It is amazing to me that there are laws that require truth in advertising, but none that provide for truth in politics. Whether it is commercials on television or talking to local candidates in your neighborhood, I would strongly recommend that all voters delve a little deeper into the issues and qualifications of candidates.
I am troubled by a statement or two I have heard during this council race. One is the allegation by one City Council candidate that Foster City is not prepared for a serious emergency. This type of allegation is calculated to incite fear in our residents and is just flat wrong.
Foster City is one of the best prepared cities in the Bay Area. Our fire and police, along with city staff, participate in emergency training every six months. They have training for various emergency scenarios including: a plane crash, earthquake, hazardous materials exposure, and exposure to weapons of mass destruction. In fact, Foster City hosted this last county wide training and took the lead in preparing this training. Additionally, Council has had the levees reinforced and have built an additional 8 million gallon water storage tank.
As for the Ballot propositions, please look beyond the television or radio commercials and read what the propositions will really do. I feel strongly that Prop 76 will require the legislature to balance the budget on time. In the past, the legislators have refused to make the hard decisions to balance our State budget (Something the Foster City Council does every year).
This bill would mandate that the budget be balanced or an across the board cut to all departments will be imposed. For example, if the budget is 5% over budget, then all departments would be cut 5%. My feeling is that if you do not like that solution, then you need to hold your own legislators accountable to cut the portions of the budget they feel are less critical. But, without Prop 76, there just is no protection from allowing the Legislature to overspend. Please read all ballot measures carefully and vote on November 8, 2005.
On another note – Congratulations to Foster City’s Youth Advisory Committee for winning the Helen Putnam Award of Excellence at the League of California Cities Conference a few weeks ago. The award was presented in memory of Ruth Vreeland Youth in Government Award. Out of other 400 cities in the State, our kids are tops! Great Job.
Councilmember Wilder can be reached at dwilder@fostercity.org
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