It struck me last week while I was enduring a four-and-one-half hour Mariposa County Board of Supervisors meeting why I now own a newspaper and don’t “work” for one.
Although I do technically work for one, at least when I get frustrated, I can yell at myself. That was the entire concept behind owning a business rather than working for some schmuck.
And then there I was … enduring the never-ending meeting, where a very important topic was on the table — the proposed Missouri Gulch housing development.
Although I had obviously been following this project for a long time, this was the first time I had been at a meeting in person and was also the first time in a while I was taking notes at a meeting of the supervisors.
All I can say is, Sara, your presence will be welcome in Mariposa. (More on that in the near future.)
Recently, I wrote about the PTSD of wildfires. Now, I realize there is a PTSD of long board meetings. And it’s not pleasant.
You see, for decades I have spent time I cannot get back at long board meetings. Many of them. Likely thousands. You sit there and wonder, sometimes even aloud, what the heck is happening.
At this particular meeting, I understand the topic at hand is crucial. Housing in Mariposa County is desperately needed. This could be a major step in finding places to live for people who drive our economy.
Although it might have gotten lost in all of the banter, one interesting topic was brought up by several people. That is the fact so many people who work in Mariposa County, including many who work for the county, live in Merced or other places.
What that means is they are earning wages here (many from the government, which means us) and then going to another county every afternoon when they drive home. It’s obvious they are spending the money they earned here in that other county.
That can include their rent, groceries, clothes … you name it. That’s money that would be spent right here if only they had a place to live.
There is little question this type of housing is needed. Apartments or communities of tiny homes or anything that is high density is what we need. It just makes so much sense.
First, if that type of housing is done in Mariposa, there is existing water, sewer, roads and so much more. It would also cut down on traffic, at least somewhat, because so many people would be able to walk to various places, like stores or restaurants.
My old friend Jim Evans has been advocating for density in housing since I’ve known him. He spoke eloquently at last week’s meeting, pointing out we have to start somewhere and this is as good a place as any.
I think the biggest issue I had at the meeting was just the redundancy I observed. Supervisors, and some in the public, were saying the same things over and over.
I could not help but think that if some of these people are considering running for higher office, they are going to have to change the way they approach meetings.
If you see a Congressional hearing, each person gets five minutes. Five.
Now, some might think that just isn’t enough time to make points. In reality, the opposite is true. What it does is make a person focus on the most important points while eliminating the blather and banter that so often comes during these marathon meetings.
Getting to the point should be — the point.
That is especially true when it comes to a topic like this because this issue has been on the table for a long time and has been discussed ad nauseam. In fact, the supervisors voted to amend the document to specify just how many public meetings and outreach had taken place.
The issues are obvious and the fixes seemed pretty clear to me.
Maybe it was just my PTSD kicking in, but it sure seemed like there were a lot of unnecessary discussions happening during this meeting. I’m sure the flashbacks were part of my horror, but then I could only think about the fact I send other people into these torture chambers.
At first guilt shrouded me, but then it dawned on me I have paid more than my fair share of dues when it comes to attending meetings like this. In my world, a longevity of more than 40 years is almost unheard of.
Last week’s meeting reminded me why that is the case.
I can recall some meetings I have attended that went until the wee hours of the morning. Those were brutal and the results were generally having very little accomplished.
At least last week, the board of supervisors voted 5-0 to proceed with this project. I was kind of surprised it was unanimous, but it was and that was a positive. The supervisors stood united on making a statement that, in spite of the opposition, there just comes a time when you have to make a hard decision.
They did that and now we have to hope the state comes through with the necessary funding to make this project go from a concept to shovels in the ground.
And then hope there are many more projects like this coming in the near future.
I have always advocated for a tiny home community or something along those lines. They do it in many other places across this country and I can’t think of a more fitting place than Mariposa County.
We are flush with government workers who need places to live. The park service has a desperate need for housing and Mariposa has the utilities and land to make that happen.
It was also brought up during the meeting that Aramark is actually the largest employer in Mariposa County. The concessions company that services Yosemite employs hundreds of people and those folks need a place to live.
It seems like a perfect match to have employees who sure aren’t getting rich paired with housing that doesn’t break the bank. A tiny home community would fit that ticket.
I bring that up because it seems to me a community like that would take a lot less time to build than the proposed apartment complex at Missouri Gulch. Tiny homes are pre-fabricated and can be placed on pads with utility hookups already in place.
I do know there was a time that concept was being floated. I believe it was shot down by the county, as have so many other projects in the past, like a golf course, light manufacturing and more.
Those days need to be behind us. No longer can the “not here” crowd rule the roost. Mariposa will continue to stagnate unless we see some progression in housing, workforce development and more. That is just a fact and if it doesn’t happen, we’ll be left in the dust.
It sure seemed the supervisors took that into consideration last week.
Let’s hope that continues to be the case.
Greg Little is editor of the Mariposa Gazette and can be reached at greg@mariposagazette.com
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