THE UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAU HAS STATED THAT THE PROPOSAL TO COMBINE 3 CENTRAL COAST CITIES INTO ONE AREA HAS BEEN REVERSED. THE FEDERAL AGENCY HAD PROPOSED TO COMBINE SANTA CRUZ, SALINAS AND WATSONVILLE INTO ONE URBAN AREA WITH A POPULATION OF 388-THOUSAND PEOPLE. THE PLAN WAS REVERSED AFTER LOBBYING FROM LOCAL LEADERS THAT THE 3 CITIES ARE SEPARATE ENTITIES. LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE SAM FARR TOOK THE LEAD IN FIGHTING THE BUREAU’S PLAN.
