Letter: Local says quote in Measure J opposition’s ad is ‘a lie’

I am writing to alert you to an error that occurred in your paper. It was part of a full page ad that was sponsored by a group called “San Benito United” and featured three local citizens purporting to “protect” the County. Unfortunately, the ad propagates a lie, mouthed by one of the hapless three that claims “Measure J bans all petroleum production in San Benito …” As you know, that is a lie and has been flatly contradicted by county planner, Michael Kelly, and Assistant County Counsel Barbara Thompson. This lie of San Benito United, propagated by our three neighbors, should not be allowed to stand. To that end, what Measure J really says should be printed here. Measure J is an “Initiative to Ban Well Stimulation Treatments and Enhanced Recovery (such as Fracking and Steam Injection) throughout all Unincorporated Areas of San Benito County and to Ban All Petroleum Operations in Residential General Plan Designations in Unincorporated San Benito County and Make Related Zoning Changes.”
That’s what Measure J is. It does not propose to “ban all oil production,” just that production that might take place in residential areas, for example, where homes are and children play and go to school. Traditional oil production may continue as it always has. To claim it does otherwise is a lie. Though it may be repeated a million times, it will still be a lie. These residents should be ashamed and should recant their lie. There is no way you can protect a place by lying to its residents. 
Please take care that the Free Lance does not abet such insidious behavior.
Joe Morris, former president of the San Benito County Cattlemen’s Association, fifth-generation rancher, San Benito County resident — just like the people in the ad, San Juan Bautista