In the District 2 supervisor race, voters are faced with a
difficult choice, but a pleasant dilemma. Anthony Botelho and
Anthony Freitas come from a similar background, and both men
obviously have the best interests of their district at heart. Both
are life-long residents coming from well-established families. Both
are orchardists. Both have served on the San Benito County Planning
Commission.
In the District 2 supervisor race, voters are faced with a difficult choice, but a pleasant dilemma. Anthony Botelho and Anthony Freitas come from a similar background, and both men obviously have the best interests of their district at heart. Both are life-long residents coming from well-established families. Both are orchardists. Both have served on the San Benito County Planning Commission.
Either one would do a good job as a county supervisor.
We give the edge to Freitas because we think he has the determination and leadership qualities to put the county government back on the path to respectability.
San Benito County’s reputation has been tarnished through infighting, Measure G, the firing of several county administrators, election scandals and attempts to strip other elected officials of their power. Freitas says San Benito is considered a joke by many other counties in the state.
There are many issues facing our county, but the most pressing issue is returning the government to respectability and steadying the boat so the work of the people can be done.
With Freitas’ direct style and no-nonsense attitude, we think he, working with the new board to be seated in January, will help restore the luster to our county.
Freitas also has ideas for the future of the county that show a command of the details and the vision to take us in the right direction.
Freitas, who opposed Measure G, says the county’s 1 percent growth cap is working. He knows how to drive a hard bargain with developers and realizes the importance of forcing them to pay for needed infrastructure to mitigate their impact on schools, roads and fire protection. Even if some developers balk, Freitas realizes there are plenty who want to build in San Benito County and would be willing to pay their fair share.
“But if you don’t want to do that, we’ve got highways that lead out of this county. Get on them and get out of here,” he said.
He also recognizes that the area is a bedroom community and wants to reverse that. He has innovative ideas like creating an Amtrak station in Hollister that would draw tourists to town, that would allow products to be shipped and would give commuters an alternative to hopping in their cars.
Freitas says he would like to see improvements to Highway 156 that include widening the shoulders, adding rumble strips, lighting and acceleration and deceleration lanes. Botelho supports the 3-in-1 concept that would add a new freeway between U.S. 101 and Highway 152 and does not have support from the Council of Governments or California Highway Patrol Captain Bob Davies.
Finally, Freitas says he will be semi-retired and will be a full-time supervisor. He told the story about visiting road crews working on one of the area highways asking to see what they were doing. Freitas says if he is elected to expect more of that. He will be a hands on supervisor.
Botelho cares deeply about the county and is the kind of person you like to see in politics. We hope he continues to stay involved. But we believe Freitas has the moxie and the vision to take San Benito County in the right direction.
