Dear Editor:
County Supervisor Ruth Kesler’s recent flip-flop over the proposed O’Connell Ranch Environmental Impact Report (in San Benito County we don’t reference proposed projects anymore, just proposed EIRs), tells us all we need to know about the sorry state of political leadership in this community.
I am at this point neutral on the proposed O’Connell Ranch EIR, much less project, and use it here as only the latest and more publicized example of our dysfunctional approach to land use in this county.
Supervisor Kesler’s election campaign chair, Rebecca McGovern, who tirelessly and successfully championed Ruth as the best candidate in the last election, is reported to have threatened to mount a recall against the supervisor had she refused to change her vote and (horrors!) allowed the EIR to be prepared.
So, one vote on one issue (and not a vote for approval of a project, only the preparation of an EIR) is apparently enough to turn Ms. McGovern from election campaign chair to recall campaign chair.
Supervisor Kesler and the majority of this Board of Supervisors (and their recent predecessors) have no one to blame but themselves for the true impotence of their reign. By way of serving their own need to remain in power, they have for years pandered to a group of no growth advocates.
In the process, the Supervisors have shrunk the local supply of those willing to stand up for even the smallest and most reasonable attempts at planned progress while creating an ever-growing group of anti-progressives.
Now, like over-indulged children, this group is ready to turn on their elected officials unless their every demand is met.
The irony is that this now large, out-of-control group is about to take away the Board of Supervisors’ power over land-use through an economically disastrous initiative measure dressed up to “save our farm land.”
Spoiled as they are, they didn’t feel the need to consult with the families that have been stewards of the land for generations prior to deciding how to “save it” for/from them.
In a democracy with periodic elections, the recall of elected officials should be left for those who abuse their office. Shame on those who would treat San Benito County like a Costco with a generous exchange policy – any time for any reason – for those voters feeling “buyer’s remorse.” And shame on those who have failed to lead, and in so doing have created a monstrous group who would control our destiny.
Ask yourself if those who have tended our soil, grown our businesses and provided opportunities for each next generation should be controlled for the foreseeable future by a petulant group too impatient and too self-indulgent to co-exist with those who might have different views on what makes a vibrant sustainable community.
Mike Smith
Hollister
