IT’S ALIVE … no sooner did I conclude in this space that Measure A seems to have “no organized opposition,” than I received a robo-call from an apparently human person urging me to fill in the “No” box on the parcel tax ballot that currently sits on my kitchen table …

Unlike some of the slick calls we’ve become accustomed to in this town’s many political campaigns, this voice was positively creepy … so creepy, in fact, that the owner of this voice could probably make a handsome sum doing voice-over work in horror films … this is a voice to make Bela Lugosi cringe … I realize it’s hard to put a positive spin on something when you’re urging a “No” vote, but this guy isn’t likely to rally any supporters to his cause with his manner … or his message …

The entire call — which lasted no more than 30 seconds — consisted of two points: the district sent out an inappropriate advocacy letter at taxpayer expense; and the School Board offered a fired basketball coach just 30 seconds to make his case during public comment … both charges are completely true and easily proved, and might lead those who are offended by such behavior to not vote for certain board members the next time around, but neither charge really addresses why we should vote “Yes” or “No” on Measure A …

If you’re inclined to cast a “No” vote based solely on one of those charges, or both put together, you’re missing the essence of what’s on the ballot … this is a measure about schools and taxes, not misbehavior by those in charge, as egregious as that misbehavior might be … to be sure, we should all be concerned with the actions of the District and the Board and deal with those actions appropriately, but ultimately this is a tax measure, pure and simple …

SPEAKING OF THE ROBO-RECORDING … a kind soul named Carol, who moved to town three months ago with her husband, has this to say about the above-mentioned creepy caller … “Tonight at 6:10 p.m. while eating dinner the telephone rang,” she begins, without telling us exactly what the telephone was having for dinner … “I answered and was told by the man claiming to be on the ‘No on A’ campaign why I should not vote for this measure. I wish he was calling me personally so I could respond to his reasons why a ‘No’ vote would be the thing to do.” …

Count yourself lucky, Carol … if that voice stopped to talk to everyone in Davis we’d all be scared half out of our wits … “I am among the 6,000 who already sent in their ballots and I am proud to say, I voted ‘Yes.’ I am a retired elementary teacher and taught in a low-income area of south Stockton for 10 years.” … thank you for your service … I’m sure you influenced more young lives than you could ever know … “When I was a teacher it was a 180-day school schedule. Dividing 180 days by $200 comes to 90 cent per school day.” … suffice it to say, Carol was not a math teacher …

“I always thought Davis valued their children’s education. I hope the vote proves me correct.” … hey, if the District doesn’t pull any more fast ones, this thing might actually pass …

SKULLDUGGERY … so bad is the Robo-Call from Mars that some cynics are speculating the District itself paid for the call to turn voters against the “No an A” campaign … not likely, of course, though it would have been a winning strategy …

SAFE AND SANE … and finally, as the Great Picnic approaches, enjoy the day, enjoy the parade, enjoy the food, enjoy the sunshine, and for heaven’s sake, keep yourself and the kids as far away as possible from anything even resembling a “Safety Enhancement Zone.” … you’ll be glad you did …

— Reach Bob Dunning at [email protected]

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