Daily Breeze Letter to Editor Supporting Bonds

From Sept 8:

Torrance measures vital
On Nov. 4 the majority of us will be going to the polls to cast our votes on a number of issues. Two measures that readers may not know are on the ballot are Torrance's Y and Z to fund improvements to the rapidly deteriorating Torrance schools.

Most of the city's schools were built in the late 1950s and '60s and have had very little spent on them in the way of maintenance or upgrades. As a lifetime resident and product of the Torrance school system, I think this runs counter to the link between the excellent quality of life we experience and the world-class school district that offers our students the best education possible. As most of you are aware, our property values have declined about 25percent in the past two years. Property values are tied directly to the school systems in them, and run-down schools will not help increase them.

J.H. Hull Middle School has been closed and Fern Elementary students have been moved because the district can't afford to rebuild these schools.

If passed by a 55 percent majority, MeasureY ($265 million) will allow repairs to walls, floors, foundations, roofs, plumbing and lighting. Other improvements would include asbestos and hazardous materials removal, rebuilding Hull Middle School and technology improvement. Taxpayer impact would be $35 per $100,000 of assessed home value.

Measure Z ($90 million) would allow replacement of physical education facilities and allow rebuilding of art and music rooms throughout the district. Please vote "Yes" on these two measures.

- STEVE POLCARI

Torrance