Why was the Baca Float Coalition formed? Both
the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors and the Arizona Corporation
Commission suggested that the residents of our area form an
organization to pursue maintaining the historical access to our area.
An
organized group can approach funding sources for community projects
like a bridge. Representatives of such a group have more clout when
testifying at legislative hearings or before regulatory agencies. The
united voice of many residents can provide the balance to the pressures
from lobbying by small but influential special interests. The
Corporation can mobilize volunteers who can assist or enhance the
efforts of a cash-strapped county administration struggling with staff
layoffs.
Why Incorporation? The
IRS 501c(4) structure was chosen for the Baca Float Coalition because
it allows people to join together and take action as a group while
being insulated from liability as individuals. Where individuals can be
ignored, a well-organized collection of citizens must be dealt with.
A
non-profit corporation is a legal entity authorized by the State of
Arizona to conduct business in the state. It must also be recognized by
the IRS as a non-profit corporation for tax purposes. Members can be
individuals, corporations, or other associations. A board comprised of
members elected by those members who have contributed the full yearly
membership fee will manage Baca Float Coalition. Only those managers
are authorized to speak and act on behalf of the Corporation. Any
liability incurred by the corporation extends only to the corporation
and its assets. No individual member can be sued or otherwise held
accountable for the actions of the company.
Why
do we need Incorporation anyway? Aren't there already government
agencies protecting our interests? Isn't this just one more group
wanting my money? While
local and state governments do have oversight of some of the issues
that affect us; sometimes, because of competing interests, budget
limitations, staff shortages, or lack of political will, they are
unable to address these problems satisfactorily. Additionally, some of
the factors involve private rights over which they have no
jurisdiction. Bureaucracies can be unresponsive to individual citizens,
and elected officials, unless grossly unlawful, can only be held
accountable at election time.
The
Baca Float Coalition is an association of people individually and
collectively affected by the issues it addresses and is directly
accountable to its voting members at any time. The members set the
course of action of the corporation. Both public interest and private
rights may be asserted. We can act rapidly if necessary and can
flexibly adapt to changing conditions. Even though we "carry a big
stick", we can "speak softly" and work with the agencies and
individuals involved to bring about solutions acceptable to all.
Membership
is voluntary. You decide to join because you want to make a difference,
not just stand on the sidelines hoping that others will competently
handle the situations which affect your family's safety, your
livelihood, and your wellbeing.
What has this group done? The
Baca Float Coalition is a grassroots organization made up of residents,
businesses, and property owners concerned about welfare of the
residents in Northeast Rio Rico, Tubac Foothills Ranch, Morning Star
Ranch and Salero Ranch. The Board members have attended the Santa Cruz
County Board of Supervisors meetings to keep Palo Parado on the
forefront, assist County staff in writing letters to our congressional
leaders requesting funding, and participate in any County discussions
and efforts to obtain funds. We have forced Santa Cruz County to take
an action regarding the DCR (Design Concept Report) and choose a
preferred alternative route for the finished roadway, clearing the way
to pursue further funding and actions to push this project towards
completion. We have also attended meetings of local organizations,
including Chambers of Commerce, to give presentations on who we are and
what we stand for. In all cases, these organizations have written
letters to our Board of Supervisors or congresspersons in support of an
all weather crossing at Palo Parado road.
What will this group do? Keep
Palo Parado Road open to the public. Help obtain funding for roadway
improvements, safety features at the railroad crossing, and
construction of an all-weather river crossing. Monitor the actions of
the Union Pacific and government agencies and intervene if necessary.
Work
to re-open Santa Gertrudis Lane to residential traffic. Develop a
compromise which will allow access by property owners east of the river
who have legal and historical rights, while limiting the impact on the
peace and safety of the local residents along the lane.
Solicit
input from the community and help proactively address their needs for a
healthy economy, effective emergency services, and adequate public
infrastructure.
Why do you need my money? The
main purpose of a corporation is to provide indemnification to the
individual members in the course of fulfilling the mission of the
corporation. Funding provides the resources for consulting with
experts in various fields to provide guidance and reduce liability
during the process of achieving our goals. In our case, we are a legal
entity with standing to challenge, in court if necessary, individuals
and agencies which, through neglect or direct action, have contributed
to the current situations that threaten our health, safety, and
economic well being.
Legal
resources can be expensive, but we can afford them with the combined
contributions of our members. We also want to be able to keep all of
you informed about the issues which affect you and your families,
through newsletters and a website.
Ideally,
we wish to be an organization that will be recognized as a
collaborative, proactive leader in solving our community's problems. As
a formal company, we can be vocal and active while incurring no
individual liability of our members.
The
full Voting Membership fee gives you the right to vote for those
persons who will guide the work of the organization. Associate Members
will receive regular communications about our progress. However,
everyone can afford to be Supporting Members for as little as can be
afforded and add their names to those who are standing up to demand
that we are treated fairly.
If
we can protect our existing access and restore the one that is closed,
the gas savings alone justify this modest outlay. We cannot calculate
the monetary value to your family of the benefit of protecting and
enhancing the response times of emergency services providers.
Join with us and combine your strength with ours to get things done in Northeast Rio Rico.
