Editor:
As Shelter Cove residents, we know firsthand the challenges of living with deteriorating roads.
Our rough roads make travel difficult and delay emergency responders.
Measure O is crucial for addressing this imbalance. By ensuring that all parts of Humboldt County contribute fairly, we can make sure rural areas like Shelter Cove receive the funding needed for road repairs and reliable 911 services.
Supporting Measure O is about fairness and safety for everyone. As proud residents, we ask that everyone join us in voting yes on Measure O – for better roads, quicker emergency response and a more secure future for our rural community.
Simy Rajan, Shelter Cove
Editor:
It takes no convincing to recognize the need to repair our roads — they are in horrible condition. In fact, state data shows that on average, each car owner is spending $900 per year, per car on repairs related to bad roads. Shocks, tires and rims, alignments and more from hitting potholes and rough patches. The question is how to raise funds for road repair.
Currently, the limited funds we have for roads goes mostly to emergency repairs. We have multiple projects waiting to be greenlit because we don’t have the 20-percent match that could leverage an additional 80 percent of project costs from the state and federal government.
Please support Measure O as the sensible approach to taking care of our roads. This 1-cent sales tax is only on taxable items. It does not apply to food, rent, medicines and medical care and many other items. Thank you for your support.
Steve Madrone, Westhave
Editor:
There’s one fact we all agree on — Humboldt needs better roads. It would be great if the state would help, but its most recent deficit ended with more broken promises. Meanwhile, our roads get worse. Measure O is our answer. It’s a Humboldt-only, locally controlled solution that guarantees every dollar raised stays here, where it belongs. Measure O ensures we can fix our roads, improve infrastructure and keep our 9-1-1 emergency services running.
As business owners and residents, we depend on safe, reliable roads for everything — getting to work, making deliveries and keeping customers coming through our doors. Poor infrastructure hurts businesses, slows growth and puts us all at risk. Measure O is our chance to finally take control, invest in ourselves and make sure Humboldt gets the roads and services we’ve been denied for too long. Let’s make our voices heard. Vote yes on Measure O.
Kevin Jenkins, McKinleyville
Editor:
To the Residents of Humboldt County, on behalf of the Southern Humboldt Fire Chiefs’ Association, we support Measure O, Humboldt County’s Roads/9-1-1 Emergency Response Measure.
As firefighters, we know how critical well-maintained roads are during emergencies. Poor roads have sidelined our engines after hitting potholes and delayed wildfire response when roads failed. In storms, patients are sometimes airlifted because roads are impassable.
Natural disasters are part of life here, and reliable emergency access is essential. Measure O will also allow us to secure state and federal grants, often providing $4 million for every $1 million locally raised.
Let’s not wait until it’s too late. Vote yes on Measure O to invest in our community’s safety and future. Together, we can ensure we are ready for whatever challenges lie ahead.
Nick Pape, Shelter Cove
This article appears in Ballot Measure Soup – A look at all those local revenue proposals coming before voters.