The change of seasons is here; we now can feel the crisp morning air, cooler nights, and even some rain. In Watsonville, October will have exciting events, community-building opportunities, and important projects around our city. Moreover, during the month of October voters will be receiving their mail-in ballots.
This year we once again have an opportunity to participate and shape the future of our city at the ballot box. Voter engagement and participation is the best way in which we may have our voices heard through this democratic process. Voters around the city have many important decisions to make. Among these decisions are two measures intended to address the existing Urban Limit Line that currently defines the border of our city. Clearly, Measure Q is the best solution available.
The First Amendment gives the right of the people to petition their government. This is what more than 3,000 residents in Watsonville did when they signed the petition to affirm the Urban Limit Line. What a wonderful example of democracy. Watsonville is unique in that we are in the middle of some of the most productive, organic agriculture in the world. Voting Yes on Measure Q will ensure that this valuable resource is protected and not paved over without the OK from the people of Watsonville.
Measure Q has my full endorsement. It will reauthorize the Urban Limit Line in Watsonville for the next 18 years and protect the rich farmland that is vital to our local economy. Agriculture has always been an important part of generations of Watsonville residents, as well as providing thousands of jobs for the Pajaro Valley’s economy. Watsonville has no desire to become a bedroom community. Our goals are to have sufficient housing, a healthy economy and thriving businesses. For the next 18 years, Measure Q will best support these goals.
The future lies in working together to balance the housing needs of Watsonville and our economic and environmental concerns. We have the next 18 years to come together and forge a strong alliance for our community as a whole. After all, houses can’t be built if no one is selling the agriculture lands they will be built upon. Voting Yes on Measure Q is the right thing to do.
Measure R is a half-cent general sales tax measure for the city of Watsonville. According to the city clerk, there is no official opposition for Measure R at this time. Funding from this measure could be used to fix potholes and maintain streets, create safe places for kids to play, maintain after-school and summer programs serving at-risk youth and teens to keep them safe and out of trouble, repair, maintain and improve aging parks, playgrounds, fields, and trails, maintain library hours, services and access for seniors and people with disabilities. For information, visit voteyesonr.info.
Watsonville is a thriving community with a rich history. Despite this, our community struggles with deteriorating streets and roads and anyone driving around Watsonville can see that we have many streets under construction and improvement. The city has been hard at work planning and constructing several road improvement projects:
• Freedom Boulevard from Alta Vista to Green Valley Road Reconstruction project is currently out to bid. The project is estimated to cost approximately $3 million and in addition to road resurfacing, includes a new bus pullout near Atkinson Lane, a new traffic signal at the intersection of Sydney Avenue and Freedom Boulevard, as well as improving curb ramps throughout the project to meet current accessibility standards. Construction is anticipated to begin in February following completion of the underground utility replacement project currently underway, which is approximately 60% complete.
• Also recently completed was a $200,000 road repair project to address potholes and spot repairs on Hangar Way, Clifford Avenue, Stanford Street and Martinelli Street. A larger follow-up road repair project with an estimated cost of $500,000 is currently in design to address additional locations throughout the city.
• Geotechnical assessments happening on Bridge Street in preparation for work that will happen in the new year are also taking place and we thank everyone for their patience as these projects move forward.
• The engineering department is also designing the estimated $2 million Green Valley Road reconstruction project for construction in 2024 which will reconstruct the pavement as well as improve curb ramps from Carey Avenue to the Corralitos Creek bridge.
Save the dates
• Filipino festival >> Join me from noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 1 at Watsonville City Plaza for the first Watsonville Filipino American History Month Festival. This event, sponsored by the Tobera Project will feature local vendors, food and musical performances and will be a space to celebrate and honor the history and contributions of the Filipino Community in Watsonville.
• Bird School Project >> The Bird School Project, a local nonprofit outdoor education organization, will be hosting the Monterey Bay Festival of Birds from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 to celebrate the diversity of birds visiting our local natural areas. Please see the website birdschoolproject.org for information and the schedule of events. These events will feature a live red-tailed hawk, a poetry reading and novelist Jonathan Franzen who will host a keynote panel of environmental authors.
• Candy crawl >> The 2nd Annual City of Watsonville Downtown Candy Crawl is coming from 2-6 p.m. Oct. 29. This free event for ages 13 and younger. The event requires pre-registration, which will open on Sept. 29 at watsonvillerec.com.
See you around town, Watsonville.
Ari Parker is the mayor of Watsonville.
