self-help: Supporters rev up Measure H campaign

Government, business groups rally for transportation sales tax By KERANA TODOROV, Register Staff Write Friday, May 12, 2006 1:12 AM PDT The campaign to pass Napa County's first transportation sales tax officially kicked off Thursday with a rally near the epicenter of the debate -- Jamieson Canyon Road. Pro-Measure H spokesman Bill Dodd, chairman of the Napa County board of supervisors, introduced the speakers to more than 60 supporters gathered at Kirkland Ranch Winery. Dodd spoke as the late-afternoon rush-hour traffic backed up on nearby Jamieson Canyon Road, which links the Napa Valley to Interstate 80 in Solano County. "We need to fix, once and for all, Jamieson Canyon Road," Dodd told the crowd, which primarily included city, county and business representatives. On June 6 Napa County's voters will decide on the proposed 1/2-cent transportation sales tax which could raise about $537 million over its 30-year life. The measure, which needs a two-third majority to pass, would raise the county sales tax to 8.25 percent. Under Measure H, more than 66 percent of the money raised -- about $356.6 million -- would go to maintain and repair local roads; about 28 percent, or $149.6 million, would be spent to improve the Jamieson Canyon Road corridor; and about 6 percent -- or about $30.7 million -- would be set aside for public transportation services. Opponents of the proposed tax increase, including the Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee, question the need to raise the sales tax as well as specifics of the measure. Planned improvements on Jamieson Canyon Road include widening the highway from two to four lanes and installing a barrier in the center of the roadway. Six speakers took turns voicing their support for Measure H as a plane tailing a "Vote Yes on H -- Fix our Roads!" banner circled the winery overlooking Jamieson Canyon Road. One of the speakers, Joe Anderson, chief executive officer of Napa Valley Expo, recalled how a drunk driver hit him at 95 miles per hour in 1999 on Jamieson Canyon Road. Anderson, whose right foot was amputated due to injuries he sustained in the accident, said he endured 25 different surgeries over the five years after the crash. Had the road been wider, he said, "I might have had some place to go" to avoid the other driver. Napa Mayor Jill Techel, Calistoga Vice Mayor Jack Gingles, Dey LP executive Mel Engle and Stewart Slipiec, general manager of Piner's Napa Ambulance Service also spoke during the one-hour event. "Having a barrier on this dangerous highway is a simple and effective method to make this highway safer," said Slipiec, who estimates there is one accident every four days on Jamieson Canyon Road. Techel noted Measure H will provide money for transit services for seniors. If approved, the sales tax would make Napa County a "self-help" county, supporters said. This means the money raised under Measure H would help the county attract more state and federal transportation dollars, explained Mike Zdon, executive director of the Napa County Transportation Planning Agency. Dodd noted that 20 counties representing 85 percent of all Californians are "self-help" counties. Bob Peterson, public works director for Napa County, and Michael O'Bryon, public works director for the city of Napa, said the money would be a "significant" new source of revenue. Napa's roads are "in desperate need of repairs," O'Bryon said.