Morgan Hill Mayor Mark Turner called for increased unity among residents while highlighting infrastructure projects, public safety needs and potential revenue challenges during his March 13 State of the City address at the Granada Theater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turner emphasized the importance of collaboration, likening the city\u2019s progress to \u201ca great race\u201d that depends on teamwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis race is not about individual triumphs, but about our collective journey toward a brighter future,\u201d he said. \u201cJust as runners rely on their teammates for support, encouragement and strength, so too must we lean on each other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mayor outlined several key infrastructure projects, including the final phase of the Upper Llagas Creek Flood Control Project, which is scheduled to begin in May with completion expected in two to three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOnce complete, we should see very little of the flooding that we have been seeing over these past several years during these heavy rains,\u201d Turner said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He acknowledged community frustrations with delays in the Anderson Dam project but promised residents that Valley Water shares their concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can assure you, those at Valley Water are equally frustrated, and they share our desire for good progress,\u201d Turner said. \u201cEvery effort is being made to ensure the project is completed safely and effectively.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turner touted Morgan Hill\u2019s new all-electric fire station on Butterfield Boulevard, which will open with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony in late spring. The facility will house Engine 59 and be part of the city\u2019s ongoing partnership with Cal Fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mayor also introduced the city\u2019s new fire chief, Jake Hess, who replaces recently retired Chief Baraka Carter. Hess is \u201cno stranger to Morgan Hill\u201d and brings 30 years of experience with Cal Fire to the position, Turner said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Public safety personnel received special recognition during the address. Turner recounted an incident where officers and firefighters rescued a family of four from a submerged vehicle in a canal alongside Highway 101.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur public safety personnel, putting aside their own personal safety, went into the vehicle, pulled out the family members, and administered CPR to one of the children who they brought back to life,\u201d Turner said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mayor highlighted a critical issue facing the city\u2019s finances, noting that Morgan Hill collects the lowest amount of sales tax per capita in Santa Clara County\u2014about $730 compared to the countywide average of over $1,200.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhile we\u2019ve been able to maintain a high quality-of-life standard for our residents, going forward we will need to generate additional revenue for the city where we can expect to keep up with a growing community and provide the public safety efforts our community deserves and expects,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turner announced that City Manager Christina Turner will present revenue enhancement options to the council later this year, including a potential sales tax initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPlease keep in mind, the mayor and the city council do not have the authority to implement a sales tax initiative on their own,\u201d he said. \u201cIt is you, the voters, who will decide whether or not to implement such a tax that would enhance public safety and other city services.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turner also addressed public safety staffing concerns, stating that Morgan Hill has fewer than one police officer per 1,000 residents, compared to about 1.25 officers per thousand in most Santa Clara County cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mayor devoted significant attention to divisive rhetoric in the community, condemning those who \u201cdeliberately fan the flames of hysteria and fear within the migrant community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFear mongering and misinformation have no place in our city,\u201d Turner said. \u201cThe damage caused by falsehoods not only misleads the public but also deepens divisions, erodes trust and fosters unnecessary fear and resentment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turner emphasized that federal law prohibits local law enforcement from investigating or detaining individuals based on immigration status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another priority highlighted in the address was expanding high-speed internet access. Turner noted that 6% of Morgan Hill residents have no internet connection, while 8% are connected only via smartphone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn this day and age, in this community there should be no one without high-speed internet connection,\u201d Turner said, calling for a community initiative to \u201cclose the broadband gap.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mayor concluded by urging residents to set aside differences and work together toward common goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet\u2019s put our differences behind us and work to bring Morgan Hill together, to move Morgan Hill forward and to make Morgan Hill the best it can be,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Calvin Nuttall is a Morgan Hill-based freelance reporter.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Morgan Hill Mayor Mark Turner called for increased unity among residents while highlighting infrastructure projects, public safety needs and potential revenue challenges during his March 13 State of the City address at the Granada Theater. Turner emphasized the importance of collaboration, likening the city\u2019s progress to \u201ca great race\u201d that depends on teamwork. \u201cThis race […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":209016280,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"0","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":false,"apple_news_is_preview":false,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":"\"\""},"categories":[86,25485,25496,25479],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n