By Rich Gordon--Matter of Opinion
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Our open spaces, our beaches, our trails, and our parks are critical to our quality of life. A walk on the beach can restore us after a hard day at work. A family picnic in a park provides quality time together. Children learn life-long values when playing sports on a ball field in our parks.
San Mateo County residents value their parks and open space. But for all this significance, we are the only county in the Bay Area without a dedicated source of funding for our parks.
And our parks have suffered. We have deferred maintenance, delayed the time between litter pick-up and bathroom cleaning and reduced access to trails. We have not built facilities for the future - so picnic areas are inadequate and there is an incredible lack of playing fields for youth soccer, baseball and softball.
I support Measure A - "Parks for the Future" - on the November county ballot. Measure A would increase the sales tax in San Mateo County by 1/8th of a cent in order to raise $16 million per year countywide, while costing the average resident only $18 per year. This is a small investment to enhance and protect the natural beauty around us by providing a dedicated source of funding for our parks.
Half Moon Bay and the Coastside will see a fair share of the funding from Measure A. The distribution formula gives small cities in our county a minimum percent of the revenue from the tax. For Half Moon Bay this is estimated at $205,000 per year.
City officials were involved in the planning process over the last two years, and they were able to secure a good share of the revenue for Half Moon Bay. The percentage formula brings far more money to Half Moon Bay than if the funding were distributed on a per capita basis.
The $205,000 per year that will come to Half Moon Bay will be new money, so the city can spend funds on improving and increasing park and recreation activities.
The unincorporated Midcoast will also receive its fair share. The county Parks Department will receive funding to support its regional park system including Fitzgerald Marine Reserve and Mirada Surf. The county has also pledged to work with Midcoast residents to develop a mechanism for utilizing Measure A funds for local park and recreation needs.
In addition to funding for Half Moon Bay and the county, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District will be receiving Measure A funds. The district has stated that its share of the revenue will go toward the Coastside Protection Program which seeks to preserve this special place including open space and agricultural lands. Funds will be used to manage district lands, improve public access, provide low-intensity recreational opportunities, and enhance critical wildlife habitat.
Voters in San Mateo County have an opportunity to embrace our value for open space and parks by embracing Measure A on this fall's ballot. I believe that a society can be judged on how it provides for the future. "Parks for the Future" will guarantee a quality of life for our children and grandchildren. We owe it to them to support Measure A. I ask you to please join me in voting for Measure A this fall.
Rich Gordon has been a member of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors since 1997. His District 3 includes the Coastside.
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