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Publication Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2004 Readers make case for election choices
Readers make case for election choices
(February 25, 2004)
Backing Simitian for work on basic aid for schools
Editor:
I would like to encourage everyone in our community to support Assemblyman Joe Simitian to represent us in the State Senate.
Joe's work on behalf of our schools has been outstanding. Last year when Grey Davis tried to grab 90 percent of basic aid funding from local property tax dollars, Joe fought to protect our schools. He made sure our children didn't lose important educational opportunities and our teachers didn't lose their jobs.
This has always been a community that embraces excellence. We are so lucky to have a candidate of high intelligence, integrity and purpose. We need someone who will fight for our schools, our children and our community. Please join me in support Joe for the State Senate.
Laura Linkletter Rich
Menlo Park School District Trustee
Lempert had role in saving basic aid
Editor:
I found it odd that Joe Simitian's efforts to protect local property tax funding for basic aid school districts was cited as one of your distinguishing reasons for endorsing him in the State Senate race. As a former Menlo Park school board trustee during the basic aid fight, I can tell you that both Mr. Simitian and Ted Lempert were equally instrumental in defeating the governor's property tax grab.
Those of us who were active in or followed the basic aid fight knew that the real key to victory was getting the governor to change his mind, not
the Legislature, which was already with us. As CEO of EdVoice (a statewide grassroots organization advocating for education funding) Mr. Lempert led the charge by coordinating thousands of people to send thousands of letters to the governor. And, he was the one who orchestrated the pivotal phone call between Gov. Davis and Silicon Valley leaders that helped in the governor's decision days later to withdraw his proposal from the budget.
That's why I am supporting Ted Lempert for State Senate. He has a long and proven track record of tackling issues and getting things done.
Karen Canty
Atherton
Prop. 55 bond will pay for classrooms upgrades
Editor:
One million children attend schools in California with bathrooms that don't work. Even with class size reductions, we have the third most overcrowded classrooms in the nation.
Proposition 55 will provide $12.3 billion to build new schools, repair leaky roofs, improve the energy efficiency of facilities, and upgrade our classrooms for access to technology so that our students will be prepared to participate in tomorrow's workforce.
California's public schools used to be the best in the nation. A booming population and years of inadequate funding have changed that. California schools are beginning to turn around in improving test scores and meeting higher standards.
On March 2 join the League of Women Voters in voting yes on Proposition 55.
Gerry Felix, President
League of Women Voters of South San Mateo County
Ruskin is a good choice for Assembly seat
Editor:
Ira Ruskin is an accomplished leader who will serve us well in Assembly District 21.
He is endorsed by the Sierra Club and Vote the Coast because of his strong environmental track record. And, he is endorsed by school board members from elementary, high school, and community college districts because of his strong support for education.
Mayors and council members from throughout the Assembly district support him because they know that as a former mayor and three-time city council member, he has been fiscally responsible. He understands how the state's finances impact local services. Join me in supporting Ira Ruskin for Assembly.
Ann Foster
Whipple Avenue, Redwood City
Parcel tax will boost property values
Editor:
For the past 10 years my wife Tracy and I have lived in Portola Valley and during this time I have sold many homes here. We have seen many changes in our community, but one thing that has remained consistent is the quality of our local schools.
Studies prove that the quality of schools in a community has a direct effect on the value of property and I can attest that one of the main reasons people move to this community is for the excellent schools. There are many reasons to support your local schools, but don't forget the one reason that all property owners can agree on; good schools mean higher property values.
A vote for Measure C on March 2 is a vote for good local schools and a vote for maintaining good property values.
Peter Cowperthwaite
Portola Valley
Some Woodside residents can support parcel tax
Editor:
I was glad to see Marjorie Mader's article about the upcoming vote to renew the Portola Valley School District parcel tax (Almanac, February 11).
I read the Almanac article after recently viewing a PBS documentary about public schools in California called "First to Worst." Both the Almanac article and this program bring to light the need for local parcel taxes to help support local schools.
I want to remind my fellow Woodside residents that many of you live within the boundaries of the Portola Valley School District. This means that many Woodside children attend one of the two schools in Portola Valley.
Please pay close attention to your absentee ballot or to your ballot at the polls on Election Day and look to see if you have an option to vote on Measure C.
Measure C will renew and add $95 a year to the parcel tax that enables the best teachers to be hired to teach math, reading and science. Measure C is an investment in Woodside's children too.
Please vote for Measure C to support local school children and local schools.
Chris Dolezalek
Woodside
Prop. 56 opens door to tax and spend Legislature
Editor:
In regard to your February 18 editorial endorsing Proposition 56:
I am profoundly disappointed that you have chosen to to not tell the truth about Prop 56 in your editorial.
Your claim that this proposition will simply enable easier passage of the state budget is blatantly untrue. What it will do is increase the ease with which the tax-and-spend California legislature can increase all our taxes including sales tax, property tax, gas taxes, and all other state-imposed taxes.
The wise stipulation that requires a two-thirds vote for the legislature to increase taxes has been in place as long as California has had a constitution. It helps ensure that a tax increase will be a last resort and not a first choice for funding.
The two-thirds rule is a protection against tax increasers run wild, not an obstacle to raising needed revenue. In truth, Prop. 56 is a deceptive measure that purports to hold legislators accountable but really hands them a blank check to raise taxes. Only the very leftist politicians and newspapers are in favor of this deceitful proposal.
The president of the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce and all thinking, tax-paying citizens agree that we must vote no on Prop. 56.
Nancy Lerner
Atherton
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