Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 161

1 10 EV The Arizona Republic Saturday, March 7, IWH 61011 12 Editorial Page Coordinator, Stephanie Robertson 444-7987 e-mail: Stcphanie.Rohertsonpni.coni iQjD(M)MlyiJnDDDffli OTHER TTfl So many schools, so little WW ff JOANNE HUE Special for The Republic Exact science bent' by man, his practices The Legislature has done it again. At first blush, the $350 million that was sug- -gested in a recent proposal for school seems like a lot, until you realize it will take close to $1 billion to fix the state's inadequate funding system. Other portions of the proposal sound a death knell to the public school system. Dubbed Students FIRST, the proposal does every- thing but take into account the needs of Arizona's pub: lie schoolchildren. FIRST stands for Fair and Immediate Resources for Students Today.

Although the proposal does give some money for funding minimum adequacy standards, the amount of, $30 million to $35 million that would be allocated over the next five years to meet existing deficiencies is not enough. For example, a school district such as Gilbert would be allocated roughly $550,000, a small sum considering there are more than 20 schools in the district, Moreover, this money would be allocated only after a school district applied to a facilities board and demonstrated a need for funds. These funds could not be used to cure academic deficiencies, such as textbooks, technology equipment and library resources, unless the school district could IV till I II I I I "71 A Jill I 7. I 111 11 I I MM Tom Robertson 7 LJ'- i prove that the deficiency was required to meet educational goals. Then there is the problem with building school facilities.

Here, the legislative proposal sounds a bit more generous. Approximately $100 million to $200 million would be allocated. Yet, considering thai amount is for the entire state, school districts would have to wait their turn in line to be able to build a single school. MARLENE PONTRELLI MAEROWm Special for The Republic Candidates our readers plan to support at polls Tuesday In the beginning, this was a nation of surveyors. Washington surveyed the Shenandoah Valley, Jefferson signed the bill for the Survey of the Coast, now the National Geodetic Survey.

And the Arizona Territory was created by surveyor President Lincoln in 1863. The original 13 states used indiscriminate metes and bounds, "beginning at the mouth of a branch at an ash stump, thence east 41 poles to a small walnut in Arnett's line." The rectangular system of sections, townships and ranges that we use today, sometimes in combination with metes and bounds, was adopted after debate by the Continental Congress to survey and sell public domain land (territories west of the colonies) to pay off the Revolutionary War debt. That's the history, but things can really go wrong. Read on. One day, 1 went out to locate a piece of vacant land a client was considering selling.

A survey had been done years ago, and he did not want to pay for another one. I had the assessor's number and the plat map. On paper, it was a flat square 2.5 acres, framed by two roads that were also on the plat but were unimproved dirt tracks, not yet dedicated to and maintained by the county. The land lay between a house that fronted on Mountain View and a row of houses along a ridge to the east. With so many markers in place, how hard could this Ha-ha! Bob Kingman, a Realtor with Wing Realty, who specializes in land sales in the area, met me there with a giant measuring tape.

We found one surveyor's pin, which is magnetically detectable re-bar at least one-half-inch in diameter and at least 1 7 inches long, set in the ground, usually with a bit of orange plastic tape in tattered streamers, if it hasn't been there too long. There is also a small, circular brass piece that identifies the surveyor. Starting at the pin we found in the southwestern corner, we began to lay tape to locate the next pin 330 feet away. A square plat of 2.5 acres has 330 feet per side. At 1 65 feet, halfway, we built a rock cairn and wound up the tape to go the other 165.

When we finally got to where the southeastern corner pin should have been, we were standing in the middle of a new "road" that the neighbors made cutting across the corner of the property. Looking north from that point, the road swerved around a corral that had been extended onto what was really the road easement, forcing the local traffic to create a curve where there had been a straight line, leaving no easement on the other side. Walking along the road north, we found the next pin lying on the ground. Kingman said he was not surprised, because a re-bar would definitely interfere with the new traffic flow. He said it is also common for the pins to be pulled and relocated by adjacent property owners wishing they just had a little more room.

James Hew itt of Ability Land Surveying, in the business for 22 years, has had experience with his own carefully located pins mysteri Leonard Copple My support for Leonard Copple for the Tempe City Council is based on several years of friendship and a history of projects in which he has exercised leadership. As mayor, I recommended that Leonard fill a vacant spot on the City Council on 1993. He didn't run for election to keep the seat because he thought that an appointed incumbency was an unfair advantage, so he sat out that election. Leonard was appointed as chairman of a number of committees and commissions which were contentious and difficult. He provided needed leadership and stability.

His style and demeanor created -an atmosphere that was harmonious and agreeable where individuals were listened to and show respect. These are important qualities for a councilman, but his greatest qualities are his strength of character, his integrity and his credibility. He never failed to do what he promised me he would do. Leonard is visionary yet realistic, committed yet open-minded. A 28-year resident, he knows the best is yet to come and welcomes the challenges that are ahead.

I know from personal experience that Leonard Copple is the kind of person we need on the City Council. Harry E. Mitchell Tempe The East Valley would be especially hit hard. Rapidly growing school districts, such as Gilbert, Kyrene, Hi-. gley and Queen Creek, would suffer.

These districts alone could use $100 million a year to keep up with the growth. That's a prospect that the Legislature surely did not envision when deciding how to slice the school funding pie. Again, the bureaucracy of applying for such funds is compounded by going through a board that would decide which school districts werp in need of new schools and which ones must wait. Local control over school facilities would be over. Last year, voters in the Gilbert School District passed an $82.5 million capital budget override that was des- perately needed to fund a new high school, a junior high and two new elementary schools.

Even with such an override, the numbers in the Gilbert District keep increasing. Several elementary schools in the district have student populations of more than 1,000. Yet, imagine the consequences if local funding was not available. Under the Student FIRST proposal, school districts could seek limited overrides from voters. However, the tax rate would be levied at 10 percent for all classes of property.

This means that businesses, which are now taxed at a 25 percent ratio, would have a substantial decrease. That means essentially that a homeowner's property taxes for school construction would be increased to make up the difference. The result would be a windfall for businesses and a loss for homeowners. This might make overrides difficult in the future. Students FIRST is another way of crushing the public school system and requiring parents to turn to private or charter schools to obtain the basics that should be supplied by a public that values education.

We do not have to look far to see the crippling results of a public school system when legislatures fail to make adequate school funding a priority. Look at California public schools. The entire system is a shambles, with deficiencies in facilities, technology and academics. By necessity, parents have turned to private schools because they provide what the public schools should be supplying: facilities meeting adequate standards, computers and technology integrated into the classrooms, and textbooks and materials in ready supply. To obtain these basics, tuition at private schools in the San Fernando Valley averages $10,000 a year per child.

To pay such costs, either both parents must work or else spend the children's college savings on kindergarten. Gilbert voters may not be going to the polls they can go to their phones. Voters who truly want the state to put students first, need to call their legisla-' tive representatives, the superintendent of public instruction, and even the governor, and let them know that they aren't fooled by a meaningless acronym. It does not take a doctorate in education to figure out what the school system needs: money. Allocation of adequate funds should be the state's top priority.

Our chil' dren and their future depend on it. Marlene PontretH Maerowrtz, a lawyer, lives in Gilbert Her column appears every other Saturday. erendum, and city funding of special interest groups. He has also spoken out against the council's restriction on citizen's right to speech at council meetings. These candidates stand for honesty and integrity in government.

I hope Tempeans will vote for Jay for mayor and Hugh and Fritz for City Council. Linda Schuster Tempe Neil Giuliano I support Neil Giuliano for re-election as mayor of Tempe. He has served with integrity and responsibility. Evidence of his progress is: Neighborhood associations have developed working relationships with city agencies to enhance positive solutions. Commercial creativity produces clean industry.

Tempe and Chandler both gained with collaboration that produced a source revenue for each city. Downtown Tempe is a thriving destination. Giuliano has demonstrated through personal accomplishment his ability to work with people. Citizen needs are his highest priority. Sometimes every citizen is not satisfied, but it is not because clear, careful consideration has not been given.

Impartial research has shown that most Tempeans are proud of this city and satisfied with the government. The government is open and in conformity with the laws of city, state and nation. The leadership is prudent and conservative of Tempe 's financial foundation. Leadership made Tempe a fine city. Experience in civic government is fundamental.

Incomplete and inaccurate information should not cause confusion for Tempe voters. No matter when or where you vote, re-elect Neil Giuliano as mayor. Virginia Tinsley Tempe Realizing he was extremely knowledgeable, the incumbents were quick to ask him to talk to the city and offer his services. The gentleman was Hugh Hallman. I am delighted Hugh is running for council because I am concerned the mayor and council have lost direction.

I attended the council session when Hugh stood up to support the neighborhood behind Earnhardt Ford. He fought for the north Tempe neighborhoods to control aircraft noise-arrival and departure patterns. Hugh has demonstrated his commitment to support quality-of-life issues. Above all, he is honest and believes in integrity in government. Vote for Hugh Hallman on March 10.

Bob Klug Tempe Jay, Hugh and Fritz The candidate debates for the Tempe city election have been very enlightening. The incumbents were very defensive and full of excuses. The challengers exposed the current administration's irresponsible spending, massive tax abatements, insensitivity to citizens, and dishonest practices. Jay Mansperger gave evidence that police beats went unpatrolled. Mayor Neil Giuliano denied it.

However, all of the other candidates agreed that the Police Department is understaffed. Jay also pointed out frivolous spending and funding of special interest groups while the city neglected services for citizens. Hugh Hallman showed mountains of documents revealing the incumbents' lack of fiscal and personal responsibility. He has represented neighborhoods in their appeal to the city for protection from irresponsible businesses. Fritz Tuffli has stood against the City Council on numerous occasions for violating state election laws, denying citizens the right to vote on a ref Hugh Hallman Two years ago, I attended a Tempe City Council election debate at the Edna Vehil Activity Building.

A citizen concerned about the costs of the Rio Salado posed a question to the candidates. The responses given were of uncertainty. Standing at the back of the room, a gentleman followed up and spoke eloquently about the bonds and interests and other issues regarding the Rio Salado. The Arizona Republic LOUIS A. WEIL III Chairman JOHN F.

OPPEDAHL President, Publisher, CEO Incorporating The Phoenix Gazette 200 E. Van Buren, Phoenix AZ 85004 Founded in 1890 ously moving. He surveyed a 2.5 acre parcel, dividing it into two 1 .25 acre pieces. The first one was sold and built upon. When the second piece was measured by its new owner, there was only 150 feet from pin to pin instead of the 165 a split of 330 feet would give.

Hewitt caps his pins with yellow plastic caps so if someone moves it the plastic will be marked hen they pound it in the ground in its new location. He was able to show his client that the caps of three pins were clean and solid, but the last was not. Sure enough, the rst buyer had built a barn mat was too close to his property line to conform to code. He needed just a little more room. ii The new subdivision guidelines should take care of the cookie cutter problems.

Phil Long gilbert councilman Drop us a line We welcome letters of up to 200 words on topics of general interest to readers in the East Valley. Send your letter to: Letters to the Editor, East Valley, The Arizona Republic, 106 E. Baseline Road, Mesa, AZ 85? 10 Fax: 444-7978 or 444-7977 Or by electronic mail: Stephanie Robertson i pni.com All letters are subject to editing and must include your name, address, and a daytime phone number for verification. PAM JOHNSON, Vice PresidentSews and Executive Editor KEVEN ANN WILLEY, Editor of the Editorial Pages CATHY' DAMS, Senior ice President Marketing Deelopment RICH COX, I Ice President Operations Product Management JON HELD, Chief Financial Officer WILLIAM R. SHOVE Director of Public Affairs Phoenix Newspapers Inc.

EUGENE C. PULUAM 1889-1975 Publisher. 1946-1975 Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty. II Conrthians 3 17 JoAnr Mr a Realtor in Mesa. Her cokmn aoOMrs every -other Sahsday.

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