Letters continued:
Editor;
Posted Feb. 6, 2007 -------- I didn't have internet access
when you first moved to electronic distribution. This is wonderful! I like
the layout and all of the links to follow. It feels fun. I especially like
the shift in voice. Here and there, the Navigator reads like a note from
a personal friend. While being informative, you are sounding hip or pip and
(perhaps)a little more opinionated, the editorial voice unveiled.
I like it.
Shari of Bolinas
Posted Jan. 6, 2007 ---------
Editor;
My son and I have lived in Bodega Bay for years. We walk, hike and ride our bikes all over Bodega Bay. We often go through an open area near our home and walk through the Bodega Dunes campgrounds to get to the beach. Along our way we pick up any litter we see and also feed the birds. There are a few resident blue jays who know us well and come out when we walk by because they know we bring food. The crows are getting to know us quite well also. Today, January 4th around 1:30 pm we were walking through the campground and stopped to feed a friend of ours. A blue truck drove by us and then a few seconds later a white car drove up and stopped while we were standing across the street. We looked at the gentleman driving and smiled, he immediately asked us "Are you camping here?"
I replied "No, we live here and walk through often."
He looked at me with a serious expression and said "Well, the park is closed."
There was a moment of silence as I asked myself what he might be expecting from me. I looked at my son and smiled at him to let him know everything is ok and looked over at the man again who looked at me like he was waiting for a reply. I had a hand full of almonds and threw them to the crow who was cawking at me to feed him.
I said "well, we are just feeding the birds, sir." He looked at me again with the serious expression and said once again assuming I didn't hear him the first time,
"Well, The park is closed." With a louder voice. He waited for a response from me once again. I stood there for a moment, just looking at him, wondering what would make a man want to challenge me in the way he did.
I smiled and asked "What is your name sir?"
He told me "My name is Giarri."
I walked across the street to bend down and peer into his window and look him in his eye as I said "Giarri, this is MY LAND. This is MY MOTHER, EARTH."
He looked at me with a sly smirk and said "You must be an Indian." And drove off. I stood there as he drove off, in shock that he would say such a thing in the first place, but to say it in front of my six-year-old son. My son looked at me questionably and I assured him that it was ok for us to walk through the park.
What was this park employee insinuating by saying I must be an Indian? Is this how women and children are treated when they walk through the State parks? Is this how indigenous people continue to be treated?
My son and I deserve an apology and so do the "Indians" of the planet who continue to be subjected to ignorant beings like Giarri who think they have to take ownership or conquer what is already theirs. There is plenty of room in this world for all beings who desire to be here. We all deserve respect and support during our existence on Earth.
Blessings to all,
J Angela Johnson, Bodega Bay
The following note offers a kind resolution to the matter:
Posted Feb. 2, 2007 --------
Greetings!
Thank you for responding! I got a very prompt response from Jeremy Stinson at the State Parks Station in Bodega Bay. He did some research and finally found out the man who spoke to us was the Camp Host, Jerry, at the Bodega Dunes. Mr. Jeremy Stinson let me know that although the park was closed that day, it was closed to campers and not to residents like my son and I who walk through every day. There was a big wind storm the day before the incident and the park was closed due to fallen trees, damage, etc. I told Jeremy Stinson if Jerry had explained why the park was closed or even if he got out and explained a little more in detail, I am very reasonable, I would have completely understood.
Jeremy agreed with my concerns and felt very compelled to have an apology in order. We kept in touch and eventually set up a meeting Saturday Jan. 27th at 3:15 pm for Jerry to apologize.
My son and I rode our bikes to the park, we know every inch of the campground so we are familiar with where Jerry lives. When we reached our destination, Jerry, Jeremy and his partner were all outside waiting for us. I parked my bike and walked over to Jerry holding a dream catcher an Indian friend made me. He told me he was sorry for "jumping" on me the other day. I told him I accept his apology and the dream catcher is a gift for him. He received my gift and I told Jerry that in my opinion, my son is the number one being who deserves his apology. I explained to Jerry that he disrespected my sons mother in front of him. I assured Jerry that he has a mother as well and asked him how he would feel if someone did that to HIS mother. He obviously understood my opinion and humbly walked over to my son and kneeled down to apologize to him. My son bowed his head and accepted Jerrys apology. It felt very complete. I blessed and thanked all the men and my son and I rode off to enjoy the rest of the day. It wasn't the first time I was ever called an "Indian", a "witch" and many other names, in fact, it may not be the last but at that moment, I felt proud to be whatever I am. Thank you for your support and love!
J Angela Johnson, Bodega Bay
Editor;
Posted Tuesday Dec. 12, 2006 -------- I recently received a letter from the Marin County Sheriff's Department asking me to complete a survey so that they can improve their service. The last sentence of the letter says it all.
"With your help, the Sheriff's Office will be better able to provide the public safety that all Marin County citizens deserve."
Dear Sheriff Doyle,
For starters please stop killing people in custody. It is appears to be a bad pattern too often repeated and always blamed on the dead person.
The next time you accidentally (????) kill someone in custody get a neutral third party to investigate rather than the San Rafael Police Department.
Learn to return phone calls about complaints. I have called you more than once trying to reach you and NEVER received a return call.
Get some integrity and have all your deputies take a class in interpersonal communications. Oh and remind Lana her job is to serve all of the public (not just the wealthy). Remind your whole department daily that they are here to SERVE the public fairly. We pay your salaries with our taxes and while you do have some good deputies some are bad eggs. I have to say you get a F minus - NEEDS IMPROVEMENT!
When calling the Sheriff's department in Marin for help we have no idea who will show up. Because of some of your bad eggs I honestly do not feel safe calling the Sheriff's department for help.
Name withheld on request
George W. Bush's impaired conclusions
If you sit at the head of the United States, you are fed material by many experts, you meet many heads of state, and have many recommendations made to you which should give you a pretty good sense of what is going on.
This rings true for most people, but not for George W. Bush. No matter what he hears, who the experts are, or what information he gets, he seems doomed to make bad judgments. Judgments in character as well as policy.
Look at Bush's "good soul" Putin. What a rascal Putin has become. The future for Russia does not look bright as Putin has a hand in that countries government.
Look at "Kenny Boy" and see the criminal mind behind the scam with Enron. Look at Rumsfield and see how Bush continued to support him even though his policy was a failure.
Bush is like a pit bull. When he gets a grip on something, he just won't let go, even if it is wrong.
I blame Bush's problems on brain damage he suffered from the excessive drinking and drugging days of his youth. Good judgement? He's lost it. In fact, he hasn't had it for a long, long time. that is why he has had so many failures in his life.
World leaders Bush should have been talking to all along, he has ignored. He can't seem to grip the fact it makes sense to keep track of your enemies and try to moderate conditions between yourself and that enemy.
I understand arrested development from alcohol and drug use in your early years. There are certain maturity skills you just don't develop and you live forever in the mind level that was interupted by your alcahol and drug use.
Bush is like a youngster in school. Clicky...impressed by his crowd. Nose in the air to any who don't conform to his thoughts of how things should be. Perhaps because he is lacking in maturity because of arrested developent once he forms an opinion, he holds on like a Pitt Bull, just as Bush has done, with no excuses whatsoever. What else does he have to work with?
I see Bush is bucking and weaving on the report that has recently been put in his hands by Baker and the friends on the Iraq commission. Bush is not mature enough to realize he has to change what as been going on and take a completely new course. He's not capable of making that judgement call.
I expect the families of the soldiers in Iraq are shaking in their boots considering the bad judgement calls that have been and might continue as long as Bush is in power. How many more must die in order for Bush to prove a point.
I would think it would benefit Iran, Turkey, and others to have us out of Iraq. I expect they would back off if they were negotiated with. Doesn't mean it will keep them from intefering in Iraq's business at a later time, but it will save the lives of our soldiers. None should have died in this war. This was was a bad war, called by a man who just hasn't a bit of sense when it comes to what a judgement call is.
BodegaBabe, Marsha Wilgis, Bodega Bay
To the Editor:
Posted Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2006 -------- The Tomales Town
Hall was one of the winners in the Partners in Preservation grant competition--a
partnership between American Express and the National Trust for Historic
Preservation--and we will now be able to repair and complete the foundation
on our 132-year-old building.
On behalf of the Town Hall's Board of Trustees, the Friends of the Tomales
Town Hall, and everyone who loves the old building and the history and community
spirit it represents, I thank you for your support and for your votes. You
made it happen, and we are very grateful!
Ginny MacKenzie Magan, Tomales
SHORELINE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY
Posted Tuesday Nov. 14, 2006 -------- On November 7, 2006 the citizens residing in the Shoreline Unified School District went to the polls and voted to support the on-going Parcel Tax. The generosity of the community once again shines brightly in the caring for its number one priority, the children.
The following Measure A education programs will continue to enrich the daily lives of Shoreline's students:
Library Program, Instrumental and Classroom Music, Technology,
Art,
Drama, Counseling, Foreign Language, Industrial Arts, Physical Education, Nutrition
Education, and general support for other academic programs.
Many people worked hard to inform the community about the importance of Measure A and the success on election day would not have been successful without their many hours of hard work. It would be difficult to mention everyone by name, but I would like to thank the following groups for their incredible work and generous donations:
The S.C.H.O.O.L.S. Committee
The Tomales Elementary School and West Marin School PTAs and ELACAs
The Shoreline Unified School District Board members
Tomales Bay Library Association
The Shoreline Unified School District staff
Shoreline Education Association
California School Employees Association #304
AXIA Architects
Greystone West Company
Government Financial Strategies, Inc.
By passing Measure A you have once again given the Shoreline Unified School District your trust and confidence. Please be assured that this is not taken lightly and we are honored to have earned this trust. The Measure A programs along with the many other programs offered to our students will continue to offer each and every student the absolute best experience we can muster. Continuous improvement is our goal every day.
Thank you once again and come visit your Measure A Programs soon.
Stephen Rosenthal, Superintendent
Shoreline Unified School District
P.O. Box 198
Tomales, CA 94972
FAX (707) 878-2554
srosenthal [the symbol for at] marin.k12.ca.us
~Presidents And Congress Murdering Our Children~
Posted Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2006 --------- We have to keep our Presidents and Congress from murdering our young. They have sent thousands of our children to fight in four wars, wars that did not stabilize the area or correct any situations, real or not. What in the world are we doing? Have we learned nothing? I say we try the whole bunch for war crimes. Scare the Hell out of them. How else can we get their attention? We need stronger powers over our presidents and Congress, (both Democrats and Republicans). We've got to put the brakes on these needless wars. We had no business being in Korea. Didn't win anything. Korea is still a mess. Then Vietnam. Didn't need to be in Vietnam either, didn't win in Vietnam. And now, Iraq. We are not supposed to be in Iraq, and we aren't going to win anything there either. Do you know why we were not supposed to be in Iraq? Let me answer that for you.
Saddam was very public about reclaiming Kuwait, which had been a part of Iraq in the past. in late July, before he made his move, apparently in a reply to Saddam asking the US if this was a problem, a message was delivered by U.S. Ambasador April Glaspie to Saddam in a private meeting, which said that the United States did not take a position "on Arab-Arab" disputes. Saddam understood that to mean the UNITED STATES WOULD NOT GET INVOLVED in his push into Kuwait.
This opened the door to the first Gulf War. Taliban supported Osama bin Laden was enraged Western Military Forces were en mass on Arabic soil. You remember how careful the Saudis were about our involvement? Osama, in his anger, took to the drawing board and made plans to fly airplanes into the World Trade Center on 9/11. If Osama hadn't hit the WTC we would not have invaded Afghanistan. If we had not invaded Afghanistan, we most likely would not have invaded Iraq. Where was the foresight to avoid the first Gulf War? All those souls who died on 9/11 and our children who have died in Iraq would be still living. We wouldn't have 20,000 young soldiers injured, some so severely, they will not have a life, even though they still breathe.
One little paper delivered to Saddam by the state department, with no vision of future repercussions to follow. Saddam did invade Kuwait. Osama lost his temper and the WTC was leveled to the ground.
We invaded Afghanistan to take Osama out along with his Taliban supporters and before we even got a handle on it there was a frenzied march into Iraq, for whatever damn reason the politicos have given, and there have been several. We haven't won the war in Afghanistan and we are not going to win it. The Taliban is reorganizing and Osama still lives.
I'm damn tired of reading death notices in the papers from these useless wars. I've been reading them for over 50 years.
Today, I beg forgiveness of the families that have lost their children in these wars. We should have chosen better leaders, leaders with enough wisdom to make changes without war. We should all beg forgiveness. Maybe the leaders I yearn for were those young people who were killed in the wars in Korea, Vietnam and Iraq?
We need to march towards civilization and make the changes in the way we protect this country rather than be so quick to take up arms. I know the politicians say, "best to get the terrorists there than here". Well, tell me, were there many terrorists in Iraq before we invaded that country?
You know the answer. Saddam did not like foreigners messing around in Iraq. If he caught meddlers, he killed them. We are actually fighting Iraqis who belong to different factions in Iraq. Our leaders call them terrorists. In truth, we are actually in the middle of an Iraqi civil war with both sides taking pot shots at our soldiers.
A great majority of people in Washington have it all wrong. What are they thinking? We are still stumbling, bumbling, calling names and making enemies like that bully kid down the road. Why have we developed this mentality? Our forefathers would be ashamed. I guess if you don't know how to lead, you bully to get your way.
Our country made statements about, "the evil empire", speaking of Iran, North Korea and Iraq. The leadership in those countries was listening. They saw it as drawing a line in the sand and it is not hard to believe after we invaded Iraq, both Iran and North Korea had a pretty good hunch that they would be invaded too. I think they continue to live in fear of invasion.
Things were not great in those countries, but they were not running post haste to develop atomic arsenals as they are today....not until they heard the words "evil empire" hooked up to their names. Once we drew that line in the sand, we quit talking to "evil empire" representatives...they saw that as another bad sign of things to come.
Our lack of leadership has brought on
Iran's and North Korea's dash to nuclear weapons. We use our expertise by
being a bully when it comes to world affairs.We alienated the
whole world with our bully talk. We have to figure out a way to quit
electing bullies. If we can't do that we have to find a way to make starting
a war all but impossible to keep these idiots under control.
BodegaBabe, Marsha Wilgis, Bodega Bay Visit her blog at
<http://bodegababe.blogspot.com/>http://bodegababe.blogspot.com/
Editor;
Posted 10 pm, Thursday Oct 26, 2006 --------- It is very disturbing about the man found in the Cadillac. (And some of us knew him.) Do you remember the similar story years ago about the man/father driving home from the Casino (?) and he was missing for a long time? They found his car, and his body, down in the embankment at the curve on Bodega Hwy just west of the Watson Schoolhouse. Can you refresh my memory? So I was wonder why some of this growth isn't cleared away from the edge of the roads?
It could be any of us trapped and dying down one of the sides of the highway.
Shona Weir, Bodega Bay
Editor;
Posted Oct 15, 2006 --------
Is extermination of a herd of introduced deer in the Point Reyes National Seashore really necessary? According to the Wilderness Act, we recognize native species to have the right to remain protected by our National Park Service, and we arbitrarily deem certain non-native species to be protected by the same rights. I can’t help wondering how certain cattle ranches, a horseback rental outfit, commercial food facilities and a Morgan horse- breeding farm--maintained by the National Park Service no less—fall into the latter category. We choose to blur the lines, or overlook them entirely in some instances, while the lives of all the fallow and axis deer hang in the balance. We manage the park from non-native structures; we encourage over two million humans a year to drive extensively through this transient piece of land that has migrated over millennia from the south, bringing with it its own native species that were not originally native to its current eastern bedfellow across Tomales Bay and Highway 1.
Evolution, dare I say it, is part of the earth’s condition. Why do we have to be so pedantic about a small herd of deer in our management of this 100-square-mile park? Why not allow the deer to be culled — according to the original plan – by hunters in a given season, and contribute to the acclaimed reputation West Marin has for providing organic food in a sustainable manner?
We need to examine our motives, and our measure of man in the scale of the universe. Nature is an indomitable force; it would be wise to join with it rather than try to dominate it.
Posted Friday Oct 13, 2006 --------
Editor:
Dick Spotswood recently wrote an article in the Marin IJ about the Center for Judicial Excellence. His article lacks merit. Something is extremely rotten in the Marin judiciary. Those who profit from maintaining the Marin court system in its current unethical state would be happy to stay in denial because they are profiting from it staying just the way it is.
The people attending the recent meeting at College of Marin were not just unhappy litigants as certain lawyers and judges in Marin would have you think. There was a judge from Alameda and a social worker speaking on the panel. Numerous people who have never been Marin litigants were also in attendance.
Spotswood writes, “The inevitable quandary is that most complaints against any judge relate to individual cases, making it ethically impossible for the judiciary to defend specific actions.”
Actually I attended the meeting at the COM and the complaints
about Marin Judges were mostly general complaints about favoritism, and conflicts
of interests between judges and local attorneys. For example both the woman
sitting on the bench in family
court have husbands who are part of Freitas Law Firm. If your spouse hires
Freitas for an issue to be heard in the Marin family court how could you receive
a fair trial? With 50% of marriages ending in divorce this is something to
consider.
I do not blame the Center for not disclosing where their funding comes from. Kevin the son of Judge Dufficy has threatened people who speak up against his father.
Judge Dufficy has tried to keep his campaign contributions illegally private in the past.
Marin is a fairly liberal county where conservative money is used in excess to elect the judges and control the courts.
I believe everyone does deserve to have their fair day in court even in Marin.
Vote in November!
Marjorie Morgenstern - long time Marin County Resident
(46 years)
Posted 8:30 pm, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2006 ---------
Dear Editor,
Thank you for your article about Measure A, our local school parcel tax which will be on November's ballot. Because this community has been so supportive of the parcel tax for the last 20 years, it has enabled our local schools to continue to have many of the enrichment programs that other districts have had to abolish.
On your ballot are two other statewide initiatives in favor of education. Measure 88 is a $50 parcel tax for all the school districts in California. Measure 1D is an education facilities bond. There are many pros and cons to these measures which you can read about in your voter pamphlet.
While it would be great if you would support all these initiatives, we'd really like to have your support for Measure A. A high-quality local public school system is vital to a community's well being. It's important that we're able to continue to provide a rich, comprehensive academic program to all our students.
Thank you.
Kerry Weir, Bodega Bay, Shoreline School District Board Member
Editor;
What surprises me about the demolition of the building (Tides demolition) is that none of the building was saved for recycle? Not even the windows. With so many "green" people here, and not one voice to metnion the wanton distruction of good material?
#$%@, Name withheld on request
Posted 8:30 pm, Wednesday, Sept 27, 2006 ---------
Editor;
Thanks so much for posting the article on the Tomales Town Hall --an interesting juxtaposition to the one on the front page about the Bodega Bay building coming down! Thought you might like a photo (by the way, I've discovered an online paper has it all over one of print medium in photographs. They're wonderful to see this way.) Thanks again.
Ginny Magan, Tomales
Editor's note: Tomales Town Hall pix submitted by Ginny Magan is now posted with the TTH story.
Editor;
THE FEAR FACTOR
The Bush Administration allied with the corporate media has become “Rovian marketers” of fear. Even though there are more terrorist now than prior to the war in Iraq who want to nine eleven the U.S, we must view with great skepticism the breath of the war on terror. In “tinseltown” USA the pervasive news of Paris Hilton and JoanBenet veils the reality that the War on Terror is the second coming of a “Brave New World” Mc Carthyism. During the Mc Carthy era the perceived inflated threat was that of a communist under every rock but now there is the perception of a terrorist behind every "Bush." The American people, it seems, have chosen the illusion of absolute security over reality of liberty. We have elected by inaction to keep in power an administration rubber-stamped by a congress that rules against our own best interest. Today it is difficult to parse fact from fiction. We are in the spin zone where fear is a factor.
By Dr Gene Colombini, Santa Rosa
Editor;
Thanks for the great selection of photos. I once put together a collection, and always thought Vacation Rentals, etc missed something in not putting such a collection in the rentals to let guests learn of the local history. But, not many people are interested in it, nor the impact that geography has.
The picture of the Tides ala gas station reminded me of the time we visited the "upstairs" restaurant. We brought along a family friend of a grandmotherly nature and our five. The youngest, our twins - a boy and girl- were still small enough to travel in their plastic carriers. My, how scary it is now to think of how dumb we were when we traveled then. Seat belts, etc. weren't even thought of. Our waitress was as I recall, Mrs. Mitchell.
Inez Cook, Sacramento
Editor;
Charles Schultz, Woodstock's creator (along with the other
Peanut's gang) lived and worked in Santa Rosa, our closest metropolis. Over
500 people entered a contest to design a Woodstock for the Santa Rosa
Press Democrat's web page. Entries came in from all ages. kindergarten to
84. I was lucky to be one of the 25 entries selected, and was not the oldest
one who was.....lol.
Click on the shortcut below to see Woodstock doing what a lot of young people
do for recreation out our way.
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=SR&Date=20060725&
Category=PHOTO03&ArtNo=725001&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=23
Marsha Wilgas, Bodega Bay
Posted Monday, Sept. 11, 2006
Thanks to Mr. Plotkin's greed, and suit-happy personality, I found out about you in the I.J. article. I have been longing for an excuse to cancel my subscription to the P.R. Light and now I have one--you. Thank you.
Fred Mundy, Marin
Posted Friday, Sept. 8, 2006 ---------
Editor,
I have lived in Inverness since 1973. My family has lived in the Bay area for six generations. My father was a local newspaper reporter, my grandfather was the editor of a large Bay Area newspaper. David Mitchell has been an asset to our community, delivering an accurate accounting of the local news that affected us directly. We miss Dave. I am sorry the courts have made another bad mistake. As far as Plotkin goes, he can jump into his fancy little BMW and tool the hell out of here. He is not one of us, and never will be. He typifies too many of the journalistic abortions that are out there these days. It’s all about his out of town and out of touch twist on what the news is, kinda like CNN. Has Plotkin reported on his own antics? Ask yourself, who can trust giving or getting information from an ex-prosecutor? And he lives in BoBo??? Must be real popular there! Here is an offer: I'll donate a full tank of gas to him if it helps to expedite his departure..... Now, who the hell would have ever guessed that an out of town, ex-prosecutor would be delivering the news to PRC????? – Please do not use my name because I don't trust ex-prosecutors.
Name withheld on request
Editor,
What ever happened to freedom of speech?
I really think it is time everyone should boycott The Point Reyes Light.
Judge Sutro's decision is just another example of what goes on in the unjust kangaroo Marin Court system.
It is really hard to believe in a county that is supposed to be full of intelligent forward thinkers that this kind of legal backwardness continues. The judges are allowed to continue with their favoritism and good ole boy club monkey business. I swear sometimes this place feels like some backwards swamp state of rednecks when it comes to the court system in Marin and thousands of people have been harmed by it.
If anyone else is interested in picketing the Marin Court house and it's judges count me in.
From now on I will only be reading the BB Navigator. I can not stomach anymore bland articles in the Light about shoes tossed over the phone wires that no sane paper would publish. No one is interested in reading ludicrous articles in a paper owned by an obvious madman who has nothing better to do than to tie up the court system with BS. I would rather spend my dollar on toothpaste than waste it on the Light.
Sheriff calls belong to the public not the Light and I don't want to buy that rag in order to read them nor should I legally have to.
Let there be real LIGHT and may the owner of the Light get off his cardboard drama queen soap box decorated with Spam wrappers. May Plotkin and the warped court system here actually progress to the light. Plotkin is starting to look like a villain on a bad reality show just looking for more camera time as his 15 minutes of fame reduces down to 5.
Name withheld on request
Posted Thursday, Sept. 7, 2006
Varying Definitions of Community
Editor,
Amazing timing. A Tuesday Pee Dee article, front page Empire News no less,
talked about Dutra Quarry, creators of Petaluma’s “135’ deep
quarry crater ” now about to become a new "Community" of homes.
They are part of Dutra Group, poised to purchase the 550 acre Bay Hill Rd.
Calvi ranch. The site is zoned Land Extensive Agriculture, is in the Coastal
Zone and mining is prohibited. Obviously, that doesn’t prohibit Dutra
from considering buying the land, then using their political and economic power
to change the Coastal Plan to mine our beloved coast. Corporate mining is orders
of magnitude different from the old Hagemann Quarry (now closed having been
mined out) on Rt 1. Ask Dutra Quarry’s San Rafael neighbors who’ve
suffered for years, having to sue over ignored mitigations; expired permits
and closure plans. Dutra was recently fined $750,000 for illegally dumping
dredged mud into the ocean, including the Farallons National Marine Sanctuary.
Some of that mud came from dredging Bodega Bay. Must we suffer impacts from
a Dutra quarry, including silting our Bodega Bay; then pay the same corporation
to dredge the mud, potentially smothering (again) our Sanctuary? Quinlan Creek,
bisecting the Bay Hill ranch, harbors steelhead populations. What would mining
do to the salmon? To this world class tourist destination? Local protestors
on Rt 1 over the Labor Day weekend got lots of thumbs up to our No Quarry/Save
the Coast signs. Some folks had puzzled looks and when they stopped to ask
were aghast at the thought of a quarry on the coast. KB Homes says they’re
restoring a blight on the Petaluma community to a natural hillside. We hope
to keep a natural hillside overlooking the beautiful Sonoma Coast from becoming
a blight in our community. Many of us in West County hope the Dutra Group will
refrain from this misguided purchase. We hope instead a conservation buyer
will come forward to preserve this land and our coastal community.
No Quarry on the Coast!
Norma Jellison, Bodega Bay
Posted Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2006
Editor,
Regarding the letter writer who mentioned Judge Sutro is a sack please do not forget to include Judge Buck Dufficy. He is an incredible piece of work and still needs to be recalled. He has no idea about fairness nor does he care. He reminds me of the judge that just got busted for using a penis pump in court under his robe. Keep massaging the ego Buck. I have no respect for these judges.
Dufficy is all about arrogance and justice just does not figure into any of his decisions. The lawyers that suck up to these judges for favors are just as bad and should be boycotted. They manipulate the legal system for greed and gain.
I would be interested and to hear of any ideas about how to change the legal system in Marin County. It needs vast improvement.
Name withheld by request
Editor,
Since moving to this beautiful little section of the Sonoma coast 5 years ago, my husband and I have enjoyed your "dead tree edition" on a near weekly basis. We are sorry to lose that printed version of the Navigator, as we used to save it to read to one another over morning coffees and evening teas. We abandoned all other printed publications in favor of the Navigator simply because no others were as enjoyable; including the Point Reyes Light. The Light was good for it's purposes, but we find your news style and humor more readable and informative. We were not privy to the change of ownership at the Light and therefore did not witness the deterioration in quality there as evidenced by other letters to you.
Granted, we are quite relieved to still have your publication at our finger tips, but also more than displeased to hear that your publication and contributors are being persecuted by such an obviously greedy and conniving "Plotkin". The advantage of having an online edition though, now means that we can share the URL's to your publication with friends and family instead of sending them copies of your paper in the snail mail.
Hang in there Joel. We're cheering for you.
Diana and Daniel May, Bodega Bay
Editor,
Dutra Group to Purchase Coastal Sonoma Ranch
The fate of an undeveloped historic ranch on the Sonoma Coast
is to be decided on Friday September 8th. The 553 acre Calvi Ranch in Bodega
Bay is under contract with the Dutra Group; the aggregate mining corporation
has the option to purchase the property, to extend the lease, or to decline.
The citizens are questioning why a mining corporation would
invest in a parcel in which mining is not permitted. Holding General Plan
designation as Land Extensive Agriculture (LEA), quarrying and geotechnical
investigations are explicitly not permitted. However, on 10/31/05 a permit
was obtained for five geotechn borings.
The state of California and the County of Sonoma have both
secured specific protections against adverse land use in this coastal zone;
however, the citizens are questioning the security of these zoning laws under
such light that the Dutra Group has invested in leasing and core sampling
to determine the quality of the blue shall deposit even though it is specifically
designated under the ARM plan as a Mineral Deposit of Regional Significance.
What is to be revealed on September 8 is whether the corporation's confidence
in rewriting zoning laws is worth the $5 million dollar purchase of this
Bay Hill Road property.
The citizens stand by proactively observing as a corporation seems to be in preparation to attempt to get both State and County zoning laws rewritten.
"Meeting the County's goal of continuing to provide aggregate
production to meet local demand will require new Sonoma County quarry sources
to be permitted for extraction (PRMD: 2004/ 2005 Annual Report on Aggregate
Production in Sonoma County.)" Rhetoric such as this in County documents
is unnerving for citizens observing this private land transaction from an
elderly rancher to a mining corporation.
It appears that the corporation believes that the County and
State would "consider" rewriting long standing zoning laws to meet
mandated County demand by granting a permit to an out of county corporation.
The citizens of the State of California hereby call attention to this issue that it be publically observed.
Alberta, Bodega
Editor,
Here are some of the photos I took this past weekend in Marin
of the Fallow deer. I have put a sampling of the photos I took in an online
slide show that you can get to directly by visiting:
http://www.digitalfamily.com/deer/
Please feel free to use these photos on your site and in
any other materials you are creating to help bring attention to these beautiful
animals. I ask only that you give me credit as the photographer (Photos by
Janine Warner).
I can’t imagine what good would come of removing them from the National Seashore. Walking through the Vendetta Retreat, where these pictures were taken, was a magical experience. I hope you are successful in helping to preserve their rights to share the park and other private lands in Marin.
Janine Warner, Los Angeles
Posted Thursday, August 31, 2006
Editor,
We use non-compete agreements with our employees up here in
Maine to discourage them from going into competition with us.
The theory on these is that they are “unenforceable contracts” and
that they are not worth the paper that they are printed on.
We know this is true but your average Joe or Jane doesn’t. It can be an effective deterrent against the not-so-savvy employee thinking of going into competition with you.
You can not enforce a contract which relinquishes an inalienable right provided by law, which also interferes with Dave Mitchell’s right to liberty and pursuit of happiness.
Non-competition agreements are not worth the paper that they
are printed on.
And, by the way, neither is the Pt. Reyes Light.
Bradley Paul Williams, formerly from Bolinas, chimneys@midmaine.com
Editor,
I’m a new reader from Oakland no less, who has only recently become aware of the "The Light" and "The Navigator". Unfortunately I am all too aware of Judge Sutro…how sad that sack like Sutro would be the one to hear the case on Friday. I expect that Mitchell and you will overcome this absurdity based on tangible things like Contract Law and Free Speech. Additionally, I expect this kind of controversy will bring more readers to a news source that cares about the community instead of the concerns of a Narcissistic publisher who was obviously not hugged enough as child. You’re book marked on my search engine…keep up the good work..
Gregory Park, Oakland
Editor, Bodega Bay Navigator;
Posted 9 pm, Thursday, August 24, 2006 -------- Thanks to the IJ coverage about the turf wars, we now have been reconnected with Kathryn LeMieux and can read the West Marin Sheriff’s Calls online! Add some links to the Dance Palace in Point Reyes and Rancho Nicasio and we can be paperless! Your site is now saved in my favorites. Thank you for providing the kinds of information and news that people care to read.
Bobbi Kimball, Bolinas
Editor, Bodega Bay Navigator;
Posted 1:30 pm, Thursday, August 24, 2006 -------- Just found your site thanks to the IJ. How great to be able to see Kathryn LeMieux's "Feral West" again and historical photos from West Marin!
Here is a letter that I sent to the Light after the last elections that they didn't print. I think it is an important issue and I was surprised that they didn't see it that way.
As a long-time resident of West Marin and a long-time reader
of the Point Reyes Light, I was taking a wait-and-see attitude toward the
change in ownership of the Light. Last week's issue with your endorsements
for Tuesday's election pushed me off the fence, however, and was an example
of a serious decline in the value of this paper. In the past I could rely
on the Light for a detailed endorsement article with information on everything
that was to appear on a West Marin ballot as well as the name or names of
those who researched and wrote the article. This time we got information
on just two races, State Assembly and US Representative (out of eleven contested
races) and information on the two statewide propositions (but not the Tam
district bond issue or any other issue that may have appeared on other West
Marin ballots.) Also, there is no indication of who wrote the piece.
I strongly believe that it should be part of the Point Reyes Light's mission
to provide full election coverage. Endorsements may be a matter of editorial
opinion and judgement and I may agree or disagree with your choices, however,
the fact-finding and reasoning behind them are very valuable in making informed
decisions on election day. The Light was always one of my sources as I approached
an election and I missed the insights and local angles it used to provide,
not to mention the help in sorting out unfamiliar candidates and the duties
involved in the lesser-known government offices.
Anne McClain, Forest Knolls
And here is a letter that I just wrote to the IJ on the subject:
I want to thank you for your coverage of the "feud" between the past and present owners of the Point Reyes Light. I found it interesting that one of the things Dave Mitchell (former owner of the Light) wanted to cover was the upcoming elections. As a long-time subscriber to the Point Reyes Light (as well as the IJ) I have been disappointed with the quality of the new ownership's election coverage. I feel that information on our governmental representatives or prospective representatives is a hugely important part of the mission of the press and I am saddened by new owner Robert Plotkin's apparent decision to back off from thorough pre-election and post-election coverage. Thanks to your article I now know that I can go to the Bodega Bay Navigator for some of that missing information (provided Dave wins his case) and Kathryn LeMieux's "Feral West" comic, too!
--Anne McClain, Forest Knolls
Dear Editor;
Posted 10:30 am, Thursday, August 24,2006 -------- Having grown up in West Marin it was always a wonderful treat to be able to catch up on the hometown news by visiting a truly great newspapers web addition on a weekly basis, Unfortunately all this changed late last year when that newspaper turned into a piece of garbage that contained no news that anybody really cared about. I have never deleted that link from my favorites list in hopes that the people in control of that paper would come to their senses, but in reading an article this morning in the IJ, I realized that it is only getting worse. The good news is that I learned of the Bodega Bay Navigator and now have deleted the old newspaper and replaced it with the Navigator, What a great site, keep up the good work!!!
Brian Gibson, Walnut Creek, Ca.
Dear Bodega Bay Navigator,
Posted 11:30 am, Wednesday, August 23, 2006 -------- Opening the Bodega Bay Navigator this morning saddened and disgusted me. To read that Pt. Reyes Light is so threatened by a small neighboring newspaper that they would go this far to bully, intimidate and wield legal Hammers over you. The quote:"the Bodega Bay Navigator was considered to be a competitor with the Pt. Reyes Light since Marin County residents could access it by their computers" from the complaint is outrageous and dangerous.If upheld most certainly will have much farther reaching consequences for all citizens that own a computer. It is the type of "gag" if you will that completely tramples on of our rights to free speech.
All of these legal maneuvers feel like a case of sour grapes
to me because the Bodega Bay Navigator decided not to sell the newspaper
to Pt Reyes Light and instead to take a new course. Or perhaps they must
be full of fear that somehow your tiny section of the world is a gold mine
worth fighting for. Either way... SHAME,SHAME, SHAME.
Your dedication to the community is invaluable and needed. Do not let these
bully tactics sway you. As a citizen of Sonoma County and the Internet, I support
you 100%.
Ann Leach, Cyberspace Citizen
Editor;
Posted 8 pm, Tuesday, August 22, 2006 -------- Do you mean
to tell us that Mr. Plotkin inundated our coastal community with free editions
of his newspaper begging us to subscribe, bad mouthed our beloved Navigator
editor and implied any articles written in the Navigator were done by illiterate
idiots. He then felt so threatened by the Navigator he had to go to court
to keep it out of "his" turf?!
Wow, Joel, good job!
Diana Bundy, Bodega Bay
Dealing for Oil
Posted 3 pm, Tuesday, August 22, 2006 -------- There
are a lot of brilliant people in the United States, but not one has figured
out what should have been done when dealing with oil producing nations
who are our suppliers.
Usually, when I want to purchase something, I want to get to know the seller hoping it will result in better service and better prices for me.
Not the United States, though. Our leaders want to fight with those we wish to purchase oil from. We call them names, we threaten them, and sometimes we invade them. Sometimes we just don't talk to them at all.
I think we are getting close, with China needing as
much if not more oil
than we do, to some oil producing nations telling us, "no thanks,
we don't want your business".
There are different numbers applied to when the world's oil wells will pump
themselves dry, and there are some fields that are still to be discovered,
but still there will be the day in the near future when the oil will be gone.
Surely those who run this country know that the Arab States oil fields have
numbered days and cannot meet current output for many more years.
Here we are, embroiled with several nations now, when
intelligent insight would tell us we need only to pander to the Arabs and
get their oil as quietly and peacefully as we can until their oil runs
out.
After their oil runs out, we won't have to fight them and it is not likely
their economy without oil will be sufficient for them to wage war with us.
They are left with their arid sandpile and we, blessed with the Midwestern
States, we are growing corn.
It would take less effort to change from oil to other fuels than what it cost
to go to the moon. Where are the thinkers and doers. All bitching and fussing
and not a bit of sense amongst them.
Simple solution to a difficult problem..... but George W. Bush has made decisions that tell me we are already too late as his actions threaten our oil supply, and I don't see any program in place to make us free of imported oil. That is the hardship we are in now and it is likely to get worse.
I am so tired of having my Nation run by idiots.Marsha Wilgis, Bodega Bay
Editor:
Posted Augsut 15, 2006 -------- A Little Less Conversation,
A Little More Action Please.
Jill Stewart must have been musing from an icy cold office space when she wrote
her recent opinion piece Green governor needs to cool it. How else during record
high heat could she suggest that there is no consensus on global warming science,
blame China for California’s smog and advise to go slow on solutions
to global warming?
Sure global warming and air pollution are not confined to geopolitical borders. But in the absence of federal action, California must lead on global warming as we have done on air pollution. The solutions that we develop in California can be exported to other states and nations.
Ms. Stewart cites the law of unintended consequences as rational for nitpicking with historic legislation to curb our greenhouse gas emissions in California. Fortunately the same PPIC poll that she cites shows that 2/3 of Californians want state action on global warming. It’s time for a little less conversation and a lot more action on global warming by passing AB 32 and SB 1368 this summer.
Virgil Welch , Climate Campaign Coordinator, Environmental Defense
Ann Notthoff , California Advocacy Director, Natural
Resources Defense Council, vwelch@environmentaldefense.org
Breezeygeezy;
Posted Thursday, August 10, 2006 -------- It took me awhile to understand that the invasion of Iraq was not to take the oil away from the Iraqi's but rather to control the flow with the intention of creating a scarcity and thereby increasing the per-barrel cost. We've seen how well that has worked enabling major oil companies to post all time record profits. Now with the closing of the pipeline in Alaska, we should see the price of gasoline continue to escalate into the stratosphere.
Most frustrating is how "inflation" is driving the rise of interest rates. Seems most of the "inflation" is caused by the enormous profits of the oil and pharmaceutical industries. So, not only do we pay more and more at the gasoline pump but we pay more and more interest on mortgage loans etc. The increase in the cost of gasoline causes an increase in the cost of everything that is dependant on delivery by truck etc. We get shafted coming and going. Got to love the free market. Heaven forbid any regulation.
In the meantime, at least the CAMP folks along with their associated agencies are doing their part in keeping the price of marijuana high and profitable.
Notorious M
Breezygeezy replies:
A stray thought: If the price of oil will drive down the consumption patterns of profligate Americans, is the Bush scheme to raise oil prices pro or anti environment?
M replies:
The harsh reality is that only the less well-to-do will consume less petroleum which makes this another good example of the class war being waged on middle and lower class Americans by the wealthy. Hate to put it like that but that's the facts Max. I doubt if the scheme goes beyond Bush and his cronies getting fabulously wealthier while the getting is good. I don't think they give a damn about the environment pro or anti. It would be nice if the high price of energy had a positive effect in some indirect way but if it did I suspect the bastards would figure out a way to negate it. I have heard that a few corporations are concerned about the failing environment but only as it may affect their profit margins.
Notorious M
Posted Friday, August 4, 2006
Editor;
I would like to congratulate you first for your new online presence, as well as for nabbing Dave Mitchell and Kathryn LeMieux as contributors! I read the article in today's Press Democrat and couldn't be happier for you. I grew up in West Marin and have never seen your publication but have it bookmarked now in my favorites.
Alex, Bolinas
Editor;
I think the Online Navigator is great. I've been checking it frequently and have enjoyed the quick coverage you've given timely breaking news. The numerous color photos are a big plus. Thanks for responding to the changing newspaper business this way and not just closing the door!
Suzanne Cushman, Bodega Bay
