Your Views

Ignorant fear was reason for demise of trail alternative plan

Dear Editor,  

Allow me to clarify a few miss concepts regarding the position I took on the proposed Jackson Oaks area trail. Let me state clearly that I supported residents with great measure. I agreed with them that the trail, as initially proposed, was far too invasive. I agreed with the parking concerns and proposed limiting parking to the trailheads. I agreed that such a trail as small as it was would not be conducive to equestrian use or mountain bikes. While, I agreed with the concerns, I also proposed a compromising peripheral trail well beyond the neighborhood as an alternative to meet the wants of residents of Jackson Oaks but also to meet the needs of the 39,000 residents of Morgan Hill.

As an elected official, I represent not only those who attend Council meetings but those who cannot. How easy decision-making would be if I could ask for a show of hands at every meeting, but that is not how it is done. It is false to assume that if you are not in attendance you have no interest. It is also false to deny those not in attendance equal representation. It’s easy to forget that in the midst of a large forum. In this matter the decision making was done by listening to residents, committee members, commissioners and by conducting an extensive study of the issues. My conclusion by the predominance of the data, testimony and studies was that urban trails are good for America and good for our city. They are good for our health and will serve our community’s recreational needs. I can find nothing to dispute that.

Costs were unfairly chastised, however funding for the trails was never part of this proposal. This was just a plan, a line in the sand as some would describe. Should prohibitive costs or a lack of resources surface, the trail and any other city project for that matter could not be built. There was no tax proposal associated with the plan or one ever proposed. In reality this city has many other higher financial priorities and obligations than trails along our foothills but the city must still plan. It has an obligation to plan for this and the next generation of residents, policy makers and administrators. It has a responsibility to plan so that it can anticipate needs, react to change and respond appropriately. Should resources become available, by grant, endowment or other resource, the city would stand ready with a plan in place.

This plan did not advocate trespassing or the taking of property as some have asserted. If property needs arise, the city, like other municipalities, would secure easements (permission with fee) or purchase the property outright by negotiation. If that could not be accomplished, the trail could not be built. 

What I found to be extraordinary in this process was the fear, the fear that was perpetuated with fervor and indifference, fear without justification, corroboration by study from written or professional authoritative resources. Part of that was the city’s fault for not providing good information and choices from the beginning. For that I apologize. However, there was a promulgation of fear, fear of fire, fear of crime, fear of drugs, fear of tax, and fear of costs, fear that we would harm wildlife and disturb habitat, fear that the city would condemn and take private property. Such fear was unwarranted, unsubstantiated, perpetuated and distorted. Granted there are risks, but there are risks everywhere but not to the level as campaigned. Such was the rhetoric that I personally received e-mails from residents where my religion and my family values where challenged. It was even suggested I was not a good father. How do we get from a simple proposal of good planning to an undermining effort to portray advocates as degenerates? I found it to be quite provocative, and disheartening for residents to speak so poorly about the plan and resort to acts of intimidation of even their neighbors. 

I continue to support a trail from the base of our eastern and western foothills to the panoramic ridgeline and beyond in behalf of all of residents who live here. It does not matter where. Such trails are good for America and good for Morgan Hill. They reflect our ever changing lifestyle, health needs and more. Nothing can be more wholesome than to find a family of oldsters and youngsters enjoying a vigorous climb to the top of anywhere. It is the American way and it should be ours.

While there were numbers to oppose this trail, it concerns me that few have taken notice that we are about to pave over one quarter of our city in what is prime agricultural land, 800 to 1000 acres, in the southeast quadrant just below the Jackson Oaks community with proposals such as a flea market, RV park, Cricket stadium, and other incongruent anomalies. The impacts to our neighborhoods, traffic arterials and our community will resonate farther from these character changing proposals than any we could ever imagine from any trail.

For those who would like to discuss this matter or any issue, I would like to invite you all for coffee at Starbucks in Morgan Hill on Dunne Avenue at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 8. Please join me in this series of one-on-one mini-town hall meetings. Please challenge me on city policies, actions or the lack there of. Please join me.

Mark Grzan, Morgan Hill

Morgan Hill City Council member