We watched the forum last night on Measure C, and after hearing both sides directly, our conclusion became even clearer: Still a NO for us.
The reason is simple. One side relied heavily on urgency, trust us messaging, and emotional appeals. The other side brought facts, history, numbers, and legitimate questions that still have not been answered.
The Case for Yes Sounded Thin
Former council member Greg Lyman spoke in favor of the measure, but there were no convincing new facts that justified the scale of this tax.
Instead, the message seemed to come down to:
- We need to act now
- Trust city leadership
- Pass the measure first and decisions can come later
- If we do not pass it, something bad may happen
That is not the level of rigor residents should expect before approving a new long-term tax.
Voters deserve specifics, not pressure.
The Case Against Was Rooted in Facts
Wally Nowinski offered a much stronger presentation because it relied on evidence rather than slogans.
He cited prior city failures, historical patterns, and comparable library funding statistics showing that Measure C appears to be an expensive outlier when compared with other communities.
That matters because El Cerrito residents are not simply being asked to support a library. They are being asked to support one of the costliest approaches.
The $37 Million vs. $10.3 Million Problem
Perhaps the most important issue remains unanswered.
Why are voters being asked to approve a tax tied to a $37 million concept when the City has acknowledged the existing library site could be refurbished for $10.3 million?
That is a staggering difference.
If the current site can be modernized safely and responsibly for far less, why was that not the primary plan from the start?
Why should taxpayers approve a premium-priced option first and sort out details later?
These are common-sense questions, and no persuasive answer was given.
Who Really Benefits?
Another concern raised during the forum is whether this measure is less about library necessity and more about supporting a broader transit-oriented development agenda near El Cerrito Plaza BART Station.
Residents should ask whether taxpayers are being used to subsidize a larger development vision that primarily benefits outside interests and future developers.
If so, that should have been stated openly from day one.
Fear Should Not Replace Planning
Any campaign that suggests residents must vote yes immediately or risk catastrophe usually has a weak case.
Strong public proposals succeed through:
- transparent planning
- honest cost comparisons
- clearly stated benefits
- public trust
- accountability mechanisms
Measure C still feels like an incomplete plan asking for complete funding.
Our Conclusion
We support libraries. We support public investment when it is thoughtful, efficient, and honest.
But we do not support paying $37 million prices when a $10.3 million option exists.
We do not support vague promises over clear plans.
And we do not support asking voters for trust when the numbers raise so many doubts.
After watching the forum last night, our position did not weaken.
It strengthened.
Still a NO on Measure C.
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 