Mermaid in the Maelstrom

Comments

[Dan Underhill]

I am quite amazed that we haven't been using the image of the Art Deco World's Fair statue that is our namesake as a logo. A first-generation Chinese-American friend of mine once pointed out that we have a Statue of Liberty on the other coast to welcome immigrants from Europe, but no similar statue on this coast to welcome Asians. I found this group hoping to rebuild the Pacifica statue that our town is named after. As a symbol of Peace and Progress, the Pacifica Statue stood on Treasure Island. She was erected as the theme statue of the 1939-40 San Francisco World’s Fair. Go to http://pacificastatueproject.org/ to learn more. I have often thought of that odd little island between Fassler and the bowling alley parking lot as an excellent place for such a statue. It might be both timely and inspirational to do something like that. I expect that many of us from all around the world might be ready to contribute to such a project. Our city founders chose well and we should do the same.

[mitch reid]

Mr. Lee wrote: "I do not like words such as 'cronyism' used when not warranted" and "name calling and false accusations are bad."

I never used the word "cronyism" or engaged in name calling. Please do not associate me with this type of behavior, as it is misleading and unwarranted.

You say that the logo and meetings about it were printed in the paper last year. I don't remember seeing it. If this is true, my apologies for my prior statement. Could you please let me know when the logo was printed in the Tribune?

My point here is that I think we could have gotten a better-looking logo (hopefully something like a Michael Schwab design). And more important, it would have been nice to open it up to other artists to submit designs. Was this ever considered?

[todd bray]

Apologies for what, Mr. Lee? Are you related to builder Rick Lee?

[John Lee]

Mr. Bray, I am happy to meet you for coffee, and that will not be fictitious. I promise to bring my father, if he will come with me, since you know him. Maybe then you will offer your apologies.

[Steve Sinai]

Just trying to keep it real for the hippies, Todd.

[Mary Jana]

I have often been told that I look like Madison -- you know, the mermaid from the movie "Splash". I do concede that I like to wear fishnet stockings with my Birkenstocks, but other than that I really don't see it. Oh well. But I do believe that this qualifies me as the subject expert, so the rest of you are just going to have to shut up and live with my decision on this. After all, that's the way it works in a democracy. Wait...what? Well, whatever... Listen, I've thought long and hard about this and I must say that REALLY hurts! But I digress. Anyway, here is my decision: NO LOGO. There, I said it. And yes, Regis, that's my final answer. Here's why:
- It's beautiful in its pure simplicity
- It's the only design that fits within our budget
- Most important of all, it's original
After all, we're Pacifica, damn it! Why do we have to have a logo just 'cause everyone else does? Now do it and let's get back to the important stuff like finding Todd something to do with all that free time he has.

[todd bray]

Slow day on Foxpacifica, Steve? :)

[Steve Sinai]

Is the problem the mermaid, or is it that the Chamber of Commerce is involved?

I suspect it's the latter.

[Keri Santos]

Seriously, has Todd Bray ever answered a question asked to him?

Talk about smoke and mirrors.

Post and run!

[Steve Sinai]

The city should hire a consultant to do a report on the logo.

I can't believe people are arguing about a frigging logo. (Oh wait, this is Pacifica. I guess I can believe it.)

[J Bird]

Pacifica deserves to vote on its logo.

[Chris Porter]

Todd: City Council said last night that the approval for the logo was done a few council meetings ago, and that there are two versions—one with the mermaid and one without. The discussion last night was about whether using the BID logo (the one with the mermaid) would mean that some type of fee would have to be paid by the city to the BID

[todd bray]

Lionel, Mr. Lee is most likely a fictitious identity.

[John Lee]

Mr. Reid, I beg your pardon, the logos and the announcements about the discussions were printed in the paper last year. Public input was sought. Many meetings were conducted and I attended two of them. The council has already accepted the designs. The vote tonight allows groups that wish to do so to use the mermaid, which belongs to the Business Improvement District (BID). $7,000 was charged to the BID and the hotels, but not the city. The logo without the mermaid was designed for free for the city. The city already has several logos that have been used in the past. There will probably be others in the future. I am sure the EDC would appreciate your help in the future. Many apologies for my tone, but I do not like words such as "cronyism" used when not warranted. It makes a bad image for the city I live in when people look for us on the Internet. It is unkind at best and unbecoming to our community. Discussion is good, name calling and false accusations are bad. We can do better.

[Lionel Emde]

"You twisted her words about public employee salary cuts and, it seems, continued to insist that there have been no cuts to city employees. I have a friend of our family who works for this city and their income has dropped more than 15 percent."

OK, so now we're off onto another topic; the supposed cuts in public employees' payrolls/pension. So, Mr. Lee, please document this allegation about a 15 percent drop in someone's salary on the city payroll. No ID, anonymous only, tell us how this occurred. You'll be doing more than any city staff report to date.

[todd bray]

While item 6 wasn't agendized tonight, council and staff did discuss the particulars at least. Thank you for that. This graphic isn't set in stone by tonight's vote in any way, shape, or form.

[mitch reid]

Mr. Lee wrote: "The logo the city is more likely to use has not even been included on this website, Riptide." Where is the logo? Why is it not attached in the agenda exhibit on the city's website?

I appreciate Sam's effort with this, but if the EDC wanted public input, it would have printed the logo in the Tribune months ago. It's called "public outreach." This did not happen. Most people do not have time to watch every City Council meeting or attend every EDC meeting (Mr. Lee couldn't attend all of them). And the agendas are no longer printed in the Tribune.

I apologize to the artist for my prior harsh words here. I was upset that the EDC did not reach out to our vast art community for this process. How did the EDC choose this one artist? Were other artists considered? I am not clear on how this was all worked out. It appears that the artist submitted the design for free, but will receive $7,000 in the end?! I would like to see some clarification on this.

There are some folks here that see this fuss about this as trivial and that we should get over it. I strongly disagree with this offensive arrogance; some of us care about these things. I can only hope that before the city gets a tattoo, that it sobers up before making a decision. You get what you play for.

[todd bray]

Mr. Lee, I don't think we've met. If you'd like to have a coffee and discuss this topic, I'm in the local phone book.

[Bobby]

Oh God! You people even want to bicker over a logo? I've been in advertising and graphic arts for over 20 years. The logo is fine.

Can we get nothing done in this town without the anti everything people blocking it like a big constipation? Every bit of minutiae does not have to go before the people to debate. We elected our City Council to make decisions. And, IMO, Mary Ann and Len have done a great job. Hopefully, we will maintain a majority of level-headed, reasonable council members in November and finally rid ourselves of these environmental radicals who have almost destroyed this town by blocking almost all progress.

*Rant Off*

[John Lee]

Mr. Bray, I have had some time today to investigate your accusations. I have found no evidence. Instead, I have found Ms. Nihart asking for public input and opinion over and over again. I did find where you once supported her, but then I found one conversation where she disagreed with you. You twisted her words about public employee salary cuts and, it seems, continued to insist that there have been no cuts to city employees. I have a friend of our family who works for this city and their income has dropped more than 15 percent. I can find no other disagreement and nothing she says bad about people. You say she holds the public in contempt. I find no evidence of that, either. Ms. Nihart has worked very hard for a long time as a volunteer for our community. The only contempt seems to be yours. So sorry again if I have this incorrect.

[Keri Santos]

Todd,

Did you paint the above sign? I saw where you painted the sign for the Surf Spot Restaurant.

Are you doing the sign for the Boys & Girls club also?

Sometimes people need to put the greater good for the whole city above and beyond the good for their own checkbook!

[Renee Martin]

Mr. Bray, instead of bringing your concerns to the attention of Riptide, why don't you mention them at City Council? I seriously doubt anyone at City Hall or City Council reads your posts on Riptide, Patch, and/or Fix Pacifica.

I recall you at a Council meeting, but you talked about a sign for the Boys and Girls club, I believe, some sort of fundraiser?

[John Lee]

My apologies, Mr. Bray. My experience, not belief, is not what you describe. Many people were involved. Mr. Casillas spent months working with community groups and other people getting their thoughts for this relatively small marketing effort. Ms. Nihart did not influence that process. Ms. Nihart has voted against some of the recommendations of committees, and I have seen her vote against Mr. Rhodes as well. Many Pacifica parents like her because she approaches a problem with new logic and insight. She is always willing to talk and listen. I have seen her many times invite people to attend city meetings and participate. I have heard people say that she was the first council member in a long time to reach out to all sides. I will not argue with you, but I have not seen you at these meetings, so I do not know your experience. Your response does not explain your unkind and erroneous accusations. It does not account for the experience of many others, so I am left wondering who is in the bubble? Thank you for your time, but I see that you are not a person for apologies, so I have nothing further to add.

[todd bray]

Mr. Lee, as Lionel says, you have added your experience here to the discussion. What I have taken away from it, right or wrong, intentional or not, is the continued practice by Rhodes and Nihart to work in a bubble through this committee as they have done with the finance committee.

I think the amount of "controversy" you see welling up around this Consent Calendar Item 6 only emphasizes the need for council to take it off the Consent Calendar and agendize it Monday night. Anything less is a disservice to them, staff, the EDC, and people like me, the general public.

It's things like this, decided in a bubble without input from a broad base of residents who are far more qualified to art-direct the graphics for any sort of promotional campaign than the EDC or Steve Rhodes, for that matter, that ultimately irk everyone. We've seen bad choices made by these special committees of his and Nihart make and suggest ridiculous things one after the other. It's time for them to grow up a little and trust the public they hold in contempt.

This item needs to be agendized, and with any luck it will be continued so it can be reconceptualized.

[John Lee]

Mr. Emde, I think the committee has spoken many times about what you call "promoting Pacifica to Pacificans." There are several ideas, but I have not been to the meetings for a while as my children were busy finishing school and getting into summer activities. If I hear of something, I will let you know, but I will probably not be able to attend another meeting until school starts. If you have ideas, I am sure the committee members would like to hear them.