Father Joe Urges "No" Vote on Proposition A
Initiative Threatens Village Development Aimed at Helping County Children

   SAN DIEGO —Father Joe Carroll today threw his support behind opponents of Proposition A, also known as the Rural Lands Initiative, which is threatening his organization’s planned project for homeless and foster children living in San Diego County and a camp for area youth organizations.

   Unless the proposition is defeated, Father Joe will have no choice but to cancel plans to build a 240-bed residential facility for needy children and a camp for youth groups on 500 acres the organization owns in Campo.

   "The initiative would limit development to one parcel for every 40, 80 or 160 acres of land, depending where that land is located," Father Joe says. "That would virtually eliminate our hope of developing these much-needed projects and hurt thousands of San Diego children who are currently falling through the cracks of an overburdened foster care system."

   If the initiative passes, exceptions to the minimum parcel sizes would only be allowed by a county-wide simple majority vote, a process that could take years to get on the ballot and would ultimately be fiscally irresponsible for St. Vincent’s, says Father Joe.

   "For the past two decades my focus has been to help those people forgotten by the system and society," he says. "Of all those individuals without a voice, the children are the most vulnerable and I will cast my ‘no’ vote against Proposition A in March to see to it that no one forgets the children of San Diego."

   Father Joe is available for comment on Proposition A. Media inquiries will be taken at (619) 540-2004.

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