Ramsey "Finds" Survey Results He Wants

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Charles Ramsey <charamsey@comcast.net>
To: 'Cathy Garza' <garzacathy@gmail.com>; 'ben steinberg' <bsteinberg1@yahoo.com>
Cc: 'Carolyn Day Flowers' <carolyndayflowers@gmail.com>; 'Todd Groves' <me@toddgroves.org>; 'Catherine Mercurio' <Catherine@mercuriodentalarts.com>; MKRONEN@aol.com
Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 5:38 PM
Subject: We got action- Poll results are now in

Just concluded a lengthy and exciting phone call with Dr. Bruce Harter about the poll results.  To his surprise, Dr. Harter learned that Godbe Research had emailed him the results.

Bond/ Parcel tax renewal for five years at 7.2 Cents-  65% for the Bond and 74.5% for the Parcel Tax

Parcel Tax with the three cents increase for five years and no bond-  76.6%

A lot to discuss on Monday and tomorrow at our lunch at Fat Apple’s. Tantalizing stuff and a lot for the board to consider.  It is obvious that we can do both, but can we do both and get the increase of 3 cents.  Should be a welcoming conversation and one where a lot of interesting data will be shared with Brian Godbe on Monday.

The one thing that everyone must understand and that a campaign must be funded to get the likely voters. I made sure to ask Dr. Harter who were the definitely  “YES” and he said for the bond measure it was 45%, for the parcel tax renewal it was 48% and for the parcel tax with the increase and no bond it was 50.6%.  However, our pollster Brian Godbe made it abundantly clear that it is the likely “Yes” that need the outreach and campaign effort and this is where you need the resources to convince them.  We have little time, but I am sure that I can raise $300,000 for a joint bond measure/parcel tax campaign. We have a lot of opportunity since on all the polls the definite “No” is  just 19%.

What do you think? and remember I am still inclined to do a bond measure for November.  The interesting question is do you also include the Parcel Tax, just a renewal, or do you go for it and ask for the three cent increase for five years.  Remember, we did not poll the increase with also doing a bond, but it just seems that even if we lose 5% it makes sense to go for what we want and to energize our supporters to get out the vote and to tell people that we can get it done.

Time for all of us to really consider the options and make a reasoned decision that will benefit the kids.

Charles T. Ramsey, Esq.
School Board President
West Contra Costa
Unified School District