Low mark for priorities

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I have never let my schooling interfere with my education and therefore, before the Malibu newspapers cry their customary “yes” to all bonds placed on the upcoming ballot, I would like to put in writing a few points of individual concern.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich voted “no” for placing an additional five percent sales tax on the ballot next month because, as the supervisor stated, there is a Los Angeles County Tobacco Settlement Supervisors Slush Fund of over $400 million that is currently available for law enforcement use without increasing the sales tax. It seems that unique fund is being used for “Pork Barrel” projects of the individual supervisors who don’t want to give the money up. The Sheriff’s Department is presently hiring additional 700-900 deputies this budget year without the added sales tax.

Why is the sales tax only for law enforcement? What about the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the other Los Angeles County public safety agencies? Will the new tax dollars raised go the way of the State Lottery for schools by going into some black governmental fissure?

Speaking of schools, the propaganda put out by the Santa Monica Community College District and the Malibu City Council supporting Proposition S is full of falsehoods and deceptions just like the preceding Measure U. Malibuites gave the College District $160 million dollars to rebuild their Santa Monica campus just two years ago and SMCC trustees spent 100 percent of that money in and for Santa Monica.

Malibu got zero in return, yet the residents of Santa Monica want Malibuites to give them a supplementary $135 million dollars. Yes, as a symbol SMCC will grant Malibuites 20 percent of the funds to spend locally, so that they can build a college campus on the Chili Cook-off site, which will create even more traffic and growth. This is an analogous story with Proposition S last year, which gave Santa Monica residents hefty sums of school money at the expense of Malibuites.

Tom Fakehany