Oakhurst opinions mixed on incorporation
By Keith Pendleton
The Madera Tribune
OAKHURST — The Madera Tribune asked Oakhurst shoppers their opinions about ballot measure C, which would create a town government for approximately 4,100 residents in the Oakhurst basin.
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— Tony Diaz, restaurant manager
Are you inside or outside the proposed city limits? Inside
Are you in favor of, or against, incorporation Measure C? Against
What issues concern you the most? “I am concerned about duplication of government services between the city and county and the proposed city raising taxes to cover cost of inevitable expanded services.”
— Tammy B., grocery store clerk
Are you inside or outside the proposed city limits? Inside
Are you in favor of, or against, incorporation Measure C? Against
What issues concern you the most? “I am concerned about polution from over-development if the area grows because it becomes a city.”
— Chris Avina, drywall contractor
Are you inside or outside the proposed city limits? Inside
Are you in favor of, or against, incorporation Measure C? Against
What issues concern you the most? “We have enough layers of bureaucracy!”
— David Linn, attorney
Are you inside or outside the proposed city limits? Inside
Are you in favor of, or against, incorporation Measure C? In favor
What issues concern you the most? “Healthcare. This valley needs provision for 24-hour healthcare emergencies.”
— Damian Espinoza
Are you inside or outside the proposed city limits? Inside
Are you in favor of, or against, incorporation Measure C? Against
What issues concern you the most? “I was born and raised in Oakhurst. This is not a city. Oakhurst is a rural town. We need more opportunity if Oakhurst were to become a city. Taxes would go up.”
— Sue Hocker, piano teacher
Are you inside or outside the proposed city limits? Inside
Are you in favor of, or against, incorporation Measure C? In favor
What issues concern you the most? “We need more services, like a new sewer system, a bike lane behind Road 426, a U-turn lane at the new 41/49 intersection and a road circling the town starting above Raleys on State Route 49 to take traffic away from that intersection.”
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Other points of view were stated besides those above. One respondant said: “Madera has different ideas than up here!” Another proponent mentioned that the promoters of this initiative are not getting their message across that the financial feasibility is strong for the proposed city. “Local control is long overdue” was mentioned twice.
“Taxes and fees will not need to be raised since residents currently pay more in taxes to the county than the cost of services this area uses.” That remark was made by a local shop-keeper worried that listing her identification would bring harsh response by people opposed to cityhood.
Gabriela Cox, another local business owner, was upset that her home was included inside the proposed city limits without her approval. She further opined that it is unfair that Oakhurst area residents outside the city could not vote on the measure even though it will affect them too. She is also worried about the rise in the cost of doing business in the city.
One respondant said he has gotten so much press over the issue it was someone else’s turn, but added that the fiscal viability of the proposed town is reported to be among the strongest among the proposals studied by the consulting firm doing the Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis (CFA).
