Thoughts on El Camino revamp
It took five years and $55 million to revamp El Camino Real so that six
cyclists a day, give or take, can bike along it.
Meanwhile the traffic lanes have been squeezed to the extent it is sometimes scary how close drivers in neighboring lanes are traveling.
And the project entirely omitted, in my experience, the timing and setting of traffic lights especially in the Palo Alto corridor.
Sigh.
Robert Sutis
Los Altos
Too many taxes – No on Measure A
I disagree with your pro-Measure A position. Why is it always a regressive sales tax increase? It never stops – next year will bring another transit tax proposal. Vote No.
Over the last several elections, voters in Santa Clara County have passed multiple tax and fee increases including gas taxes, the Caltrain Measure RR tax, two bridge toll increases, three VTA sales taxes, Santa Clara County’s Measure A 1/8 cent sales tax, the state Prop 30 1/4 cent sales tax and the 2010 Measure B vehicle registration fee of $10. Additionally, we’re on the hook to pay back numerous state bond issues including high-speed rail, the Proposition 1 water bond and the infrastructure bonds of 2006.
All this nickel and diming contributes into making the Bay Area a horribly expensive place to live; especially for people of modest means, who must pay the greatest percentage of their income in these regressive taxes and fees. Each increase by itself does not amount to much, but the cumulative effect is to add to the unaffordability of the region.
Before increasing taxes YET AGAIN, let’s remove some wasteful spending. And look at alternative sources – why not tax the rich tech companies?
Bill Hough
Los Altos
