Ever since the late 1980s when voters narrowly deeded all of
South County’s abundant water resources to the bloated San
Jose-centric Santa Clara Valley Water District, that organization
has been looking for a way to jack up our rates and lock our
collective voice in the closet.
Ever since the late 1980s when voters narrowly deeded all of South County’s abundant water resources to the bloated San Jose-centric Santa Clara Valley Water District, that organization has been looking for a way to jack up our rates and lock our collective voice in the closet.
Unless South County howls, kicks and screams right now, unless Supervisor Don Gage comes down from the Board of Supervisor’s dais and addresses the water district board this morning in no uncertain terms, or unless Gilroy and Morgan Hill join hands in a protracted legal battle, our water future fate is sealed.
The bogus redistricting vote which took place last Tuesday – an 11th-hour debacle which split Gilroy and Morgan Hill via a backroom, under-the-table deal – must be overturned. Otherwise, South County will have no voice.
The redistricting concoction, which lumps Gilroy in with Palo Alto and Morgan Hill with Los Gatos, is pure poison for South County water users.
Water rates for residential, business and agriculture users are far lower in South County than North County. South County residents pay $275 per acre foot for municipal and industrial use, North County residents pay $520. Agriculture rates are $16.50 per acre foot. Why?
Because that’s the deal voters made back in the late ’80s: Our South County water resources for an undying pledge to keep rates lower with particular attention to maintaining our ag industry.
What great irony there is in the foolish letters of support for splitting South County into two districts sent by County Supervisor Don Gage, Morgan Hill Mayor Steve Tate, Gilroy Mayor Al Pinheiro, both Chambers of Commerce and, perhaps worst of all, Santa Clara County Farm Bureau President Jan Garrod.
Two weak voices, neither of which have to care about South County voters, on what will be a seven-member board are worthless. South County protestations on water rate hikes, service and capital improvement projects will be shooed away. With under 20 percent of the votes in each district, ours will be a muffled cry from across the reservoir.
Only a united South County can be heard. One effective representative, beholden to area voters, and armed with the backing of a united constituency can make a difference. That’s been the case with Don Gage, former Gilroy mayor, during his entire tenure on the Board of Supervisors. Sheriff’s patrols have been beefed up, there’s a new courthouse in Morgan Hill and a new clinic in Gilroy. To a large degree, that’s Gage’s influence.
Arguments for splitting South County are entirely specious. What perhaps looks great on paper is political suicide.
South County is far better off with one representative, a bee with a stinger, than two representatives who are gnats with just a weak buzz.
The choice is clear: fight the water district decision now with everything South County has or accept rate hikes and arrogance that will drown our voice.
