Thompson Releases Statement After Meeting with Flannery Founder

Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) released the following statement after meeting with the founder of Flannery Associates.

“Last night, I met with the founder of Flannery Associates to hear their ideas for Solano County and to ask questions about their actions over the last five years,” said Thompson. “After the meeting, it is clear that they don’t have a plan; they have a vision. The secrecy under which they operated caused consternation and concern from residents, local elected officials, and federal agencies, and while they explained their rationale, I do not believe the secrecy was necessary. Honesty is the best policy, and they need to begin to work with our community and local leaders if they want to advance their ideas.

“Solano County is a tight-knit community, and it is going to be a long road for Flannery to restore trust and move forward with their proposed vision. As one of the representatives of Solano County, I want to make sure that a group of Silicon Valley billionaires do not steal family farmers’ ability to farm their land. My concerns have always been on national security and food security, and a development of the magnitude they are proposed could harm Travis Air Force Base in the long term. They need to make sure that nothing they do harms Travis, puts our national security at risk, or disadvantages family farmers. I am focused on ensuring that our community has a voice in any project that will fundamentally change the makeup of the county and I will continue to meet with Flannery as necessary to carry out that responsibility.”