Atherton's Measure O parcel tax Atherton's Measure O parcel tax (October 27, 2004)

Atherton passes audit with flying colors

Editor:

The Town of Atherton Audit Committee announced last week that the financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, have been certified by the firm of Caporicci & Larson, C. P. A. with an unqualified opinion.

This is the town's fourth consecutive clean certification, which is a first for Atherton since its incorporation in 1923. Moreover, the auditors communicated to the town that they would not provide a management letter this year with suggested financial controls or process improvements, because they believed none were needed.

The Audit Committee is composed of a mix of leading financial experts residing in Atherton, as well as the two members of the City Council's Finance Committee. The committee was authorized by the City Council in May 2000 to provide oversight of the annual financial statement audit, make recommendations to the City Council on matters related to the annual audit, and to provide guidance to the town staff on financial controls throughout the year.

At the request of the Town Council, the committee also recently provided expert advice regarding the proposed parcel tax and revenue enhancing alternatives. The committee has offered a number of suggestions to the town for revenue enhancement and cost reduction, and has endorsed the Measure O parcel tax proposal on the November 2 ballot.

Members of the Audit Committee include Mason Brutschy, Dr. Sam Goodman, Robert Jenkins, Michael Barsotti and Robert Wilson, as well as Mayor Kathy McKeithen and council member James Janz.

Michael Barsotti
Audit Committee chairman

Traffic ticket earns vote against Measure O

Editor:

Athertonians are being asked to increase their parcel tax on the grounds that their police force will otherwise lose members.

My experience has been the opposite, that our police have too much paid time on their hands. Here's why:

On August 17 an Atherton motorcycle policeman ticketed me on Menlo Avenue, in Menlo Park, claiming that he had seen me put on my seat belt just before that. Due to an unusual event, I knew otherwise.

Aside from the issue of right or wrong, why is an Atherton cop patrolling in Menlo Park, giving tickets to Atherton home owners like me? I protested by immediate postcard to Atherton police.

On August 23 they phoned me to say my postcard made no difference, and that the ticket stood. Why did the police take the time to call, if they are so short of time?

The parcel tax will give them more spare time to patrol Menlo Park and make phone calls. In my 40 years here, this is the third time Atherton police have wasted my time. Fewer police would make a better town.

Incidentally, a "notice of bail," right or wrong, is best paid. I went to "court," wasted four hours doing so, and got only a continuance; it was all they do. Four days before my "trial by court" my case was "dismissed in the interest of justice."

Thomas A. Croft
Moulton Drive, Atherton

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