Monday Readers' Forum

I echo all the arguments in favor of Measure B articulated in the previous comments. I do not find Measure B to be unreasonable or unprecedented in our county. Prior to the passage of Proposition 13, California’s per pupil spending was in the top 10 in the nation, now we rank near the bottom. California was ranked 47th PRIOR to this past year’s drastic education cuts. Commercial property owners benefit from the low property tax rates instituted because of Proposition 13. It is only fair that they should share the responsibility of filling the widening gap in state funding for quality public education. Vote YES on Measure B!

As someone born and raised in Marin, I’ve enjoyed and benefitted by the education that the public schools provide .Unfortunately the money that the state receives for education isn’t merely enough to provide the quality of programs that each child in our district deserves.

As a Corte Madera resident, our family enjoys “shopping locally� and supporting the merchants in our backyard – even when it may not be the best price. We have supported the businesses in our community and will continue to support the businesses in our community and we expect and deserve the same courtesy.

The author of the article’s assertion that “This is a risky economic time to consider the imposition of such a tax� fails to consider the risk of such a measure does not pass, and the risks it imposes on the children in our community. As parents of school-aged children, we take Ms Gill’s concerns one step further to say that any are concerned that any negative impact on our schools – due to lack of funding, cut programs, increased class sizes that will surely occur if this measure does not pass – will have a negative impact on the quality of life we all enjoy in Corte Madera.

In other words, if the schools aren’t thriving, then the community – business and otherwise – won’t thrive as well. Especially in times like these, let’s support each other to get through it the best we can – and look to the future of our community – the children who are at risk here – and support measure B.

Say YES to a thriving future for Corte Madera and Larkspur Schools. Say YES to Measure B.

The Yes on Measure B folks JUST updated their website. On the Endorsers page, my name is now under the Candidates heading (not Individuals).
As the parent of two elementary schoolkids, I know how important the parcel tax measure is. Let's support it and our local businesses!

The blogs on this post are spewing the same tired rhetoric and class envy seen in national discussions. This kool-aid drinking bunch seem to believe that “fair share” is fine as long as they don’t have to pay their fair share. So what is each residents fair share? You all seem to think that the business community is getting an unfair advantage from the good schools. Now you want us to believe that to solve Sacramento’s problem these local business’s must be taxed disproportionately. Why? Why not us all in these tough times? Why not the households on million or multi-million dollar assessed value lots? Why not equal treatment? Its easy to demonize someone but its shows in your hypocrisy and desperation to get this measure passed.

If test scores are your only basis for your “moving here” one only has to review the surrounding area school districts of Mill Valley SD, Reed Union SD and Kentfield SD, test scores (Marin IJ Marin Schools Shine on State Testing, 05/21/2008) and compare CM-L. You would find that our district lags behind its peers. Yet these other communities have just as much desirability as our community but lack any solid business community. So how is it they can achieve better schools without gouging their business partners? Vote NO on Measure B - Unfair to the community. Unfair to us all!

"not so fast" might want to check some facts before posting. Kentfield School District has a tiered rate structure for commercial parcel tax - and is Bon Air Shopping Center not considered to be a "solid business community"? Interesting blanket statement that is ill informed. Fact is Corte Madera / Larkspur homeowners pay for 96% percent of all parcel tax revenue and businesses pay 4%- that is not a "fair share" for businesses - period. I prefer facts over kool-aid. Vote YES on Measure B. It's the responsible and FAIR thing to do.

In response to Not So Fast, in general residential property owners pay relatively more in property taxes than commercial property owners because residential properties turn over more frequently than commercial properties. Of course, this is not the case for every property, but in general, those "million or multi-million dollar assessed value lots" you refer to have been recently assessed at those high numbers and thus pay much higher property taxes than a commercial property that has not been sold, and thus reassessed, in many years. And property taxes provide the main source of funding for our schools. So arguably, as a result of Prop. 13, it is many homeowners who are taxed "disproportionately. "
Local businesses are a part of our community, just as the schools and students are. There is a clear relationship between good schools (and test scores are not the only indicators of good schools) and high property values. Local businesses know that high property values means more and better business for them. And as members of the community, I hope that they can be supportive of our schools and students because they are the future of our community. It's true that to some extent this is "Sacramento's problem," but that does not mean it is not our problem as well. Our students have one chance to go to elementary school and middle school, and as a community we can make sure that we show our commitment to their education. We cannot jeapordize the education of an entire generation by being short-sighted and waiting for "Sacramento" to solve its problem. Measure B is a local solution that will benefit the entire community.
Also, Kentfield recently passed a parcel tax that is very similar in structure to MeasureB.

Not So Fast...you need to understand that there are significant distinctions in funding between the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District and all of the districts you refer to, and this inequity is one of the main reasons for the necessity of Measure B! All of these districts (Mill Valley, Reed, and Kentfield) have significantly more money per student than we do, being funded on property taxes. And, on top of that, their parcel taxes are nearly double ours for homeowners, and for businesses too in the case of Kentfield. You should take a look at the facts before accusing supporters of Measure B of being a "kool-aid drinking bunch". We are actually informed citizens who think it is important that our schools be appropriately funded and that the entire community participate in that funding and support.

Ms Gill may be short-sighted as she fails to connect the dots between a healthy and robust commercial city and that of a healthy and robust school community. The two go hand in hand. Without the support of the parent community in Corte Madera and Larkspur, people who shop, eat, drink and live locally, who may move elsewhere when the funds to support the schools are long gone and depleted, she may think twice about the relationship between the two.

Many border cities passed parcel taxes similar to this one years ago. Kentfield and Greenbrae passed it in 2002 and had the support of their community leaders and business owners.

Please vote yes on Measure B to support and save our schools AND support and save our community!

CM Business Owner wrote:

I am thrilled that the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District is asking businesses to pay a fair and appropriate tax to support the schools. I know that my business benefits from the schools' excellence. Many other communities in the Bay Area do something similar, and because California does not prioritze school funding, we have to do it in our local communities. I am fine with this. It is worth it to me, and should be worth it to all business owners, inn order to keep our community demographics strong. Those customer demographics are what help businesses keep going, especially in times like this. I am all for Measure B!

You must work for MMWD! Ration water, require mandatory Conservation, then raise rates after the fact!

Scott Key wrote:

This line of argument against Measure B reads like thinly veiled isolationism. I believe the responsibility of any community is to build for a better future… and responsibility is rarely one-sided.
Consider for a moment what makes the Twin Cities an attractive residential community and you will quickly come upon the significance an exceptional public school system. This factor has attracted high wage earning families to our community, raised property values and upgraded the retail tenants in our malls. There is clear ecosystem here and our public schools are at the heart of it!
As Co-President of SPARK!(the Larkspur Schools Foundation) I know that our parents have stepped up to help fund the schools by providing over $1,000,000/yr out of their pockets. Suggesting that local businesses don’t also share responsibility despite the direct benefits they receive is in my opinion short sided and irresponsible.
The bottom line is it’s in our collective best interest to see the schools and businesses thrive. Measure B represents a structural approach to ensure residential and commercial properties cooperate in support of our schools.
I’m voting YES on B!

They should CUT some of those FAT SALARIES, then I may take another look! 102% Retirement pay scales for Principals.

Grand Torino - do you have a business in Corte Madera or Larkspur? or are you simply a disgruntled poster who doesnt bother to read some of the facts? Please enlighten us. If you do have a business - I am sure plenty of us would want to know. I have my suspicions which business you represent - but will give you the benefit of the doubt until you declare it. At the very least you are not presenting a sound argument.