"Moving Pacifica Forward" by Jim Wagner and Mark Stechbart
| After all that, good news Smiley, the city may have a future after all. |
"Years of debate and artificial delay are coming to an end regarding the Hwy 1 safety widening. Final approvals for the Beach Blvd hotel, restaurant and library site are at hand, however, the ongoing City budget train wreck only gets worse. Good news and bad news.
After nearly 30 years of debate and delay, City Council took another step forward by denying an appeal of the City's capital improvement program by opponents of the Hwy 1 widening. A small group of Hwy 1 opponents have made every imaginable last minute objection to fixing this bottleneck that really wrecks the commute. In their appeal, opponents pushed an old "solution" of building frontage roads on either side of this stretch of Hwy 1, wiping out every business along the east side. Other last minute "alternatives" are a break down lane for emergency vehicles only, dooming commuters to sit in the gridlock; a light rail system running north out of town. We'll stick with the retired firefighters and the Teamster driver--put one lane in each direction and don't monkey-wrench our commute.
After
almost
20 years, the Beach Blvd project on the abandoned old sewer plant site
will
be before the final permitting agency, the Coastal Commission, hopefully
by the
end of the year. That's good news. Several million dollars from a
developer to build
the project that will generate $500,000 annually in revenue is in sight.
A new restaurant
for Pacifica on prime oceanfront property will be an instant revenue
producer. the bad news, it took way too long and we could have used the
money this
year to avoid another budget mess and lost library hours. However, we
are one
step closer to a real Main Street in Pacifica.
The
City budget remains front page news. A huge deficit. Millions of fees and taxes
collected for one purpose but moved around into unrelated programs. Unclear
past plans to repay these "loans". An employee pension plan that needs
a "loan" from the sewer fund to buy it down. Council bit the bullet
and a tough audit will bring clarity. What remains to be discovered is why this
went on for eleven years since 2003.
With a renewed focus, Council and this community can adopt a sustainable local economy. Some old bad habits have to be corrected, but the recent actions discussed above provide us with a positive roadmap forward, benefiting everyone."
Note: the above text was published in the Pacifica Tribune as a My Turn article, 6/25/14. Permission to reprint the full article was allowed by the authors. Graphic: the "good news/bad news smiley is from DJ Rootbeer music blog.
With a renewed focus, Council and this community can adopt a sustainable local economy. Some old bad habits have to be corrected, but the recent actions discussed above provide us with a positive roadmap forward, benefiting everyone."
Note: the above text was published in the Pacifica Tribune as a My Turn article, 6/25/14. Permission to reprint the full article was allowed by the authors. Graphic: the "good news/bad news smiley is from DJ Rootbeer music blog.
Posted by Kathy Meeh
72 comments:
Funny business with funds for the last 11 years. I can tell you what happened. Digre was on council that entire time. You think with all her "ecology is our economy" bullshit she could have spent some time reading a budget! Her and the "Gang of No" cronies drove this town near bankruptcy. It's refreshing to see a city manager treating us like adults and explaining the smoke and mirrors Digre has been dishing out for the last 11 years. She has no shame if she runs again. None.
Some suggestions:
1) Reduce Property taxes for large lot owners
2) Improve Palmetto along the lines of Santa Cruz/San Luis Obispo Downtown.
3) Encourage sporting goods/outdoor equipment stores with low taxation
4) Encourage more greenery. Having large lot homes decreases human population per sq mile and helps improve ecology.
5) Allow high rise business complexes on Palmetto Ave. Great views. It will help attract really good talent to work in Pacifica.
6) Improve last mile connectivity. It should be easier to commute to and fro from SF using public transport.
7) Pacifica is close to SF Airport and easy to get to and from SJ. There is no reason why Pacifica cannot get some of the tradeshow business that goes to SF and SJ.
Name one city council member who can read and understand the city budget.
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I think all our Council (except Sue) can read and understand a budget if it is presented in an organized manor. Mike deals with real estate contracts, Len insurance policies, Mary Anna successful business owner, and Karen a research scientist.
Sue Digre?
I say get Victor Spano into her seat.
Good grief. Can anyone really believe that the "unveiling" of this longtime budget deficit was just waiting for the right report format? Or for someone who could count? To suggest the council brain trust just didn't know is ridiculous. Even in an election year. This council has also done its share of spending money they didn't have. The "news" has been released now because either they could no longer ignore the truth (that moment always comes) or they can use it to advance an agenda. I'd say both. So, we get a dog and pony show with a heroine. Have we stopped spending? Have we started building? Sure, sure. Group hugs are breaking out all over town.
Local Lib, I love some of your ideas, I really do, but that #1 reminds me that the feds (GGNRA)are the biggest single property owner in Pacifica. They pay no property taxes and therein lies much of Pacifica's revenue problem. Nothing from the county for Pedro Valley Park either. School districts also own big parcels, some vacant, some leased for profit, and they pay zero property taxes, yes? Got to consider the unintended consequences when we start giving stuff away.
The Vreeland-era was marked by unreasonable, irrational optimism whenever money was discussed. Party poopers got canned. Enablers were favored. Once Vreeland started to unravel, council could have hired a finance director anytime they wanted. I'd sure have wanted someone other than his hand-picked HR shill to look at the books. You think city finances might have been an area to watch in a global financial meltdown that hit CA hard? Nope. Not here. No news was good news and the party continued.
hey the hwy 1 Gang of No. They had their meeting thurs and should have their alternatives fully dreamed up. I need to know what their group is going to spring on the public since not one of them takes the bus.
@12:08
I think taxation should be representative of services used. If people simply have large lots and are not actively using them, its only fair they are charged less than those properties which actually have residents and require services.
Pacifica being what it is, I think is well suited for a small local population and a large transitory population -- people who can visit/work/play/spend in Pacifica.
We should look at ways to attract tourists to Pacifica rather than residents.
Right now, Pacifica has too many residents and too few spending tourists which is the major cause of revenue short falls since the city has to service all these residents.
My view is that a number of people in Pacifica would be better off selling off their properties at a nice profit and moving on to more affordable parts of California or rest of the world.
Libertarian
At first I thought you were a pain in the ass but I am starting to like some of your ideas.
Local Lib, yes, as long as you're going to start with "Pacifica, being what it is", then your approach makes sense. And it accepts this town's very real limitations. Don't seek more service-hungry population, seek more spend-and-leave tourists. Keep it scenic, well-run, uncrowded and with limited residential capacity. We'll be an expensive place to live (as we should be given our setting) and a popular place to visit (as we should be...). What's not to like?
131 Oh who cares? Three pinch-points remain, Council's vote, the pending court decision, and finally, the CA Coastal Commission. And one thing's certain, council would be happy to have their vote pre-empted by just about anything.
Recently returned from the Encinitas/Lecuadia area. The last time I drove through there, these were two sleepy little towns; not the case anymore.particularly along the Hwy 1 corridor. That got me to thinking how Pacifica is built up all wrong. Everytime I drive North from Linda mar Blvd to Crespi on Hewy 1, I think what a mistake it was to build houses whose back yards front the highway.
Wishful thinking, perhaps only a pipe dream, but would like to see something going to buy those owners out and establish retail along that corridor.
603 You mean right next door to the place the city uber-brains want to put a sewage overflow tank? You're right though, that whole area is perfect for retail--expand on the busy shopping center, include food, some housing, park and ride, and woohoo! Instead of trying to force a main street that will never work as one, we should expand and improve the established places where shoppers already go. Linda Mar is the place for that growth. Get the local shopper as well as anyone using highway 1.
Libertarian 156, I agree with the first part of 342's assumption, and wish you a long life to achieve wisdom.
We are all people of a community. And yet to be fulfilled, this city seemingly is obligated to do better for all its vested city residents: including economic development to accommodate commerce and jobs; and housing development, including affordable housing.
Reality check:
1. The General Plan land use indicates residential is 21%, commercial/retail 4%, civic/community 4%, and industrial 1%. The balance 70% is land: permanent open space, 48%, possibly with much of the 22% transitioning to permanent open space. Think 5% commercial/ industrial is a healthy city statistic? Generally, that's not a supported theory, and it doesn't work in this city either.
2. Tax revenue? At city council recently, Mayor Nihart reconfirmed incoming tax revenue yield to this city: commercial/retail sales tax 1%; residential property tax 11%. That residential property tax looks pretty good, when compared to all those tourist and other retail dollars!
3. Too many residents in this city? When did that happen? Growth since year 2000 is -0.5% according to City data.com (2012). Bay Area population is increasing, remember? As a city, shouldn't we do our part to boost our population, including provide affordable housing for moderate income, the poor, the disabled, the old? Or in our city quest to protect the "nickle and dime" bottom line on selective spending, should we cast out such members of our community? As a city and a community, I know we are less barbaric and more civilized than that!
@ 7:00 PM
..should we cast out such members of our community? As a city and a community, I know we are less barbaric and more civilized than that!
I am not suggesting that anybody be cast out selectively or otherwise.
What I am suggesting though is people would be better off moving out of Pacifica rather than hoping and praying that Pacifica will change to service their needs.
This is a simple case of market economics. Pacifica is an unprofitable city as it is now. It'll only become even more unprofitable if the citizens expect more with no revenues to show for. The fact the existing revenues from residential property tax isn't enough to run the city is testament in itself that the current existing economic model is a failure and needs to be stared at intently long enough till wisdom dawns and obvious common sense surfaces!
@ 7:00 PM
Btw, your argument is not that different from this guy
Save The Frogs
He is simply more evolved in his thinking. If being civilized is not discarding the have-nots. Then the enviros and even more civilized in that they went beyond just humans and want to protect animals as well.
There's not enough developable land left to transform this city. We have a few scraps to use for the short term gain of a few versus long term economic burden on the rest of us. Not a position of strength from which to help anyone.
How come all this housing we already have isn't paying the bills for services? Is it the loss of retail/commercial spending and tax revenue as we became solely a bedroom community without places to shop? Is there a point of equilibrium for a town like Pacifica?
We're well on our way to being a ghetto and it has nothing to do with race.
We have not increased population in Pacifica since 1980. No other Peninsula city has stagnated like us. We need to add both commercial and residential and include affordable housing.
And for the gang of no who cry that adding housing is a drain on a city here's a study the City of San Mateo did that says housing can pay for itself if home prices are high and there is a "reasonable" supply of retail.
www.cityofsanmateo.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/1800
932 Pit bulls are not typically a dog choice of the gentry. I've never seen so many in Pacifica--all neighborhoods. I know, I know, they're sweet and cuddly.
Libertarian 725, 731, a city is not a "market economy". A city is a community where people live, and libertarian values (as you have personally described) seem incompatible with government, civilization, and compassion. Do you even support ideas, actions and candidates who improve this city? Do you vote strategically for candidates who may win-- or is this diversion to the frog side about you, and your singular ideology. If so, why would you not have compassion humans and animals?
Word usage definitions:
1. Market economy, Investopedia. An economic system in which economic decisions and the pricing of goods and services are guided solely by the aggregate interactions of a country's citizens and businesses and there is little government intervention or central planning. This is the opposite of a centrally planned economy, in which government decisions drive most aspects of a country's economic activity.
2. City, Merriam-Webster. A place where people live that is larger or more important than a town. An area where many people live and work. The people in a city. The city. The government of a city.
3. Government, Dictionary.com. The political direction and control exercised over the actions of the members, citizens, or inhabitants of communities, societies, and states; direction of the affairs of a state, community, etc.; political administration: Government is necessary to the existence of civilized society. The form or system of rule by which a state, community, etc., is governed. The governing body of persons in a state, community, etc.; administration.
4. Civilized, The Free Dictionary. Having a highly developed society or culture. Showing evidence of moral and intellectual advancement; humane, reasonable, ethical. Marked by refinement in taste and manners.
5. Libertarian, Merriam-Webster. A person who believes that people should be allowed to do and say what they want without any interference from the government.
6. Compassion, The free dictionary. A feeling of distress and pity for the suffering or misfortune of another, often including the desire to alleviate it.
@ 1:35 AM
If you are trying to appeal to my sense of decency and community, I can tell you in no uncertain term that it has absolute limits which are governed by current earning and physical abilities.
There are a number of people who are doing better than me or worse off than me. It doesn't behoove me to feel jealous or pity in either case. And that is what Buddha taught.
We are masters of our own fate. I can't help others' pain. I can try and understand but its really up to the other person to ask me for help if he or she needs it and I can try and help depending if it is in my self interest -- most of important at all if exercising such help is in my own self-interest to begin with.
Compassion begins with myself. If I don't take care of my welfare, its a virtual guarantee I won't be able to help others.
So, I don't believe in those misplaced notions of "community, civilization and other noble ideas" which are not based on real economics or common sense.
Even mothers stop nursing their kin when they bite too hard and get too greedy.
You can't create something out of nothing. And there is no economic point to holding on to a city with rising costs and falling revenues.
In fact, if people are so dependent on the govt tit, they are better off moving to low cost-of-living areas so as to not put as much pressure on the welfare system and in the process ensure their own well being.
The sense of community isn't a passport for asking for more welfare. It is an absolutely negotiable issue among all participants of the community. A community can thrive if it actually has economic surplus. It is sure to go the other way if it is not profitable -- which is exactly what is happening in Pacifica.
As for voting "strategically" and in "alignment" with economic growth, it appears all the move by the current "strategists" haven't gotten this city very far.
Your opponents (ie, the Nimbies) are far well educated, better organized and better funded.
Winner is one who when not to fight and when to retreat.
152, again, we're talking about a city and community, not you individually, and not your "survival of the fittest" interpretation of Buddhism.
(My 135 post was replaced at 149.)
203, therefore, rather than fight and fix, your plan is failed city, because "there is no economic point to holding on to a city with rising costs and falling revenues."
Yep, that's what I thought NIMBY! No accountability and no city vision. Default to county, and still pay the bills run up by your prior city council leadership friends who refused to bring-in a balanced city economy. Brilliant! Glad we smoked that out, got your number, game over and out. We can do better than that by fixing both the city and the highway.
Buddha didn't teach to follow him.
He simply taught follow your own "Buddhi" or mind.
For it is in mind all memories, thoughts, feelings and urges exist. And we live to fulfill those feelings and urges.
"Buddhi" has a symbiotic relationship with "Deham" or body.
Thus Buddha taught, feed the body so you may realize your "Buddhi" - mind.
Compassion then is a way of outlook where one considers his own welfare first so he may realize his better self.
Buddhism is not a religion. But is an inquiry and understand of mind. And all the mind teaches -- especially such basic things as common sense -- are/is Buddhism.
I am certainly not one of those new-age-gooey types who fawn over all things eastern and esoteric.
Look, I think we agree on very little and disagree on a whole lot. And that is ok.
Pacifica will move on to a better state of being or I will. The world is a vast place.
239 AM, no its not okay. Your self-absorbed views and proclaimed practice makes a mockery of the compassion of Buddhism, as well as local NIMBISM. Most NIMBIES in this city have a heart, whereas what happened to you? The views you express are the exception.
City economic solutions are the focus, and clearly from your own comments you are not on board. BTW, Buddhism is a later branch off from Taoism. Taoism origins is all about living in a community, and how the community can function better.
You will "move to a "better state of well being"-- see, its still about you, not the community. Meantime we, the concerned members of this community, must move on without you.
Of course we still have the Calson property. Council gave no direction to the consultants on what they would like to see there. Pressure by a couple of loud mouthed bullies who have declared Pedro Point off limits have shouted for all to hear that they need a park there. If that's the case, then Pedro Point homeowners should vote a special assessment to return to the city the lost revenue from taking that property out of the mix. Want a private park, pay for it!
So Hutch cites a San Mateo study that found that pricey housing can pay for itself as long as there is a "reasonable" amount of retail alongside. Duh. They have Hillsdale to go with their pricey ($800K m/l) housing. I'd say they know what they're talking about. Further proof in all-residential Atherton with the priciest housing in the country at 4.5 million m/l and by choice and plan no business in town. Poor things, even with all that glorious property tax, they must rely on a virtually permanent $750 per year parcel tax to pay for city services. In Pacifica, we added housing and retail after incorporation and then lost the retail to malls and big box over the hill. What we have left can't pay the cost of city services and we don't have enough land or traffic to balance that vital housing and retail
equation. That's a nice study San Mateo did. One little casino here would fix the whole mess.
Local Lib's god seems to be Darwin.
So 1215, East Palo Alto has a "Big Box" store, Ikea. Whatever works to drag-in money to this city. Also developers do their research based upon city zoning.
Although, your casino idea would probably not have much popular support-- one thing, if this city does nothing that will be duh.
Kathy, I'm expecting a whole lot of duh. Based on 35 years glorious residence. Or they'll do something with unintended negative consequences of the WTF variety. And yes, EPA is a marvel. Not just IKEA but nice hotels, new housing, some shops. Gentrifying everyday but also putting up low-income and affordable housing. Of course they're in the zone. Stanford and all that PA money. Geography is everything. One little casino hidden in the quarry and our money problems are over. But just to be safe, we should clean house at city hall. I believe that dog and pony show about as much as I'd believe they found Noah's Ark in Cheers. Everybody Out!
How do we get an IKEA? They're a socially and environmentally conscious company. Believe in a livable wage. Destination shopping. Look at what they've done for Emeryville and EPA. If we had an economic development director these kinds of things could be pursued. Instead we're mewling like infants over an oceanfront library and a make believe downtown. Daddy, buy me a pony, is not what I want to hear from council.
Everybody out? Who will fill the vacuum? Any suggestions?
The last thing we need is a casino. Try again with another idea!??
133, I'm empathetic to your attitude, but you're way too radical for me. This city just needs some economic development action, and a new face or two should come to city council in December.
The entire line-up of city council candidates is not clear yet, but I hope we can keep Mike O'Neill (I think he's running). And of course Sue Digre who frequently votes "no" while the other four (4) vote "yes" should go. Otherwise, through staff attrition I think city hall is being cleaned.
After so many years of living here (and seeing it all), there may be almost no reason to believe city council or city hall will support progress (the change this city needs). But you've kept the faith this long, try to hang on a little longer. Could be the city has reached the "fish or cut bate" stage. So, we'll see.
@ 11:47
Buddhism is an exposition of Sankhya Philosophy of Sanatana Dharma which is largely mistakenly referred to as Hinduism.
Siddhartha Gautama was born and was "englightned" in India whereto forth he took on the name of Gautama Buddha. Or Gautama who has attained his mind.
Sankhya Philosophy is the orthodox branch dealing with the logic of mind and the idea that reality is a manifestation of mind rather than an entity. That is Sankhya Philosophy espouses non-belief or atheism. And this Philosophy existed for many thousands of years before Buddha appeared on scene. All Buddha and later Nagarjuna proved is that Compassion of the mind is the key to the process of inquiry and understanding of mind. The repository of sorrow and being. And through this rigorous inquiry of mind, it is possible to quell "suffering". Because a strong mind understands truth and truth will set the mind free or liberate it from doubt and unknowing or suffering.
The subject of Eastern Compassion is a vast and multi-ranging topic that is beyond the scope of this blog. However, it is certainly more than Judeo-Christian ideal of Compassion. This doesn't in any way diminish western ideas, its just that Compassion is so much more than pretend sobbing for the welfare of your neighbor.
Taoism is from China. There may be some similarities. But they are largely very distinct lines of philosophies.
Nothing happened to me. I am just fine the way I am.
I have suggested economic solutions that will benefit the city, its residents and its ecology. All I am saying is if a person is already pressed for living a good life, it makes economic sense for that person to find a better means of income or cheaper means of life. It happens everyday. People move where economic opportunities lead them. Animals move to where food is available.
However, your argument it seems is along the lines of: “I’ll stay here and you pay for my welfare.”
It doesn’t work that way. If you want community to look for your welfare, you have to be willing to contribute to the community. And clearly this community has a schism and is in a dead lock.
I am happy, if you can benefit the community in any which way you think is appropriate as long as it is fair to all members of the community. But please don’t impose your notion of “goodliness” on the rest of us the same way the so-called nimbies want to.
Instead of attacking my views and outlook, convince me. Give me an argument. More importantly show me the economic evidence. Appealing to and or attempting to insult my emotional being is pointless and takes credibility away from your argument.
Lastly, my life is always about me. Even when I decide to help someone, it is about me. Because it me, with all my abilities, quirks, failings and strengths that is affecting the action. So, “I” am the most important person to “ME” in the world.
Thank you. Have a nice day!
Enough enlightenment. Just kill me now, Grasshopper.
Housing will only pay the bills when there is enough turnover to assure that property taxes keep up with the times. The way property taxes should be structured is that every home is accessed a certain minimum amount such that it adds up enough to cover basic city services. Say, $4-5000/yr?
But the reality is that we have long time homeowners here, thanks to prop 13, paying 1970s level taxes and expecting 2014 services, then getting on here and complaining about the city falling apart. Duh!
nobody read that wall of words Lib. Please save that drivel for your blog.
533 Bless your heart, but, I don't think "turnover" as you call it is part of the deal--whether you're talking cashing out and moving to Coos Bay or the big dirt nap. Prop 13 has been around a long time, although not nearly as long as inept politicians, their incompetent city management, and self-indulgent agendas. Other CA cities have found the balance. As someone else on here is fond of asking, why not Pacifica?
Btw, Pacifica only gets back like 17% of our property taxes we pay to the county. So if we pay $5000, the city is going to get $850. Those people who bought a Linda Mar rancher back in the 90s for $200k are only contributing about $350 to the city of pacifica. That's not sustainable. We all ought to be paying at least $100 a month for basic city services like street maintenance, police, fire, libraries, etc.
We have about 14,000 households in Pacifica so that would be revenue of about $16.8 million. Plus several million more for commercial property. But instead, the city only has $10.8 million in property tax. There is your deficit: Long time residents not paying an amount appropriate for the services they depend on.
@533 That's a politician's excuse for complete failure to build an economy. You sure you don't wanna suggest a hefty parcel tax like Atherton? They chose to be business-free. So did we. I know, it's just not a crowd-pleaser.
@5:33
Yes! There are a number of old timers who have the benefit of low taxation but not the incomes to keep up with the rising inflation.
And they simply want to sit on their perceived pot-of-gold and receive benefits.
And then they wonder why isn't their life getting better.
This is why I proposed lower to no taxation for large lot homes.
This will help the old timers sell for profit and move on to places with much lower cost of living and bring in new owners of a much higher income level who can then contribute to local growth.
As long as low income people expect benefits without paying in, Pacifica will struggle.
The main hope of the supporters of this blog is that they can keep milking the govt tit if the quarry gets developed and resulting property taxes.
And they can't accept the current reality because they are used to living a certain way before inflation, before the national debt ballooned, before the useless wars and before the bell bottoms.
The 60's are gone. America is no longer the preeminent economy it once was. It is still substantial -- but structurally weak. And when this bubble bursts (its a matter of when, not if), I hate to say but the weakest among us will be immediate casualties. We saw this happen from 2008-thru-2012.
And even today, recovery is still suspect.
The party is over or at the end of it. This is why smarter retired folk have been moving to cheaper 3rd world destinations where the dollar party is in full swing.
We're functionally business-free, but this place sure doesn't look like Atherton.
Oh thanks 722 for explaining that. It's the not so bright old folks over-staying their welcome. Got it.
@722 You setting up some places for these oldsters to live? Barges in the bay? Camps in the Mohave? You know, plenty of oldsters with lower property taxes have no mortgages, lots of money and enjoy a very nice lifestyle. No shopping in Pacifica, but SF is right down the road and Hillsdale and Stonestown.
@7:46 I am not blaming our elders. I am simply pointing out the widening gap between wages, costs, realities and expectations.
We can't defeat economics regardless of how much political (ill-)will or nay saying or disbelief we throw at it.
709 It's no different for any other city in SMC. Find another excuse.
@746
I am just the messenger. I did not cause this economic imbalance.
Nor do I administer Pacifica.
746, although 722 may never become truly "enlightened", the good news is eventually he may grow old.
718 one thing, "WE" didn't choose to be "business-free". We chose to develop Mori Point, and prior city councils chose to not support quarry redevelopment development. That's two. During that 20+ years, some larger parcel land owners were also encouraged/pressured to gift their land to open space and take the tax value write-off.
803 hopefully current and future city councils will run out of excuses, and finally act to begin to fix this city.
Local Lib, where you getting your messages?
Memo to Libertarian: Unless Steve Sinai (Blogmaster) overrides, I'm done posting your self-indulgent religious practice comments, including the 850 comment.
545 makes the point: "..save that drive for your blog."
Kathy
The libertarian has some pretty good ideas. Does he go to far sometimes with his libertarian agenda? Sure he does?
Censorhing him is counter productive to the blog and is a Fox News Bill O'Reilly move. If you don't agree with the person yell at him and cut him off.
The very reason why Fix Pacifica was created was cause of the Liberal agenda and Riptide not posting anything the blogmaster does not agree with.
I think the Libertarian has a couple good idea. Far more money making, revenue producing idea than I have heard from city council in the last 30 years.
656, yeah, well I don't agree with you either, and your text spacing is the same as Libertarian-Buddhist (a true philosophical oxymoron). But note your comments are posted here.
Anyone attempting to capture a blog article to spout repeated, unrelated off topic text-- that specific text comment is out. However, the "survival of the fittest" comments you cite as contribution (????) stand. And all of this has nothing to do with any agenda other than the "on topic" agenda.
But just so we understand, it seems Libertarian's "philosophy" is void of compassion. By his own account, he is all in it for himself. And his view of community includes: pay up or move out. Of course, he's anti-Prop 13, and he's a no development NIMBY.
Which of those "pretty good ideas" did you say you favor? Also, you complain about the "liberal agenda" while criticizing Bill O'Reilly and Fox? One of us seems confused.
"The very reason why Fix Pacifica was created was cause of the Liberal agenda and Riptide not posting anything the blogmaster does not agree with"
Most of us involved with this blog would consider ourselves lefties. We're just not as extreme as those you'd find on Riptide.
I wouldn't consider ANY of you connected to this blog "Lefties." I consider you folks reactionary, even the reason Steve gives for creating this hell hole of a blog was in reaction to someone elses efforts he didn't agree with. This blog is just plain old sour grapes with a liberal helping of hubris and ignorance thrown in as seasoning.
Quick, the DDT.
There's been a Bray siting.
Save the children.
Hey Bray, Patel thanks you for wasting several thousands of his dollars to deal with your appeal that the CC threw out with the rest of your bile. Go away.
Reactionary (definition): "Opposition to progress or liberalism, extremely conservative."
1. Opposition to progress. That would be you, and your NIMBY friends, Todd.
2. Opposition to liberalism. Steve's got that covered in his 1223 comment.
3. Extremely conservative. Nope, few are. The recent comments from libertarian NIMBY are more related to "opposition to progress" (see item 1).
This blog supports fixing Pacifica (outside ideological construct by those who can reason and count). The "hellhole" is the gap in city finances caused by NIMBY "hubris". And even now, are any of you NIMBIES willing to support development needed to save and advance this city?
The nimby gang of no hate Fix Pacifica. It gets 10x the traffic than over at Riptide. The fact that Todd and others put it down show their fear and that Fix is doing a good job.
@ Todd
Obama, Biden & Clinton aren't left of center to you. You are so far out of touch you can't see moderate views. You're probably are one of those 9/11 deniers.
^^^ If I managed to confuse any of you, my 656 comment was in reference to the 448 comment from Todd Bray. Todd referred to Fix Pacifica blog as a "hellhole" of "reactionaries" possessed by "hubris and ignorance." (You know who you are.)
Nice, Todd, may you enjoy the responses to your 448 commentary. BTW, don't forget there's an outstanding question? City services have been cut (as much as the city will allow), so what do you prefer: 1) needed city development, 2) much higher taxes and fees, 3) city default. Let's keep clarity in our dialogue.
I am an 9-11 denier because I know buildings don't melt and collapse like they did for the first time on 9-11. It was Bush and Cheney and his gang of thugs who wanted to try to take over two countries who had nothing to do with 9-11.
612 These Todd's views too. Many of the gang of no have visions of our country conspiring against us with everything from chemtrails tomass murder of US citizens.
So Todd, you want to admit you're a 9/11 denier?
Like fly's to shit: could you Fixxers be any less original?
Anyone who knows anything about Engineering and or Physics can tell you all this.
@ June 28 @ 1208 pm:of course, we still have the Calson property."
While I'm not certain that that particular property should be a park, I can tell you that when I built my house on the Point, I did pay a "in-lieu park fee" of some $1500, as well as a ' Highway One Improvement Fee" to the tune of another $1500 or so. Where that money went, whether it is being held in reserve or was swallowed by the General Fund, I have no idea. I would like to think that somehow my money went to benefit another park in Pacifica. In turn, perhaps future "in-lieu park fees" from future Pacifica construction will allow a park to someday be constructed on the Point. I'd hate to believe that the City extorted several thousand dollars of my money just to waste it on something frivolous. I'm not one of those 9-11 deniers although I still believe in the Tooth Fairy... and Santa.. and the Esater Bunny thingy too.
"Held in reserve". In Pacifica? Put that one up there with Santa, the Easter Bunny, etc. You really do live a rich fantasy life.
8:04
All the in lieu money went to pay the bills in the general fund.
Along with the Frontierland Park money and all the other money.
As soon as you people get over your denile(the long river) and accept the fact that this city council and councils past squandered every chance to bring in revenue producing projects and bankrupted the city.
Remember a few years ago the city had to take an emergency line of credit with First National Bank of Northern California for 2 million just to pay bills.
Listen 641, what you say is all true. They all suck, but you've got to snap out of it. Think of Pacifica as a big old nasty boil with a happy face sticker barely covering it. What's under there is no secret. Just leave it alone.
Todd also wants to turn the fog into power over on RIPtide
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