Saratoga News

Letters

Boundaries were there when houses were built

It is no secret that housing prices reflect the corresponding school district. It is also a fact that the boundaries, arbitrary as they may be, were in place when everyone bought or built their home. It is also true that SUSD schools are currently short of space and are desperately looking for additional funds for repairs and maintenance.

Based upon the sales pitches of real estate agents, it is no secret that being in SUSD adds a measurable premium to home and land prices. If being added to the Saratoga district is so important, then I would expect that the proponents of redrawing boundaries would be willing to make a lump sum payment to the district--perhaps the amount that being in the Saratoga district will immediately increase the current sale price/value of their property. If passing their monetary gain to the district was acceptable, then there might be a way to make school district boundaries match city boundaries.

If not, why should people who were unwilling to pay the premium to live in SUSD when purchasing their home get the dual benefits of a windfall increase in the value of their home as well as access to SUSD schools?

S. F. Johnson
Edinburgh Drive

GGG is in step

The Saratoga Good Government Group is true to the purposes of its organization, no matter what the letter-writer of the March 19 Saratoga News would like the public to think.

In studying the text of Measure G, the board took an opposing position because it felt council members should exercise the state-delegated power of general plan review and change. More laws and legal suits were not the answer. We should elect council members to reflect the concerns of the community. We decry stupid elections like Mr. Binkley endured and still believe our elected representatives should have land use decision-making power.

Our election endorsement process involves our more than 200 members. A publicly held forum for our members and the community to listen to the candidates and ask questions has been a longtime GGG tradition. A ballot is mailed to our members, and our endorsements reflect the opinion of our membership. We stand by this process because it is more representative of the community rather than the opinions of a very small group of "power brokers."

GGG also encouraged a yes vote on Measure L, supporting the utility tax, not because we prefer more taxes or administration but rather in the interest of retaining the services we felt that tax provided.

Our expenditures on campaigns reflect many monetary donations as reported to the Saratoga city clerk. In comparison, the No on L campaign report only shows three contributors: Jeff Schwartz, Morris Jones and Saratoga Area G plus Homeowners Association, with the address of Vic Monia recorded.

The GGG does reflect the opinions of its broad-based board and membership and will continue to carry out the principles of studying issues affecting the city and making recommendations to governmental agencies and the electorate.

Marlene Duffin
Treasurer, Good Government Group