Library bond passes handily
By Kara Chalmers
Measure N, a $15 million bond measure that will fund the expansion and renovation of the Saratoga Community Library on the corner of Saratoga and Fruitvale avenues, passed with flying colors March 7. Seventy-seven percent of voters said 'yes' to the measure.
The 'Yes on Measure N' campaigners celebrated their victory at Round Table Pizza on Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road the night of March 7. About 60 people showed up. "It was a good party, there was a lot of enthusiasm," said James Givens, who handled publicity for the measure. "We were pretty sure by about 9:30 or 10 o'clock that it was going to go through without any problem."
In the primary election on March 7, Proposition 14, a $350 million in state library bonds, also was passed by 59.6 percent of voters. Saratoga can apply for a portion of the money, Givens said, and if the city receives any, the $15 million Measure N bond amount could be decreased, and the overall cost to taxpayers would be reduced.
"Our goal is to find ways not to spend all of it," Givens said about the $15 million. "No one is rushing to spend this money just because it has been allocated." A bond oversight committee will be formed to make sure that Measure N bond money is spent appropriately.
Based on polls taken over the last year, Measure N had been expected to pass.
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
