REJECT EXCESSIVE TAXATION.

By Ford Greene

Under the threat that the Library and other services will be cut to an intolerable level, the real impact of Measure B will be to keep the pensions of town executives and employees in a state the Marin Grand Jury reported as "bloated." Shall we consent again to be the sheep whose shorn wool will warm them when they are long-gone from San Anselmo?

In 2005 San Anselmo taxpayers will pay $1.85 million for employee pensions. They are 2 to 4 times more "generous" than those offered in the private sector.

Paying the salaries and benefits of Town Staff, excluding the Town Attorney, is forecast to constitute 55.4% of the 2006 budget, over $5.6 million.

On June 22, 2004, eight days before the end of the Town's fiscal year, Town Administrator Stutsman told the Council that the budget would have a $1 million shortfall in 2005. No shortfall took place.

Then she suggested Measure B as a remedy.

On January 25, 2005 Stutsman stated there would be no budget shortfall for the year, but 2006 would face a shortfall of $.5 million.

Then again, she suggested Measure B as a remedy.

San Anselmo executives and the insider ticket of Breen, Freeman and Roth push Measure B purportedly to "maintain basic services" in the Town. Measure B levies $250 both on every residential household and on each 1500 square feet of commercial space where the maximum tax is $3,000. Without Medical, dental and retirement benefits, the straight-salaries for 2006 that town executives will make are:

Town Attorney Roth: $147,700. Town Administrator Stutsman: $114,000 Police Chief Maynard: $108,762 Public Works Director Elias: $104,544 Planning Director Wight: $ 96,288 Finance Director Pendoley: $ 96,288. Recreation Director: $ 84,966 Parks Director Young: $ 79,488 Building Director Angerman: $ 78,552

TOTAL: $910,588

A PORKFEST IS NOT A REMEDY. VOTE NO ON MEASURE B

[Links to public record sources available on http://www.fordgreene.com]