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Thursday, February 28, 2008

Letters to the Editor

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    Park, Rumors
    Are Not Welcome
    My health issues and the property purchase for park access to Section 32 have finally landed in all of the local newspapers. If ever there was a time for rumor control this is it:
    1. Was I really disabled by hair dye?
    Para-Phenylenediamine is a benzene derivative used as the developer in hair dye. Not only is it linked to severe allergies, liver damage, and blood cancer (all of which I suffer from) but it can even cause death.
    2. Did Roger Holden from the town of Edgewood say "eminent domain" or am I living in an alternate reality?
    It was said, and I even laid out my concerns of eminent domain to the town in an e-mail back in January, which they acknowledged receiving. In this e-mail I used the term eminent domain three times so my "reality" was pretty clear. No one called to clear up any misunderstanding or even state that it was misspoken, which further reinforced our beliefs of the town's intentions, if we did not choose to work with them. The day after it was in the paper by our homeowners association, I did receive a call from Roger Holden denying that he said this and apologizing if that was my impression. I am not sure how my written concerns are not impacting the town's "reality" of what occurred. Recently, Mayor Howard Calkins assured my husband and I that the town would not use eminent domain, but the town administrator's comments in the paper sounded less definite.
    3. Did the town try to accommodate my special needs?
    They agreed not to use substances that I am allergic to nor allow parking on the lot. If the road had to come through, we were in negotiations with the town for a transfer of a section of our land for a larger section of the lot they wanted to purchase, to create a safety buffer from traffic. Unfortunately, before they started negotiations and purchasing actions they never ran the plan past planning and development and it did not comply with acreage ordinances.
    4. Am I the only person being impacted by the town's choice of access?
    Families all around me in Los Cerritos and Vista Cerritos will be impacted by this road. One home in Los Cerritos will find this road about 20 feet off their property. Increased traffic, crime, trash and even horse flies have been concerns raised about the park in general. Understandably the surrounding communities are upset and feel that their voices were not allowed to be heard regarding the park or access.
    5. Why did we refuse to grant a right-of-way easement to the town for park access?
    Once it became clear that the town could not reduce the size of our property and that they would not be acting on eminent domain, we said no to protect my health. In addition if we became a willing party to the town's actions, not only the town but we would be open to potential legal action by the surrounding home associations.
    For three years the clean air and our secluded setting allowed me to open the windows and be outside, making my isolated existence bearable. Even though I have never interacted with the town, I felt as though I belonged. As of late I have been made to feel the fact I chose to reside in Edgewood is negatively impacting the residents.
    PERRI JACKSON
    Edgewood
    Truth Gets Bent
    In Mayoral Race
    Having read the letters to the Editor in two newspapers in the East Mountain area concerning the upcoming town of Edgewood mayoral election, along with the advertising associated with the election, I'm concerned that there's quite a bit of bending of the truth.
    For instance, I've read people saying that Robert Stearley, the former, not-actually-elected mayor, had an open government during his tenure. If open means an anti-business, anti-development, anti-parks and recreation system, anti-accomplishments, then the town of Edgewood had a very open government. Someone not in Mr. Stearley's inner circle might call it closed-minded, though.
    This reader finds it interesting that through editorials and advertising, the sewer system is touted as one of Mayor Stearley's accomplishments. Realistically, the sewer system was approved under Mayor Howard Calkins' administration and then Mr. Stearley's delay tactics caused it to go from a $2 million system to a $7 million system. Apparently, there's been a bit of a math issue, since it's been written that $1 million acquired in Washington somehow offsets the increased $5 million debt. And, I believe an investigation into the trip to Washington might show that no actual meeting with any legislator ever occurred, so the trip in itself could have been a waste of taxpayer dollars.
    It is nice to hear how the former mayor encouraged infill annexations. Oh wait— I just looked at the Town's Master Plan— that was decided to be policy years before the mayor took office. So, really, I think it is more accurate to say that the former mayor did not disagree with what his predecessor, Howard Calkins, put into place. Infill annexation makes complete sense, it's just that Bob didn't think of it. And the next mayor will be compelled to continue encouraging what was Mr. Calkins' vision.
    Another bullet point used in Mr. Stearley's campaign has been his creation of an education committee. After more than a year of having that committee, what have they accomplished? I know for a fact that they haven't contacted all of the local high schools to see about using their facilities for concurrent enrollment possibilities. A committee that doesn't do anything isn't really something to brag about.
    I wish the editorials and advertising would go into more detail about Mr. Stearley's opposition to Campbell Ranch. I'm especially interested in the position that policies are in place that will minimize Campbell's financial impact on Edgewood's budget. I'm not a financial expert, but I believe a development with 4,000 upscale homes could have a positive economic impact on our budget. And I think it's that small-minded mentality that has kept Edgewood from becoming the vibrant community that it is destined to be.
    KENA PEREA
    Edgewood
    Election Rhetoric
    Needs Grain of Salt
    As the current Edgewood election cycle nears its culmination, it is good to see that the candidates are expressing their views so that voters can make an informed choice. There have been many positive comments on future strategy, and all candidates seem enthusiastic about contributing to the town's future. However, it seems inevitable that some of the comments may be either easily misinterpreted or perhaps mistaken to begin with.
    In a Feb. 14 Telegraph article, candidate Bob Stearley appears to raise the specter of governmental misconduct, citing "secret condemnation proceedings, secret property tax plans, secret promises of sewer extensions, and meetings without publicly posted agendas." First, it should be noted that the eminent domain process is typically concerned with the acquisition of property, which is not subject to the requirements of the Open Meetings Act. Second, the Town Council has been openly discussing property tax proposals and other potential funding mechanisms; to discuss it in newspaper interviews would seem a staggeringly inept attempt at secrecy. Third, municipal governments can and often do negotiate with potential developers on the subject of infrastructure, including sewer line extensions; agreements are often reached which benefit both the developer and the municipality, and such discussions may involve acquisition or disposal of real property. Regardless, unless they are conducted by the governing body (in this case, the Town Council) they are also not subject to the Open Meetings Act. As to "meetings without publicly posted agendas," the town has made some mistakes in this regard (I myself brought a successful Open Meetings Act complaint against the town several years ago), the resolution has most often been to cancel the meeting when notice was not properly posted. As a former advisory committee chair, I was once forced to cancel a meeting for this reason during Mr. Stearley's tenure as mayor. Neither in that case nor in any other of which I am aware was there an issue of subterfuge on the part of the town staff or governing body.
    To my knowledge, the sewer project was never stopped and then restarted. Significant restructuring of the project did occur during Mr. Stearley's tenure as mayor; however, it is perhaps also relevant to note that Mr. Stearley initially opposed the sewer. As to the hiring of a civil engineer, it is perhaps also important to recognize that a growing community such as Edgewood not only has roads to maintain: it faces such issues as storm water management, traffic, and infrastructure development. Of course, there will soon also be a wastewater treatment plant and infrastructure to manage and maintain.
    Reference to the "whims" of the council with respect to utilization of funds seems inappropriate; the council is elected by residents in large part to allocate funding to municipal projects. As to the "city hall wearing a western hat," no such architectural absurdity has ever been proposed; this was just a graphic on a map, and should never have been interpreted as a design selection. One might note that Mapquest's big red star and Google's large green arrow are both conspicuously absent from the N.M. 344/66 intersection, even though they can be clearly seen on the maps.
    It would be refreshing to see the candidates— all of whom have a history of dedicated public service— present their platforms to the public without resorting to unfounded implications of misconduct or dishonesty. I urge them all to present clear explanations of their visions for Edgewood and the steps they intend to take, and avoid personal attacks, sidelong or otherwise.
    JOHN E. WECKERLE
    Edgewood
    Family Gives Thanks
    The family of Fedelina Garcia would like to express their gratitude and thanks to the community, friends and relatives for their support during this time. Thanks to everyone who attended.
    THE FAMILY OF FEDELINA GARCIA
    Willard