Los Alamitos

While I commend The Times for recognizing the vitality of grass-roots efforts in my hometown (“The Spirit of Los Alamitos,” editorial, April 10), I feel compelled to mention some important aspects about Measure K, which continue to be downplayed.

Your editorial glosses over the purely political decision by bond supporters to exempt property owners 65 years or older from the $4.50-a-month tax. The flawed rationale for the exemption, allowable under California state law, is that senior citizens will not derive benefits from well-maintained schools.

However, elderly citizens within the boundaries of the Los Alamitos Unified School District, among the most affluent and able to pay for such a tax in Orange County, will certainly derive more attractive property values from a town with relatively respectable educational facilities.

It is a sad commentary that bond supporters, in order to ensure political survival, omitted a whole class of citizens unlikely to give back to the community. From this perspective it appears that one generation is being pitted against another; and I would not advise that for any community interested in following Los Alamitos’ grass-roots activism.

SCOTT RABER

Berkeley