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Uploaded: Wednesday, August 8, 2012, 9:20 AM
Atherton voters to decide on Little League facilities in park, rebuilding Town Center
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by Renee Batti
Almanac Staff
Atherton voters will be asked whether they want to see permanent Little League structures in Holbrook-Palmer Park, and if funding for a planned new Town Center should be restricted primarily to private donations.
The City Council voted 3-2 Tuesday night (Aug. 7) to put the two measures on the November ballot, along with a measure asking whether a new library should be built in the park -- a measure the council approved at an earlier meeting.
Council members Elizabeth Lewis and Jerry Carlson voted against the ballot measures Tuesday night, saying that, unlike the situation with the library plan, residents have not been concerned about the proposed projects, and haven't
"clamored" for a vote.
But the council majority argued that since there's an election in November that will include choosing two council members and the library measure, it would be reasonable to ask voters about two other projects that will have a major impact on the town.
The city attorney crafted language for both measures, asking council members for suggestions to make the questions fit their purposes. But it was a representative of the Little League, Michael Haven, who suggested language that, with a few tweaks, passed muster with the council.
On that issue, voters will be asked: "Should the town permit the Menlo-Atherton Little League to improve the baseball field and surrounding areas at Holbrook-Palmer Park, including covered seating for spectators and players, an improved playing area for children, and new restrooms for all park users, using private funds only?"
The Town Center measure was approved after emphasis was placed on how the center would be paid for, rather than whether the center would be built. All council members say they support replacing the cramped facilities, which don't meet seismic, fire, or other building codes, but the council majority insisted on restricting the bulk of the project's funding to private contributions.
"The issue isn't shall we construct; it's how it's funded," Mayor Bill Widmer said, insisting that he wouldn't support any new taxes for the project.
The approved ballot language asks: "Should the town of Atherton primarily use private donations to construct and design a new Town Center? Other funding sources might include funds derived from building fees or future grant money, but would not use general fund or parcel tax money."
Councilwoman Lewis, a lead figure on the Town Center Task Force, implored her colleagues not to put the measure on the ballot, asking repeatedly what purpose it would serve. Donors are at the ready to open up their wallets, she said, and the council should let the process go forward.
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Posted by Bond, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Aug 8, 2012 at 10:24 am If the town hall measure fails, what does that mean?
Both of the previous town halls were paid for with bonds that were approved by the voters. Probably a $600.00 a year bond measure would pay for a new town hall.
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Posted by Abdication, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Aug 8, 2012 at 8:26 pm I think the "Daily Fetch" got it right today: " If every decision in Atherton is going to go to voters, why have a City Council at all? "
The library issue, I understand. The rest of the measures are political nonsense. The three in power got their hand forced over the library, and they are going to punish the disturbers by adding irrelevant measures to the ballot.
If only term limits and recalls were on the ballot too!
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Posted by Agreed, a resident of the Atherton: West Atherton neighborhood, on Aug 8, 2012 at 8:51 pm Yup, the only decisions that should go to voters are council decisions that Didi Fisher, Valerie Gardner, Sherman Hall III (and IV), Jerry Carlson, and Elizabeth Lewis disagree with. Any others need to stay with the council.
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Posted by Dave Bragg, a resident of the Menlo Park: Suburban Park/Lorelei Manor/Flood Park Triangle neighborhood, on Aug 8, 2012 at 9:06 pm However this has to happen. This will be a win for the young baseball players in our community. Great work to Mike Haven and company.
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Posted by Bond, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Aug 9, 2012 at 9:37 am What is Widmer suggesting for funding on the Town Center? If he says the "issue is not shall we construct, it's how it is funded."
Does he support a new town center?
Does he support using private funds and will he be working to pass the measure. Back to my question: What if the measure fails?
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Posted by Hope, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Aug 9, 2012 at 10:40 am If the measure fails, it means voters don't want a new town center. I certainly don't. Atherton doesn't need one, and can't afford one.
This new town center is very much linked to the library in the park derailment efforts. The plan has always been to get the money from the library, build a new town center with it, and ensure the police department doesn't get outsourced.
Widmer should realize Atherton has made zero progress on police financial reforms. Atherton is unique in not implementing a two-tier pension system. Salaries and pensions are already too high. The police officers are unwilling to negotiate in good faith to make the department affordable.
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Posted by Colleen Anderson, a resident of the Atherton: West Atherton neighborhood, on Aug 9, 2012 at 8:06 pm I think voting on all 3 is fine. For the first time in a long time "We the People" have say. If the library in the park doesn't pass everyone should consider redoing the current library, and giving the rest of the money to the 5 public schools in Atherton. If the town center passes we need to remember private funds only for building that. Books are more important than buildings any day. The baseball field would just be nice for kids. I love kids & support sports. Kids playing sports teaches them to play as a team member.
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Posted by Colleen Anderson, a resident of the Atherton: West Atherton neighborhood, on Aug 9, 2012 at 8:19 pm I hope everyone knows private funding has already been offered to give the park 1/2 million dollars ($500,000) to improve & build a nice baseball area that works together with other sports. If it passes we can start moving forward.
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Posted by Bear Gulch, a resident of the Atherton: West Atherton neighborhood, on Aug 27, 2012 at 5:57 pm > If the measure fails, it means voters don't want a new town center.
Wrong. A "no" vote means:
1: voters are rejecting private funding for the town center, and
2: want the taxpayers to foot the bill for ALL the costs of providing safe offices for town personnel and citizens.
Voting "yes" means that private funding will pay for most-to-all the costs of building a new town center.
> I certainly don't. Atherton doesn't need one, and can't afford one.
People, the buildings -- particularly the temporary structures -- are UNSAFE. That's a fact. The buildings are going to get replaced, one way (new building with private funding) or another (seismic event results in collapse or red-tag).
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Posted by Sorry Didi, a resident of the Atherton: other neighborhood, on Aug 27, 2012 at 8:01 pm If the measure fails, it means voters don't want a new town center.
"People, the buildings -- particularly the temporary structures -- are UNSAFE. That's a fact. The buildings are going to get replaced, one way (new building with private funding) or another (seismic event results in collapse or red-tag)."
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