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Jim Satcher
Co-Director, Coordinator and Spokesperson
Fallenleaf - Havenhurst Homeowners Petition Committee for Annexation to the City of Los Altos and to
form a Sewer Assessment District
Los Altos, California
June 1980 - November 1982
Proposition 13 increased costs and reduced service to the 173 homes and 450 residents living in the Fallenleaf-Havenhurst
county neighborhood bordered on three sides by the city of Los Altos. A bigger concern was the high rate of failure
for septic systems in the area. The only logical answer was to be annexed by the city of Los Altos and connect to the
city sewer system. Hooking-up was voluntary and could run $2,400 to $5,000 for each household. Nevertheless, the
petition for annexation was approved by 70 percent of the homeowners (5% was required to pass), and the petition to create
a sewer assessment district was approved by 68 percent of the homeowners (60.1% was required to pass.) Success required a solid
plan, examining all sides of any issue and calculating costs for each. Gaining the support of city and county officials
and the media, keeping each informed and treating each like a member of the team. Forming a committee of dedicated people
with diverse skills capable of asking hard questions and offering solutions. Educating the neighbors by holding town
hall meetings and distributing concise yet easy to read fact sheets. Training volunteers to work in pairs, going door-to-door,
taking turns circulating petitions, handling objections and taking notes. Any resident who hesitated to sign received
a follow-up call or be paid a visit by myself or by John Burks, co-director. The final key to success was the media
which kept the story alive almost daily in bold print and on TV for all the residents to see.
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