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Letters to the Editor

Setting the record straight on local taxation

Editor:

I am compelled to respond to the misrepresentation of the facts about state legislation that I am carrying to help make California more competitive so that we can keep and increase jobs for our workers ("Ballot Battles," March 31). I feel I must correct the record. Your readers and the voters of Santa Clara County deserve the facts:

* In response to the assertion by some that the Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG) was "pushing" my bill, SB 552, in fact, this is an inactive measure from last year.

* Regarding the notion that the new version, SB 1291, would allow employers to not pay the countywide sales tax, in fact, SB 1291 does not apply to sales tax revenues that flow to counties, cities or special districts.

* To the suggestion that manufacturers would not be paying the state share of sales tax, in fact, SB 1291 simply would ensure that California manufacturers would not be "double taxed" on both the "inputs" and the "outputs" of their equipment and products. For those of us who want jobs to locate and remain in California, this is important, because 42 other states do not "double tax" their employers in the way that California does.

I am proud that the proposed elimination of this "double tax" is supported by the California Taxpayers Association, the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, the California Chamber of Commerce, the American Electronics Association and regional groups such as SVLG.

Elected officials owe it to their constituents to get their facts straight, and all the voices in the debate over Measure A should strive harder to ensure that all the facts, on all sides, are accurate.

State Sen. Elaine Alquist

13th Senate District representing Mountain View, San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Gilroy

Driving to school a question of values

Editor:

I was born and raised in Mountain View and have lived here for almost 50 years. I chose this community to work and raise my own children because of the diversity of the people who live here. But after reading several articles and editorials in the Voice, I have begun to question some of our community members' values.

The importance of treating our youth with the respect they deserve begins by allowing them to park their cars on the public street by the school they attend. My husband and I bought a home across the street from a public school and we are happy to have cars parked in front of our house, because that means there are students attending school with parents and community members involved in their education. When you purchase a home near a school the expectation of people using the community facility is a given.

I am a parent of a student at Mountain View High School who must drive to school every day because I am a working parent. My son is an environmentally conscious citizen but he is unable to carpool with his friends because of the current state law. I am also a parent educator and teach for the Mountain View-Los Altos Adult School in an off site program located behind Mountain View High School. Parents with young children are in need of a safe place to park their cars.

There are simple ways to make a positive difference in our community, and one of them is to look beyond the empty curb in front of your house. Walk across the street to your local high school, whose high standards raise the property value of your home, and see what you can do to encourage high school students to stay in school and become valuable members of our community. Currently, according to a recent edition of Time magazine, our country is facing a nationwide crisis of high school drop-outs.

Claire Koukoutsakis

Marilyn Drive

Wal-Mart employees helped in time of need

Editor:

On March 1, I was happily shopping in the Mountain View Wal-Mart (my favorite store on earth), when I suddenly started having crushing chest pains with profuse sweating. I knew these were the symptoms of a heart attack. I immediately got in the check-out line and walked up to the assistant manager in front of the lines and handed him my Kaiser card, told him I was having a heart attack and to please call 911. I asked to have them take me to Kaiser Santa Clara if I should pass out.

He grabbed the phone and while he was talking to them, he unloaded my cart and they got me checked out in record time. During this time, I was sitting on the end of the counter leaning over, and a young man got down on his knees to make eye contact with me and ask if I needed anything or what could he do. The whole time I was leaned over, a woman was rubbing my back gently. When I was finished checking out, they walked me out to the front door and the cool breeze was a refreshing friend at that point. I looked up and the fire trucks arrived and started with their routine. While they were so expertly going through the questioning and suggestions, the manager of the store took my items to my car and loaded it for me and brought me the keys as they were putting me on the gurney. What more can you ask of total strangers?

Chris was my attendant in the ambulance and during the ride he was making me laugh and enjoy this adventure as much as possible. The Kaiser emergency team was awesome and made the day a less fearful one for me. Thank God I did not have a heart attack but an anxiety attack; I was released later that night — a happy camper on morphine — to my very relieved children.

People are so quick to criticize Wal-Mart and Kaiser Hospital that I just wanted to thank all of those wonderful people for their caring and compassion to a woman in distress. It made me realize the innate goodness in most people, and I wanted them and their families to know how lucky they are to have them.

Jackie Roman

Santa Clara