Editor:

Words can’t express how much we would like to have American Avenue extended and Balfour widened. We would also like the urban limit line extended so that Brentwood can have control of that land. However, the problems that Measure F would create are not worth the benefits it proposes.

Building an additional 1,300 homes would increase traffic substantially, increase crime for a police department that is already understaffed, and exacerbate the problem of decreasing home values in Brentwood. In addition, Measure F would increase the student count at Adams Middle School and Heritage High. The schools are already at capacity and are currently suffering severe budget cutbacks.

How does Measure F propose to handle this problem? A number of supporters of Measure F expressed concerns about the safety of the poorly designed flow of traffic at Heritage High. What about the safety problems the massive increase of traffic would bring to all the major streets through Shadow Lakes, onto Balfour, and onto the Highway 4 Bypass?

The overbuilding of homes is what caused the prices of homes in Antioch to plummet. Plummeting home prices created a climate for increased blight and crime. Do we want that to happen in Brentwood? Brentwood has already approved the building of approximately 4,000 additional homes. Because of the housing market downturn, some of these homebuilders have put their developments on hold and some have asked for modifications to increase density and decrease amenities so that they can sell their homes. If Brentwood continues to overbuild, how will Measure F’s claims of “low density and higher-priced homes near Balfour and Deer Valley” be possible?

We do not need another 1,300 homes to add to the problems of an already stressed housing market in Brentwood. Years ago the residents of Antioch trusted their city officials when they made the decisions to keep building and building. They believed their officials knew what was best for their city. Measure F supporters urge us to vote “yes” because they say many present and former city officials support this measure. We should never trust city officials blindly!

Residents must stay informed, provide his or her input, and vote. We must let our city officials know what we believe constitutes “quality of life.” “Quality of life” for us does not include 1,300 additional homes, plummeting home prices, increased crime and blight, an increased number of students attending Adams Middle School and Heritage High, and a massive increase in traffic.

The problems that Measure F would create are not worth the benefits it proposes. We need a measure that would improve the city of Brentwood without the 1,300 homes. Please vote No on Measure F.

Daniela Colbasso

Linda Nakaji, Jen Fernandez, Derrick Bullington, and Aida Handt

Brentwood