The citizens of Clearlake have an opportunity this November to help our city take a positive step forward by voting yes on Measure V – the road tax.

Over the past year or so I have read many accounts of Clearlake police busting up illegal commercial marijuana grows and city employees abating hazardous and abandoned buildings.

Under the direction of the current city council, our city has been moving forward with very limited resources. Now we have a chance to get a firm toehold on addressing our situation with our poor roads.

Make no mistake, Measure V will not solve our road problems. That will take millions of dollars and many years.

But it will allow us to start addressing the issue by being able to attract and obtain outside grant money, maintain the current quality of roads and stop their degradation by allowing regular maintenance and begin a program of upgrading roads in some areas.

Measure V is unlike other road measures in that it solely and entirely is focused on our roads.

We all want our city to improve and flourish. I hope you will join me and vote yes on Measure V.

Carolynn Jarrett lives in Clearlake, Calif.