I had the honor of attending the meeting on Jan. 13 regarding
Measure G. I didn’t hear anything that I did not expect to hear.
First, someone in favor of Measure G showed some pictures of San
Benito County. In my opinion, they showed us
”
the good lookin’ horse
”
and
”
ignored the poor donkey.
”
I had the honor of attending the meeting on Jan. 13 regarding Measure G. I didn’t hear anything that I did not expect to hear. First, someone in favor of Measure G showed some pictures of San Benito County. In my opinion, they showed us “the good lookin’ horse” and “ignored the poor donkey.”
They stated the 48 percent of the workforce of this county is going to work outside of the county, but makes their home here in San Benito County. In my opinion, they ignored the poor donkey again. Just a few days ago, I spoke to a friend who runs a crew of 20-24 cement workers. I asked him how they were doing and he said they were working in Soledad because there is nothing for them here. These are people who used to work in this county, but because they have to find work, because they have a family to support, they have to leave this county in order to provide for that family.
There are hundreds more people just like them in the same boat who grew up here and who used to make a living here. Now these people have to drive about 150 miles per day to survive and support their families. Do the supporters of Measure G have any idea how inconvenient this is and how costly? We can thank our neighboring counties for opening their arms and providing them work. In my opinion, it is time to stop blaming them for our mistakes.
Just a few years ago, when things were good and our leaders started changing things, I wrote a letter to our Board of Supervisors predicting exactly what we are experiencing now. In this letter, I said things are very good now, that everyone is working, they are all driving good cars and have good equipment. Most of these people are not educated to work in electronics and such, but are good landscapers, cement layers, dry wall installers and roofers. I feel that the way things are changing, in the very near future, everybody will be out of work. Many people here are living on unemployment. They sleep during the day and vandalize our community at night. This county is very well known for its high unemployment.
Back to the meeting. Mr. Saxe (who is in favor of Measure G) spoke and they questioned him about where he lives and how much land he has. Mr. Saxe answered that he bought 10 acres, developed five and lives on the other five. He is not the only one to have done this. Some of his supporters are enjoying the same circumstances. Good for me, but not good for you, right? It seems like they are ignoring the poor donkey again.
In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with having five acres to live on. In some cases, two and a half would probably be just as good. For the ones who do not like living in the city and love animals and can afford it, that’s what America is about. With my many years of experience in land, 20 acres or 160 acres is wasted. We have been operating 1,350 acres in my family, but we would starve if I didn’t have another job.
I think if these people succeed in pushing through Measure G, they will just start something else – that is their nature. If you would like to learn how to be a good carpenter, you don’t listen to a shoemaker. I think most of you would agree with me that the only rights they want us to have is to pay taxes and maintain the land so that they can come out and take their pictures. What they are doing is crowding us with more taxes, rules and regulations.
With all the changes we have had in the past, this county’s workforce has really gotten hurt. There are some chewing their nails to make ends meet. If Measure G passes, some will start chewing on their fingers.
I believe this should be won with the truth, not making accusations against people about things they haven’t done.
If you are as tired as I am of so many rules and regulations, vote NO on Measure G.
Amador Lima,
Hollister
