Election letters: Readers weigh in on Measure C

Measure C mailers

EDITOR: What's my vote on Measure C worth? Perhaps $20 judging by the stack of jumbo full-color mailers sent to me.

Here's some personal info that might save the real estate interests money next time: You won't get my vote by appealing to fears about unintended consequences and criminals or by trivializing help for those living in pre-1995 units, who include many if not most in need of stable rent and safe housing.

And don't underestimate my intelligence with misleading irrelevancies about what Measure C wouldn't do (lower rent, fund new affordable rental housing). As for conflating negative messages with photos of homeless people, Santa Rosa Junior College students and seniors – the very people who would benefit from Measure C - forget it.

The yes on C side might also save money by knowing I have read Measure C and already know its provisions for low-cost administration, just-cause evictions and protection of those most in need. Measure C makes civic sense, is practical and appeals to my feelings about what kind of city we have and what I want for the future.

ASHER R. SHEPPARD

Santa Rosa

A misguided measure

EDITOR: Vote no on Measure C. It is misguided and would have the opposite effect intended. I have been in the residential rental business in Santa Rosa for 40 years. I know. It is a hard, complex and expensive job to maintain, manage and provide good rental housing. Capping income (rents) but not ever-rising expenses would inevitably lead to less maintenance and deteriorating rental property. I can guarantee that.

The problem here is a lack of housing units due to prohibitively high development costs. Additionally, a political atmosphere where the local government has decided to start taking away private property rights would further discourage potential investors. They would simply go elsewhere. Our housing shortage would worsen while properties decayed. The portion of the measure making evictions (the last thing a landlord wants) more difficult would degrade quality of life for good tenants.

This measure would cost the city (the people) a huge amount to monitor and enforce - more government expense while making matters worse.

Please vote no on C.

KIT KERSCH

Santa Rosa

Assisting renters

EDITOR: Santa Rosa is in a pervasive housing crisis. Seniors, teachers, nurses, students, the disabled, veterans - all suffer from excessive rents.

Realty special interests from outside the county are influencing our local elections by spending vast sums to defeat Measure C.

Why must the answer be either additional housing or rent stabilization? Why not promote additional housing for future needs and rent stabilization for renters suffering today?

Housing isn't a simple supply/demand issue, as some claim. If your rent is too high, you cannot reach for the less-costly brand, like a can of tomatoes. Is Santa Rosa simply a collection of individuals, each looking out for himself, or are we a community with responsibility for our fellow citizens? Do we want a law-of-the-jungle economy where profits come before people?

More than 11,000 fellow citizens would be protected from unjust evictions and extreme rent increases. Many renters are a paycheck away from homelessness. Excessive rent increases surely would lead to more homelessness. Shouldn't everyone have a right to a roof?

We have caps on property taxes for owners. Why not a cap for renters? Many other cities have rent stabilization programs. So can we. Yes on C.

GENE HOTTEL

Santa Rosa

Is this fair?

EDITOR: Let's say I bought an apartment house built in 1994. My friend bought a similar apartment house built in 1996. I am subject to the rules of Measure C and my friend is not. How is this fair?

PATRICK H. HUTCHINSON

Santa Rosa

Lessons of Measure C

EDITOR: Passage of Measure C in Santa Rosa would not only be a huge advancement for more than 35,000 of our city's most vulnerable residents, it would also represent a new way that politics can be done in this city. The yes on C campaign has been a beautiful demonstration of what a flourishing local democracy can look like, and it has challenged the logic of the millionaire class which has grown accustomed to spending its way into positions of power, using money, fear and deceit.

Opponents of Measure C have accused the yes campaign of creating an us vs. them sentiment, but the truth is that nothing can be more divisive then $200 rent increases or 50 percent rent increases over five years.

Passage of Measure C would be incredibly important, but the new voices, values and ideas that have been nurtured are just as significant and will continue influencing the direction our city goes beyond Tuesday.

DAVIN CARDENAS

Santa Rosa