Dear Editor:
Once again, Janet Brians’ offers flawed economic theory from a flawed theoretical resource, the San Benito County Planning Department’s Growth Control Review.
This Growth Control Review was a hastily planned and poorly prepared study that would not pass muster by sensible and responsible elected officials.
In defense of her position to control the land rights of San Benito County farmers and ranchers, she offers what she considers sound economic advice for those who face tough economic times: “one must economize, perhaps rent out the land, find a niche market, or even sell a parcel.”
Fortunately, the majority of hard-working, multi-generational farming and ranching families know to do otherwise.
As majority stakeholders in the local economy, farmers and ranchers will continue to execute sound agri-business strategies and maximize crop output by investing in state-of-the-art equipment purchased through the leverage of their property value. This is sometimes referred to as “the American Way,” in contrast to some New Age, socialism devised and paid for by out-of-town environmentalists seeking curry favor from the Board of Supervisors that Ms. Brians’ is selling.
It is a sad day indeed when environmentalists and politicians get in bed, as it were, on an issue that is against the best interests of the farmers and ranchers that drive the local economy.
Mike Smith
Hollister
