A local business group will host a forum Wednesday between
proponents and opponents of the county’s recently passed
– but still contested – growth initiative.
A local business group will host a forum Wednesday between proponents and opponents of the county’s recently passed – but still contested – growth initiative.
The San Benito County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce during its monthly luncheon at The Vault restaurant will facilitate the discussion involving two members from each side of the debate. From the county Farm Bureau, President Tom Tobias and member Anthony Botelho will argue against the initiative. From the group Citizens for Responsible Growth, Mandy Rose and Richard Sax will argue in favor of it.
“We want to give our membership and other community members an opportunity to hear that and educate themselves,” said Robert Ornelas, president of the county’s Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The initiative is designed to restrict new housing to an annual growth rate of 2 percent of the number of houses in unincorporated areas. After the Board of Supervisors passed the initiative April 2, Farm Bureau representatives asked the board of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for the chamber’s support.
Ornelas later invited Citizens for Responsible Growth to the following board meeting.
“Before we took sides, we wanted to hear the other side of the story as well,” he said.
The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m.; Ornelas said the growth initiative program will start at noon. Each group will be allowed 10 minutes to speak and will then take questions.
The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce also holds a monthly mixer at The Vault. The next mixer will take place May 2 at 5:30 p.m. For more information about the organization, call 638-1163.
