It’s never over until it’s over.
That cliche sure proved true for Jaime De La Cruz, who
apparently has emerged the victor over incumbent Bob Cruz after the
last of the absentee ballots were tallied.
It’s never over until it’s over.
That cliche sure proved true for Jaime De La Cruz, who apparently has emerged the victor over incumbent Bob Cruz after the last of the absentee ballots were tallied.
De La Cruz will replace Cruz as the representative for District 5 on the County Board of Supervisors.
First of all, we salute Cruz and another incumbent who was defeated, Ruth Kesler, for their longtime service.
But we also cannot ignore the fact that the voters want new people on the board.
Don Marcus will replace Richard Scagliotti, who decided not to run again for his post at District 1.
That leaves just Pat Loe and Reb Monaco as the only returnees when the board convenes after Jan. 1, 2005.
San Benito County residents made a historic statement by defeating Measure G last week by a huge margin.
It’s no coincidence that Cruz, Kesler and Scagliotti not only supported Measure G, but – along with Loe – quickly voted it into law before it was put on the March ballot.
Now, just Loe remains. And she is feeling some post-election heat for supporting the measure.
But let’s look at the bigger picture.
Measure G is history, but the challenge of how this county will grow remains.
After the celebrations wind down – and the race between Anthony Botelho and Anthony Freitas is decided for the District 2 seat in November – the challenge for the new board is a formidable one.
Marcus and De La Cruz, along with Botelho or Freitas – must show they belong as not only representatives of their districts, but of everyone in our county.
Loe and Monaco must welcome the new team members and roll up their sleeves as well.
The election might be over for now, but the crossroads for San Benito County remain.
The voters have shown that back-door, good-old-boy local politics is out.
And pointing San Benito County in the right direction for generations to come is in.
