Hollister
– Opponents of Measure S, the ballot initiative sponsored by
developer Pulte Homes, have bemoaned the fact that they’re going up
against
”
deep pockets.
”
In fact, the Yes-on-S campaign’s most recent finance documents
show that those pockets are probably the deepest in San Benito
County history.
Hollister – Opponents of Measure S, the ballot initiative sponsored by developer Pulte Homes, have bemoaned the fact that they’re going up against “deep pockets.” In fact, the Yes-on-S campaign’s most recent finance documents show that those pockets are probably the deepest in San Benito County history.
As of Sept. 30, the campaign raised $472,777.44 and spent $658,291.61. Although no one could state definitively whether that was the most money ever spent on a local campaign, several county and city officials said it probably was. Kim Hawk at the elections office said the only other contender is the anti-Measure G campaign, which spent about $340,000 in 2003 and 2004.
“That’s an awful lot of money to spend on a campaign,” said Supervisor Anthony Botelho. “But money will only get you so far.”
If passed, Measure S will amend the city’s general plan to redesignate 1,300 acres of agricultural land as a “mixed use residential community.” Once the city’s moratorium on development is lifted, this land would be exempt from the 244-unit annual limit on residential allocations imposed by Measure U; instead, Pulte subsidiary Del Webb could be issued up to 650 building permits a year.
Del Webb hopes to build a retirement community of up to 4,400 homes near the municipal airport. Supporters of the measure say the proposed community could be an economic boon to the city; they also argue that passing the measure would only allow Del Webb to begin planning discussions with the city. The measure’s opponents have expressed concerns about making a major amendment to the general plan without additional study or going through the regular planning process. These opponents have said they’re skeptical about the measure’s financial and social effect on the city, and about the wisdom of building a large development so close to the airport.
Annette Giacomazzi, who is heading the Yes-on-S campaign, said the purpose of the spending was to educate voters about the developers and the proposed project.
“This is an unprecedented opportunity for residents of Hollister to learn about Pulte and Del Webb,” she said.
Giacomazzi, who also led the No-on-G campaign, said Del Webb’s high level of funding is a positive sign.
“To have (Pulte and Del Webb’s) resources, people and expertise available to us is an asset to this community,” she said. “It is not a deterrent.”
According to the campaign’s Form 460, the single biggest donor is Kenneth Gimelli, who owns the land on which Del Webb hopes to build its retirement community. Gimelli made a donation of $250,000 on Sept. 14; Pulte Homes’ contributions total $222,702.44. The Free Lance was unable to reach Gimelli for comment, but Giacomazzi said Gimelli supports the measure because he thinks it will help the community.
“(Gimelli) lives here, he’s a landowner, and he has had the opportunity to sell this property before, but he did not feel that it would benefit the community,” Giacomazzi said. “He’s investing in this campaign because he believes this is the best opportunity for Hollister to get back on its feet.”
Pat Loe, chair of the San Benito Board of Supervisors, estimated that she spent about $5,000 on her last campaign.
Both Loe and Botelho said they weren’t ready to describe their position on Measure S, but Botelho did say he was “very concerned,” which is also how Loe described her feelings about the fact that a measure affecting the entire county would only be on city ballots.
Gordon Machado, who’s heading the anti-Measure S campaign, said the group has raised about $700 and has not officially spent any money. The campaign has produced some signs, Machado said, but he paid for those himself.
When asked what effect funding will have on the election, Machado said, “Certainly it’ll convince those that aren’t in the know or doing their homework. If they do the research, they’ll see there are a lot of errors (in pro-Measure S campaign material).”
He noted that while the pro-Measure S campaign mailed brochures and DVDs to voters on a regular basis, members of Machado’s group were hoping they’d be able to afford a single mailing.
Councilman Doug Emerson, who wrote the anti-Measure S resolution passed last week by the City Council, said the group’s fundraising goal is between $5,000 and $10,000. Emerson has been going door-to-door to explain his opposition to the measure – Yes-on-S campaigners have been doing the same – and he said most people are responsive to his criticisms, particularly his concerns about how the development might affect wastewater disposal. According to Emerson, the city must eventually transition from the proposed temporary solution of spray fields to a more permanent reclaimed water plan in the next 15 years, which would be difficult with the added burden of a Del Webb development.
“With their 4,400 hookups, there’s no way that we’re going to be ready with the disposal plan in time,” Emerson said.
Officials at the county elections office reported that Hollister currently has 14,666 registered voters. In the unlikely event that everyone who is registered votes, that will mean Del Webb has already spent about $45 per voter. Gubernatorial candidates Arnold Schwarzenegger and Phil Angelides, on the other hand, have spent about $2 per voter; tobacco companies have collectively spent about $3 per voter to defeat a cigarette tax, and few committees campaigning for or against statewide propositions has spent more than $1 per voter.
Anthony Ha covers local government for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566, ext. 330 or [email protected].
