In only 21 days, over 5,300 San Benito County voters signed the
referendum to let the voters decide the fate of Measure G. Now due
to legal maneuvering of outside lawyers, it’s the NO on G Committee
that is forced to defend the right of San Benito County voters to
have their voices heard. Farmers and Citizens to Protect our
Agricultural Heritage (NO on G Committee) is working hard not only
to defeat Measure G, but more importantly, to ensure that San
Benito County voters’ rights are protected. We have raised funds
from hundreds of farmers, ranchers, business owners and other
concerned community members to educate the public about the defects
and adverse economic consequences of Measure G, including its job
killing elements.
In only 21 days, over 5,300 San Benito County voters signed the referendum to let the voters decide the fate of Measure G. Now due to legal maneuvering of outside lawyers, it’s the NO on G Committee that is forced to defend the right of San Benito County voters to have their voices heard. Farmers and Citizens to Protect our Agricultural Heritage (NO on G Committee) is working hard not only to defeat Measure G, but more importantly, to ensure that San Benito County voters’ rights are protected. We have raised funds from hundreds of farmers, ranchers, business owners and other concerned community members to educate the public about the defects and adverse economic consequences of Measure G, including its job killing elements. However, instead of debating the merits, the proponents of Measure G have used legal tactics to force us to spend over $60,000 in legal fees just to protect our community’s right to vote on this important issue.
On Oct. 1, Rebecca McGovern and her pro-bono attorneys, “Earth Justice,” which is formerly the Legal Defense Fund for the Sierra Club, sued the County Board of Supervisors seeking to reverse their decision to finally honor our referendum by placing Measure G on the ballot. (We all know the history of how the Board, faced with community-wide demand, reversed its initial decision to adopt Measure G, depriving San Benito County citizens the right to vote, and agreed to finally put it on the ballot). Amazingly, now faced with the Earth Justice lawsuit, the Board of Supervisors refuses to defend its own decision to let the voters decide. As a result, defending your Constitutional right to vote was placed completely in our lap. The Vote NO on G Committee has solely funded the enormous legal bills that have resulted from McGovern and Earth Justice’s cynical use of our legal system. And it’s not over.
Over 90 percent of the money we’ve received as donations have come from
San Benito County residents and businesses. None of our funds have come from so-called “big developers.”
Conversely, the proponents of the land control measure have received less than eight percent of their funds from San Benito County residents. Outsiders have focused their efforts and resources to take away our right to vote. The proponents of Measure G have already admitted their land control measure is flawed. They are deeply aware that if residents of San Benito County have the opportunity to learn about and vote on Measure G, it will not pass. That is why they continue to jam their special interest measure down our throats in this most un-American way – taking away our right to vote.
On Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m. the Court will decide if the voters’ rights will be sustained. We are optimistic that the Court will sustain our efforts and let the people of this community vote. However, the land control proponents and their attorneys with seemingly unlimited resources are prepared to bleed us dry by filing additional lawsuits and appeals. Don’t let that happen. It is critical that everyone now step forward to help; please call us at 637-4929. We welcome your donations and the opportunity to educate our citizens about the job-killing, outsider-funded land control Measure G.
Tom Tobias is the chair of the NO on G Committee
