Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor (February 13, 2004)

Rent control is not the answer

Editor:

Well, the old "solution" of rent control is being promoted again by the politicians and the economically ignorant. They are looking for a "solution" to an immediate problem without looking at the consequences years down the road. That is too true of many of us, but especially true for politicians who are looking for votes.

In this case, they are addressing a problem primarily involving one owner of mobile home parks. But a "solution" of rent control will affect all mobile home park owners in Mountain View, and perhaps even in other areas.

The basic problem is one of supply and demand. A solution is not simple, but some would lead us to believe that it is. Basic economic principles are not understood by high school students, college students, educators, politicians and citizens, although they probably practice it. If prices decline, they may buy more. If prices increase, they may buy less or find an alternative. Likewise, when rent prices drop or stop increasing, demand goes up and supplies drop.

In addition, too many people try to solve the symptom (high rents) instead of the problem (not enough housing). When there is a surplus of mobile home spaces, apartments, or homes, the prices will drop. As there is insufficient vacant land to provide more housing, the immediate problem cannot be easily solved in Mountain View at this time. But treating the symptom with rent control will eventually destroy almost any neighborhood.

If the reporting on this issue over the years has been correct, I am considerably less than impressed with Mr. Vidovich's handling of the matter. But another law is not the answer.

Paul Johnson
Dale Avenue

Find use for train station building

Editor:

I didn't understand why the City Council spent so much money building the Centennial Plaza station house that no one can use except the VTA drivers. And now they plan to spend $53,000 more for public art for an empty building in a square that no one uses? Where is fiscal reason? In this time of financial problems and not enough money going to education, I object to my tax money being spent in such an irresponsible way. Adding insult to injury, the council doesn't even have all the money it would need to buy the sculpture.

I suggest that the council declare the building itself a work of art, as it did with the Adobe Building. The building is a fine replica of the original railroad station and in my book is a work of architectural art.

And after that, please make some use of the entire building. It's a shame for the building to remain vacant. Come on now, be creative and put the building to some good use.

Pesha Edwards
Horizon Avenue

Best option is to shut down Light Rail

Editor:

The Light Rail has been around for several years now, time enough for the community to assess its value. I would like to suggest that we (the city and county) cut our losses and get rid of the Light Rail.

It's slow, expensive (more so to non-riders) and very underutilized. The VTA predicts ridership will increase 2 percent in 2005 and intends to impose a 25-cent fare increase. I cannot see this happening. I can more conveniently, and more comfortably, drive my car to my destination, in one-third the time and at one-third the fare.

Why, except for my conscience telling me to "spare-the-air," would I want to take the Light Rail?

Cathy McGowan
View Street

League backs Measure J; aims at better school funding plan

Editor:

Colorfully characterized by some as a "Winchester Mystery House of school funding," the education budget process for the state of California is in serious need of a big fix. The Leagues of Women Voters across the state will be working toward a realistic remedy of this enormous challenge over the coming two years.

In the meantime, voters in the Mountain View-Whisman School District are being offered the chance to provide a little financial help to the schoolchildren of our community now. Measure J is a local property tax measure that will raise about $1.6 million a year to restore the district's award-winning art and music education programs, keep school libraries open and preserve other essential educational programs.

This tax is fair and simple. Homeowners and business owners would be treated similarly, with owners of similarly-sized property assessed the same modest fee. The tax starts at $75 per year for owners of up to 8,000 square feet of property and has graduated rates, with the highest rate of $600 per year for owners of more than 44,000 square feet of land. Measure J offers persons age 65 and over the opportunity to apply for an annual exemption to this tax. And, just as is currently being done with the school bond money, an independent citizen's oversight advisory committee will oversee the spending of these funds.

The local League of Women Voters supported the Mountain View-Whisman school district's previous parcel tax measure, Measure E, last June because we believe that local communities should have more control of their own education funding needs. Measure J is an improved measure because it provides local control along with a fair and simple tax structure.

We recommend that voters vote "yes" on Measure J in the March 2 election.

Jane Turnbull and Mary Nichols, Co-Presidents
League of Women Voters of Los Altos-Mountain View Area

A NIMBY response on Caltrain at San Antonio

Editor:

San Antonio has meager parking, and no destinations near it. It's one of the lesser-used stations on the line. To think that it should be highlighted as a station worthy of slowing all other passengers down is provincialism at best and NIMBYism at worst.

Rajesh Krishnan
Gifford Avenue, San Jose

City making a smart investment in recycled water

Editor:

I want to applaud the city for considering an investment in infrastructure for a recycled water program as reported in last week's Voice.

In past years, we have already seen how recycled water can be successfully used for landscape irrigation on commercial sites in Mountain View, including at the campus of my own company, SGI. As California's population swells and demand for water increases in all sectors while supplies of potable water dwindle, water reuse should play an increasingly greater role in our overall supply strategy.

Although the project is expensive in a time of budget shortfalls, it is critical that our city take a long-term view and support sustainable solutions that take into account the effect of our actions today on future generations.

The market for recycled water may not be large now, but I can envision a future where double piping of buildings -- to use recycled water for activities such as flushing toilets -- becomes a standard. Mountain View should continue to lead California and the nation in environmentally sustainable practices.

Stephanie Schaaf
Ortega Avenue

Who will pay for a second grader's education?

Editor:

When you crossed the stage to accept your high school diploma, did you think about the people whose taxes paid for your education?

Probably not. You took it for granted that you lived in a community where adults cared enough about young people to make sure everyone, rich or poor, got a good public education.

As the years went by, you discovered that you had to keep learning to find or keep a good job. And you could keep learning, because your local schools had given you a firm foundation. Without that foundation, your ability to keep learning new skills and to succeed in life would have been diminished.

Fast forward to 2014. When today's second-graders cross the stage to pick up their diplomas, will they have had the same educational opportunities you did? Will they believe that adults cared about high-quality public education and were willing to pay for it? Or will they remember year after year of budget cuts, ever more crowded classrooms, and outdated teaching materials?

The future is ours to create. There are two important measures on the March 2 ballot that give you a chance to show that you care about giving our children the good education they deserve. Please join me in voting yes on Proposition 55 and yes on Measure J.

Bruce Karney
Bush Street

E-mail a friend a link to this story.