Letters to the editor

The Salinas Californian
Posted on June 1, 2007

No on Measure A

The fear of sprawl is one of many exaggerations advertised by Measure A supporters. Comparing Monterey County to the city of San Jose is unreasonable.

Unrestrained development in Monterey County is not possible because of market, cost and regulation. The growth in Santa Clara County occurred in the 1960s and '70s, when population and job expansion was greater, land was cheaper and regulation was minimal.

Today, Monterey County's population is already among the slowest-growing in the state, land and building costs have soared, and state and local government regulations have intensified.

The image of sprawl, waiting to cross the county line to pave over Salinas Valley, is unrealistic. There is negligible pressure from adjacent counties to overflow here. Rural property owners in Monterey County are often shocked to learn what they cannot build, even with a relatively simple home addition. They face overlapping government agencies with design, planning, building, fire and water restrictions. GPU4 (Measure
C) increases limitations on property owners to ensure adequate water, sewers and roads. The issues raised by Measure A supporters have already been regulated. Vote "no" on A, "no" on B, and "yes" on C.

Thomas Carleton
Salinas