We don’t envy Judge Steven Sanders and the decisions he has to
make Wednesday concerning the future of San Benito County and its
residents.
But we are confident he will make the call on both that will
leave the Slow Growth Initiative on the ballot for county voters
next March.
We don’t envy Judge Steven Sanders and the decisions he has to make Wednesday concerning the future of San Benito County and its residents.
But we are confident he will make the call on both that will leave the Slow Growth Initiative on the ballot for county voters next March.
The lawsuit by Rebecca McGovern and Earthjustice is an attempt to circumvent a vote on Measure G and put it into law, despite the County Board of Supervisors ultimately allowing it to be put to a vote.
Another lawsuit, by an anonymous group calling itself Los Valientes, is on the other side of the controversial fence and hopes to have Measure G stricken completely.
We want to repeat our Free Lance stand: Put it to a vote of the people and use the time between now and next March to truly educate those who will vote on this measure and either keep it on the books – where it will still be open to revision – or tear it up and start over again.
Growth will not go away. But it is an intricate issue that demands education, insight and understanding, not more out-of-county lawyers and legal holdups.
We also hope both sides will respect Judge Sanders’ position and not file lengthy appeals, which would at minimum be a distraction to what should be happening between now and next March: Impartial education on the issue.
McGovern and Los Valientes lawyer Michael Pekin should step back and take a long look at the positive work Joe and Julie Morris have done to bring both sides together and try to find some common ground and respect.
Everyone who truly cares about the future of San Benito County should unite on this stand: We the people should decide how this county is going to grow. Not a small group of selfish and overly litigious individuals, some of whom don’t even live in San Benito County.
Judge Sanders should toss both suits out on their ears and keep the path cleared for a vote in March.
The whole county will and should be watching.
