Supervisors today rejected an idea to study the possibility of
having all five county board members on the committee making
decisions about local transportation matters.
Supervisors today rejected an idea to study the possibility of having all five county board members on the committee making decisions about local transportation matters.
They denied the proposal from Supervisor Margie Barrios in a 3-2 vote. Barrios and Supervisor Reb Monaco voted in favor of the resolution, while Supervisors Anthony Botelho, Jaime De La Cruz and Pat Loe voted against it.
Barrios said she proposed the review because she believes transportation matters are “very, very important” and roads are “our greatest assets.”
She also noted how there are concerns about full representation throughout the county, with just two supervisorial districts represented on the COG board. She pointed out how the two supervisors on COG have no obligation to follow the county board’s wishes.
“I find that discouraging because I really feel these are very, very important issues,” she said.
As it traditionally stands, the county appoints two members to the Council of San Benito County Governments Board of Directors. Additionally, Hollister appoints two members, and San Juan Bautista appoints one.
Botelho and De La Cruz are the current representatives for San Benito County, along with Hollister Councilmen Doug Emerson and Victor Gomez, and San Juan Councilman Rick Edge.
Barrios also said the proposal was not meant to “exclude” Hollister or San Juan. She pointed out how either of those boards could take the same action because the guidelines are set up by COG. “We can do that if we so choose,” she said.
COG makes an array of decisions on transportation issues throughout the county, and Barrios said there has been “a lot of disagreement and discontent” regarding the direction of local roads.
Loe, one of the three supervisors denying the motion today, said it would involve “a lot of work” and “a lot of staff time” to explore the proposal.
“If there is a specific issue we need to address, then we need to address the issue,” she said. “To change the total makeup of COG, I think it’s overkill at this point.”
For the full story, see the Pinnacle on Friday.
