This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Opponents of Measure J Play the Race Card

I am always disturbed when race comes up at times when it is clearly not relevant because it impedes legitimate issues from receiving fair consideration.

The opponents of Measure J: Isaac Rodriguez, Leah Sugarman, Pedro Castillo, Francisco Rodriguez, and the Rev. Joseph R. Brandt are using the race card when they argue that Measure J “will only make it more difficult to name a public park or building after a Latino…” and that “it is divisive and disrespectful of all people of our community.”

Have any of them bothered to read the actual Ballot Measure? Their argument against Measure J clearly shows they haven’t. It was suggested by Francisco Rodriguez that Measure J is an “attempt to chip away at district elections,” and Pedro Castillo opined that “the proposed measures would make Watsonville less democratic.” The reality is that voting “Yes” on Measure J does exactly the opposite by ensuring that the power of naming public places remain with the voters of the City of Watsonville.  What is more democratic than having an equal and inclusive voting process that encourages residents to come together and express pride in their community through a shared positive effort? And why shouldn’t that power belong to the people, don’t our hard earned tax dollars pay for the maintenance and upkeep of our parks, city plaza, and other public places?

Find out what's happening in Watsonvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

When the opposition’s inaccurate statement that “most signatures were collected by paid signature gatherers” was challenged, Pedro Castillo had to enlist the help of his friend and attorney Assemblyman Luis Alejo to bail him out by correcting the untruthful wording on his ballot argument before it was officially published and released to the public.

As a proponent myself for Measure "I" (Mayoral rotation), I can attest to the fact the Let the People Vote committee has never tried to hide the fact that paid signature gatherers were used and that there is nothing illegal about doing so. Further, the costs were honestly disclosed by the committee.

Find out what's happening in Watsonvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

There is no “secretly-funded” outside group trying to impose its will on Watsonville residents as opponents allege. Ironically, as a former “Yes on Measure T” proponent Isaac Rodriguez’ committee also used paid signature gatherers, yet did not disclose the actual costs as required by law. The “Yes on Measure T” committee also received almost all of their financial backing from “outsiders” in Monterey County and as far away as Alameda County.

In my opinion when anyone must stoop so low as to play the race card it proves that they view life through race-tinted glasses. And sadly, the race card is only used by the weak, incompetent and uneducated when they have nothing intelligent to add to the conversation.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?