formal letter that their team intends to defend the counlawyers were preparing a multi- cil’s just-cause eviction ordinance from a restraining order. pronged lawsuit. The apartment association’s However, they do not plan to civil complaint alleges that both fight the landlord group’s request Measure V and the council’s to delay the rollout of Measure V. ordinance are unconstitutional The decision to not defend Meaand amount to a taking of private sure V at this juncture, Quinn property. Among their argu- wrote, was made in order to “proments, they say the measure’s vide time for the city to fully anaprovisions are inadequate to lyze the complaint and prepare guarantee landlords a fair rate for further hearings, and insure of return, and that the regula- the immediate preservation of tions represent “an arbitrary and See MEASURE V, page 8 capricious windfall for tenants.” By Mark Noack
T
MICHELLE LE
Paul, 5, gets a closer look at the holiday train display on Adele Avenue on Dec. 20.
All aboard for holiday trains There’s still time to catch one of Mountain View’s favorite holiday traditions — Ernie’s trains. John Bianco is continuing his late father’s tradition of putting on a holiday model train display, which starts on Thanksgiving and runs through Christmas Day. Weather permitting, five
tracks will run trains every evening (except Mondays) at 2387 Adele Ave. from 6:30-9 p.m. On Christmas Eve, friends and neighbors will provide live music while the trains are running. The engines and cars change daily and draw as many as 100
visitors a night. Guiding the way to the display are farolitos, another of the street’s holiday tradition introduced by Ernie Bianco. The candle-lit paper bags line Adele Avenue and stretch around the corner onto Palmer Avenue, according to resident Marilyn Gildea.
YWCA fights to protect the vulnerable NONPROFIT OFFERS SOCIAL SERVICES, EDUCATION TO COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE By Kevin Forestieri
F
Mountain View Voice
or six years, the YWCA Silicon Valley has been a critical lifeline for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Santa Clara County, providing an escape route out of abusive and controlling relationships for vulnerable families that
INSIDE
2016
could end up on the streets. But the number of women seeking refuge with YWCA still vastly outnumbers the available
beds at its North County shelter location, making it all the more important for the organization to grow to meet the needs of the thousands of women in crisis who call in, according to Tanis Crosby, the CEO of the YWCA Silicon Valley. See YWCA, page 11
Barbecue, beer and biscuits WEEKEND | 15
VIEWPOINT 13 | GOINGS ON 20 | MARKETPLACE 21 | REAL ESTATE 23