Publication Date: Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Editorial: Funding EPA's anti-violence war
Editorial: Funding EPA's anti-violence war
(November 02, 2005) The Measure K parcel tax on next Tuesday's ballot is a vitally important element of East Palo Alto's comprehensive program to curb crime and violence
It's just not enough for a community to talk tough when it comes to fighting back against crime and violence.
It takes real dollars -- backed by a commitment, careful planning, a solid strategy, a multi-pronged approach that includes prevention as well as improved law enforcement and years of effort by involved citizens.
East Palo Alto voters have an opportunity next Tuesday to provide the basic armament for such a sustained effort: a special parcel tax -- Measure K on the Nov. 8 ballot -- that would provide funds exclusively for programs to prevent violence and crime under an overall "Violence Prevention and Public Safety Act of 2005."
The measure -- which requires a hard-to-achieve two-thirds approval -- would levy a tax of $100 per year on each single-family parcel, $75 a year for every unit in an apartment complex and have varied rates for commercial properties based upon size. It would produce an estimated $1.1 to $1.7 million per year to complement funds already expended on anti-crime programs.
A special fund would be established, with oversight by way of an annual independent audit and by a special citizens' Oversight Committee.
Measure K is strongly supported by Mayor David Woods, Vice Mayor Ruben Abrica and City Council members Donna Rutherford and Patricia Foster, and by many citizens who dream of living in a community where there are few if any drive-by shootings, where both young persons and older persons with a past history of trouble can see hopeful futures for themselves.
Opponent Patsy Johnson, who has represented landlords in the area, and others argue that there are other ways to fight crime and violence, and feel that the measure is "full of vague promises" for youth programs while the most serious offenders are over 21. They cite past mismanagement for wasted funds, a position not likely to get much argument. Yet their alternatives -- achieving 100 percent citizen involvement in anti-crime efforts, for instance -- seem far more vague and unrealistic than the detailed efforts outlined under Measure K.
By contrast, Measure K outlines detailed programs that seem rooted in reality and common sense. It contains education and job-training programs both for young persons and for adults who are part of the 7.4 percent of the population who are unemployed -- some of them because they are on parole and lack essential job skills. And it virtually guarantees police department staffing at its present level of 48 officers -- or more.
Measure J, which renews and makes permanent East Palo Alto's utility users' tax first enacted in 1989, requires just a majority approval. It would retain about $1.4 million annually for the city's General Fund, which would otherwise go away to the detriment of numerous community programs and services.
Measure K is truly a "get serious about crime and violence" effort, and deserves strong community support -- more than two-thirds, we hope. Vote YES on Measures J and K in East Palo Alto.
The Weekly recommends:
The Weekly recommends:
(November 02, 2005)
For Palo Alto City Council
Five openings, ten candidates.
John Barton
Peter Drekmeier
Yoriko Kishimoto (incumbent)
Larry Klein
Jack Morton (incumbent)
For Palo Alto school board
Two openings, four candidates.
Barb Mitchell
Dana Tom
For Foothill-De Anza community college board
Two openings, four candidates.
Paul Fong (incumbent)
Bruce Swenson
State Propositions
73 (Parental Notification) NO
74 (Teacher Tenure) NO
75 (Public Employee Union Dues) YES
76 (State Spending & School Funding) NO
77 (Redistricting) YES
78 (Prescription Drugs) NO
79 (Presciption Drugs) YES
80 (Electric Service Providers) NO
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