42880 / 65.1% Yes votes ...... 22995 / 34.9% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

The measure declares that existing agricultural land uses will not be considered nuisances due to changes in the land uses surrounding the agricultural operations. The measure also creates a legal presumption that persons engaging in urban land uses have waived any objection to surrounding agricultural activities. The measure further requires owners of land converted from agricultural land uses to urban land uses to record a deed restriction waiving any rights to complain about farming operations.

The proposed initiative also creates an ordinance providing that the City of Stockton shall cooperate with the City of Lodi to fund and purchase conservation easements for land located between the two cities.

Another measure on this ballot, Measure Q, if adopted by majority of voters, would amend the City of Stockton's General Plan by establishing an Urban Growth Boundary (UGB). Under Measure Q, development of property outside the UGB would generally require approval by a vote of the electorate. This Measure S states that it is intended to fully conflict with Measure Q and to take precedence over Measure Q in the event that both measures are approved by the voters.

The above statement is an impartial analysis of Measure S. you desire a copy of Measure S, please call the Stockton City Clerk's office at (209) 937-8459, and a copy will be mailed at no cost to you.

The Stockton Family Farmer Initiative adds an ordinance to the Stockton Municipal Code that provides local farmers with protections that allow the continued and uninterrupted right to farm without interference from residential development. Your Yes vote on Measure S will promote the preservation of a Greenbelt between Lodi and Stockton, all without cost to local taxpayers, assuring farmers the right to continue farming without interference from urban encroachment and unfair government regulations.

Measure S strengthens the rights of farmers enabling them to continue farming operations free of the threat of nuisance lawsuits from residential development, unlike other ballot measures that seek to deprive farmers of their private property rights.

Family farmers are becoming an endangered species. Imported foreign produce that does not have to comply with federal and state laws competes with locally grown products for space in local stores.

Add to that the threat of lawsuits from residential neighbors who unreasonably object to normal farming operations like discing, spraying and harvesting.

It's getting harder and harder for farmers to bring a crop to market.

If Stockton is truly serious about preserving the land between Stockton and Lodi for agricultural purposes, we should be working to protect farmers rather than trying to diminish the value of their land and deprive them of their Constitutional property rights.

Protect Family Farmers -- Vote Yes on S!

Submitted by:
/s/ Helen Lima Balcao, Lima Ranch

Unlike Measure Q, the Urban Growth Boundary measure, Measure S won't slow down urban encroachment upon farmland. Measure S's real purpose is a cynical "poison pill" provision buried within the measure that is designed to defeat Measure Q, because Measure Q would reduce speculation in potential subdivision land.

Every city, including Stockton, has the right and the responsibility to set its own urban growth limits.

The City of Stockton's growth policies should be designed to protect our quality of life, not developers who want to pave over valuable farmland.

Vote "No" on Measure S.
Vote "Yes" on Measure Q for Quality of Life and Sensible Growth.

Submitted by:
Campaign for Sensible Growth
/s/ Trevor H. Atkinson, Campaign for Sensible Growth
/s/ Ann Johnston, Former City Council member
/s/ Patrick Johnston, Former State Senator
/s/ Barbara Walker, President,League of Women Voters of San Joaquin County /s/ Rosemary Moon Atkinson, Campaign for Common Ground

• Measure S serves the interests of developers, and landowners who want to sell farm land to developers. It does not protect the interests of farmers who want to preserve their way of life.
• Stockton's expansion is the greatest threat to farmers who wish to continue farming in nearby county areas. But Measure S includes a "poison pill" clause that seeks to defeat Measure Q, which would protect farmers by preventing the encroachment of new homes into valuable farming areas unless approved by a vote of the people.
• Measure S also claims that "a directly conflicting initiative" would add "excessive regulations" to farming operations. The Urban Growth Boundary Initiative would impose no regulations of any sort on farming operations.

The Lodi Grape Growers Association, Western United Dairymen, San Joaquin County Agricultural Advisory Board members and other major local farming organizations strongly support Measure S.

They understand that misguided initiatives like Measure Q do nothing to protect local farmers from growth pressures. Measure Q decreases the value of farmland but farmer landowners are denied the right to vote on this issue. That's not fair.

Measure Q claims to stop growth. It does not. Growth will still occur in the area between Stockton and Lodi. Measure Q claims to promote a Greenbelt. It does not. Measure Q's Campaign Chairman admitted it in a public hearing.

The closest that the career politicians supporting Measure Q and opposing Measure S ever got to Agriculture is the produce section of the local market.

Family farmers have made major financial investments in their farming operations. They cannot recover those investments unless they are permitted to continue farming.

Measure S protects the rights of farmers to continue farming without the threat of nuisance lawsuits from urban dwellers objecting to normal farming operations. It is among the strongest "right to farm" ordinances in California.

Save Farming -- Vote Yes on Measure S

Submitted by:
Stockton Family Farmer Coalition
/s/ Helen Lima Balcaom, Lima Ranch