San Marcos needs smart growth, candidates who will support helping residents in the long run

Editor:

In response to Lance Winter’s July 26 editorial: I agree, it is frustrating that San Marcos is not all that it could be. It seems our only choices are careful development like that generally favored by the current city council, or development offering student housing, new residential properties beyond the reach of most San Marcos workers, and warehouse or manufacturing jobs with pay that’s above minimum wage but still low enough to virtually guarantee those workers will never own a house. It would be great if San Marcos’ movers and shakers worked to attract more opportunities for more people — affordable housing that isn’t an apartment or “rent by the room” situation, more support for our artists and musicians, more development that doesn’t endanger the river or the aquifer beneath it, and more job opportunities for SMCISD and Texas State graduates. People who have invested in a master’s degree shouldn’t have to decide whether to stay here and work in food service because of the lack of career options or leave town to meet their professional goals. So yes, let’s have some growth — smart growth that benefits the city and its residents and draws people here because of San Marcos’ inherent charm, whimsy, love of the environment, and artistic community. Work to attract some interesting businesses to fill the many vacant retail spaces downtown. Nobody visits or moves to a city to enjoy its beige and gray apartment buildings and factories, and there’s nothing wrong with saying “no” to developments that fail to improve the status quo. I’ll vote for the candidates whose decisions will help San Marcos and its residents in the long term, not what benefits someone who thinks all we’re good for is dorm-style housing and cheap labor.

Robin Blackburn

San Marcos