Vote Yes! in June on an Important Mail Ballot for Parks, Open Space, and Clean Water Sources!
|
Vote Yes! in June on an Important Mail Ballot for Parks, Open Space, and Clean Water Sources! |
Greenbelt Alliance
* The Newswire
Volume 3, Issue 5, May 2004
WATCH FOR AN OPEN SPACE MAIL BALLOT STARTING JUNE 11, 2004
This June, Contra Costa property owners will have an unprecedented opportunity
to restore and maintain existing neighborhood and regional parks; protect lands
around creeks, streams, lakes and the Bay to maintain our clean water sources;
and protect and preserve our most important remaining open spaces, wildlife habitats,
farmlands and shorelines, to ensure that our children and grandchildren will
enjoy the same quality of life that we do.
On June 10, 2004 a ballot will be mailed to Contra Costa County property owners
regarding this important Open Space Measure. Greenbelt Alliance strongly endorses
this measure and urges you to watch for your Open Space ballot in the mail and
to return it with a Yes vote!
PRESERVATION OF REMAINING NATURAL LANDS
This “landmark” measure would provide funding for the protection
and preservation of new lands, including expansions on and around Mt.
Diablo,
as well as other important natural lands and wildlife areas throughout the county.
It would enable the protection of lands around creeks, streams, lakes and the
Bay-Delta, and would provide funding towards the creation and restoration of
key educational and wildlife facilities, including an Off Site Rehabilitation
Center for the Lindsay Wildlife Museum, the establishment of the Delta
Science
Center, and the restoration of the John Marsh historic home.
MAINTENANCE AND RENOVATION OF EXISTING PARKLANDS
Twenty-five percent of the funding raised through the Open Space Measure would
support the maintenance and renovation of existing parkland and recreational
areas throughout the county, including Tilden, Briones and Black Diamond Mines,
the Iron Horse and Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trails, Pt. Pinole, Antioch, Oakley
and Martinez Regional Shorelines, and many more park and recreational areas throughout
the county.
A SMALL INVESTMENT = IMPORTANT RESULTS
The measure will raise approximately $8 million annually. The proposed rate for
virtually all single family homes is $25 a year – or about $2 a month --
a very modest investment for ensuring that our most important remaining natural
lands and clean water sources are preserved and protected—for today and our
children tomorrow.
STRONG FISCAL SAFEGUARDS
The measure incorporates strong fiscal safeguards, including a citizens'
oversight committee, annual audits, and a requirement that only 3% of the funds
raised can be used for administration. Ninety-seven percent of the funds will
go to projects throughout the county.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
The Open Space Measure is sponsored by the Contra Costa Coalition for Open Space
in conjunction with Contra Costa County. For more information, visit www.contracostaopenspace.org,
or call the Coalition for Open Space at (925) 381-4187.