Fil-Am leaders back added tax for open spaces in California county

Marc Landgraf, director of the Peninsula Open Space Trust, explains the environmental importance of passing Measure Q. PHOTO BY JUN NUCUM

SAN JOSE, California — Many Filipinos in the US may frown on additional taxes, but Santa Clara County Filipino community leaders during a recent ethnic media luncheon- briefing gave their thumbs up to an environmental measure up for approval in the November 4 ballot. recently in San Jose

Measure Q would provide funds to help protect water resources from pollution and toxins, preserve wildlife habitat, improve and maintain parks and build trails and trail connections among local and regional parks for the next 15 years.

The measure, in effect, also seeks to succeed the initial 1994 funding of the then newly created Open Space Authority (OSA), the agency in charge for the protection of landscapes and preservation of the quality of life in Santa Clara County, which is known as the fastest growing part of California.

The 1994 original funding was generated from the $12 parcel annual tax that translated to a yearly take of $4.2 million for 20 years. Though the amount may not be much, it was enough to afford for the protection of some 16,000 acres of open space, water resources natural habitat and local farmland in the Santa Clara Valley, formerly known as the Valley of the Heart’s delight

For more protected open spaces

“The measure would, among others, enable the OSA to increase the amount of protected open space to over 30,000 acres and add over 25 miles of additional trails and public access points in local parks and open spaces in San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Campbell, Morgan Hill and unincorporated Santa Clara County,” explained Andrea MacKenzie, general manager of Santa Clara County OSA.

“Twenty-five percent of the measure’s funding would be allocated to cities, schools, nonprofits and the County as grants to support open space, restoration, recreation and outdoor environmental education programs and projects in urban areas,” MacKenzie added.

The proposed measure, this time around, is a uniform parcel tax, which would cost property owners $24 per year (or a total annual projected amount of $4.1 million) and would expire after 15 years. The projected amount that will be collected is $120 million dollars in over the next 15 years.

“The protected areas provide free water sources, creeks and streams, room for wildlife to roam free, beautiful scenic hillsides, places for our kids to learn about nature and hopefully they will be inspired to also protect nature,” MacKenzie said. “We need funds to protect thousands more acres of land for the future so our children and their children’s children can still enjoy what we have now. These lands are at risk of development being the fastest developing county of California.”

Fast-growing population

According to a recent study shared by MacKenzie, 600,000 more people (36 percent in growth) will come to Santa Clara County in the next 30 years and that is something OSA must be ready for.

Filipino community leader Ben Menor hailed the media briefing as significant as the Filipino community in Santa Clara county needs to be fully aware on its role in preserving open space, protecting the quality of life and the air quality that they live in.

“I know that in the Philippines, we have not appreciated the quality of life in its natural beauty because of the politics of not protecting the land,” Menor observed.

“As I have seen, they sold outright mountainside of all the trees until there are no more trees in certain mountains and waters in the rivers are not necessarily clean and, in some cases, polluted,” Menor added.

“So here in the U.S., where 65 percent of Filipinos are immigrants, we need to understand how America values open space as part of the quality of life to all of us. And we have to play our role in preserving that by registering to vote and actually voting on November 4, 2014. This is the time for Filipinos to show that they truly are engaged in the American life as a registered voter.”

Community education needed

For his part, education and grants consultant, nonprofit administrator, community activist, advocate for children Ron Muriera, thought the media event strongly provided enough details for people to understand importance of preserving open space, natural habitat, farmlands, etc.

“As a Filipino and educator, it is important to educate the Filipino community who may take for granted open space, whether at the parks where we can go hiking and camping, because we believe it will always be there, which is not the case. This indifferent Filipino attitude is widely believed due to lack of enough of information,” Muriera stated.

Since what is being presented in the ballot is a tax measure, a 2/3 majority vote would be needed for it to be adopted and implemented as what is contemplated in the approved Proposition 218 of 1996. The challenge of garnering 66 percent affirmative votes for the measure is also burdened usual unpopularity of additional taxes.

Not a significant burden

Muriera, however, sought to clarify that the $24 annual take, in the larger picture compared with other taxes, is not that significant. Besides, he added, the agency (OSA) that is responsible for this measure is transparent and an independent citizen oversight committee would be established to ensure that all funds are used only for voter-approved purposes.

Marc Landgraf, director for external affairs of Peninsula Open Space Trust claimed that in a poll conducted on April 2014, 60 percent are supportive of the measure and momentum is on their side.

“Come voting time, we will be able to get the required 2/3 majority of the votes needed to pass the measure. We believe that educating the voters is the key to have the measure passed,” Landgraf disclosed.

“Hopefully our Filipino community, which has a low turnout of voters especially in non-presidential elections, can play a significant role,” Menor lamented.

“Generally, only 19 percent of Filipinos in California are registered voters even in active Filipino communities. We need all of our Filipino leaders to play a role in encouraging the members of the different organizations. In Santa Clara County we have over 85 Filipino organizations, including churches, civic and nonprofits. They need to step up to promote the passage of measure Q,” Menor added.

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