OK - let me get this straight.
 
The good news is -- there's not only NOT a $2M city budget deficit (as
we were warned was the case throughout last year, even as the basis for
a time-consuming "input" survey process) -- but there's actually a $3.7
surplus!
 
Now for the bad news -- my husband and I (20-year residents) were misled
into voting FOR a UUT tax that we understood was our only hope (and a
TEMPORARY measure, at that) to keep from losing true lifeline services
for our city. I am confident that OTHER Menlo Park residents (if they're
learning this news as we just did) feel as upset and used as we do. And
I'm sure YOU know that's the case.
 
Thank goodness councilmember Boyle started an email to bring this, and
other city news, to the attention of citizens in a quick and efficient
manner. However, Mr. Boyle's proactive communication IN NO WAY removes
the bitter taste from our mouths about:
 
1) The fact that Menlo Park apparently has NOT been run well --
sufficient to supposedly require the UUT in the first place.
2) The fact that the tax was sold to us as a TEMPORARY way to bridge an
ESSENTIAL gap - which in reality, doesn't exist
3) The fact that it TOOK SO LONG (coincidentally after the election!) to
reveal the actual budget status
4) The fact that there's apparently NO ACCOUNTABILITY for these
discrepancies
5) The fact that we HAVE NO REASON TO TRUST the city or the council to
deal openly or honestly about this, going forward.
 
This issue needs to be brought into the bright light of day and aired in
full BEFORE you impose another tax burden to our community.
 
"Woulda, shoulda, coulda." You can stop this now. Rethink this issue.
And don't expect further support from even the most reasonable,
thoughtful, long-term residents such as my husband and me, until you
tackle this -- and make it RIGHT.
 
No "extra" funds should enter the apparent black hole that seems to be
our city coffers -- no matter how nice it would be to increase revenues.
There will ALWAYS be opportunities to spend more. What's at stake here
is the credibility of our city planners and the prudence of our decision
makers to make prudent trade-offs and spend ONLY within our means. (I
won't even TRY to suggest that saving for the future would be a
possibility -- but a girl can dream, can't she?) But I digress. Here's
my point: Every family must learn how to spend and save within
prescribed boundaries -- or risk that family's viability. We should
expect NO LESS from our community!
 
Because this issue reflects on the integrity and of our city's future, I
hope you'll consider this your FIRST PRIORITY until it's resolved. And I
hope you'll put political posturing aside, and rely on the citizens'
best interests as the key driver.
 
We'll be watching...
 
Kathleen Kruse Erpenbeck & Chip Erpenbeck
1012 Windsor Drive
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Received on Fri Jan 19 20:13:54 2007