Election Section

As a longtime Berkeley resident and employee of a non-profit organization, I support Measures J, K, and L. I believe that front-line services, our libraries and programs that support youth and safety in our communities must be protected. 

My neighbor, an elderly woman, oftentimes needs assistance from our local fire department to give her oxygen; without this vital responsive service she could not survive. Young children and youth need health services in particular families without health insurance. To c ut and/or reduce these vital services undermines the health and safety of Berkeley. Vote yes on Measure J. 

The threat of reducing city funding to community based organizations serving children and youth will greatly impact low-income families in Berkeley. Moreover, it is families with young children who are trying their best to go to school to obtain a successful career and better paying job; it is these families who will pay the price if this measure does not pass. Vote yes for Measure K! 

Measure L is important in order to maintain not only the tradition of excellent libraries in the city, but because more and more families who are non-English speaking are finding the library an excellent source for tutoring, promoting reading and access to learning ma terials not available in the home. Vote yes on Measure L! 

I would much rather pay this incremental changes than to tell a parent that their last day of childcare is tomorrow. We can only imagine the panic, frustration and confusion in denying a parent qu ality care for their young child while they strive to make a better life for their family.