The San Benito County Slow-Growth Initiative, which has created
a rift between many county residents, will once again be hashed out
today in a workshop forum at the scenic St. Francis Retreat in San
Juan Bautista.
San Juan Bautista ranchers Joe and Julie Morris, who organized
the first workshop, also organized this one and will serve as
facilitators.
The San Benito County Slow-Growth Initiative, which has created a rift between many county residents, will once again be hashed out today in a workshop forum at the scenic St. Francis Retreat in San Juan Bautista.
San Juan Bautista ranchers Joe and Julie Morris, who organized the first workshop, also organized this one and will serve as facilitators.
The second workshop that has brought groups in support of both sides of the issue together, arose from the county Board of Supervisors’ 4-1 decision on April 1 to approve the initiative. It was later reversed by a referendum that originated with the community-based organization, Farmers and Citizens to Protect our Agricultural Heritage.
Board members’ opinions on the initiative differ. But they are in agreement that the idea behind the workshop, which is to bring the community together to communicate their ideas in a civilized manner, is useful and beneficial to all involved.
Supervisor Reb Monaco, who cast the one dissenting vote on the original April decision, believes the workshop, while not directly linked with the initiative, provides an excellent forum for communication between community members.
“It brings a variety of the population together to exchange ideas about the county’s growth,” he said, “It brings agricultural people, urban people and business people together to discuss things.”
Monaco’s original dissension stemmed from major concerns he had with the growth ordinance, referencing the profound importance it has on the livelihood of the people of San Benito County.
“The effects of the ordinance are too important, it has to be voted on by the community,” he said. “It affects property values and rights, and the people should have been able to vote on it originally. They have to have a say.”
The growth initiative will allow voters to regulate the ballot on the growth progress in the county.
Strong communication between both sides, which the growth workshop provided, is valuable because it helps to inform residents as to the basics of the issue, which they will be voting on in March.
“I commend Joe and his wife for taking on the task, but I don’t see it having a major impact on (the outcome of the vote),” he said. “That’s up to both groups getting their message out and letting the voters decide.”
Monaco plans to attend today’s workshop, he said.
Supervisor Pat Loe, who voted in favor of the initiative, still believes that sanctioning the initiative is in the best interest of residents of San Benito County.
“We’re trying to do the best for the community,” she said. “There are ample supplies of areas that can be developed, but there is only so much money available for services.”
Developing from the core out, instead of focusing on prime agricultural land, is the best way for the county to go about regulating growth, Loe said.
“Nobody in the community wants thousands of homes in the south county where there is no fire or police protection,” she said. “I’d hate to have something happen because the county can’t provide services.”
The growth workshops have helped to alleviate the fear that bringing the issue to a vote may tear the community apart by allowing community members the chance to voice their opinions in an open forum. The workshop’s validity was proven by the fact that residents who felt strongly about the issue could sit down and civilly talk to each other about it, she said.
“I still have people who won’t talk to me because I was active in (passing the initiative),” she said. “I’d hate to see that happen again.”
Loe attended the first workshop but will not be able to attend today’s because she will be on vacation, she said.
Supervisor Ruth Kesler, who also voted in favor of the initiative, believes the workshops are beneficial for the people who attend because they are able to learn more about the growth initiative and acquire perspectives on both sides of the issue, she said.
Because of the community backlash from the Board’s original decision to approve the ordinance, Kesler denied comment on any other issues surrounding the initiative.
“I don’t want to put in print how I feel about it,” she said. “A group of people didn’t feel the way (the Board did when the ordinance was passed), so I’m waiting for the people to make their decision.”
Supervisors Bob Cruz and Richard Scagliotti did not return phone calls Tuesday.
Staff Writer Kollin Kosmicki contributed to this report.
