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Sharon Williams, San Clemente

My family moved to San Clemente in the 1980s, and I’m proud to have raised my son here some 30 years later. I’m also proud of the hard work that went into protecting San Onofre State Beach from The Toll Roads. The San Mateo watershed’s surrounding beaches are the ones I visit and treasure the most. I felt a huge sigh of relief when San Onofre was finally protected.

The 15-year battle proved any road—toll or otherwise—should never be built through San Onofre State Beach.

Between the campgrounds, endangered habitat, the historic and cultural amenities, and the pristine beaches, efforts to put a road there make no sense. In addition, I live in Forster Ranch and the trails back there are my other cherished playground. Paving through those hills would be devastating on so many levels. So, I’ve watched with amazement and sadness as some in our community present the false choice of either a road through the park or through the city of San Clemente. This is a false narrative, it’s not one or the other.

Efforts to invalidate Save San Onofre’s protective agreement have pitted those that want to protect San Clemente against those that want to protect San Onofre. If we are to effectively fight the TCA, we need to take a page out of the Save San Onofre playbook, not challenge it and tear it up. Standing against road construction through San Clemente and San Onofre is the real way to win this battle.