As a senior citizen who has called Ridgecrest home for many years, I feel compelled to highlight the critical importance of renewing Measure V in the upcoming election. This measure is not about raising taxes or adding new burdens on our community; it’s about preserving the essential services that keep our city safe and livable for everyone, especially seniors like me. — Linda Estrada

I am writing to express my unwavering support for the renewal of Measure V, which is crucial in maintaining the progress and development of our community. Living here most of my life, I can honestly say that I love this town, and want nothing but the best for it. I’ve sought out ways that I can give back and serve this place that I’ve chosen to call home. As an active member of the Measure V Citizen’s Oversight Committee for the past four years, I have personally witnessed the positive impact that Measure V has had on Ridgecrest. First and foremost, it is important to note that Measure V is not a new tax. The City of Ridgecrest’s sales tax rate already includes Measure V (1%) and Measure P (1%). These Measures protect local funding by utilizing the full 2% cap allowed by state law for local cities and counties. This ensures that any future sales tax increase passed by Kern County would not be applicable to Ridgecrest, safeguarding our local resources – keeping our tax dollars local! Measure V was approved by Ridgecrest voters in November 2016 with over a 64% approval rate. It replaced Measure L and has been instrumental in maintaining public safety and street maintenance in our city. Another point of interest is that sales tax applies to anyone purchasing goods within the city limits, including residents, workers, AND travelers. It is an equitable solution as it affects both city residents and county residents who utilize Ridgecrest's services and resources. In fact, nearly 47% of the sales tax collected comes from outside the citizens of the City of Ridgecrest. It is important to recognize that for a citizen of Ridgecrest, there will be NO increase in the current cost of living because of Measure V, but all will continue to benefit from what this revenue source supports. Measure V plays a vital role in maintaining public safety in our city. The City of Ridgecrest maintains a police force of 34 officers, with 18 of those officers funded through Measure V. Renewing Measure V ensures that these officers remain on the streets, protecting our property and ensuring the safety of our citizens. The Measure V Oversight Committee recently reported that 43% of the Ridgecrest Police Department budget is supplied by Measure V. Losing these funds would result in a deterioration of public safety, putting our citizens and property at risk. Measure V continues to support road repairs across our community. The City of Ridgecrest has made significant progress in improving our street infrastructure, with the completion of approximately 72% of the aging road rehabilitation projects. Measure V funds have been instrumental in this progress, providing over $6 million in annual revenue to the city. With the newly developed Five-Year Pavement Rehabilitation Plan, the City is already working on the next wave of street rehabilitation projects to sustain our transportation infrastructure. Without Measure V, we would risk undoing the progress made and delaying the necessary maintenance and improvements needed for our roads. To protect Ridgecrest taxpayers, Measure V will continue to include a Citizen Oversight Committee. In place since the passage of Measure L, the committee provides annual public reporting. As mentioned already, I have proudly served on this committee for the past four years. During annual reviews of Measure V expenditures, City staff has always been upfront and transparent with any committee inquiries. The funds are being spent exactly how they’ve been promised to be. I urge all residents of Ridgecrest to support Measure V and vote YES to keep this vital local sales tax revenue. This measure has proven its importance in maintaining public safety, infrastructure, and the overall well-being of our community. As someone who has reviewed and verified the results of this Measure for many years, I can honestly attest to the responsible use of funds and the positive impact it has had on our town. By voting "yes" on Measure V, we, the residents of this great community, can ensure the work continues in making Ridgecrest the best that it can be. With gratitude in having the ability to make a local difference, Chris Hill — Chris Hill

Elsewhere in this edition, we stated that the momentum the city has built recently is a major reason to re-elect Mayor Eric Bruen and Councilmen Solomon Rajaratnam and Kyle Blades. Much of this momentum would not have built up if not for Measure V. That tax measure, approved in 2016, has funded a large portion of the Ridgecrest Police Department — 43% of its budget in 2023 — and the city’s public works department — 61% in 2023. We now have a police force big enough to fulfill the city’s needs, acting as enough of a deterrent that our crime rate is well below the state and national averages. We’ve seen many miles of streets get rehabilitated. Also, in that time, Measure V has grown from 14% of total revenues to 34%, showing how the first 7.25% of the sales tax can’t be relied on to stay in Ridgecrest. The measure is up for renewal this year, and The Daily Independent urges a yes vote. We need to keep our police department strong, and we need to keep fixing our streets. A yes vote is not a vote to raise taxes. This simply replaces the old tax measure with the new one for the same amount. The biggest argument we’ve seen in town against Measure V is that it does not come with a sunset clause. But citizens can put a repeal onto the ballot when they feel it’s time to get rid of the measure, whenever that might be. Meanwhile, if there is a set sunset clause, we’ll be arguing about this again in a few years. Plus, it seems that their positions coming up for a vote every few years would make it hard to attract and retain police officers. We’ve heard that the city should just live within its budget, but that’s hard to do when its income keeps getting taken away. One prominent example seen recently is in how taxes on e-commerce transactions are distributed. If a Ridgecrest resident buys something on Amazon, the tax charged is 9.25%, of which 2% for Measure V and Measure P stay with the city, distributed to the destination city. The rest of the taxes are distributed as the origin city, meaning where the warehouses are located. So if the warehouse is in Fontana, then 7.25% of the taxes go to that city and county. This means if Measure V does not pass, the hit to the city could be greater than just the value of the measure itself. Do we want our police force to shrink by 40%? Do we want our streets to start to look like they did in 2012? For us, the answer is no, and so for us, the answer to Measure V is yes. — Daily Independent
Editorial Board

Since moving to Ridgecrest in 2019, I've noticed how our city is investing behind improving infrastructure and safety: I've had to request 911 support a few times and was surprised with the exceptional response time of less than 5 minutes. We're lucky to have that in Ridgecrest. I've also noticed ongoing improvement on the roads. Although it might be frustrating to some, it also means that our city is well-maintained over the long-term. For these reasons, I'd vote to renew Measure-V. — Ziad Jureidini
Excellent Police Response

The Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce is proud to endorse Measure V and encourage the citizens of Ridgecrest to Vote Yes on V this November. Measure V funds critical infrastructure and public safety as well as creates an environment where businesses can thrive. — Rebecca McCourt
Executive Director, Ridgecrest Chamber

I remember when we didn’t need to lock our homes or cars because crime was almost nonexistent. Times have changed and having a fully staffed police force is absolutely necessary for our safety. That is why I support Propsition V. Plus since it is a replacement proposition and won’t increase my cost of living. — Ann Pruett

The Ridgecrest Area Association of Realtors is proud to endorse Measure V. We understand the value of maintaining a strong and vibrant community, from our roads to ensuring the safety of our citizens. Measure V will allow these important things to remain and it will allow our City to ensure a good quality of life. Sara Rizzardini, Association President Ridgecrest Area Association of Realtors — Sara Rizzardini
Association President, Ridgecrest Area Association of Realtors

As the owner of RAW Media Productions and a proud resident of Ridgecrest, where I live with my wife and our four children, I am deeply invested in the success and vitality of our community. That’s why I strongly support the renewal of Measure V. Measure V is a continuation of our commitment to keeping Ridgecrest a safe, thriving, and welcoming place for families, businesses, and visitors alike. This measure funds 43% of our police department’s budget and has been instrumental in maintaining 72% of our city’s roads, ensuring that our infrastructure is reliable and our community is secure. In my work, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of having a well-maintained, safe environment. Whether it’s filming a local event or helping businesses showcase their products and services, the quality of our roads and the safety of our neighborhoods are crucial. Measure V ensures that we can continue to offer this high standard of living, making Ridgecrest not just a place to live, but a place to thrive. For my family and me, Ridgecrest is more than just a place we call home; it’s a community that we care deeply about. I believe that investing in Measure V is investing in the future of Ridgecrest. It protects our local economy, supports our public safety, and ensures that our city remains a vibrant, desirable place to raise our children and do business. That’s why I’m urging all of my fellow residents and business owners to vote YES on Measure V. Together, we can keep Ridgecrest moving forward. — Nicholas Wakley
Owner of RAW Media Productions