Growth the only way to survive

October 3, 2003

If nothing else, the gubernatorial debate last week brought up a point that many people in Oakley have been asking for years. In the early '70s the state budget paid much attention to the development of infrastructure throughout California. One of the most important issues was to build roads and freeways throughout cities and the Interstate system.

At one time as much as 20 percent of the state's annual budget went to pay for infrastructure. The state helped cities pay for road construction to some extent. Over the years the percentage of the budget for infrastructure is down to just one percent of the state budget, with many projects long overdue; no money is given to cities anymore.

So when the people of Oakley ask why roads like Highway 4 aren't paid for by the state or even by the county, there is your answer. The thought that costs of improving Highway 4 through Oakley shouldn't be the responsibility of Oakley residents to incur, is one that is felt by many residents and the topic of debate many times over the past few years. But if Oakley doesn't pay for Highway 4 then who will.

There has been some discussion over Proposition 53, which would shift another percentage point or so of funds to infrastructure on the state's budget. Once again it is unlikely that monies would come to Oakley to pay for Highway 4/Main Street road improvements. One resident commented that they were happy that the road work wouldn't start for another decade because maybe then the state will pay for it. Even if Arnold Schwarzenegger does get elected I doubt he could make that come true.

So if we are going to get improvements for our roads, Oakley residents are going to wind up having to bite the bullet and figure out a way to pay for them. How is that done without money coming out of our own pockets? The easiest and most common way is to have developers pay for it.

Let's use the example of Cypress Road. There has been much displeasure about roads since Delta Vista Middle School opened. Parents are complaining about the dangers of Cypress Road. Many of us who have lived and traveled that road over the years already realize the dangers of the two-lane road. Now people are worried that when homes are built around the school as anticipated, the roads will only get more dangerous.

That may be true, but remember that bringing in homes will bring money into the city's coffers to pay for road improvements. It is the nature of the beast and one few understand. For the many years I have lived in this community one thing has been made clear: build-out is inevitable. Those in charge of such things seemed unconcerned that homes are going to come to Oakley.

Development is needed in order to pay for roads. That is a simple fact in the year 2003. There are no city funds to pay for them, there are no county funds to pay for them, and if nothing else this recall attempt on Gov. Gray Davis should make everyone realize that despite what Davis might say this week as he attempts to fight off his challengers, there is no money coming from the state to pay for our roads.

While I am not sure I am a pro-growth believer, I do believe that our roads are so far behind the development that is already here through no fault of our new city, that now the city officials are forced to make decisions that may not be popular to some who feel Oakley is big enough already.

Without inviting new businesses and housing developments to Oakley we will be left far behind in infrastructure as well as in the funds to do other things for the community such as landscaping and lighting, parks and recreation activities and other things that make a city comfortable to its residents.

Then there is the whole issue as to whether we want to be left in the dust behind Brentwood, as we have been with Antioch over the years. While Oakley doesn't have the room to bring in 100,000 residents, it would be nice to be able to shop in our own town and bring money to our community through sales taxes.

Remember, every time we shop at the new Target and Barnes and Noble we will be adding money to the coffers of the city of Antioch. Every time we head into Brentwood and visit T.J. Maxx we give money to the city coffers of Brentwood. Wouldn't it be nice to shop at stores like that and put the money back into our own community? Just think about that next time you think that growth isn't the answer.

Roni Gehlke's column on life in Oakley appears each week in the Brentwood News.

Distributed by the Contra Costa Times

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