South San Francisco, CA October 16, 2015 Submitted by Robert Richardson
Dear Editor,
I just voted no on W. I see a lot of people on EverythingSouthCity.com saying vote yes for measure W. I want to tell my story because I think it tells the story of a lot of people in South City. I am a college graduate but I am being laid of from my second job next week. I just did my taxes and owe 2,000 to Uncle Sam and I only made 44,000k last year! My paycheck goes to my modest rent, $1300 and of course other incidental bills like PG&E, cell phone, groceries and gas and my healthcare that is supposed to be ‘affordable’.
I have lived here 39 years and I have seen the cost of living here go up remarkably. I used to have extra money left over from my pay checks, now I barely make it each month, its surprising that my credit is still good. I simply do not have extra room for extra incurred fees or taxes. I cant even afford to go on vacation, and I really could use one! Too much is going up too fast. It seems as though I am working all the time and I am trying to stave off moving home as so many of my friends have done.
I am glad South City passed on Walmart a few years ago. We need higher paying jobs with benefits not more taxes!
Sincerely,
Robert Richardson
Please tell us more about this “third Costco”.
Hi Third Costco,
The Costco Business Center maybe going into the old Levitz Bldg on Oyster Point & Dubuque Avenue, 900 Dubuque Avenue. The last we heard this was before the SSF Design Review Board however we do not have the latest update.
Thank you.
-Ed
Dear “Your Neighbor”
When you argue that we should not trust our city officials in their stated intentions for what the funds are to be used and then in the very same post you argue that we should trust our city officials in their stated positions that we are able to pay current expenditures, you lose credibility.
We trust the city leaders who have done a great job of keeping the budget intact and the City out of debt but have all along stated there is not enough money to fund the much needed public safety measures, such as a new police station, enhanced EMS services, state-of-the-art 9-1-1 dispatch services, etc.
There is no misleading the public in stating that this city has a gang problem. We all know it does. Just look at the graffiti spray painted all over the city marking the territory of one gang or another. Gang-related graffiti is in great part why the City APP, “See Click Fix” gets used daily.
Have the courage to state who you are and where we might have a discussion on the facts so that you are no longer confused, as the information you are sharing is quite misleading. Also, if you know where I might get a “Vote NO” sign, please email me at susfree@aol.com with the address and name of the person distributing them, as they are ILLEGAL, and those I have seen have been ILLEGALLY placed, as well. See below for fact-based information:
Date: July 20, 2015
Subject: Campaign Poster Signs
To: Candidates Seeking Public Office and Those Supporting Ballot Measures
The City of South San Francisco has specific guidelines regarding placement of all campaign signs within
its city limits that are defined in Municipal Code Section 20.76.100(g):
“Signs on Public Property. No person shall paint, mark, or write on, or post or otherwise affix
any handbill or sign to or upon any sidewalk, crosswalk, curb, curbstone, street lamp post,
hydrant, tree shrub, tree stake or guard, post railroad crossing, electric light or power or
telephone or telegraph pole, or wire appurtenance thereof, or upon any fixture of the fire alarm
or police communications system, or upon any lighting system, public bridge, public building or
wall, drinking fountain, street sign, or traffic sign or any other public place. Signs or handbills
posted by a public officer or public employee in the performance of a public duty are an
exception to the stated prohibition.”
The City understands that many candidates contract with private companies for placement and
removal of campaign signs. This is to inform you that it is the responsibility or each candidate or
organization to ensure that this law is complied with in South San Francisco. Violations of the
Municipal Code will be reported to the Police Department and can result in removal and
prosecution.
If you should have any questions, please contact either this office at 877-8518 or Police Community
Relations Sergeant Ken Chetcuti at 877-8922.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter
Krista Joy Martinelli
City Clerk
/s/
Wilfredo,
Nothing I can say will change your vote but here are the facts:
In another year or 5 years, there will possibly be a different council/city team–with different priorities. This tax is for 30 years. Who can predict the future? The State only asked us for 1/4% for 5 years when it was short of money to pay its bills and I voted for that. Most cities defeat this kind of tax because it targets the least able to afford it, like Robert and other people struggling with 2 jobs and high cost of living here in San Mateo county.
Its ONLY half a penny, but the yield is $7,000.000 yearly going into the general fund. That means its going to be used for pensions and salaries(trust me), and may not even be used for what measure W says. A Citizen’s Advisory Committee promised to oversee the money has NO, absolutely NO power over spending. Look at the local school district. It has one of those committees and they lost, mismanaged $11,000,000 of tax payer dollars.
Las salient point: SSF is undergoing an economic boom, the Chamber of Commerce said so. The buzz of growth is all around us. A third Costco is coming to SSF: a Business Center, electronic billboards, and the city manager, council members have said we are able to pay our bills and maintain what we have. Where is the need?
The gang problem. The city responsibly handled that a few years ago when they hired another policeman, community liason, a police sub-station in the downtown, and the local police say we don’t have a gang problem. The way this Measure was promoted to the people is shameful,using incendiary hot button words to shove it through. Frankly, its offensive.
If this Measure wanted to target fund all the things it says, it should of put that type of measure forward before the voters, to be used ONLY for that purpose, but they didn’t because they intend to use it for other things not mentioned. It is going into what is commonly called a slush fund. If you have not cast your ballot….please Vote NO on W.
-your neighbor
Hi Robert,
Really appreciate your thoughtful post on why you voted No on Measure W – sure beats the other posts I’ve read that always very negative and very far from the truth. Let me be clear I voted Yes on the Measure. I am also in my 40’s, college grad – I am married with a single child. I work FT for an school in San Francisco, I am also a freelance creative & tech guy – we live in SSF. Most of my family live in SSF – they have been for many many years. Anyways, I wanted to share my background before I kindly disagree with you on what Measure W does and how important it is to my family and my friends.
Let start with — I hate taxes. Always have…and probably always will…but.
Measure W isn’t one of them and here’s why..
Unlike Federal Taxes – I don’t even know who to hold accountable for that money, do you? As for Measure W, I know precisely to hold accountable for the money that is collected – our local city government. Luckily we are a small city – so I can always reach our City manager via phone – as he has made himself available for chat. Seriously that is awesome – Federals Taxes, I can’t even get close enough to see Obama’s plane, much less talk to him about certain tax initiates and how bad they are. Anyways, my point is this half cent tax is going to be closely watched – and those who manage our town are every bit of aware that people will hold them accountable. I trust our local government to do the right thing. My last thought on this is – there will be an independent monitor that will help keep government in check with our hard earned money, you can believe in that.
Here’s what I’ve learned about this Measure and why I continue to stand behind it ::
1. As a former law enforcement myself and a family man, I place a high value on a safe working environment for our first responders, police, fire and medics. The official Police HQ is in a former retail spot that is a accident waiting to happen. My family and I live here and I want to sleep knowing that when the chips fall – I can count on our first responders arriving and taking action to help with those in need. The safety and well being of my family and my neighbors is of utmost important to me.
2. The tax is half a penny – precisely for every $20 you spent – 10 cents will go to this controlled fund. Half of this tax is paid by — outsiders – Genetech, etc employees. Let’s look at this for a second, hundreds of outsiders descend in our City 5 days a week – they eat here, they buy here – they also expect world class police, fire and medic attention. I say it’s time our outsiders help with this city cost.
3. The tax will not be on prescription drugs, groceries, services such as haircuts & auto repair. This is intentional – outsiders don’t buy prescriptions here, they don’t buy groceries, they get auto repairs here…So when I see these exemptions, I can’t help to realize this isn’t a tax for just the citizenry of our city.
4. There are other reasons to support Measure W – one of my big ones is more money for Gang suppression….God knows we have a problem here in SSF. I want to see this neutralized and see a day that all of SSF’s communities are safe.
Anyways, there are many reasons why to support – I’m merely scratching the surface here on why to support it…But ultimately you make your own decision and I will respect it. Just look over what I said – from one college grad/SSF resident to another, think of the larger implications this tax can have on our town.
Thank you.
Dear Richard,
I am with you on the fact that the federal government takes our hard-earned income and spends it in ways we know not. Everyone agrees that the higher up, the bigger, less nimble, and more unwieldy government gets. I am not sure you’d find an American citizen – rich or poor – who disagrees with you on that point. You make another great point in that you highlight the fact that YOU are paying YOUR income taxes to the federal government.
However, it is precisely OTHERS who work here but may not live here will be paying into the investment on the returns from Measure W. These are both fantastic points that must not be confused. A federal INCOME tax is by far different than a local SALES tax — most of which is NOT being paid by residents in the case of Measure W.
UNLIKE our federal government, our municipal government is highly accountable and transparent to the citizens. I am fairly sure Mr. Obama won’t give you his cell number and have you call for any questions you may have about federal income taxes. However, people often call Mike Futrell’s cell number (which, by the way, is 650-676-0173), or even drop by on occasion should they wish to speak face-to-face. I even offer them a cup of joe if they are so inclined. Your City Manager has an open door policy and as always, is happy to give fact-based answers to any questions on the operations of the City or its budget.
In the case of Measure W, facts are: 1) the money is only a half-penny sales tax, which breaks down to one nickel on every ten dollars spent on certain items, NOT including groceries, prescription drugs, auto repairs and such (things residents might purchase most often); 2) the investment made will provide a return of LOCALLY CONTROLLED funding to address SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO priorities, including public safety, such as improved 9-1-1 response times, a safer police and EMS infrastructure, road repairs, library, and senior services, and 3) thankfully, the City remains fiscally prudent and accountable in and of itself, while also requiring independent CITIZEN oversight, mandatory financial audits, and PUBLIC reporting to make sure the funding is spent on COMMUNITY priorities.
All of these factors make the comparison of federal income taxes to local sales taxes, apples to oranges. One might attempt to say that money out of one’s pocket is money out of one’s pocket regardless, however, the fact is that the majority of the people paying this half-cent sales tax and investing in our community are not even residents of South San Francisco. We reap the rewards nevertheless. It is, in fact, the direct inverse of your example of federal government taking income taxes where they take our money and spend it on things from which we derive little if any benefit. In the case of Measure W, others invest in our local community, and we as South San Franciscans directly benefit from the greater part of their investment. We should be so lucky to have such a local ROI. It really is not all that complicated.
Fact: the investment is small. The return is big. The bridge between the two is called a tax. People do not like the word “tax,” in great part because of what the federal government has done to bastardize any sort of value proposition affiliated with the word. However, at the municipal level, critical thinkers can clearly see a tangible value proposition: Give this, get that. THIS being a half-penny, THAT being public safety and a better quality of life for South San Franciscans. It’s that simple.
I do hope to hear more from the Vote Yes on W folks, if only in the way of election returns. We must always remember to check the facts, make our own personal decision, and vote our values — not our fears.
I value pubic safety and quality of life for South San Francisco and that’s why I VOTED YES on W!