No on Measure D Group Demonstrates at Graniterock

On November 1, community members opposing Santa Cruz County Measure D demonstrated at the Graniterock location on Coral Street in Santa Cruz to raise awareness about the major corporate donors to the Yes on D campaign. Graniterock has contributed $10,000 to Yes on D. The Watsonville-based company produces crushed gravel, sand, concrete and asphalt for the construction industry. If passed, Measure D would increase sales tax in the county by 0.5% and dedicate $100 Million for widening Highway 1, which would have a long-term negative impact on the environment, according to demonstrators.

Rick Longinotti explained why the No on D group, also known as Widening Won't Work, chose Graniterock.

"I spent over twenty years working in electrical construction, and I disliked working on projects that increased energy consumption," he said.

"Let's put people to work on transportation projects that offer real solutions to congestion and help us break out of our dependency on fossil fuels."

Community members are also planning to demonstrate at Palo Alto Medical Foundation, which has contributed $25,000 to the Yes on D campaign, on November 4.

In 2004, a previous attempt to widen Highway 1 (ballot Measure J) was defeated by voters, with 57% opposed.

Following that defeat, Widening Won't Work says that the Santa Cruz County Business Council (SCCBC) worked to curry political favor in order to create Measure D, recruiting support from Graniterock, Santa Cruz Sentinel, Santa Cruz Seaside Company, Devcon Construction, Inc., Barry Swenson Builder, Plantronics, Slatter Construction, and Wells Fargo.