For many of us, the last couple of years have not been easy
ones. The economic downturn has hit San Benito County hard. And
now, at the worse possible time, comes along Measure G.
The likelihood that this measure will be devastating to our
agricultural community is certainly bad enough. It is grossly
unfair to the farmers and ranchers that have been the backbone of
our economy for generations. Calling them
”
developers
”
just because they own land is absurd. To the contrary, over the
years they are the ones that have preserved our rural
surroundings.
For many of us, the last couple of years have not been easy ones. The economic downturn has hit San Benito County hard. And now, at the worse possible time, comes along Measure G.
The likelihood that this measure will be devastating to our agricultural community is certainly bad enough. It is grossly unfair to the farmers and ranchers that have been the backbone of our economy for generations. Calling them “developers” just because they own land is absurd. To the contrary, over the years they are the ones that have preserved our rural surroundings. In spite of all of the hullabaloo about rampant growth, it is a fact that 98.8 percent of the county land remains in either agriculture or natural habitat today. What seems to be lost on the proponents of Measure G is that their initiative does nothing to address the growth problem the City of Hollister has created. And yet it is our county’s agricultural people that will be punished simply because they own property.
But don’t think for a moment that this is only an issue that concerns the farmers and ranchers. In the long term, Measure G will likely be equally devastating to the business community as a whole. It will ultimately affect the jobs the business community provides. If it passes, our county’s overall economic health – not exactly robust as it is – may be impacted for years to come.
On a direct level, county businesses like my own have many customers who are in agriculture. Their losses from the passing of Measure G will certainly trickle down to impact all of us who are already in business here. But maybe even more concerning should be how our city and county will be viewed by potential new businesses that might otherwise consider moving to our community. If this measure goes through, we undoubtedly will be labeled as anti-growth and anti-business.
I don’t believe any of us want to see rampant growth destroy our rural character. But to reinstill and then maintain a vibrant economy, we must have an influx of new businesses and jobs into San Benito County. To better pay for city and county services, we must have increased sales tax revenues flowing into our General Funds. With the negative signals it sends, Measure G seriously threatens any hopes of this happening anytime soon.
I’m not a politician. Being in retailing, I’ve always avoided taking a high profile position on a controversial issue. But I, along with many fellow county employers, feel that we can’t afford to not take a stand on this issue. That is the reason why, for the first time in their respective histories, both the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce and the Hollister Downtown Association Boards of Directors have publicly endorsed a position against Measure G.
I am all for controlled growth. But Measure G is not the way. I urge all people in San Benito County to vote “NO” on this extreme initiative on March 2.
Bob Tiffany,
Tiffany Motor Company
