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919 Louise Street <br />Santa Ana, CA 92703 <br />16 May 2016 <br />Re: 17 May 2016 Council Agenda Item #65B <br />Dear Council Members and City Manager Cavazos, <br />I am Catholic. I am American. I believe in the principle of separation of Church <br />and State. But, I do not think it is inappropriate for a community to appropriate <br />funds to private schools so long as that money does not support the religious, <br />ideological or academic mission of the institution. <br />Mater Dei High School has always contributed and continues to contribute to our <br />City in tangible ways of public service. It also contributes in intangible ways. As <br />an institution known for academic excellence, it is an asset to Santa Ana. Mater <br />Dei graduates almost all of its students -our local public high schools do not <br />compare favorably in this regard. <br />Mater Dei graduates are very likely to become productive members of their local <br />communities and many of them come from families who have deep roots in <br />Santa Ana, so they have good reasons to return here after pursuing higher <br />education, where they continue to provide a positive financial and social <br />presence to Santa Ana. <br />All that being said, I DO NOT THINK THIS PROPOSAL IS IN THE BEST <br />INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF SANTA ANA. It is just too much money and it <br />looks to me like the bulk of their, admittedly desirable and probably needed, <br />plans for expansion would be placed on the backs of Santa Ana taxpayers. <br />I don't believe this expenditure is proportional to the benefit that tax payers <br />would receive. I CAN support some City funding, for the reasons I have cited <br />above, but not at this magnitude. <br />Sincerely, <br />Bobi Keenan <br />