THE IRS
When you put the two words "THE" and "IRS" together, it spells "THEIRS."
« July 2007 | Main | September 2007 »
August 2007
August 31, 2007
The Great Outdoorsman: S.F. Chronicle Columnist Paul McHugh Moves On, Urges Fight for the Environment
California's great outdoors still will be around after Saturday. But I won't. Well, not at this particular newspaper, I mean. After 22 years of pounding the outdoors beat for The Chronicle - and sometimes getting pounded by it - I'm about to fold my tent and take a hike. And yes, I do mean that literally.
I depart with a grin. It's been the gig of a lifetime. As outdoors writer for a great western daily, I've traipsed to most corners of California, been immersed in lake, stream and sea, gotten stuck on cliffs, charged up to mountain peaks and wafted up and down in the sky. Deploying my "license to thrill," I've taken a whitewater raft through Alaskan wilderness, dropped from a helicopter to ski off the crest of the Rockies, skin-dived on Hawaiian reefs, surfed in Ireland and paddled through a gale far off the Chilean shore.
Sometimes I burned vacation time to do it; but mostly I was privileged to tour on The Chron dime. No matter what, it has been my pleasure to try to tote a corking good yarn back home to share with readers. And folks, I truly appreciate your feedback, your support, your tips - and your criticisms and course corrections. No matter what I do, I seem incapable of doing it without a notebook in my hand. So, rest assured I'll send you more material in some fashion from somewhere.
One great part of a newspaper job is that it awards permission to ask questions and seek answers. I've focused on trying to wield that power well, particularly while facing folks who didn't seem inclined to answer. This job hasn't been only about fun; I've striven to address real resource and public-access issues.....
[read the full column by clicking Download PaulMcHughFarewell.doc]
August 30, 2007
Britons: Too Much Effort to Go Green
Millions of people across Britain think their behaviour does not contribute to climate change and find it too much effort to make green changes to their lifestyle, a government survey suggests. About 25% polled agreed with statements such as: "It takes too much effort to do things that are environmentally friendly" and "I don't believe my behaviour and everyday lifestyle contribute to climate change." The results of the survey of public attitudes and behaviour were released last week by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. About 3,600 people were asked about transport, waste recycling and buying habits. It follows five similar surveys over the past 20 years, the last in 2001.
Of the issues people think the government should address, the environment was the fourth most mentioned, behind crime, health and education: 18% cited immigration, the first time it has featured significantly. When asked about their attitude towards the environment, 67% strongly agreed or tended to agree that "humans are capable of finding ways to overcome the world's environmental problems". And 17%, said that "climate change is beyond control - it's too late to do anything about it." While 29% of people said they were already making an effort to use their cars and fly less, up to a third said they "don't really want to" make such changes. Over half said they would like to reduce their car use but found there were no practical alternatives.
Guardian Weekly 21 Aug 07
=====================
"The only thing that stops God from sending another flood is that the first one was useless." Nicholas Chamfort (1741-1794)
[courtesy of Jake Sigg]
Pacifica's Tsunami Siren Towers Could Be Disguised to Look Like Trees
Disguising cell towers as palm trees is fairly common practice in SoCal. An amusing discovery was that apparently in NorCal some people are opting instead for (very poor) fake pine trees. Here's some photos I took while strolling in Sunnyvale:
Fake Tree 1
We noticed that this tree looked wrong from a long way off. When we got closer, it became clear it was in fact a fake; the branches were bolted on! At first we thought maybe since this is the grounds of Bishop Elementary School, that it might be a fake Bishop Pine. But when I called them, they confirmed it is a cell tower.
[reader comment in Jake Sigg's environmental email newsletter]
Such a Deal! Native Plants Only $5 in Golden Gate Park
HANC Recycling Center in Golden Gate Park (Frederick & Arguello Blvd.) has a large selection of San Francisco (mostly) native plants. The Center is open daily. Suggested donation: $5 per plant, which goes to many good community projects.
JAKE SIGG
Pilgrim's Progress Revised: Fassler Ridge
ANNOTATED BY BOB PILGRIM
August 29, 2007
BART's Big Nosedive Off the Tracks in 1972
I found a history of the BART accident at Fremont on October 2, 1972. Three days after the line opened, a BART train drove past the end of the tracks, through a sandpile and down a slope into a parking lot below. The driver was blamed, of course, but he had done everything right, and more. Some time after the accident, I met BART's Chief Engineer and spent time photographing the wreck and BART's maintenance operations for work AMF was doing on railroad safety. Interesting stuff! BART trains were broken and disabled all over the system. The design was a comedy of errors.
ROGER LAGERQUIST
Mountain Lions Spotted in the Back of Linda Mar
Mountain lions have been seen in the picnic grounds and near the rest rooms in San Pedro Valley Park early in the morning and at dusk. If you hike in the park at these times, be alert. If you see a mountain lion, don't crouch down or run away, both of which are behaviors that can trigger a mountain lion's attack instincts. Park bulletins such as this one from nps.gov advise:
Avoid behavior that may attract lions: |
|
| If you see a mountain lion: |
|
| If you encounter an aggressive lion: |
|
|
Report all mountain lion sightings, in detail, to a park ranger. |
Do-It-Yourself TV: Local Access Cable Channel 26
Hi Pacifica Currents Fans,
All air dates are listed in the Tribune in section B. You may have noticed that for the past few months PCT/Ch 26 has been airing Pacifica Currents "Encore" shows. After 6 years of volunteer producing 87 shows and hosting, I am taking a break! I have been traveling and pursuing art, both watercolor and photography.
If you have a show that you would like to see produced at Pacifica Currents, please contact PCT's E.D., Marty Anaya, 650-355-8000 or martinanaya@yahoo.com. Or if you are interested in getting involved as a producer or host, let him know. I am available to mentor and assist!
Thanks for viewing PCT/Ch 26 and Pacifica Currents. Oh yes, copies of shows can still be checked out at the Pacifica Library or purchased by calling PCT.
SHARRON WALKER
Really Fast Trains in California's Future?
Proposed routes, maps, etc. at California High Speed Rail
Two Years Is Too Long to Fix New Orleans
Sign the petition at When the Saints and urge the Senate to pass Senator Dodd's Gulf Coast Recovery Act of 2007 (S1668) to assist the Gulf Coast region rebuild. Two years after the Katrina disaster struck is long past time to fix the problems.
August 28, 2007
Mori Point Progress Report
Hello, Mori Point enthusiasts,
Another very busy two weeks has passed, and I’m pleased to say that the project’s going great! The National Park Service trail crew is chugging along on the installation of the timber steps connecting the seawall and the Point. They’re almost halfway finished with this very labor-intensive project!
Last week the trail crew hosted a great group of volunteers (including folks from the Oracle Corporation) who made incredible progress in filling in the timber step boxes with shale gravel to allow for proper drainage along this steep trail. Volunteers will continue playing a big role in the enhancement of this area.
When the winter rains come, we'll plant native species around the timber steps, and right now, the Site Stewardship Program is already hosting volunteer workdays to help grow these plants. For more details about volunteering, see below.
Park users already may have noticed the pile of cement chunks slowly accumulating along the side of Mori Road. The sundry items in those piles are the result of our biomonitoring preparations. While excavating burrows in search of snakes and frogs, we have found all kinds of unexpected fill material in the soil, like cement chunks, sink plumbing, tractor axels, and bedsprings. These items are temporarily piled beside our brand-new bulletin board along Old Mori Road, and will be removed very shortly. We apologize for the mess!
On the pond creation front, we’re perfectly poised to break ground on the southern and middle ponds! Since our temporary snake exclusion fence has been installed, we’ve checked every rodent burrow and crevice in those areas for animals. We feel confident that there aren’t any snakes or frogs hiding in these enclosed areas, so now we’re ready to dig in! And with the digging comes moving soil off site with dump trucks. You can expect to see (and hear!) dump trucks moving up and down Old Mori Road fairly regularly during the pond excavation. We apologize for this temporary Inconvenience and appreciate your patience!
Because of this traffic along Old Mori Road, the road itself (and trails leading directly to it) will be closed during our work hours (M-F 6:30-5:30). Alternate routes are open throughout the project. If you plan to visit Mori, please use the Upper Trail (which starts halfway between Highway 1 and the Moose Lodge on Bradford Way) or the Seawall entrance. Both these trailheads remain open throughout the project. All trailheads are open in the very early morning, in the evenings, and on weekends.
I hope you continue to enjoy your neighborhood national park through these open entrances and stop on by to check on our progress! Thanks again for your patience and support! See you at Mori’s!
SUSIE BENNETT
Mori Point Project Coordinator
sbennett@parksconservancy.org
415-683-8459
August 27, 2007
What Happens When a City Does Not Protect Its Small Businesses from Greedy Landlords
S.F. waterfront institution Java House faces rent hike on steroids
Phillip Matier/Andrew Ross
Monday, August 27, 2007
San Francisco Chronicle
It's a story we've heard all too often: A little family-run business in a newly gentrified San Francisco neighborhood is suddenly hit with a staggering rent hike by a money-hungry landlord. Only in this case, the landlord is the Port of San Francisco.
The little business getting jacked is the Java House, a mom-and-pop breakfast and burger joint on Pier 40, just up the street from AT&T Park. It just got served notice that its rent is jumping more than fivefold, from $800 to $4,429 a month, effective this coming Saturday.
"There's no way we can make a go at this rent," said owner Phil Papadopoulos, who along with his wife and daughter has been working the counter for the past 23 years. Like a lot of waterfront businesses, the Java House is on a month-to-month lease from the port. And like a lot of waterfront businesses, it was getting a nice deal, paying only $800 a month.
Understandably, the port wanted more. So last year, the port and Papadopoulos worked out a new, 15-year lease, under which the Java House would pay a base of $2,045 a month, plus 7.5 percent of whatever it grossed after rent - with more increases down the road.
The initial figure would total out to about $2,600 a month, based on last year's receipts. Papadopoulos also agreed to make $300,000 in improvements that the port wanted. The Port Commission OKd the deal in May 2006. The last step should have been approval from the Board of Supervisors - but the lease agreement never got there. "We kept calling and calling the port and asking what was going on, and they kept telling us, 'Don't worry, don't worry, it's just a formality,' " Papadopoulos said.
The port's Susan Reynolds said her office had a file full of correspondence on negotiations between the port and the Java House since the commission granted initial approval, but that no final lease had been worked out. In other words, she said, the Port Commission sign-off was only an incremental step, and there were details still to be worked out with the Java House that were never finalized.
"What are they talking about? I've got a 50-page, single-spaced lease sitting here waiting to be approved," said Don Drummond, the Java House's attorney. Reynolds also said Papadopoulos might have been dragging his feet on the new deal in order to keep paying the $800-a-month rent for as long as possible.
However, when asked to produce anything showing the Java House folks had tried to stall the deal, the port came up empty. Somewhere along the line, the port decided it could get a lot more money from the Java House. On July 25, it sent Papadopoulos notice that his rent was going up to $4,429 - plus an $8,800 security deposit.
And after Papadopoulos pays the new rent, the port said, negotiations will start on a new lease. This from a city whose own Small Business Commission touts it as a champion of business friendly policies designed to "support and enhance an environment where small businesses can succeed and flourish."
Right.
August 23, 2007
Mori Point: GGNRA Volunteer Trailblazers
I walked up on Mori Point and took pictures of work GGNRA is doing there:
They're clearing out vegetation, and carefully moving any snakes out, and then will excavate two frog ponds to enhance the habitat of CRLF and SFGS. They will have the ponds finished before the first rains, so that the CRLF can lay eggs in them and SFGS can hunt in them. Above is a picture I took of an old bus that was sunk in the marsh. Some wonderful, friendly people from GGNRA were working there. They spent some time talking with me and were very appreciative of Pacifica Riptide for posting the announcement of their work, and the link to get on their email list for more info: Parks Conservancy
To contact GGNRA's Susie Bennett directly: sbennett@parksconservancy.org
KEN RESTIVO
Snakes on a Plain: Friendly Snake in the Grass at Rockaway Quarry Not a San Francisco Garter Snake
Like all true Pacificans, this seasider likes to hang outdoors near some good herb on an alternately sunny and foggy day at the coast.
Li
August 22, 2007
Scientists Can Drug-Test the Whole Town with One Teaspoonful of Sewage
By SETH BORENSTEIN, AP Science Writer
Researchers have figured out how to give an entire community a drug test using just a teaspoon of wastewater from a city's sewer plant. The test wouldn't be used to finger any single person as a drug user. But it would help federal law enforcement and other agencies track the spread of dangerous drugs, like methamphetamines, across the country.
Oregon State University scientists tested 10 unnamed American cities for remnants of drugs, both legal and illegal, from wastewater streams. They were able to show that they could get a good snapshot of what people are taking. "It's a community urinalysis," said Caleb Banta-Green, a University of Washington drug abuse researcher who was part of the Oregon State team. The scientists presented their results Tuesday at a meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston.
The EPA will "flush out the details" on testing, Benjamin Grumbles joked. The EPA assistant administrator said the agency is already looking at the problem of potential harm to rivers and lakes from legal pharmaceuticals. The idea of testing on a citywide basis for drugs makes sense, as long as it doesn't violate people's privacy, said Tom Angell of the Students for Sensible Drug Policy, a Washington-based group that wants looser drug laws. "This seems to be less offensive than individualized testing," he said.
See full article at http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/08/21/national/a135839D48.DTL
Cats, Dogs, and Horses: 10-Minute Memory
Andrea Thompson
LiveScience Staff Writer
LiveScience.com
August 20, 2007
A new study has measured just low long cats can remember certain kinds of information—10 minutes. The research was designed primarily to compare cats' working memory of their recent movements with their visual memories, and found that cats remember better with their bodies than their eyes when they have encountered an object placed in their path by say, an annoying owner or experimenter.
When a cat steps over a stray toy or shoe left on the floor on the way to its food dish, it has to coordinate the stepping action of its front legs with its hind legs. "Animals, including humans, unconsciously keep track of the location of objects relative to the body as they move, and this tracking is largely dependent on signals associated with movement of the body," said researcher Keir Pearson of the University of Alberta in Canada.
Research with horses and dogs has shown similar results, Pearson said. Similar memories may play a role in humans' ability to navigate objects in the dark or remember where they parked their car in the morning.
Full article at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20070820/sc_livescience/felinememoriesfoundtobefleeting
San Mateo County Times Could Use a Geography Lesson
Classic goof on the front of the Bay Area Living section of San Mateo County Times (August 21). A photo caption describes Vallemar as a "small town south of Pacifica," then repeats the error in the text of the story. My domestic partner said, "That newspaper is such a joke."
PETER LOEB
Resident of Rockaway Beach, a small town south of Vallemar
(Editor's Note: Vallemar, Rockaway Beach, Sharp Park, Linda Mar, Manor, and other coastal communities merged and incorporated into the city of Pacifica in 1957.)
Pilgrim's Progress: Traffic and Development
This is the beginning of my critique of the illegal "segment" that's being shoved down our throats by the County Transportation Authority and Caltrans. I'll shoot the south-to-north perspective in the near future and then develop a brief summary and critique.
BOB PILGRIM
Pacifica Net: Local, Friendly, Wireless Broadband Internet Access
Now we have our own citywide Wi-Fi.
August 21, 2007
Universal Health Care for California and U.S.
Physicians for a National Health Program have created a new Web site to organize the U.S. in support of H.R. 676, a bill to create a national single-payer health insurance system, like Medicare for All. We invite you to go to this Web site to learn more about the national effort and to fight for S.B. 840 for California. Click here: Sicko Cure
Palmetto Merchant Asks for a Sign from Above: City of Pacifica Needs to Help Local Business
WHERE'S PALMETTO? WHY HIGHWAY 1 NEEDS A DIRECTIONAL SIGN
I have been trying since the Fog Fest to get a sign on Highway 1 directing traffic to the local businesses on Palmetto. I have an old college friend at Caltrans who tells me all we need is for the City of Pacifica to submit the request and it can be done. She even suggested that we do it anyway and by the time someone at Caltrans noticed it, we could just ask for forgiveness and they'd probably not care.
(Editor's Note: Better to ask for forgiveness than permission?)
I was promised help by Jim Vreeland, but apparently he's got other fish to fry. Scott Holmes said he was too busy and it wasn't a high priority. So, I was waiting to let the new City Manager get settled in before I started it up again.
Any help is positive help. The most comments I got at Fog Fest were that no one knew about Palmetto and its shops. Most attendees wanted to know why there wasn't a place overlooking the pier, like the Beach Chalet.
I know you and I won't always agree on issues in the City, but I appreciate your offers of help.
CYNTHIA MONTANEZ
Adult Education: Your Homework Assignment Tonight Is to Crunch the Numbers in the City Budget
Call the Department of Elections, 650-312-5222, and ask them to provide the language of the measure we voted on to increase our taxes for Pacifica firefighters. Also, get a copy of the city budget and firefighter payroll for the past three years from Kathy O'Connell at City Hall, 650-738-7300. It's public information. Also, keep in touch with David (DJ) Canepa of State Senator Leland Yee's office. "Please call me anytime and I'll do my best to help you," says DJ, a native Pacifican. DJ's number is 415-513-9410.
M.Q. CONTRERAS
Foreclosures in Pacifica? Who Said It Can't Happen Here?
Five weeks ago it was 10 "Notice of Trustee's Sale" (foreclosure), then it was 15, then 17, 22, and, in last week's Trib, 29! I've been reading the Trib for 40 years, I've never seen anything like this.There is a reason for a stock market crash—we're seeing it in the legals.
MONKFRAME
(Editor's Note: Visualize foreclosure hearings at the county courthouse and real Pacificans in the throes of losing their homes to rapacious moneylenders. And they said it can't happen here!)
August 19, 2007
We Aim to Please: Thanks for the Squid Ink, John Horgan
Glad to see that San Mateo County Times columnist John Horgan reads our humble coastal Web site and feels moved to comment. Here are the related items that ran today in John's column:
BLESSED TRINITY — Here's all you really need to know about the joys of living in Pacifica. A blog devoted to that coastal town, Pacifica Riptide, has been plugging an event toasting one of the residents there. It's the description of the guy's purported laudable qualities that says it all: "Coastside Democrat, Atheist, Segway Salesman." Awesome. If that's not the new Blessed Trinity over in Surf City, what is?
MEN AND MEAT — Speaking of manly men, this month's edition of Men's Journal features this gripping material: "A Man's Guide to Meat." But would our Democrat atheist munch a cheeseburger while piloting his Segway to his local tofu distributor? Probably not.
Contact John Horgan at 650-348-4334. You can check out his blog, Read It and Rant: San Mateo County Times
Raise the Roof: Little Brown Church Needs Your Help
The Little Brown Church Restoration Committee, under the aegis of the Pacifica Historical Society, last weekend installed a new roof for $30,000, leaving the cupboard bare. Grant applications are being completed and local donations are being sought. Restaurateur Nick Gust has donated $5,000. “We need all the support we can generate,” says Marv Morganti, LBC Restoration Committee. For contact information, go to Pacifica Historical Society
Palmetto Merchants Hurting for Business, Want Traffic Sign on Highway 1
Ask any business owner on the southern portion of Palmetto Avenue why this commercial section of town is so quiet. Most of them give many different reasons why, but all seem to agree that a traffic sign on Highway 1 is a small step toward changing that. It seems that all of the commercial areas in town except Palmetto are highly visible from the highway. Shouldn't there be a sign encouraging the thousands of cars passing by to stop and patronize local businesses? The pier has its own sign but doesn't generate much revenue for the city or merchants, other than the bait shops and the Chit Chat Cafe on the pier.
Efrain and Yolanda Torres own Vintage Cove on Palmetto Avenue. Efrain is frustrated with the challenges of bringing more business to the area. He has seen designs to improve this historic section of town come and go. Local merchants even pledged to pay for tree planting on the sidewalks, but the idea fell through. Efrain feels that if nothing is done to improve Palmetto, at least there should be a sign on the highway to bring in more business. George Shadow, owner/artist of Classic Art and Design, Inc., has numerous ideas to increase foot traffic to Palmetto. For instance, he says closing off traffic on a block or two of Palmetto would encourage outdoor dining and add a parklike atmosphere. He also wants a sign on the highway.
JIM CURRIE
(Editor's Note: Pacifica Riptide encourages Caltrans and the City of Pacifica to git 'er done!)
August 18, 2007
Leland Yee in Pacifica: Riptide Roving Reporter's Random Ruminations
One of Pacifica Riptide's roving reporters opened his notebook to us after the Pacifica Democrats breakfast meeting with State Senator Leland Yee. Here are a few comments by our man at the golf course:
...his clear rejection of the likelihood of reapportionment. Unfortunately, Leland did not point to "solutions" for local revenue. He just talked about the community needing to talk about its "vision." On state issues, he was very good on single-payer health care, AND (1) the lock the Republicans have on budget because of 2/3 threshold needed to pass $$ issues AND (2) the declining influence of SF Bay Area delegation vs. LA.
He was clear on his stance strongly in favor of SB 840, single payer AND the limitations of (a) any "necessary" compromise in favor of universal coverage pushed by Demo bloc (SB 8) (b) the need for all Californians to be covered by health care with government as regulator of costs and buyer of necessary services.
He was good on education: Prop 98 establishes a minimum but does not deal with equalization of $$$ between low-wealth and higher-wealth districts.
Todd Bray opened with questions and was gooood. He thanked Yee for his willingness to meet with a variety of Pacifica folks, and then asked about the chance of municipalities getting back up to 14 % (from 11%) in the apportionment of property tax $$$.
Good dialogue, lots of state-level issues like health care and education.
We heard much the same at the afternoon session at the Community Center, attended by about 100 citizens, staff members, City Council members, and officials of various state agencies operating in Pacifica. Stay tuned for possible further reports from our other correspondents.
For clarification or further information on any of Senator Yee's statements, please contact his able representative, Pacifican David (DJ) Canepa at 415-557-7857 or visit their Web site: Leland Yee
4-Year-Old Pacifican Will Melton Lands Rainbow Trout
For anyone looking for a great place to take the little ones for trout fishing, they are guaranteed to limit out in minutes at Lintt Trout Farm, 11751 San Mateo Road (Highway 92) in Half Moon Bay. This is a picture of my grandson Will Melton catching his first big one, a rainbow trout. He baited and cast the line himself. Will is 4 years old and just loves to fish. Just like his Papa John. Good job, Will.
MARGARET AHERN
Video: Uncle Jig and Pacifica Keyboardist Ken Restivo Funk It Up All Over Town
Uncle Jig, a funk/soul/blues/R&B band plays at the Boom Boom Room in San Francisco and other venues, featuring a dynamic singer from New Orleans and a tight, high-energy sound (with Pacifican Ken Restivo on keyboards).
The Boom Boom Room is on Fillmore at Geary: Boom Boom Room
Uncle Jig video
White-Tailed Kite Surveys the Pacifica Scene
Here's a white-tailed kite I found Friday on a cypress tree by Rock'n Rob's. He was preening his feathers and enjoying the beautiful weather. I'm going to make a habit of bringing my camera with me on my bike rides from now on!
TIM BRAND
August 17, 2007
Cut Fire District Brass, Not Our Local Ambulance Service
Yes, we worship Pacifica’s natural beauty and free enterprise, but we shoot ourselves in the foot when we cut back on crucial services just to save money. That is one area where I do not agree with budget cuts or departmental reorganizations. Three lateral transfers from Linda Mar firehouse to fire stations over the hill will cost us three firefighter/paramedics. If you live in the back of one of Pacifica’s several valleys, this is bad news indeed. Think about it. Couldn't we cut fire district brass instead of a local ambulance crew?
JOHN MAYBURY
The Prospects: Planning Commission Staff Takes Aim at General Plan and Hillside Preservation
On August 17, Planning Commission staff made available an eight-page "agenda memo" about the proposed housing project at 801 Fassler Avenue, The Prospects. The document contains a MOTION FOR APPROVAL, as follows:
"1.) CERTIFYING the Environmental Impact Report, ADOPTING the Mitigation Monitoring Program, and ADOPTING the CEQA Findings,
2.) APPROVING the Transfer of Residential Development Rights with Exemptions for The Prospects project at 801 Fassler Avenue, and
3.) RECOMMENDING approval of the Rezoning and Development Plan."
Although the developer added other inducements to gain support, essentially he pins his hopes for PC approval by eliminating 5 units. PC staff has already signified its support. However, that still leaves 29 units of housing in an area that Pacifica's "founding fathers" designated "open space residential," and as such became part of the City's General Plan.
In a stunning example of disingenuousness, the final paragraph on page 8 starts with the following: "The Planning Commission finds that the proposed land use is consistent with the General Plan, Design Guidelines and other applicable laws of the City (providing City Council rezones the site in accordance with the recommendation of the Planning Commission)." [parentheses not mine]
I looked but did not find any discussion in the report about whether it was such a good idea to ask both the Planning Commission and the City Council to set aside some valued planning provisions that have served the City well. I looked but did not find any consideraton of what Staff and Planning Commission will do when the next developer wants similar "set aside" considerations and exceptions. I wondered what will be the defense the City Attorney will use if Planning Commission and City Council deny another project brimming with environmental plans and attractive landscaping.
When I was a little fellow growing up in a big city, we used to ride the streetcar past a doughnut factory, that had the following words in neon: "As you go through life, keep your eye on the doughnut, not on the hole." Unfortunately, this report spends all of its space on the hole, namely, all the reasons why this is a very approveable and good project: it ignores the fact that approving it, will force the City to set a very dangerous precedent.
RICHARD HURLEY
Stop Global Warming One Light Bulb at a Time
Stop global warming: one light bulb at a time. You've probably been asking yourself, yeah, sure, I want to do the right thing. But those newfangled CFL fluorescent bulbs cost more, don't they?
The answer is NO, they are a lot cheaper! You save up to $90 over the lifetime of one 26watt lamp. AND they last 10 times as long as the old incandescents. Color? Better than ever: warm or cool, and no flicker or burn!
Compare and save. Find out where to get them on sale in Pacifica: Energy-Saving Light Bulbs
SUMMER RHODES
August 16, 2007
POST Buys Wavecrest in Half Moon Bay
Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) has reached an agreement with the owners of Wavecrest to purchase the contentious site. Wavecrest is a 216-acre property at the southern end of Half Moon Bay, between Highway 1 and the ocean. “Wavecrest is a breathtaking window to the Pacific Ocean,” said Audrey Rust, president and CEO of POST, in the press release. “This agreement will help preserve the rural coastside character of the Half Moon Bay area for countless generations to come.”
“Economic considerations, environmental concerns and community input led the sellers to approach POST about purchasing this land,” Bruce Russell, CEO of Kenmark Real Estate Group and representative of the land’s sellers, said in the same release. “It’s the best plan for all parties involved, including the sellers, the city, residents and visitors. The community can enjoy the land for recreation today and in the years to come while protecting a unique natural environment.”
See the story, press release, and pictures of the site online now. Join in a discussion of this dramatic development and what it says about the future of Half Moon Bay. Click the link to our sister site south of the slide: Coastsider
Environmentally Sustainable Clothing and Sporting Goods at REI
Eco Label environmentally sustainable clothing now available at REI. Treehugger: REI's Eco Label
Recent Comments