Stop the madness...

Well, I was enjoying my media/blog fast this week but I guess I’m going to have to respond to some of the comments on the http://www.fillmoregazette.com/ . I have to say that a rational person looking at this City from an objective point of view would have to be shaking their head in disbelief. (and Oceans 11 would not be in that classification – I’m suspecting a local operative)

What is going on here? Some history… Interested citizens read that a huge development is going to be approved for the North Fillmore area. The EIR discloses significant environmental impacts that will affect the community forever and that cannot realistically be mitigated. It also discloses that the General Plan is not consistent with Vision 2020. Many citizens follow the governmental process and write letters and speak at public hearings. While some on the Council articulate their very sound reasons for supporting the project, the citizens also articulate very sound reasons but are ignored and disregarded by some Council members. They are told that Vision 2020 doesn’t matter – it’s not a legal document. (It’s just distributed to everyone’s front doorstep while the legal document -General Plan- costs $100’s of dollars to obtain) Citizens who have never participated in public hearings (me) are surprised to see so many people in the community ignored. There is some shock at some of the behaviors and tactics used at the hearings against the citizens.

I believe that I have made efforts to remain professional and polite in all dealings with staff and Council members. While I know many people who are angered at some of our leader’s actions, I have still tried to maintain an objective point of view. I understand the difficulty that these Council members go through with their decisions. I understand what a thankless and low paying job this is and I applaud anyone who gives their time and energy to serve their community. But, I also understand the anger that many in the community are expressing and I sympathize with those who feel they are being disenfranchised by their local government.

So, how is it possible that such division exists? I think those in power have to assume the bigger part of the responsibility. The citizens in this community have little power and no voice (that is heard). Some of those in power now or in the past have engaged in a negative and divisive warfare and now try to blame it on the victims of their abuse!

On my blog (http://www.fillmoreblog.com/) I have bent over backwards to try to engage in a productive and thoughtful conversation and then been blasted repeatedly by “all caps” and others trying to keep the status quo with innuendo and abuse directed at Patti Walker, myself and others. Then when supporters rise up in outrage to defend us, the offenders have to make up lies and spread rumors to try to discredit citizens with no power. What are they so afraid of?

So, with that said, I want to go on the record and respond to a few remarks.

To Mr. Ray Johnson (or is this...?????) This can’t be the same Ray Johnson who was in my computer class. I don’t think so, since my Mr. Johnson was a delightful and adorable student who didn’t express an interest or technical expertise in these issues. I hope someone is not using Mr. Johnson’s name for political purposes. As far as mismanagement, please get your candidates straight. My issues are capital costs and development that doesn't fit Fillmore in size or density.

As far as the FEMA issue, after attending the two most recent (7/17 & 10/14) FEMA/Watershed Protection meetings I am not convinced that all of the effort and money that we are expending on consultants and trips to DC will change the outcome of this study. When the challenge was made, the draft sedimentation study had not even been released. I suppose a challenge would be in order - but with a cost limit. As it stands right now, we are looking at another open ended contract.

As far as an… “…Industry standard MBR Water Recycling Plant with a 50 year life expectation”. That would be a great if we will have the electrical energy to run it for 50 years and could afford it. The future water issues will only be matched by future energy issues (supply and cost). The future “requirement” that you refer to is only for agencies using State Water Project supply. (Mr. Johnson, have you been reading the State Water Board draft notices again?). Yes, using recycled water is a good idea…for LA County…but not for Fillmore. Using recycled water is going to cost us $26 million just for capital costs! The $3 million grant application showed a 1% cost benefit at a cost of $11 million. At $26 million it will NEVER have a benefit for Fillmore. Especially now that it is determined that San Cayetano and the High School fields can’t be used for recycling. By the way, we are not “conserving” very much water. We are just percolating it at a different location - uphill. As L.A. Sanitation and United Water stated at last week’s Council meeting, river discharge is a BENEFICIAL use of the water.

Parks: I’m happy that we are getting a pool and a few tennis courts. Well done by all who participated in getting that pool through. That goes back to many people and many years of effort. I wouldn’t think any current Council member could take credit for that (except maybe Scott Lee). I hope our $15 per year pool tax will provide enough income to pay the expenses. The 22 acre park is currently only funded for the skatepark and most recently the concession stand. It may be years before the funding exists to complete the park. There’s talk of raising taxes via a Parks and Rec District to pay the maintenance for them because we can’t afford it.

As far as the Business Park, I can’t wait to see these jobs. I’m not convinced that Long’s Drugs and a Public Storage will provide the kind of jobs people are looking for though.

Now, on to Mayor Conaway’s comments. Mayor, I am speaking to you directly. The American Water trip…Yes, American Water booked and arranged for the trip. You were reimbursed by the Mayor’s Water Council that American Water is a full member of. While you did speak on the benefits of DBO contracts, you have yet to show how it has benefitted Fillmore. As I stated at the most recent debate, DBO is supposed to be done by an integrated company that “turnkeys” the entire project. That’s where the alleged savings come in. However, American Water is not that kind of company and you cannot document or prove any savings in this instance. The DBO was misused. You were referred to the report from the Inspector General of Massachusetts in the Lynne, MA case, yet there was no discussion of this issue which would have been appropriate and balanced. That’s all I have ever asked for is some balanced dialogue about all of the issues involved in this project. That is not an unreasonable request and in fact would be a requirement for any agency spending this much public funds. There is no acknowledgement of these issues and the response is to attack myself and others for asking about it. The impacts on this community are so severe and far reaching, yet you never asked for an economic feasibility analysis during this process. However, I will acknowledge that when the contract was signed, you were not the Mayor.

You are correct that there is no levee required for Santa Paula. Well before the FEMA maps our plant was NOT IN THE FLOODPLAIN and didn’t require a levee. However, KDF properties did require one so we pitched in half to help them out.

Now you may perceive my comments as criticism and politicking but no, this is not meant to insult you it is only meant to stop the insults that you are hurling at me.

"Oh ya, your Candidate lambasted Fillmore for going with a DBO Contract. In Santa Paula your Candidate couldn't have been more supportive that they choose to go with a DBOF Contract. I don't think a fish out of water flops that fast.”

Yes, my mom lives in Santa Paula so I was happy for the citizens of Santa Paula. They got more for the money than we did. You cannot deny that fact. No matter how you try to spin and manipulate the numbers. They paid less, even when you take out the levee, percolation and financing. And, their DBO was handled more efficiently. The RFQ was less burdensome and costly, the RFP was less burdensome and costly, the contract special counsel was far less costly, and the project management was far less costly. They followed the intent and process of a true DBO company.

You are also taking credit for reducing sewer rates since the last increase was lower than projected. Have you looked at the proformas? The higher projections were based on the operating expenses for the NEW plant which isn’t even online yet. The savings occurred when those line items were removed because they weren’t even needed. There was no reduction or true savings and I am surprised that you would use it on your campaign flyers.

I could go on but I won’t.

“Roberto”: Umm…”Jamey, Gayle, Clay and Brian group” have used lies and fear in their campaigns for years.” What are you talking about? Clay Westling never participated in any citizen advocacy until less than a year ago. I’ve been involved for about two years. The others, I don’t know about since I wasn’t here before 2006. No credibility for you. “Please stop it.”

LOL: I want to point out that the American Water contract had already been signed before Mayor Conaway went on the trip. I don’t believe that there were any other approvals after that. And, it is also a little premature to call the election at this point. The results might not even be known for days or weeks after the election.

Bottom line, there are emotional insults flying from all directions. I’ve taken a lot of abuse, as have some other candidates. I guess it’s part of the game but I have to say that your support has had more practice with these tactics that don’t belong in Fillmore. And, I will say again as I have many times on my blog, to my supporters who engage in these discussions, stick to the facts of the record and the issues, no insults or personal attacks. Disagreement is normal and expected but adults are to be role models of decorum and diplomacy and that is the way I want to conduct myself – even though I can’t control others.

This is such a long read, I doubt that many will read every word. That's okay though. Now I'll be reviewing the new Draft Housing Element – don’t have time to discuss anymore.