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Minutes - San Leandro City Council Meeting - September 19, 1994 Page - 2 - PUBLIC COMMENTS (continued) B. Christine Scobee, 495 Fortuna Street, spoke regarding the City's squirrel control program. She said the paper presents it as an issue of either the use of toxic chemicals or relocation. She said there are a number of other alternatives, and she presented a letter discussing them. She hoped the City Council would look into more alternatives and long-term solutions. Mayor Corbett said staff will discuss these alternatives with the City's ground squirrel specialist. C. Glen Hilton, 687 Pershing Drive, President of Best Manor Homeowners Association, said one of the bronze plaques at the Veterans Memorial Wall has been stolen. He noted the memorial is maintained by volunteers and they cannot afford to replace the plaque. Mayor Corbett said Mr. and Mrs. Hilton and other volunteers spend hundreds of hours maintaining the memorial , and it is one of the most beautiful in the city. Council Member Loeffler suggested that information regarding the theft be given to the press and perhaps the guilty party would return the plaque. D. Dana Johnson, 343 Farrelly Drive, said he is opposed to the school bond issue. He said money does not equivocate education. He said the District says the bond will cost $25 per $103,000 per assessed value, but homes in San Leandro don't sell for $103,000. He said the survey used paid promoters who asked the same question in different ways to get the answer they wanted. He said $13 million will be spent for computer wiring, yet the District will only hire one technical person. He said the Garfield playground equipment has already been paid for privately, and the Washington School walls are crumbling, yet the expenditures are for computer wiring instead of wooden steps and sidewalks. He said no provisions have been made to maintain the $25 million in improvements. He said the City Council should keep in mind the recent record on tax increases in this city. Mayor Corbett noted there have been no property tax increases. E. Ed Shapiro, 764 Bridge Road, said he stands firm on the bond issue and supports San Leandro schools and the community. He said good schools are an essential element of economic development, and current and future technologies must be taught in the schools. He said the bond is a critical turning point. The $25 million won't fix all ills or the educational process but will improve facilities children use. He said we need to invest in our schools, and improving our schools will improve our city. He urged the Council to vote yes on the bond.