Community Corner

Letter to the Editor: No on Measure G

Newark resident Albert Rubio shares his opinion on a proposed school bond measure on the ballot for November.

No on Measure G

Politics has become a scheme for systematic abuse. This comes from a sober examination of Measure G and not cynicism.

Straight talk is not a virtue of politics or unions, especially during taxpayer fund raising. We would do well to remember that politics is a battle of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. Measure G is no exception.

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Consider the 1997 bond totaling $107 million with a balance of $57 million, passed for the same reasons as now. Where are the reports explaining where the money went?

Only 14 years later, I'm getting mail telling me how excited every local politician and their cousins are for Measure G (G must be for government). More debt is never a responsible solution.

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The bond is for capital expenditures, yet in the school budget, this fund is unsurprisingly empty. Decades of diverting funds and then coming to the taxpayer for repeated bailouts means accountability is broken.

I'm solemnly convinced we'll get the mismanaged schools we deserve so long as schools remain in the political sphere and brazenly beg for bond bailouts. This time, however, a NO vote will send the message that we demand responsible management.

Albert Rubio, Newark


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