Measure P: Not What It Seems

Supporters of Measure P say that the current operations may continue. That may be so until the well needs maintenance, to which a permit must be applied for. If Measure P passes, the new law would have to deny the permit as the new law would not permit the permit to be permitted. Let’s say a well needs maintenance every five years, and if that cannot be done it would cause the wells to be shut in as the production ceases. When wells are shut-in, jobs are at stake. Also, let’s say for every 25 oil-related jobs that are eliminated a clerk in a drug store is eliminated (your job?), another clerk in the grocery store is eliminated (your job?), another two clerks eliminated from the apparel store where the workers purchase work clothes and industrial boots (your jobs?). More employees would lose their jobs in hardware stores, restaurants, and many other retailers as well (possibly your jobs?).

However, if Measure P fails and new wells are permitted, the oil industry will have a need to hire more employees to monitor, maintain, record, and report well progress and production.

Hancock College implemented a training program to train new employees who want to work in the oil industry. The only other training facility that I know of is in Houston, Texas. Will this solve the high unemployment in North County? No, but it is a start, and we must start somewhere. This nation was built on oil, and as a result of oil, 6,000 products we use every day to make our lives comfortable are made from petroleum products.

Vote no on Measure P