Saratoga News

Look at who's behind Measure G

By Ronald E. Cali

I hope the voters of Saratoga are keeping track of exactly who is supporting Measure G. It seems we have two factions: The Neighborhood Nimbys--These are people who own property near open land that could, someday, be developed. To them, Measure G is a godsend, because it "preserves the integrity of their neighborhood." Never mind that the property in question belongs to someone else, or that it fronts the busiest commercial corridor in the city. Their bucolic setting will be saved--all without costing them a dime!

The Political Connection--Vic Monia (former City Councilman defeated in a June 1994 reelection bid), Dr. F.L. Stutzman (retired City Councilman) and now Meg Caldwell (former planning commissioner and unsuccessful council candidate) are all supporters of this initiative.

Anyone who has been reading the local paper since Caldwell's unsuccessful council bid and Monia's unsuccessful reelection bid knows that Caldwell, Monia, Stutzman and the rest of the malcontents in this city will not rest until a council majority of their same political persuasion is in power.

Caldwell quotes the Los Angeles Times of 1911 in her commentary in the Feb. 14 edition to illustrate how foolish the people of that time were to fear the initiative process. I, too, did some historical research prior to writing this letter--the Saratoga News of June 1994.

Shortly after the last election, Caldwell and Jeffrey Schwartz, another initiative backer, were questioned regarding their opinion of the new council majority. Needless to say, they were less than complimentary. And now, just imagine! We find those same two individuals aligned in their support of a measure which would remove power and authority from our duly elected representatives, a group they have gone on record as opposing.

Caldwell complains in her commentary that former councilmembers and planning commissioners are now acting as representatives before the current City Council. I am sure this is true, given the complexity of today's planning procedures, but at least they are acting within the framework of the current system. They are not joining forces with the people whose ideas the voters have already rejected through the electoral process and trying for a back-door power grab. This, to quote her closing remarks, will "restore integrity to the governmental processes in Saratoga." Oh, please!

I stand by the comments made in this space now and last September, even though I know I'll be labeled a "patron" of the current council by Caldwell, and worse by initiative supporters in subsequent issues of this publication. These people are acting like spoiled children who have not gotten their way. I hope the voters of Saratoga are able to see through all the rhetoric and subterfuge the Measure G proponents have bombarded us with, and recognize this measure for the subversive usurpation of the political process and private property rights that it is.

Ronald E. Cali lives on Arroyo De Arguello.