"An appeal to UC Davis students"

Reposted here with the permission of The Davis Enterprise - http://www.davisenterprise.com/opinion/letters/an-appeal-to-uc-davis-students/

Exercising your right to vote is a privilege we shouldn’t ignore. In many countries, citizens are fighting for the right to vote at this very moment.

In our own community of Davis, voters are mailing in ballots as we speak for Measure C, which will continue to fund classroom programs, music, science and libraries in the Davis public schools. As UC Davis students and Davis residents, why do we have a stake in this?

Consider that we attend a public university that is part of the same system as elementary and secondary public schools. Consider that good public schools in our community make Davis a safer place in which to live. Consider that we can make a difference in our city by deciding to help public schools where the state has failed.

As a resident who grew up attending the Davis public school system, I can personally attest to the excellence this school district constantly demonstrates and how it enriches this community. The exemplary music ensembles, athletic teams and academic programs are all threatened by this upcoming vote. These are the things that make our school system so unique and outstanding.

The opposition to Measure C is throwing out the red herring that this will raise our rent. This is not true because the Measure C yearly amount is what homeowners are currently paying. Measure C is a renewal of existing parcel taxes (Q & W) that are expiring. Rents should not be raised because homeowners are not being asked to pay any more than they have over the past four years.

If you are already registered to vote in Davis, simply mail back your ballot by March 1 or drop it at the Davis library on 14th Street by March 6. I urge you to be part of the solution to fund quality public education programs for the college (and elementary) students of tomorrow. Thank you.

Erik Maroney

Davis