Measure R: Solving the Problem or Perpetuating It?

* Measure R is government “wrong thinking” once again. Almost everyone I know in private business has gone through some form of readjustment or downsizing. It doesn’t matter why a business goes through a reduction, it has to pay its bills or fold, and that means cutting expenses.

It is a fact of life that in good times work increases and the ranks of employees grow and during lean times the business must make do with less and the ranks of employees shrink. Not true for government agencies, they just raise their income, one way or another.

The solution is very simple; identify the least critical area and cut the budgets to the level supportable by current income. Mandate that each department work out programs to match the needed cuts. If the economy picks up and they see an increase in revenue, bank it for the next rainy day.

Turn down Measure R and force government to operate like any other organization.

TIM MAHANNA

Mission Viejo

* I am a trustee for the Los Alamitos Unified School District. My initial reaction to your poll showing Measure R behind was amazement. After all, how could intelligent people who live in this county not see the absolute necessity of rectifying the bankruptcy. Further reading confirmed my suspicions. A major obstacle to Measure R is the ambivalence and negativism being displayed by our leaders. Given the tremendous negative consequences which will be felt by all of us if this measure fails, every single public official should be for this measure, unless he or she has a viable alternative to save our county. Anything less than that is grossly irresponsible.

I do not know of one political leader who is “for” taxes. Measure R is not a referendum on taxation. It is an unfortunate necessity for all Orange County residents to rectify a crisis. I acknowledge that the people of the county did not create the crisis, but they hold the key to its resolution.

It is easy to lead when things are going well. Real leaders emerge when difficult decisions need to be made in hostile climates. It is time for county residents to see who has these attributes and who are impostors.

Your county is in your hands. Vote Yes on Measure R.

MATTHEW DUGGAN

Long Beach

* I went to Irvine Park with my family for a picnic. We could not find one single operational drinking fountain or other source of potable water, except in the restrooms, until we went to the children’s horseback riding area and asked someone to fill our jug from the hose.

If Measure R fails, will we also need to bring port-a-potties or will the park simply be closed?

SUSAN GUILFORD

Orange

* The resistance to the passage of a half-cent additional sales tax may have stood a better chance with the voters if it had been accompanied by the logical prerequisites, namely:

1. The resignation of all the county supervisors who were in office during the year preceding the bankruptcy.

2. The necessary reforms to prevent a repeat of this monumental abuse of the public trust.

3. A complete review of every department, all policies, procedures and work rules, benefits and salaries of all personnel and a thorough evaluation to determine what the taxpayers can afford versus what would be nice to provide given unlimited funds. It might amaze everyone in government how innovative the citizens of this county are in overcoming a reduction in social services.

4. A determination to make taxes work for the citizens in the most productive manner. Surely the education of our children and the protection of the citizens are the only functions in which the private sector has not demonstrated a viable alternative to the present role of local government.

[CEO William J.] Popejoy and the county supervisors need to understand that the voters of Orange County know that as soon as the sales tax increase is passed, it will be business as usual in county government. With the cash rolling in, the chance to lead the nation in reinventing the public sector in Orange County will be lost, perhaps forever. How many businesses have faced similar crises, have made the necessary moves to re-engineer themselves, and have emerged stronger than before? We must do the same with government.

Let Mr. Popejoy set these points into action and I will vote for a sales tax increase, although I expect the tax increase would be unnecessary at that point.

MURRAY PAGE

Mission Viejo

* The sales tax increase is a stitch in time.

Take it, or pay extra for an unraveled, costly future government.

Ask any lender.

ROBERT M. BARTON

Newport Beach

* According to your May 23 report, a new trash fee hike will cost an extra $24 per year per household. If Measure R is approved, it will cost and extra $50 per household, and if the parcel tax for Irvine residents is approved, it will cost an extra $100 to $180 per household.

It would be nice if a courageous soul would add all of these “extras.” It might help us, the voters, in deciding whether to approve a tax increase; it will also help all potential new residents and businesses in calculating the cost of living in Orange County.

HANNA HILL

Irvine

* The word “tax” has always brought fear to mankind. So it is understandable that when Orange County citizens are asked to vote in favor of a tax--even to help their county out of its bankruptcy dilemma--the reaction is immediately negative. But in this case, the citizens are being asked to vote for a sales tax increase, and that is really quite different from income tax or property tax.

With income or property tax, one has to sit down and write a check--and that is a tough concept. However, with a sales tax increase, a small percentage--in this case one-half of 1%--is added to the purchase price of certain items. Thus, a $10 lunch will cost five cents more. A $50 pair of shoes will cost 25 cents more. Even a $15,000 car will cost only $75 more.

Yes, the concept of an increase in income tax or property tax is hard to swallow. But a one-half percent increase in sales tax is really easy. And the result of voting yes on Measure R on June 27 will be to help restore the strength of Orange County.

MARTIN A. BROWER

Corona del Mar