The Gazette

Dear Editor,

I would like to commend Mayor Bruce Delgado, Councilman Frank O’Connell their followers for their excellent planning and execution of efforts to stop or reduce the size of any development on the former Fort Ord property ceded to Marina by the federal government. Mind you, I completely disagree with these efforts, but they have been masterful in their tactics!

Having their supporters well coached in what to say on a given issue, such as breaking up the Cypress Knolls project into small "experimental" packages and have the city run the projects, then tying up city staff with requests for analysis of how that might be done was brilliant! It sounds reasonable and isn’t "staff" there to do the bidding of the council? Mind you, few of those giving input have the credentials to know what is reasonable, and, with "staff" 30% below authorized levels and budgets tight, what work must be delayed or unauthorized money spent to do the analysis required.

The "Saga" continues…ignore the priorities you agreed to and push your own agenda.

J. Michael Masterson

Council Meeting,

We have been watching the council meetings, but the last one was a humdinger. Some folks got upset because Council Member Jim Ford said if he was a Native American he would say that the Mayor "Speaks with a Fork Tongue". This is because Mayor Delgado says one thing at one meeting, then something else at the next council meeting.

Well, Public Works Commissioner Jan Shriner got so upset over this that she wanted something done right then and there. The Mayor had to tell her three times to sit down and it would be taken care of.

To my knowledge, this is not a racist remark. Jim Ford just quoted an old saying.

There is nothing damming or insulting about it. As the other saying goes" He speaks out of both corners of his mouth". Also "He turns with the wind". Now whom are we going to sue now? Or make a big deal out of? Some people have never heard these sayings. I'm sure there are millions out there and if we get upset because some one quotes something. Where is this City going to be? Some folks are just not educated enough to understand a quotation when it is meant to state a fact. I guess I will be hearing now from some one about this but let me tell you that my Husband is also part Native American Indian and I'm very proud of it, he didn't get upset over this because he knew how it was meant.

Mrs. Elisabeth Billingsley

Diverting ?

Jan Shriner’s accusation that Councilman Ford made a racist comment, at the July 28th Council Meeting, is yet another ploy to divert the attention of the public to personally attack and discredit public officials and staff who do not share the same activist views of Mayor Delgado.

Diverting the attention away from the point that Councilman Ford was making that Mayor Delgado says one thing one time and then something contrary another time, (which is confusing) serves as a disruption.

Commissioner Shriner’s comments are a distraction serving to discredit Councilman Ford for disagreeing with Mayor Delgado and his "solicited" supporters.

After nine months of being in office, the platform "campaign4change" under which Mayor Delgado and Councilman O’Connell ran, has not shown any productivity. They continue to disagree with the three other experienced council members, preventing consensus on issues brought to council. They come across as condescending and hostile to city staff. They continue to bring their personal agendas to meetings, not listening to the public’s views including experienced professionals. (ie Therese Herder from Centrex Homes) They behave like activists rather than elected officials representing all citizens of the city of Marina. Consequently, consensus is seldom achieved and the Marina government does not move forward.

If Mayor Delgado and Councilman O’Connell would resign from office and speak their personal activist views at public forums, other elected officials and city staff might be better able to move forward with the issues that are at hand.

Every voting citizen of the city of Marina, owes it to themselves to watch their elected officials in action. Those men hold the quality of our lives in their hands. If you cannot attend Tuesday evening council meetings, watch them on AMP TV channel 25. They are also broadcast on Friday evenings, Saturday and Sunday. Another option is to go to Amp’s website (http://www.ampmedia.org/programming.asp) and view the meetings via video on demand.

Nancy Fortman

Marina , CA

Time to Get Involved

For those of you who may not remember, George Carlin was a comedian who consistently questioned the role of government and value system of our society. As the Hippie Dippy Weatherman he always forecast light followed by darkness. One of his great routines was the 7 words you cannot use on television or in a public forum. I cannot repeat them here because some people would surely be offended.

Today, in Marina, there are seven words or phrases that seem to peak the ire of people if it does not fit into their world view of the options the City should take to become financially and environmentally sustainable. These folks depending on the word you would choose to describe them are either passionate, self serving, or myopic in their beliefs in which direction our City should proceed. What they all appear to have in common is an inability to seek a middle ground. To disagree with them is sure to cause outrage, the beating of chests, and is always guaranteed to elicit a response.

So here is a list of the seven things you may want to avoid if you are concerned about being critized.

• Out of Town Developer
• Stay the Course
• Forked Tongue
• Not a Council Priority
• Revenue Generation not Cuts
• No Mandate
• Staff are the Professionals

The irony in all this is how roles have reversed in recent years. Somehow, if you are not for change you cannot believe in and do not support you must be against the mythical majority and preaching sour grapes. In reality we all seek the same goals though by different paths and timelines.

Somewhere along the line we have lost sight of our objectivity and perspective of taking care of the whole community and doing what is in the best interest of all of us and now seem to only focus on some of us. The "we speak" of a slate of candidates was roundly rejected yet apparently that message was not received by two members of the City Council.

The Council set priorities to focus on those issues which were agreed by all. Conversely, different ideas merit discussion but cannot be assumed as acceptance and having an opposing point of view does not mean one is trying to obstruct progress as defined by those who prefer a particular approach. I believe our democracy was established to accomplish such a dialog and take great exception to those who choose to ridicule that right. I take greater exception to anonymous letters and emails by advocates of any position who lack the morale courage to sign their name and continue to use whispering campaigns to distort the facts.

In the meantime, as ideas come forward please ask yourself these questions. Can we afford it? What would we have to give up to do it if it is important and urgent to all? What tangible benefit will the whole community gain as a result?

Whether you agree or disagree with events going on within the City one thing is certain: keeping silent is not the right answer.

Dan Amadeo

Marina , CA

Dear Editor,

Having worked for Jerry Brown and been a leader in campaigns, such as "Gomez" Gonzalez (Green Party) for S.F. Mayor, I would like to urge young people to apply their energy and idealism to get academic and practicum credit through local institutions, such as Golden Gate University, etc, by being involved in the community with groups like Cal PIRG, Greenpeace, Inc., and Amnesty Int’l Inc.,etc. Maybe we could again open a "store front" in Marina run by VISTA to coordinate these efforts? Also, on a more political side, the local students may want to support Green candidates like:

•  "Gomez" Gonzalez – US Senate
•  Michael Stoops – Governor
•  Robert Nader – Lt. Gov.
•  Bruce Delgado – U.S. Rep.
•  E. Craig Coffin – Attorney Genera
• Jay Brown – Sec. of State

Let us all get ACTIVE and CHANGE the system.

Sincerely, Bruce Arthur Perry (Pereira)

Founder of Young Amigos for Freedom, Inc., and Nader’s Raiders

2994 Bayonet Ct. #A

Marina, CA 93933-4604

(831) 883-8173

(831) 384-7335

Dear Editor, Marina Gazette,

Some years back when I served on the Marina Planning Commission I listened to representatives of Shelter Outreach Plus request approval for transitional housing on property in Marina’s portion of the former Fort Ord lands. At that time I remember how impressed I was by their 18 - 24 month program to provide assistance to victims of domestic violence, women/children and families, and help them achieve the goal of a self-sufficient lifestyle.

This past Saturday, August 1, I attended a great community event that raised money for another Shelter Outreach Plus program, I-HELP. It was a spaghetti dinner fund raiser hosted by various pastors from the Monterey Peninsula. Served was some of the best spaghetti I have enjoyed in some time. In attendance and serving our meals were men who have benefited from the I-HELP program that offers shelter, food and support to single homeless men.

I encourage all to become familiar with this great organization, Shelter Outreach Plus, and consider donating money or volunteering time . Go online at www.sopinc.org, or call, 831-384-3388.

Respectfully, Grace Silva-Santella

Gotta Go

I had the opportunity to attend a birthday picnic for a grand-daughter Sunday 7/5 in Marina. It was held at Dimaggio Park. Which is very nice, but has no restroom facilities.

How can Marina have a city park with no restrooms? Do you expect people to bring their own porto-potty? I'd probably get arrested for peeing in the bushes.

Please fix this problem.|
Bob Boynton, New Monterey

Marina Sings

We are writing to tell you about *Marina Sings* - a singing group for kids.

We sang with this group last year, and it was fun! We can't wait till it starts again in September.

You don't have to be a great singer to take part in this. You don't need to audition. You just have to like to sing.

We have a professional choir director leading us, Ms. Lyn Whiting of Marina. Ms. Lyn is the music director for Ariel Children's Theater in Salinas and she performs all over the Peninsula with Wild Hearts and the Merry Carolers.

Ms Lyn will teach us lots of song and show us performance technique.

The Epiphany Lutheran and Episcopal Church provides the space where we meet. The church is at the corner of Carmel Avenue and California in Marina.

We are not a church or religious choir, however. We are just a choir of kids who like to have fun singing.

We will meet on Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00, Sept 3 to December 17th, and we will give a concert at the Marina Senior Center.

For more information, go to the Epiphany church web page http://www.epiphanymarina.org/

Click on Marina Sings at the bottom of the menu on the left.

Or, you can call Dana Cleary at 682-8016 to ask questions.

We hope you join us in the fall!

Sincerely,
Epiphany Thompson and Susanna Hoffman
Marina, CA

Mayor Delgado

Mayor Delgado, in a special signing ceremony held Monday, July 13, at City Hall, signed the Urban Environmental Accords and the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, adopted by city council on a 4 to 1 vote.

Although the city has already implemented several sustainability measures, signing on to these agreements officially and publicly proclaims Marina’s willingness to be an active and sustained participant in the process leading to decreased global warming pollution, reduced dependence on imported fossil fuels, increased savings of tax dollars and improved economic opportunities.

Mayor Delgado recognizes that the road ahead will be long and arduous, but he is confident that, by working together, the city and the residents will create a community that enjoys greater and greater quality of life. All interested citizens are invited to contribute their help by participating on the Go Greener Marina, a committee recently established by the city, and Citizens for a Sustainable Marina, a newly formed grass root organization dedicated to helping the community meet the challenges posed by climate change and Peak Oil.

Denyse Frischmuth
Board Member Citizens for a Sustainable Monterey County

Dear Editor:

I would like to take the opportunity to thank Marina's Thai restaurant, D'Anna Thai Kitchen at 210 Reindollar Avenue for voluntarily using paper take-out containers instead of Styrofoam.

Many of us bemoan the aplastic and Styrofoam litter that clutters our streets and oceans and fills our landfill.

When a local business makes a decision to give up the Styrofoam for the paper, they should be appreciated and thanked.

So, if Styrofoam waste is an issue you care about, I suggest that you go pick up an order of D'Anna Thais's excellent Pad See Ew noodles in their paper take-out container and give the management your thanks!

Dana Cleary
Marina