Letters

design standards

Editor,

A new set of residential design review standards with "the force of law” has been proposed by members of the voluntary Emerald Hills Homeowners Association. Compare this strong language with the existing standards, which include a disclaimer against rigid interpretation, and say that "any regulation exercised shall be that necessary to achieve the overall objectives” of design review. In their zeal to prevent design that is out of character with EH, the proposed standards codify many good design principles, but these are not the only principles of good design. Some seem more appropriate for flat linear neighborhoods with small lots. I think our landscape of winding streets, varied contours, massive trees, and varying lot sizes is capable of absorbing more diversity. Broad diversity is good for visual interest, as it is for the exercise of individual freedom and taste. It may help guard EH against a "dated” look in the future when some currently popular styles lose favor, as they inevitably will. I hope that the outcome of the May 31 community meeting is to reject the proposed standards, and that any rewrite is the work of a committee that fully represents the diverse viewpoints of EH citizens.

R. E. Ford

Emerald Hills

No on 82

Editor,

Please vote no on Proposition 82 — Preschool for All. While well-intentioned, it simply is not the answer.

Proposition 82 is not a question of about whether preschool is good or bad. Rather, the questions posed to voters are whether or not Proposition 82 is the best way to expand preschool opportunities to our kids? Who should pay for it? And does it take $2.4 billion to provide preschool for all? Approximately 65 percent of 4 year olds already attend preschool, if approved this will only increase enrollment to 70 percent. That’s $2.4 billion, collected by taxing certain Californians by as much as 18 percent every year, for a slight increase in preschool enrollment.

Also, because of the strict mandates proposed in this legislation, it will likely shut down thousands of private, community-based preschools that currently enroll nearly 50 percent of all children enrolled in preschool programs in California — replacing thriving businesses that provide jobs and tax revenue to our communities. We should focus on our current K-12 education system before we create a new $2.4 billion state program that helps so few. Please vote "No” Tuesday, June 6 on Proposition 82 — Preschool for All.

Linda Asbury

San Mateo

This writer is the President/CEO of the San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce.

Gubernatorial campaign

Editor,

Our dear governor must be laughing all the way to the State House, at the antics of the two kids who are trying to replace him.

They’re acting just like politicians, instead of mature, responsible contenders, by airing those ads, ad nauseum, ad infinitum, which depict how bad their opponent is, instead of reasons why they could do better. Since all it does, is show how corrupt each is, why vote for either. As much as I would like to see a change, I am being turned off by this campaign, and I don’t think I will vote for a governor this time.

J. Haber

San Mateo

Election Day registration

will not cause fraud

Editor,

In response to the letter written by Alice Weiner on May 29, 2006 I disagree that allowing registration on Election Day would encourage and allow fraud to happen. First of all in San Mateo County if someone is not on the voting rolls at their precinct they can vote provisionally where they vote but it is not counted until it is determined they are legitimate.

Alice writes in her letter that: "to extend days and permit registration at the same time as voting is a naive assumption. It would provide a perfect foil for ineligibles, non-residents and non-citizens to vote. Eligible voters could, with the before listed, vote not just once, but several times if there were no facility to do immediate checking. The errors would be "after the fact,” that the votes were already counted.” That is just not true if you write the law correctly, here is how the law should be written.

Any eligible voter may register or re-register to vote up to and including Election Day. Any registration requested happening 15 days prior to the election must show up in person to their counties registrar of voters and request a form to register.

After an immediate check of records the voter will be registered to vote in the election. Any voter who wants to register on Election Day may show up at the elections office on the day and register with an immediate check of records to determine eligibility, or may show up and vote provisionally on Election Day at any precinct in the county.

That is how you eliminate the chance for voter fraud. Immediate checks at the elections office prior to Election Day and on Election Day or just have them vote provisionally.

Joseph A. Granata

San Mateo

Westly is the one

Editor,

I’d just like to give three reasons why all smart Democrats ought to rally around Steve Westly in the upcoming June 6 primary: 1) Poll after poll after poll has virtually proven that Angelides has no chance of defeating Arnold Schwarzenegger; yet, Steve Westly rates very strong in a head-to-head November battle with the current governor. 2) See reason #1; 3) See reason #2.

Eddie Alexander

Emerald Hills<