Saturday, February 12, 2011

Needs assessment survey for YOUR future Library


Please participate in completing the survey or attend the 2/17 meeting - we can do this!

County survey introduction:  The San Mateo County Library (SMCL) is leading an effort to understand the community’s current and future needs regarding Library Services in Pacifica. Your participation is very important. Please take a moment to complete this questionnaire. It may take no more than 15 minutes to complete. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/B89NFJ6
Local invitation to attend the community outreach meeting:  "If you are a Pacifica resident... please join us for our Library Needs Assessment on Thursday, Feb 17th at 7:00pm at Ingrid B Lacy School. If you cannot attend PLEASE PLEASE fill out the online survey," Paula Teixeira, Pacifica Libraries Circulation Supervisor. 
Other references
Pacifica Library Foundation.  Outreach meeting notification/ flyer, and benefits of a modern "learning center". 
San Mateo County Libraries.  On-line services, and get a library card if you don't have one.
Pacifica Tribune.  On-line front page library 2/17 needs assessment article (if the electronic Tribune has been updated from 2/9).

 

Submitted by Kathy Meeh

35 comments:

Sinking Ship said...

Thank you for posting the survey!

Anonymous said...

I would like to see a state-of-the-art New Library at the WWTP , along with a new City Hall, Ocean Discovery, Health Drink Bar (shots of wheat grass).

NO HOTEL!

Kathy Meeh said...

Anon, I'm sure you would like to have all the fun stuff YOU enjoy-- a "free" best Library ever, a new, "free", disability compliant, efficient City Hall, a losing financial Ocean Discovery center, a Health Drink Bar for you and your buddies. No hotel, no progress FREE.

How is that going to happen????? The city needs money from a) smart development, or b) tax property owners. You may like the "b" plan, but most of us who qualify as "b" think we are taxed enough.

Last night at the Library meeting our 1 of 4 study groups also wanted the best of "everything". That's understandable. But, what is the plan to pay for it?

NO PLAN!

Anonymous said...

For one, get rid of all business regulations and taxes for starters. But you're a democrat, you will tax anything that moves, breaths, shits and screams. So, because of people like you there will be no development. Give yourself a pat on the shoulder for voting in the same people who want to regulate and control every aspect of our lives.

Kathy Meeh said...

Time is running out on this survey, only about 1 week to go. Please take the time to complete it if you have not (even if you attended the 2/17 forum/workshop).

If you do not complete the survey, other voices will be heard, not yours.

Anonymous said...

You might be a NIMBY if you get upset about Caltrans expanding a highway through town which hurts businesses, blocks views, changes the character of a neighborhood, and builds the highway right up to your doorstep, just to save some commuters a few minutes.

Anonymous said...

Precisely. That's actually the definition of a NIMBY.

"I got mine, but tough noogies for everyone else."

Anonymous said...

Right, everyone pushing for the highway widening is a real altruist and acting solely for the public good.

Anonymous said...

Tough noogies? You saving a minute or two or even five in commute time justifies this overblown project? Justifies the expense, the disruption, the permanent eyesore and damage to Pacifica? I think you've got your noogies on backwards tough guy.

Kathy Meeh said...

Anons from (922), you must have taken a detour off the congested highway, and ended-up at the library in a reading circle.

Maybe if you stay in the reading circle long enough you will learn to read the highway 1 DEIR/EA, which includes critical thinking by professionals rather than irrational gibberish by NIMBYS. 24 years of highway congestion through Pacifica without structural improvement over 45 years is long enough.

During construction 4 lanes will be open for the peak hours commute. Business will be fine, some right-of-way lots will finally be sold. Long-term, the view in the 1.3 mile area affected will be better, not worse. Commute time saved is estimated at 8:20 minutes round trip, increasing to 28:00 minutes over 20 years; to improve upon that, additional regional traffic planning is needed.

Anonymous said...

Oh yeah, let's let the professionals do all the critical thinking. They wouldn't be influenced by self-interest or other agendas that do nothing for Pacifica. Go ahead. Act like sheep. That's always worked out beautifully.

Anonymous said...

Everyone's influenced by self-interest. At least they have some credentials and experience and aren't just pulling things out of their butt.

Anonymous said...

"Business will be fine." Not for the businesses in Rockaway who will be staring at high retaining walls and sound walls, after the character of the Rockaway business district is radically altered by the new intersection and unable to be seen from cars on the highway.

"Long-term, the view in the 1.3 mile area affected will be better." How in the world do your reach that conclusion? The view will be blocked on both sides by sound walls.

Anonymous said...

anon @811 You seem a little sensitive. Crude but sensitive. Of course everyone has self-interest. That's exactly the reason such a town-changing, irreversible project should be thoroughly scrutinized...and not just by the experts you are in awe of but by the residents of this town. It's nothing new for Caltrans.

Anonymous said...

anon@849 to answer your question refer to the post above yours, 2nd sentence. That's the quality of thought you're dealing with.

Kathy Meeh said...

"... high retaining walls and sound walls."

Anon (849) guaranteed sound walls only exist in your brain and propaganda, not in the Highway 1 DEIR/EA. Pictures of what that 1.3 miles looks like before and after the highway widening improvement exist in the DEIR/EA. The highway and the Rockaway area look improved. There are no "high retaining walls and sound walls". This is a 1.3 mile highway widening improvement, not a freeway.

CEQA findings in the Appendix does not support "sound walls", because sound walls are not needed. Sound walls are not needed because there is no significant long-term sound increase. And, sound walls cost additional money, hence a) no need, and b) no reason to spend unnecessary money.

Thus, what you say is false and to be clear re-read carefully the comment from Anon (811). With regard to that comment, that's why research, analysis and expertise is best left to the professionals.

Anonymous said...

hey if the pentagon needs to launch another drone I know where they can find one

Anonymous said...

The photosimulations do not show the entrance to Rockaway. There are definitely retaining walls. The businesses on Old County Road will be facing a retaining wall. The DEIR shows the possible locations of sound walls and says that sound walls may be necessary and the final decision on sound walls will be made after completion of the project design (p. 133). Thus, what you say is false.

Anonymous said...

But she really really believes every word of it. Let's give points for sincerity at least.

Kathy Meeh said...

But, Anon (10/2, 8:49pm, 10:32pnm) you said "... HIGH retaining walls and sound walls, after the character of the Rockaway business district is radically altered by the new intersection and unable to be seen from cars on the highway." You advanced that a fact, and that simply is not true. Its false.

The OPTIONAL language to use sound walls is built into the 287 page DEIR, but based upon estimated sound levels there is no compelling reason to add these, and if you talk to a TA representative such as Joe Hurley, he or others will confirm the same. Optional language is more like reading the full disclosure, or disclaimer, in legal documents, such as an investment prospectus, or the prescription drug disclosure you receive from the pharmacy.

Some retaining walls will surely be needed for the construction. What are you considering "HIGH retaining walls" not visible in the pictures of Rockaway business district?

As for "the character of the Rockaway business district", hopefully the character will continue to change, evolve and improve for the better. Just for openers, an empty building without commerce sits at Rockaway and highway 1 (another developer gave-up on Pacifica, probably the result of city regulatory delays running-up cost to build). Rockaway business area is zoned retail/commercial/mixed-use. Make it happen. Wonder if there were a bunch of whiners with the building of Linda Mar shopping center? Personally, I'm sure glad its there.

Anon (10/2,1057) zero points for your comment.

Anonymous said...

No one's "in awe" of the experts at Caltrans. It's just that, compared to a bunch of artists and twirly dancers, the opinions of professional engineers are infinitely more credible when it comes to things like traffic studies, signal modification, etc.

Anonymous said...

The conceptual plans on p. 11 show retaining walls facing all the businesses along Old County Road. How high are they? No one knows because this information is not provided and there are no photosimulations of their visual impacts, some of the many inadequacies of the DEIR.

Kathy Meeh said...

"...retaining walls facing all the businesses along Old County Road."

Anon (202), you don't know the retaining wall height, yet (if you're the same Anon) you called this: "... high retaining walls and sound walls." Not exactly..

That single retain wall, or others if needed, (no sound wall), will reinforce and strengthen the highway dirt and construction underpinning. Big deal, would you prefer a landslide waiting to happen on that Rockaway side road?

And, will this retaining wall, significantly change the character of Rockaway Beach? No. However, "managed retreat" from the Pacific Ocean without building sea walls would.

Anonymous said...

Anon 2:02: It's like beating your head against a wall, isn't it?

Anonymous said...

You're right. It's almost as if the NIMBYs have been beating their heads against a wall or something.

Anonymous said...

Anon headbanger@634 Yeah, and it's probably a massive sound wall. Ms. Meeh's endorsement is often the kiss of death. Let's hope she hasn't lost her mojo.

Kathy Meeh said...

Anon (202) referring to the retaining wall at Rockaway you said: "...No one knows because this information is not provided." Whereas, the retaining wall height information is in the DEIR/EA, but you can't find it. The issue is you, not the DEIR/EA.

Maybe stay in the reading circle a little longer, rather than take Anon (634)'s advice.

Anonymous said...

Yeah. And just as dense.

Anonymous said...

The DEIR says how many feet tall the retaining wall along Old County Road will be. It's right there on page ... uh ... well, Kathy says the wall height information is in the DEIR so it must be there somewhere.

Daly Proe Tes said...

Do Not Widen Highway 1. Fix It! With a Wide Emergency Shoulder.

bohemian said...

maybe we can get a couple of the local windbags to paint murals on the soundwall

Anonymous said...

local windbags? oh you mean the other local windbags. whatsa matta you can't paint?

Anonymous said...

The Emperor's new DEIR is beautiful. If you can't see how beautiful the Emperor's new DEIR is, the issue is you, not the DEIR.

Kathy Meeh said...

"...the issue is you, not the DEIR."

Yes, the issue is the Emperor Anon who started a new conversation about the highway widening on the library assessment article. From a librarian's view, might fit into the index category of: huh?

Anonymous said...

oh the horror