No new $ for KPPCSD please!

I think others have probably filled you in on why Measure L is not such a great idea.  I just want to mention irresponsible financial actions by KPPCSD that should make voters think twice about giving this agency any more money to spend.

1.  In 2010 they passed a “safety” Measure G which allowed them to set a rate up to $200/residence.  They promised they only needed $50/residence.  This year they collected $208 which included the COLA.  Where did it go?  Increased salaries and new upside down org chart that has 5 officers supervising 4 officers.  No increase in the number of officers which was promised for “safety.”

2.  They refused a request from Bay View Refuse for a 6% rate increase.  They spent over $400,000 on lawyers to fight the increase only to have the judge award Bay View a 21% increase.

3.  Nine residents filed a Writ of Mandamus to force the  agency to follow Open Meeting Laws.  In response, directors sued their own constituents with a SLAPP suit and have spent over $200,000 on lawyers on this so far and it is not settled.

4.  Directors are still paying 100% of employee contributions to PERS and, as the CC Times mentioned in their editorial, KPPCSD pensions are under funded by $2 Million.

5.  KPPCSD directors spent all this money on law suits, but could not find the money to fix the leaking roof on the community center for the last 5 years.

6.  In 2008, the City of El Cerrito bid $1.4 million to contract for police services for Kensington at the exact same level of service Kensington presently enjoyed.  Chief Harman and his hand picked committee reported the bid as $2.4 million.  Now there is a scandalous story!

Privately, the folks running this agency like to smirk about adding the word “safety” to a measure because Kensington residents always vote for "safety" issues; Measure L has little to do with safety.  And there is no business plan for this measure.  Be a competent voter and vote Measure L down.