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A letter to the editor from Beth Benjamin, past president of the Valley Women’s Club
EDITOR,
The Valley Women’s Club mission statement says we are dedicated to community action, awareness and leadership in environmental, educational, social and political concerns that affect the health and welfare of the San Lorenzo Valley. It is important that we endorse measures and propositions when they clearly reflect our mission.
Therefore, we urge you to vote in June on two important issues: “yes” on Measure R to support our libraries and “no” on 98 and “yes” on 99 to protect local control on land-use decisions.
Measure R protects and maintains our libraries. It is not a new tax. It simply continues the quarter-cent sales tax passed by voters in 1996. Without the continued support provided by Measure R, our libraries will lose more than half their funding. By voting “yes” on R, we can continue to protect the library system throughout Santa Cruz County while ensuring a strong future for our communities — with no increase in current taxes. Passing Measure R is essential for the future of a new library in Felton. “Yes” on R will provide a stable funding source necessary for long-term project planning.
Another issue on the June ballot is local control of land use. Proposition 98 takes away local control, while Proposition 99 protects it. Voting “no” on Proposition 98 allows our local government to continue to make decisions about land-use planning. If passed, Proposition 98 would abolish renter protections, threaten water quality and supply and prohibit local government from making laws that protect our environment and our neighborhoods.
Proposition 99 is the real eminent domain measure that will protect homeowners without the hidden agendas and adverse consequences of Proposition 98. Passing Proposition 99 will prohibit the government from using eminent domain to take a home to transfer it to a private developer.
The board of the Valley Women’s Club urges you to vote “yes” on R, “no” on 98 and “yes” on 99 to protect the quality of life in the San Lorenzo Valley.
Beth Benjamin, past president, Valley Women’s Club
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