Dear editor,

Harry S. Truman was quoted as saying, "If you can't convince them, confuse them." That statement certainly speaks to recent actions by the Napa City Council.

Most recently, the city council cut a portion of funding from Fair Housing, a very necessary service. The argument by the council was a shortfall in the city budget. I contend the council needs to revoke this action, review it priorities and find the money for this necessary program.

Next, the council asks us to support Measure H (the increase in sales tax for roadway safety improvements.) This action, I strongly agree, we should support. I agree the longer we wait, the more expensive it will be to repair our roadways.

Then, the Napa City Council had a discussion of pay increases for the council and discussed increasing pay by up to four times in excess of $50,000 per year. Mayor Techel demonstrated leadership in her voice of objection to the idea of the increase; however the council was not as wise. This action is intolerable given our cities financial resources. Further, this action demonstrates a selfish disrespect for the needs of Napa. This irresponsible action sends a confusing signal to citizens who have concern about trust, as related to Measure H oversight.

I strongly support Measure H. We are addicted to the automobile. Americans will not give up their love of the automobile. City, county and highway safety must be a priority of our government. The automobile will live on, albeit fueled differently in the future by ethanol, hydrogen or some alternative fuel. We must have the infrastructure in place to accommodate our future. Measure H provides oversight but the voters must stay involved and alert.

The voters should pass Measure H in June. In November, the voters should remove any politician who supports a pay increase for themselves or their predecessors while cutting services such as Fair Housing and asking us to support an infrastructure tax increase.

If Measure H fails it will be decidedly because of the mixed confusing signals and the lack of trust in the politicians sitting on the Napa City Council.

Harry Truman also said, "I learned that a great leader is a man who has the ability to get other people to do what they don't want to do and like it." We live in a busy world, we don't want to pay more taxes and we don't want to have to closely monitor our elected leaders. We are apathetic about voting. However this June please vote yes on Measure H and in November pay close attention to the candidates for Napa City Council and elect leaders that understand fiscally responsible government and the needs of Napa today and for the future.

Chris Edwards

Napa