| This tree and other endangered habitat vs. your congested highway 1 widening safety solution. Who is important? Clue: not you. |
"Pacificans for Highway 1 Alternatives (PH1A) and Pacificans for a Scenic Coast (PSC)* are preparing to file a federal lawsuit against the Caltrans Highway 1 widening plan in Pacifica", claiming violations of the Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act, again. ... It will take $20,000 to pursue this federal lawsuit. We need to make significant progress in raising these funds in the next 2 weeks. We need your tax-deductible donations right away. .... * Pacificans for a Scenic Coast (PSC) is a project of Pacifica's Environmental Family."
Reference - Pacifica's Environmental Family (PFE). Note: "current projects" include: Pacificans for a Scenic Coast, Pacifica Beach Coalition, Pacifica Shorebird Alliance, Vallemar Conservators. And while visiting the website, don't forget to view the Board of Directors.
---------- The following comments are my personal assessment, observation and opinion ----
WHAT, FEDERAL TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS FUNNELED THROUGH NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS MAY BE USED TO SUE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT? IS THIS EVEN LEGAL??? Guess it is.
Thus, Pacifica Environmental Family (PEF), aka project "Pacificans for a Scenic Coast" (PSC), plans to sue the Federal Government against alleged State, County, City violations (which have previously been dismissed, set aside, rejected, failed and exhausted at State level).
Environmentalism in this City is valued on many levels; at the same time there is the extreme NIMBY component that threatens City progress. The result, observable over three (3) decades: a kind of brainwashed coalescent "pact with the devil", which functionally works against the economic, civic, and social balance and structure of this City.
This time the City/County/State/Federal interference from PEF is Highway 1 widening; previously, hostile PEF organization projects have included tactics against City economic progress, development, growth, housing. Whereas, both highway and growth issues are civic improvements which benefit humans (especially those who live in this City).
And this year, did the $3,000 City stipend paid to Pacifica Beach Coalition to support the Earth Day Eco-Festival, contribute directly or indirectly to PSC soliciting "donations" to sue Government against Highway 1 widening/safety improvement? If so, how outrageous is that! Ongoing City interaction with an organization bent upon defeating City progress is a questionable alliance. Yet, that is the moral and ethical conundrum which continues to frustrate the structural integrity of this City, and our future as residents.
Note photograph from Star-Ledger File, NJ.com.
Posted by Kathy Meeh
45 comments:
Nice, the city funds one organization that then funds another that is suing the city.
Maybe someone should call Ms Nihart and ask her what is going on here.
This is voodoo economics at it's best!
A broke city gives 3k to a group that consists of anti-everything that is closely aligned with Loeb and his goons.
Epic Failure.
Scapegoating Beach Coalition is inappropriate. Beach Coalition uses their money for Beach cleanup and other Beach activities. They are so shoe-string, that I don't think they have money to put into anti-H1 widening. But that is not to say that as individuals, the various members and officers might. As a non-profit, they keep records and must have an accountant put together their books. I am sure that Lynn would be forthcoming if she were to be asked regarding the finances of her organization and whether they are churning the city's monies into highway lawsuits. I really doubt it. And if they were, yes, I would agree the council should take a look at continuing to fund them.
844 LMAO. That'll open a big old can of whup-ass.
Take the link to PEF and check out the board. You'll see community ties going back half a century or more. The people and ideas of PEF have deep roots in this community. Their positions on the issues have been lived-in and are heartfelt.
More uninformed articles and comments from Fix Pacifica. Organizations like Sierra Club, National Resources Defense Council and other nonprofits all have the right to take action in support of their mission.
Anonymous 10:11 notes "A broke city gives 3K to a group that consists of anti-everything..." meaning the Beach Coalition is against everything? Seems they are in favor of quite a few good things such as clean beaches that invite visitors to our town and make Pacifica a wonderful place to live, and educating our kids to be good stewards of the earth.
And to make a correlation between the cleanup and restoration work of PBC and the continued rightful work of a separate project to fulfill their mission is off-base mixing apples and green beans.
Ignorant headline.
1231, no, the "Bastards!" headline is appropriate for ongoing NIMBY obstruction, including less than marginally ethical tactics.
Defender 1133, no one is scapegoating Pacifica Environmental Family (PEF). The facts exist. And the accounting for project Beach Coalition (PBC) would be separate from project Scenic Coast (PSC). The issues include the cross-over, cozy relationships within PEF, the umbrella organization.
Within PEF, there is both project PBC event funding from the City, and project PSC "Tax deductible donations" intended to sue Government against a City sponsored project (Highway 1 modernization). And did PSC solicit "tax deductible donations" to benefit suing Government during the PSC announcements, Earth Day events or Eco-Fest?
The "oppressed people" of this City are those of us asking this City and the NIMBY community for reason, fair play, a balanced economy, appropriate progress related governance, and a City future.
1226, is there a relationship between all those organizations you named and the eco-lawsuits being thrown at the proposed 1.3 mile highway widening to improve our area traffic congestion?
And as for the 30 year "mission", against progress in Pacifica, tell us about that too.
I think that Kathy is right to shine a light onto this issue. I think we need to demand transparency in the use of city grant funds by Beach Coaltion to answer concerns and questions whether these funds are being channelled into political action or legal action.
And yet none of these so called Environmentalists said squat when the city's sewer plant spilled 7.5 million gallons of poop across the beach and into the water.
Hypocrits.
As usual, Fix Pacifica finding a conspiracy where none exists. Kathy, what do you base your claim that something "marginally ethical" is taking place on? What "facts exist"? And now you are "oppressed people"? Possibly you are only a small vocal minority out of touch with what so many Pacifican's care about and live here for.
311
....and that's because it would have reflected poorly on their 3 stooges: Vreeland, Lancelle and deJarnut.
Faux-enviros must stick together at all costs, even if it bankrupts a whole city.
431, typical BS from the NIMBY cabal. Tell us all about 30 years of negligible progress in this City-- you know, all part of the NIMBY "mission".
And your further query:
1. "Facts"? Stated in the article, and my comments.
2. Use of the words "oppressed people"? Refer to the initial usage from Defender 1133.
3. "Marginally ethical"? Stated in the article, and my comments.
4. "Fix Pacifica (FP) conspiracy?" Well, the Riptide article, link to the PFE website, the organization and City relationships were all posted by me, so not FP. Facts are stated as evidenced by me. so not FP. And you have identified my referenced information as a "conspiracy". All very interesting, who knows, you may be correct about that one.
That's all you've got?
Oppressed people, goats, a cabal, goons, sinister conspiracies, voodoo, bastards!! A Pacifican would immediately recognize this conversation as about Pacifica--anyone else might think Game of Thrones or Salem. And it's all for naught, peeps. Those dastardly villains need only stall a year or so when we'll be in "wait til after the election" mode. You know how council loves that. And that election will bring them their third seat. That's all they have to do and they know how to do it. Back-up plan in case the courts kick them to the curb, again? Referendum. How long is that money available?
The more obvious it becomes that their pet project is in the midst of a slow collapse towards nothingness, the more berserk the denizens of Fix Pacifica become.
710, "collapsing" the city toward "nothingness", against the common good of the "denizens" is pure NIMBY, "the gift that keeps on giving". And, that is "berserk", (definition 2, "one whose actions are recklessly defiant").
Bring in the goats!
I think it's the fanatics opposing fixing a dangerous highway that are getting desperate not those of us that want to see that stretch of road fixed. Great waste of money, continually filing frivolous lawsuits.
311 You don't say squat AFTER the poop spill.
You guys must own stock in a cement factory; it's the only explanation for your mindless devotion to this abject failure of a project. Um
...what are you calling it these days? Widening? Modernization? Repair? Sheesh, pick any of these comical descriptors, but for god's sake, stick with it!
1148, "buy cement stock"? Good idea, just waiting to see which cement company will fix our highway 1, support them!
Meantime, you forgot to mention or disclose your NIMBY (Gang of No) group's "mindless devotion" to frivolous City/County/State lawsuits. The 1.3 mile highway widening, improvement, modernization, safety updating is both needed and funded. Contrary to your comment, the project is mindful; whereas, doing nothing to accommodate traffic now and in the future is "mindless".
It's too bad that the City Council continues to keep quiet on this issue. It's in their hands to have the needed conversations and settle this, avoiding the lawsuits.
I suppose your righteous indignation doesn't apply to the Chamber of Horrors (er... commerce) that annually gets taxpayer dollars to fund their pet-poop projects and legislative lobbying. Cab we say....BASTARDS!
My limited knowledge of the PEF is that the varies groups under their umbrella do not commingle funds. Continue spewing, it's entertaining!
Hey Kathy Meeh, before you go ape/bat/plover shit crazy about PEF and fiscal sponsorship/non-profit legalities you might want to educate yourself (can we say google) and do a little research. Here ya go:
http://fiscalsponsors.org/pages/myths-about-fiscal-sponsorship/
748 Yeah, but as long as they can hide behind some phony excuse, they're going to hide. Digre and Keener ran on the issue. And won. Maybe that made Nihart and crew more skittish than ever. Useless politicians.
It's not uncommon for a non-profit to serve as an administrative umbrella for other newer and usually smaller non-profits. Cuts down on the paperwork and admin workload for the newer, smaller org. Sometimes the new group pays a fee to the sponsor for the convenience. The new groups may be of a temporary nature. Locally, Pacificans Care has done this for years for a number of groups. On a larger scale, Tides does this for non-profs nationwide, including our own Pacifica Resource Center. The amount of support and services provided by these umbrella orgs varies tremendously. Co-mingling of funds is certainly not part of the arrangement. Much ado about nothing, IMHO.
The umbrella organization, Pacifica's Environmental Family is clearly stated and linked in this article, as the sponsor organization for:
1. Pacificans for a Scenic Coast (lawsuits against Highway 1 widening).
2. Pacifica Beach Coalition.
3. Pacifica Shorebird Alliance.
4. Vallemar Conservators.
As 1009 states, "Co-mingling of funds is certainly not part of the arrangement."
Again, as previously stated (4/19, 2:22 pm), that is not at issue. Overlap of organizations, blurring of fundraising, and tax deductibility of funds to sue the government could be.
930, the link you referenced seems NOT to support your point (if there was one).
See your link Fiscal Sponsor, Gregory L. Colvin: "... the charity has made a choice to support the nonexempt project financially.” But the Riptide article states the donations to support the lawsuit against Government are "tax deductible". Is that your issue or do you have another?
Hey, I took your suggestion and found you, Anonymous on Google.
Kathy Meeh at 11:06pm said:
"Again, as previously stated (4/19, 2:22 pm), that is not at issue. Overlap of organizations, blurring of fundraising, and tax deductibility of funds to sue the government could be."
Your statements continue to show that you have no factual reason to be dragging good organizations into the mud with you. "Could be" without any facts is inappropriate, insinuating fact when there isn't any.
Well, the organization is the "mud", since it has also sponsors groups (and encourages members) that have effectively worked against progress in this City. That is fact through observation and experience over 30 years, or since the organization has been in existence.
Unfortunately, also it seems that many NIMBIES in this City adhere to a "the end justifies the means" philosophy, key to much of the twisted rhetoric and actions taken against the balanced, best interest of this City. And that may be another reason you post your comment under Anonymous, whereas I post my comment under my name.
811 Be of good cheer because being dragged through the mud on Fix Pacifica is not without its benefits.
811
Spoken like the 'smug snob' that most of you are.
811 Here, again, keep smiling, because being called a "smug snob" on Fix Pacifica is not a bad thing.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. There is a difference between passion and venom, folks. Some of you need to take a long look in the mirror.
You lost me at "bastards". I'm not one of the goon squad inspired and energized by that stuff.
Way to spoil an amazing ecofest, by demonizing the beach coalition for daring to be a subsidiary of a group that supports a position that appears to be supported by a majority of voters.
12:34
Get out of your bubble.
The majority of Pacificans are sick of sitting in endless traffic jambs on H1.
I am very grateful for the work that the Beach Coalition does but they should not be given tax dollars if they are supporting the very people who are ripping us off with frivolous litigation.
Where are their principles really?
1234, above, got your own little one-liner hit campaign going on? The 1156 version is already lost, and will likely be collecting his "tax deductible donations" for suing government against the needed (current and future) benefit of the 1.3 mile highway 1 widening through this city.
And where was "Beach Coalition demonized" for keeping beaches, streams and grounds clean in this City-- since the City cannot afford to do most of that, thanks to multi-decade covert and overt NIMBY power which has dislodged the economy and progress of this city?
But, lets be clear on what organizations Pacifica's Environmental Family supports, again those are:
1. Pacificans for a Scenic Coast (lawsuits against Highway 1 widening).
2. Pacifica Beach Coalition.
3. Pacifica Shorebird Alliance.
4. Vallemar Conservators.
Possibly duplicitous bastards may have been closer to my personal sentiment, but variations for the "Bastards!" definition as intended follow. Urban Dictionary has a generous definition: "One who is narcissistic and unknowingly frustrating". But I perfer the Dictionary.com versions: Noun, 2,a, slang: "a vicious, despicable, or thoroughly disliked person. Example, Some bastard slashed the tires on my car." Or, adjectives, 6. "spurious; not genuine; false. Example, The architecture was bastard Gothic". Or 7. "of abnormal or irregular shape or size; of unusual make or proportions. Example, bastard quartz; bastard mahogany".
PEF had better divest itself of PSC quickly or it's subsidiaries have seen the last of our tax dollars.
Can't have it both ways.
Pay attention Council.
Good grief! What exactly is being alleged here? Is the accusation being made that PEF shares, re-directs or co-mingles donations with the anti-widening group? Got proof?? Then get your ass outta your chair and call the feds. They'd be keenly interested. People, PEF acts as a sponsor, an administrative umbrella. This happens all the time in the world of non-profs. The nonsense on here is more akin to kid#1 getting all pissy with kid#2 for being friends with kid#3...also known as love me, love my dog.
You think people who support and donate to PEF or the other orgs are going to be upset about an administrative association with an anti-widening group? You think this council would ever sever that cord? Dream on. Non-profits who provide fiscal sponsorship to newer, smaller non-profs are providing an economy and efficiency of scale. Lower overhead. It's a good thing.
So the city gives funds to PEF who has a paperwork connection to PH1A. Big whoop. It's kinda like monetary awards to the losing attorney (oh Brent), public defenders, gov't funding for public universities, etc. All can produce dissent and opposition and even cost to gov't, but it's all part of being a democratic country where dissent is allowed, even encouraged and public policy is often changed through protest and the courts. Checks and balances.
1:59
You just can't stop hugging Loeb and his tax sucking parasites can you.
Phrase it any way you please. Get cozy with the people suing our city and costing us what little money we do have and you can say goodbye to any more tax dollars.
251 Here's a phrase for you..one you can turn to whenever you tire of flogging thin air...it's a non-issue.
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