October 6, 1999

A discussion on a matter of principle

Your sample ballot for the Nov. 2nd election has probably arrived in your mailbox, or will shortly. In most of Pacifica it consists only of the Community College race and a college bond issue measure. I like to scan the names of those who speak out on ballot measures. Sometimes the names are more revealing than the arguments. What's more, since the arguments are run uncorrected by the county elections office for spelling or grammar, you can also learn something about the people who did the writing.

Measure A, which proposes a bond issue to repair and improve the county's community colleges, is supported by a large segment of the county's most responsible, conservative and concerned citizens. Chamber of Commerce managers, SAMCEDA, (the San Mateo County Economic Development Association), representatives of Realtors, a congresswoman, a state senator, the Sheriff, all favor Measure A.

On the other side, the opponents run strongly to Libertarians. Nothing wrong with Libertarians, except they do tend to wind up on the wrong side of most issues. As a matter of principle, I'm very skeptical of the wisdom of those who don't know the difference between principle and principal. It's not actually my principal problem with those who object to Measure A, but when none of the five people who signed the rebuttal to the argument in favor of Measure A knew the difference between principle and principal, I found it difficult to look to them for advice on matters of education. One of Pacifica's great ladies, Edna Holmstrom, used to point out that if you spotted errors, you could assume there were other errors you hadn't recognized. Knowing this, she prepared any project she was involved in with great care to avoid mistakes.

Unfortunately two of the five persons who signed the rebuttal are also candidates for the college board. If they should be elected, the lives of 25,000 people each year, students at our local colleges, will be affected. These candidates evidently don't know that principle has to do with rules or codes of conduct, and principal has to do with a person or something of primary importance, like the money you put in a savings account or spend to improve educational opportunities.

There are seven candidates running for the college board. The two who signed arguments against Measure A are Margret Buckley Schmidt and a likable Libertarian named Jack Hickey.

Their stand on "A" loses them my vote. Bob Bentley of Half Moon Bay, the only candidate besides Til Bertini not from the Redwood City area, has an unlisted phone. As far as I know he also does not have an e mail address. A politician who is difficult to get in touch with is a politician I prefer not to vote for.

After meeting and being favorably impressed by incumbents Karen Schwarz and Patricia Miljanich, that leaves me to pick from Til Bertini of Millbrae and Tom Constantino. Since I have been favorably impressed in the past by Til, I expect to vote for him again, as I have in previous elections. I've nothing against Mr. Constantino, but I know nothing about him. That's not a reason to vote against a candidate, but it's also not a reason to vote for him.