Measure W; support your local birds
Sat, 26 Sep 1998 09:03:33 PDT
From: Bill Scoggins
I read the following editorial and thought you might like to see it too. I know Measure W will raise my taxes, but does anyone know why I shouldn't support it? Your comments are welcome.
Maggie Clark is leading bird watchers to Moss Landing tomorrow, Sunday; it should be a really good trip. Lots of migrants are coming down the coast now. For details go to http://members.aol.com/wnscoggins/oas.html or Ohlone Audubon Society
Happy birding,
Bill Scoggins
Castro Valley
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Posted at 4:00 p.m. PDT Friday, September 25, 1998
San Jose Mercury News Editorial Page, copyright © 1998.Vote yes on Measure W for East Bay parks
ALAMEDA and Contra Costa County residents have traditionally supported the East Bay Regional Park District with their votes and their dollars. On Nov. 3, they should do it again.
Measure W asks voters to give a little more money to a district that provides them with a priceless system of parks, trails, swimming and picnic areas, and even an 87-year-old merry-go-round.
Specifically, the measure seeks approval of a tax of up to $9.50 a year per single family parcel, and up to $8.10 a year for a multi-family unit. This excise tax will apply to occupied residences, not to empty land or to businesses. (Low-income elderly residents can apply for a 50 percent discount.)
It's not much money for a household -- 80 cents a month, max -- but it needs a lot of support. A two-thirds vote is necessary for passage.
The benefits of Measure W would be substantial. With an additional $7.4 million a year, operations and maintenance budgets for the 55 parks and 1,000 miles of trail already in the park system would be increased. New parks could be opened. More park rangers and police could be hired. Also, more work crews from the East Bay Conservation Corps and the California Conservation Corps could be hired, opening new employment opportunities for youth.
The park district was able to increase its land holdings by 33 percent during the past decade, thanks to passage of a $225 million bond measure in 1988. But meanwhile, inflation, property tax fluctuations and last winter's severe storms have eroded the operations and maintenance budget. Measure W would restore that budget to health.
East Bay parks help make this heavily populated area livable. The district cares for urban retreats like Tilden Park in Berkeley, where hikers can take a carousel break; the Ohlone Wilderness Trail, where backpackers can walk for three days and cross only one paved road; and a host of fishing, swimming and boating sites.
The regional park system has provided recreation, wildlife refuges, and relief from urban sprawl for nearly 70 years. A yes vote on Measure W will continue this fine tradition.
Mercury News on line: http://www.mercurycenter.com/
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Birding in the rain
Sat, 26 Sep 1998 16:36:37 PDT
From: Steve Glover
East Bay Birders,
This morning I almost didn't even get out of bed due to high winds blowing all night. If there is one thing I can't stand when birding its high wind. Still, I headed out to east county for a unique opportunity to bird in the rain during migration. Bad weather is a rare event during migration in east county. When I arrived at Piper Slough there seemed to be few birds around. After about a half-an-hour it started to rain and the birds seemed to fall out of the sky. Not huge numbers but at least 50 migrants in about 200 yards of habitat. There were at least 15 Yellow Warblers, 7 Orange-crowned Warblers, 7 Wilson's Warblers and 4 Willow Flycatchers. The most unusual bird was a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, only my second in east county and first in fall. Unfortunately I was unable to see every bird present and I heard lots of warblers overhead. I wouldn't be at all surprised if there was something rare out there but the rain refused to let up and I finally gave up. On thursday at Miller/Knox [Regional Shoreline] in Richmond we spent a couple of hours looking for migrants. The most interesting bird was a female Lazuli Bunting in the weeds by the boardwalk. This was my first for west county. A couple of Willow Flycatchers were still around. A Black Oystercatcher flew by the shore, my first for Miller/Knox.
Steve Glover