Now is our time for change
By Tony Ruiz
Editor’s note: This is the first of three parts.
Engaged citizens build great communities by electing visionary
leaders and holding them accountable through citizen-government
collaboration. However, we expect these leaders and their staff to
lay a broadly focused foundation for progress. While some efforts
have been made and continue, little has materialized. We have
failed to understand the consequences of our actions and public
policy. The problems are apparent: no building, no jobs, a stagnant
population, a high unemployment figure, few start up businesses,
outrageous sewer fees and worse, a poor quality of life for too
many that deserve better. We have created most of our problems.
And, we can solve most of our problems. But, we now need to take a
bold approach. Now is our time.
Now is our time for change
By Tony Ruiz
Editor’s note: This is the first of three parts.
Engaged citizens build great communities by electing visionary leaders and holding them accountable through citizen-government collaboration. However, we expect these leaders and their staff to lay a broadly focused foundation for progress. While some efforts have been made and continue, little has materialized. We have failed to understand the consequences of our actions and public policy. The problems are apparent: no building, no jobs, a stagnant population, a high unemployment figure, few start up businesses, outrageous sewer fees and worse, a poor quality of life for too many that deserve better. We have created most of our problems. And, we can solve most of our problems. But, we now need to take a bold approach. Now is our time.
Developing a vision for our future, a first step, is not the problem, thanks to the Hollister Downtown Association that has exhibited energy and competence. And thanks to the Hollister Planning Commission and City Council that have given us a good General Plan. Essentially, it is time to recognize some basic components of successful and sustainable communities.
Sustainable communities have sustainable economies and a population to pay the bills for quality of life institutions and amenities. We have neither. Both the county and the city are grossly under populated and on a path to fiscal disaster unless we take some serious and dramatic action. Following the success of many communities, two giant steps must be taken.
First we must dramatically reduce impact fees. Currently the average impact fees in California are $21,000. In the City of Hollister and in San Benito County they are approximately $45,000 to $65,000. This is an outrage and is at the core of our problems. Reducing these fees will spark growth, and create jobs and new businesses.
Recently, I attended the 9th Annual New Partners Conference in Seattle. During the four days sold-out conference and multiple workshops on the revitalization of communities, I found that impact fees were only a problem in a number of jurisdictions in California where fees are excessive. These high fees are recognized dilemmas that paralyze jurisdictions that need to revitalize their communities.
Second, the City of Hollister should immediately sever San Benito Street from Caltrans and demand revenues for the beautification and human-scale redevelopment of our downtown. These efforts will encourage start-up diversified retail, increase property taxes, and create jobs and opportunities. More importantly, these actions can attract new industries to San Benito County, create high-paying jobs and secure our future revenue needs.
Finally, there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate we do not need to wait for the national and state economies to improve. We have a national unemployment rate of 9.7 percent, state over 12 percent, and a local at 23 percent. We are so badly off that we can make great strides now in developing our community. Now is our time.
Tony Ruiz is chairman of the Hollister Independent New Urbanism Research Group.
