Where’s the local California Highway Patrol captain when local
farmers need him?
Where’s the guy with the with the authority to step in and make
some common sense decisions.
Where’s the local California Highway Patrol captain when local farmers need him?
Where’s the guy with the with the authority to step in and make some common sense decisions. Ticketing trucks that are legal under federal regulations going to local farms to transport products as a matter of course is more than a tough pill to swallow – it’s debilitating to local businesses, many of which have been operating in this valley for decades.
There sure is a lot of lip service paid to “preserving agriculture” but when it comes to rubber-meeting-the-road issues, local farmers are often left to twist in the wind. Such is the case with our not-so-friendly local CHP office.
It would be one thing, of course, if officers were slapping tickets on irresponsible truck drivers who were leaking diesel or dumping toxic fertilizer. But they’re not. They’re simply nailing drivers headed to places like George Chiala’s farm in Morgan Hill who are picking up loads of garlic, for example, or bell peppers.
Why? Because the state law doesn’t match up with federal law on truck size. Big deal, right? But, unfortunately, the CHP has made it just that.
And when truckers encounter CHP officers handing out cherry-picked tickets, guess what? Besides the fine – which some farmers have paid for out of pocket – it’s an insurance problem. So, they end up refusing to show up and haul the product. Nice work, CHP.
A series of meetings with the local CHP brass has resulted in a brilliant solution – get the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to pass a series of individual laws exempting every farm access road. Brilliantly bureaucratic and most certainly very important work for Supervisor Don Gage and the farmers.
Of course, the CHP priority should absolutely be snaring trucks laden with local produce to drive up the cost of farming and create havoc for local businesses. Never mind the speeders pushing 85 mph on U.S. 101, the pass-happy racer-style motorcycles making a mockery of double yellow lines on our rural roads or the parade of red-light runners at the entrances to the Pacheco Pass shopping centers – the CHP does have its priorities.
It would be wonderful if the two local Chambers of Commerce stepped up to support our local farmers with a letter addressed to CHP Lt. Mike Delaney who’s in charge of the CHP’s local inspection facility. Perhaps Assemblyman John Laird’s staff could contribute a phone call.
Do we understand that the CHP is just going by the letter of the law and that officers can enforce it? You bet. But here’s what Lt. Delaney should understand and communicate to his officers: CHP might doesn’t make it right.
