Four local nonprofits are hosting a Measure E forum Wednesday to offer both sides of the proposal opportunities to make their cases for and against the proposed extension to a 1 percent sales tax.
The San Benito County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, Hollister Downtown Association, Community Foundation for San Benito County and San Benito County Business Council are hosting the forum that is set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Hollister City Hall, 375 Fifth St. They are promoting the event as a “non-partisan, public educational event will offer the opportunity for our community members to ask questions, learn the details on the Measure and for supporters and opponents to express their opinions.”
The free event will be held in the Hollister City Council chambers, while questions for the event should be directed to Business Council Executive Director Kristina Chavez Wyatt at [email protected] or (831) 524-0408.
Measure E is the proposal to extend the Measure T sales tax, approved in November 2007, for another five years. Supporters have argued the money is necessary to maintain services, particularly police and fire, and that the city would be forced into drastic public safety cuts without it. Opponents have contended city officials showed over the past five years they will not spend the money responsibly, while underscoring the economic benefits of a lower sales tax and more discretionary income for residents.
Supporters and opponents to the tax measure have been invited to present information. Presentations will be followed by an opportunity for attendees to pose questions.
The forum will be moderated by Julie Morris of the Community Foundation and Debbie Taylor from the chamber. The program will open with a presentation from the City of Hollister on the measure and the city’s “Austerity Plan” budget should it fail at the polls Nov. 6.
Measure E opponents will include Oscar Rivera, Eric Kemp, Warren Bell and Tod duBois. They will have an opportunity to present their information and opinions followed by a panel of measure supporters represented by Mark Paxton, Jeff Miller, David Westrick, Carol Lenoir and the San Benito County Business Council.
The audience will then have time to pose questions, submitted in writing.
The event will be recorded and broadcast by the event media sponsor, Community Media Access Partnership (CMAP), and will be available via livestream at cmap.tv.
