Coastsider endorses Measures O & P

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court came out in support of the use of eminent domain for private profit. It was a bad decision that is in the process of being corrected by state and local lawmakers nationwide.  Half Moon Bay’s City Council took a big step toward protecting property rights by putting Measure O [smartvoter.org] on the ballot to prohibit the use of eminent domain for private profit.

I think it’s significant, that for all their complaining about property rights, we haven’t any of the local property rights advocates applaud this, or even note it [Search for "eminent domain" on Californians for Property Rights website].

Measure P [smartvoter.org]  says the City of Half Moon Bay should support the development of recycled water to replace the water that agriculture and golf courses are currently taking from Half Moon Bay creeks. Pilarcitos Creek in particular is losing a lot of water to these uses and it’s time for the community to do something about it. Except for the increasingly expensive water we’re getting from Hetch Hetchy, Coastside water is a closed system and we need to use every drop more efficiently.

We strongly recommend voting for both Measure O and Measure P.

Neither measure is binding on the city, but the voters should deliver a clear message to the city on the importance of both issues. For what it’s worth, the San Mateo County Times has come out in support of both measures.