Saratoga News

We need Measure G

By Alan Rosenus

After watching the City Council change hands some seven times over the past 16 years, it's safe to say that although the current group may have a knack for entangling themselves in legal difficulties, and although they seem to surround themselves with a brittle wall of disrespect when it comes to public input, previous councils have had their faults, too.

And future councils could be even worse!

Little wonder then that several former councilmembers are on both sides of the Measure G question. Saratoga's virtues (quiet streets, excellent schools and congenial neighbors) are still here to be enjoyed. But are they deteriorating?

As things stand, parents who want to place their kids in the nearest elementary school often find they cannot do so because three of the schools are very crowded. The children's names are put into a lottery at the district office. Portable buildings have appeared at Oak Street School and are probably the wave of the future. While permitting greater density, the past five councils have set aside no money for new schools.

The gauntlet of traffic lights facing a driver going from Big Basin Way to Cox Avenue is another sign of Saratoga's being transformed into a different kind of place. More than 100 new homes have been built along Saratoga Avenue during the past two years alone. This is why Measure G must be given careful consideration.

Unfortunately, the mayor and City Council have little objectivity on this important initiative, which means that Saratogans must find out about the measure for themselves. By now, the council should have printed up copies of Measure G and distributed them so that an educated choice can be made, but this has not been done.

Growth in Saratoga is not slowing. It is going from a clip-clop to a gallop. People who want to continue to enjoy our town's unique merits will have to use Measure G to protect Saratoga. No city council is going to protect it for us.

Alan Rosenus lives on Lomita Avenue.