Add the issue of the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority to
the growing list of topics that will separate candidates in the
upcoming City Council and mayoral election.
Add the issue of the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority to the growing list of topics that will separate candidates in the upcoming City Council and mayoral election.
Gilroy is the only community in Santa Clara County that does not belong to an agency that buys and protects open space. Gilroy voters defeated a proposal to join the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority – and accept its accompanying parcel tax – in November 1993. Some have said that decision might account for the city’s difficult relationship with LAFCO – the Local Agency Formation Commission – which approves or denies municipal annexation requests.
The current City Council has decided to study the issue further this fall – just as the election season will be in full swing. We’re hopeful candidates will be vocal in their debate about whether Gilroy should join the Open Space Authority.
Depending on when City Council decides to schedule the study session and possible vote, it could be that newly elected Council members will decide if Gilroyans have the opportunity to vote on joining the Open Space Authority.
We think that debate will be good for Gilroy. It’s been a decade since Gilroyans considered the pros and cons of joining the Open Space Authority. It’s time to review whether or not the down side – a parcel tax – outweighs the possible benefits of Open Space Authority membership: improved LAFCO relations, flexibility in meeting general plan open space requirements, matching funds for Gilroy parklands, and the overarching plus – a healthier environment.
We look forward to the deliberations the City Council will begin this fall and the debate among candidates that will surely occur this election season.
The time is right for Gilroy voters to revisit the issue of joining the Open Space Authority, and we urge City Council to put the measure on the ballot.
While politicians deal with the Open Space Authority question, we hope Gilroy voters will follow the debate so that they can lobby their leaders and cast educated ballots – for City Council and mayoral candidates and on the question of joining the Open Space Authority.
