San Martin's incorporation only way to have true voice
Jun 23, 2008
The San Martin Neighborhood Alliance is San Martin's incorporation proponent. SMNA strongly believes that ALL residents, property owners, business owners/operators have the right to be heard and involved in decisions made for this community and found incorporation to be the only way for this to happen.
Over the years, SMNA has worked hard to provide multiple venues where everyone could freely share their opinions/concerns and know they would be heard and valued. In particular, the monthly SMNA community meetings have continued to be a forum for the residents and businesses to assert their concerns over any activities within the San Martin area, including the current incorporation process.
Recently, San Martin incorporation opponents circulated a packet. SMNA respects their opinions and welcomes any opportunity to meet and discuss our different points of view. We also accept the responsibility to do our best to provide the community with factual information. In that vein, we respond to some of the information in the opponents' packet.
The opponents' packet focuses primarily on the Initial Fiscal Analysis (IFA) dated July 2003. HOWEVER on ... April 22 the Santa Clara County Local Agency Formation Commission, in response to the opponents' packet, sent a letter to the opponents stating, "It is extremely important to understand that the Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis (CFA) does not rely on data or assumptions that were included in the IFA. LAFCO's decision on incorporation will be based on financial feasibility conclusions presented in the CFA and will not be based on the IFA."
Thereby, the three tables in the opponents' packet, which came from the IFA, plus all written text that comes from or pertains to the IFA, should not be part of anyone's decision-making.
In April 2003, Economic and Planning Systems (EPS), the consulting firm that wrote the initial fiscal analysis, provided an excellent overview of the IFA at a community meeting which was well advertised and well attended. The incorporation process was not in progress at that time so public notice of the IFA was not required but SMNA notified the community and many attended!
The April 22 LAFCO letter also states that the CFA is prepared under the direction of LAFCO and ALL data is provided by the county and other affected public agencies.
Proponents do not provide any of the data used for the CFA analysis!
The consultants do not work for SMNA. The consultants work for LAFCO exclusively.
The Williamson Act contracts and agriculture are not affected by the boundary of San Martin. Ask Greg Van Wassenhove, county agriculture commissioner by calling him at (408) 918-4600.
Incorporation does not require and SMNA does not support increasing the tax burden. SMNA supports a requirement that ALL new or expanded taxes, including city taxes, must be passed by two-thirds of San Martin's voters.
Incorporation does not require and SMNA does not support a municipal sewer system.
There will not be a sewer assessment on your tax bill.
SMNA believes that creation of a municipal sewer system is contrary to the rural nature of our town.
If down the road business owners have this need, they would have several options. The cost of their selection would be totally born by them, including the cost of an environmental impact report; no one else in the community would have this tax assessment.
Incorporation does not require and SMNA does not support urbanization.
SMNA does not support and we believe the community also does not support urban services such as sidewalks, street lights ... throughout the community and urban businesses such as chain stores, strip malls, etc.
The county adopted the San Martin Integrated Design Plan and Guidelines and used this term when referring to the commercial/industrial areas along Monterey Road and San Martin Avenue. EPS would have no reason to state the location of the village core because it has no effect on San Martin's financial feasibility. Also, there is no plan for redevelopment or sewer hook up for that area!
The new town would need a place for a small staff and also a place for meetings to address town issues. We would keep it simple and use existing facilities.
SMNA proposes that the number of positions and salaries be kept to a minimum and we trust that the council, working with community members, will also strive to KEEP IT SIMPLE! Other communities have done it - we can as well.
SMNA supports incorporation because San Martin residents, business owners/operators and property owners should have a viable voice in the future destiny of San Martin; this is our community.
We'll do a better job of protecting agriculture than city folks who do not live here, of preserving and enhancing the rural charm of our community, of identifying businesses that are acceptable to the community as a whole.
The locally elected Town Council will work with and be more visible, accessible and accountable to members of our community.
We won't have to drive to San Jose to express concerns to the Board of Supervisors in the allotted three minute timeframe. The council and community will place a higher priority on essential services such as roads, planning, police, fire and a process can be implemented that is more user friendly, takes less time and is more affordable for those who desire to remodel. For more Information, visit incorporatesanmartin.com.
Sylvia Hamilton is the founder and current president of the San Martin Neighborhood Alliance. She is the chair of the Perchlorate Community Advisory Group. She's lived in San Martin for 32 years and is a retired school teacher. Reach her at sylvialrs@hotmail.com.
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