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About a dozen farm tractors drove through downtown Hollister on Oct. 12 to demonstrate farmers’ opposition to Measure A on the Nov. 5 ballot. The event was organized by the San Benito County Farm Bureau.
Measure A, titled the Empower Voters to Make Land Use Decisions Initiative, proposes to change the process of assigning land use designations and removes the San Benito County General Plan’s commercial designations from four areas along Hwy 101. The 2035 General Plan serves as the county’s blueprint for growth.
Tractors adorned with “No on A” signs traveled on San Benito Street from Haydon Street to Fifth Street while occasionally honking at local business patrons or supporters.
A group of about 30 supporters gathered near the Veterans Memorial Building. Among the group were Hollister Mayor Mia Casey, Hollister City Councilmember Dolores Morales, California Transportation Commissioner Bob Tiffany, San Juan Bautista City Councilmember John Freeman, San Benito County Supervisors Mindy Sotelo, Angela Curro and Bea Gonzales and San Benito Health Care District Director Devon Pack.
Other attendees sat on the curb or in front of houses along San Benito Street watching the tractors go by.
Attorney Paul Rovella, a Farm Bureau member, said the organization held the event to let people know “agriculture isn’t behind Measure A.”
“I just don’t understand how a measure that allows affordable housing on farmland is a measure that protects agriculture,” he said.
He added the measure does not solve traffic problems, as its proponents claim.
The parade lasted about 10 minutes on a mostly quiet street.
Both supporters and opponents of Measure A argue their position is a path to preserve agricultural and open lands and reduce traffic.
Measure A aims to require voter approval to change land designations from rural, agricultural, farmland and rangeland to other designations. The current process requires approval from the San Benito County Planning Commission and/or the San Benito County Board of Supervisors.
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