GUEST OPINION: A candidate's view of Atherton's troubles

By Kathy McKeithen

In a letter published in the Almanac Newspaper on 8/30/2000 Kathy McKeithen descibes the significant role that she and Bob Jenkins played in helping Atherton resolve its financial crisis during the past 10 months.

In a letter to the editor in the Aug. 16 Almanac, it was said that Bob Jenkins and I helped to create the financial crisis of the past 10 months. I strongly disagree. Bob Jenkins and I researched, uncovered and made the public aware of the unfortunate state of the town's administrative and financial affairs, but we did not create these situations. They were already there; most for many years.

It was further stated that, because of Bob Jenkins' and my involvement in uncovering and urging solutions of past mistakes, we are in part responsible for the town's present financial situation because the result of our actions was foreseeable. I agree.

It wasn't easy doing what we did, but we did it and did it with the best interests of the town in mind. No matter what the results of my candidacy in the upcoming election, I am proud of my role in helping the town emerge from years of fiscal and administrative neglect.

But a larger question surfaces throughout all this hyperbole: just what is the administrative/financial picture of the town today? Let's "talk turkey".

A forensic audit, the first ever, was conducted in January by outside auditors, which revealed many questionable financial and management practices. Multiple credit cards have been eliminated and there is now a strengthened system of oversight for the few that remain.

The practice of indiscriminately issuing gasoline credit cards has been eliminated, resulting in projected cost savings, according to a report by our interim city manager, of approximately $20,000 per year.

Multiple cell phones per employee have been eliminated and the archaic and costly cell phone provider contracts (some of which required that citizens make a toll call in order to contact the town's staff) have been replaced with a cost-saving system which better serves the town's residents.

Holbrook-Palmer fees for events have been increased. An inventory system is being planned. The police department has been reorganized for greater efficiency and this reorganization is reflected in the town's 2000-2001 budget.

There are proposed revisions to the town's contract with the U.S. Postal Service that provide for increased revenue to the town of approximately $20,000-$25,000 per year, more than double the existing contract income.

There is a new contract for the town attorney which, because it provides that all routine legal services are paid for by retainer, should save the town many thousands of dollars per year.

We have a new police chief, who, by all accounts, is honest and hardworking, will be an excellent addition to our town and a boost to the morale of our police officers.

A $150,000 drainage and road study to ascertain the true extent of the town's capital improvement needs is underway. It is the first comprehensive study of its kind, which replaces the town's past band-aid approach to road and drainage issues. Residents are being asked to comment.

It is a regrettable fact that roads and drainage in our town are in a sorry state and there is a dire need of funds for necessary improvements. But as our interim city manager noted during the May 9 City Council meeting: "We haven't been realistically funding capital improvements in this town for years."

Though some point to the failure of the parcel tax as the culprit, it simply is not true. Recently, only 10 percent of parcel tax income was used for capital improvements. In fiscal year 1998-99 a mere $160,000 of parcel tax funds went to capital improvements. In 1999-2000 the figure was $187,000. Failure of the parcel tax merely forced us to face facts and find a viable solution.

Can anyone juxtapose the state of Atherton one year ago with that existing today and not conclude that the town is better off? Yes, Bob Jenkins and I played a "significant part" in bringing about these changes. We can even point you to the appropriate council meeting tapes, newspaper articles and bills we were asked by the town to pay, as proof of our involvement. A great deal has been accomplished. We can all be prouder of our town. While much remains to be done, I have no doubt that Bob Jenkins and I, if elected, with your help can do that, too.