SOLANO COUNTY, Calif. — A new coalition opposing the creation of a new city in Solano County was launched Sunday.
California Forever, which would be between Suisun City and Rio Vista, is backed by Silicon Valley billionaires.
Representatives from across Solano County spoke at a community event. An opportunity to share concerns about the project California as it gets closer to the November election, where Solano county residents will be asked to vote on the proposed city if the ballot initiative gets enough signatures.
Joseph A. Nelson Community Center was at standing room only for the launch of Bringing Solano Together, hosted by local author Alice.
“It’s an opportunity for residents to come together and speak with elected officials about what we want for the future of our county,” said Alice.
It's a coalition with the goal to build within existing Solano County cities and protect agriculture. They oppose California Forever, the proposed city that would neighbor Rio Vista.
There to speak directly to the agricultural importance was President William Brazelton with the Solano County Farm Bureau.
“The reality is one Montezuma farmer produces enough wheat for 6 million loaves of bread a year,” said Brazelton.
For the first time, a Solano County Board Supervisor shared their personal opinion as a county voter on the ballot initiative for California Forever, which will soon start collecting signatures.
Mitch Mashburn with District 5 said the initiative doesn’t provide enough details.
“We won’t have a chance to provide feedback or consider an alternative growth scenario which would be typical,” said Mashburn.
Solano County voters have previously voted on expansion three times.
Each time, they prioritized orderly growth and not encroaching on farmlands or marshlands. California Forever would be built entirely on purchased farmland.
Suisun Mayor Pro-tem Princess Washington opposed the project, with her city being the second closest to California Forever.
“Stay with our General Plan which includes orderly growth and directing growth within our existing cities, so the idea of a new city that could double the size of our county is a little leering,” said Washington.
Representative John Garamendi has opposed the project since the beginning. A member of the Armed Services Committee his primary concern is Travis Air Force Base. The most important Air Force base on the West Coast is responsible for 30,000 jobs and $1 billion in economic impact.
“Training programs, the air flights for the C5 and C17 and aerial tankers will not be able to do the training and many of the ongoing logistical activities cannot be done if there is a city to the east,” said Garamendi.
We reached out to California Forever to ask how they feel about the coalition forming to oppose them and their reaction to multiple officials publicly opposing them. We have not heard back.
The coalition is open to the entire Solano County community. If you are interested in joining click here.
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