Jim Shaw and Stan Bogosian, who cut their political teeth as Measure G backers, are running in tandem on a neighborhood preservation platform. They have won the support of the Sierra Club's Loma Prieta Chapter and have substantial financial backing from Saratoga citizen-activists.
Both want changes at City Hall, ranging from a fair and impartial implementation of Measure G to a cleanup of pollution in Saratoga Creek. Both say that Saratoga has bumbled in the ballot wording of Measure L. They do not support the measure and predict a lawsuit on the issue of legality of the tax. Both say they want a thorough review of city finances, including management salaries, before asking citizens to pay more tax.
Shaw, a soft-spoken former Westinghouse executive, says the issue that concerns most Saratogans is traffic congestion, and he pledges to do something about it. He also promises to press Caltrans on Highway 85 noise abatement.
Bogosian, a traffic school instructor and former planning commissioner, promises to make government accountable and objects to council meetings continued without proper notice to citizens or space for them to attend.
We believe that both would make a contribution to Saratoga politics as elected officials. While their opponents are worthy of holding office, they represent interests that already are well represented on the council. Shaw and Bogosian would diversify the council to include the concerns of Saratogans who voted in favor of Measure G over the objections of current council members.
In dealing with issues ranging from land use and taxes to creek pollution and continued council meetings, it is useful to bring different viewpoints into the debate. Shaw and Bogosian, we believe, will bring that to the council.
Yes on Measures L and K
It's unfortunate that Measure L, the utility-users's tax, has become muddied with unclear ballot wording. Some interpret the measure as simply an extension of a tax already found to be illegal, rather than an effort to ask voters if they approve the tax on their PG&E bills.
The tax, in effect since 1985, costs residents about $77 a year and raises $808,000 a year, most of which goes to street repair. Matching state and county funds bring in an additional $691,000, which would disappear if the tax ends.
We are convinced that Saratoga needs the money the tax provides and that some city services will be threatened if the tax ends.
So, we support a yes vote on Measure L.
Measure K, which deals with redrawing a lot to make it larger and more saleable, should not be on the ballot. The City Council's intrepretation of Measure G, the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative, placed the issue before voters. No one opposes it. Clearly, a yes vote is required.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, October 30, 1996.
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