Dear City Council Members,
 
Why has the Community Services director decided to remove the program
assistant position at the Belle Haven School Age program? The results
of the 2006 Budget Surveys and Budget Workshops showed that there was no
public support for cutting services to children in Belle Haven. This
even when citizens were told to expect a budget deficit. Instead,
citizens showed a preference for a utility tax to raise money rather
that cutting vital community programs for those in need. Perhaps the
Community Services director needs to be briefed on the results of the
expensive and time consuming process so many citizens participated in
last year, since she is new to her job.
 
The public also voted for a utility tax so that needed programs could be
kept fully funded. The city even has a surplus this year instead of a
deficit. There is no logical reason to cut funding to programs that are
working so well. Our children are our future--why shortchange them when
the money is there? Perhaps the Council should inform the Community
Services director of the high praise the Belle Have School Age program
has received.
 
Finally, there were two children shot dead in East Palo Alto, probably
due to gang activity and perhaps because of rivalries between East Palo
Alto and Redwood city gangs. Belle Haven is right in the middle of
these areas (please show the new Community Services director a map).
Now is NOT the time to be cutting ANY after school services--if anything
we should look for ways to provide more services for more children in
areas at risk.
 
The city has the money to act responsibly and fully fund services for
children and teens. Now it is up to you, our elected city council, to
step up and direct the city managers to keep the Belle Haven After
School program fully funded and not cut any of the current positions or
increase fees to those who can not afford it. Who knows.. maybe one of
the children who benefit will grow up, go to Stanford, become a
scientist and help solve the global warming problem and save us all from
living in boats.
 
Thank you,
 
Roxanne Rorapaugh
885 Sherman Ave
Menlo Park, CA
 
rrorapaugh@covad.net <mailto:rrorapaugh@covad.net>
 
 
 
Received on Thu Jan 25 10:19:29 2007