Coastside Dems Support Local Control of the Harbor District

Letter sent in support of the Harbor District:

July 13, 2015

Subject: SMCHD MSR & SOI Update

To: LAFCo Commissioners and Executive Director

From: Coastside Democrats Board, William Kehoe, President

Honorable Commissioners and Executive Director Poyatos On behalf of the Board of the Coastside Democrats,

I wish to inform you that we are in full support of the duly elected Harbor Commissioners and feel that they need to be given an adequate amount of time to correct the mismanagement of past administrations. Many of us have been working over a decade to clean up the harbors both physically and financially through the electoral process and we see the new Commissioners working to accomplish our shared goals. Coastside Democrats requests that LAFCo maintain the SMCo Harbor District sphere of influence and support the voters of San Mateo County.

There are many just points raised in both the SMC Grand Jury Report and the LAFCo MSR & SOI Update, a few of which we support and wish to emphasize are listed below:

  • Improvement of infrastructure and facility, better maintenance and capital projects to enhance the safety and operations of the harbor.
  • Implementing a capital improvement plan and accounting system, including a five year ‐ Capital Improvement Program (CIP) that is reflected in the budget.
  • Add a cost accounting system to track cost for enterprise versus non-enterprise.

Keep in mind that many of the grievances mentioned in your update have been ongoing for a decade or more and are the results of previous administrations. The newly elected Harbor Board (Jan 2015) has already taken steps to bring cost controls to the District:

  • Stop paying Health Insurance Benefits for Commissioners, upon commencement of reelected Commissioner’s new term of office.
  • The board voted unanimously to support relocating the District’s headquarters near Pillar Point Harbor.

And the new board voted unanimously to designate the Harbor District as the lead agency in the sand replenishment effort at Surfer’s Beach. As you may know, had previous Boards or San Mateo County taken this action when the community requested it many years ago, the County would not be in the position now of scrambling to shore up Hwy 1 at this location at a great cost to the California taxpayers.

There are other issues which you should consider, as referenced in your update, when you consider your service review. You cite 56430 (a) (2) “The location and characteristics of any disadvantaged unincorporated communities within or contiguous to the sphere of influence”. As you know, Pillar Point Harbor on the San Mateo County coast is a major source of jobs both in the fishing industry and the tourism trade. Over half the population on the Coastside resides in the unincorporated area surrounding the harbor. There are many people dependent on the health and functions of a strong Harbor District, as well as many visitors to this area.

The County, due to its structure, complexity and breath of services, has historically been unable to meet the specific needs of each of its unincorporated neighborhood communities. Likewise, we think it will be unlikely to balance and adequately prioritize the competing demands of a harbor district. Let me remind you that Granada Sanitary District (Granada Community Services District) and the Montara Sanitary District (Montara Water and Sanitary District) were formed to provide the unincorporated communities with needed services when the County decided not to do so.

Finally, any discussions on changing the structure and make up of the Board will be monitored carefully and will be scrutinized to ensure that the will of the voters of San Mateo County is not undermined.

Please include this letter in the Commission packet.

Sincerely, William Kehoe President, Coastside Democrats

New Coastside Democratic Club Board looks ahead

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Newly-elected members of the Club Board of Directors have been meeting to plan for the year ahead. Left to right: Dan Haggerty, Cid Young, Dana Kimsey, Dennis Paull, Kathryn Slater-Carter, Bill Kehoe, Doreen Gerrity, Harvey Rareback, Fran Pollard, Kathy Klein, Barbara Dye

News from the County Democratic Party

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San Mateo County Democratic Party Newsletter
Happy JULY 2015 San Mateo County Democrats! 

 


Friends and Democrats;

JUNE 2015 will go down in history for the reinforcement of DEMOCRATIC VALUES by our nation AND our state!

First, with the decision by SCOTUS on June 25th in KING V. BURWELL by 6-3 to forever put to rest the debate on the Affordable Care Act. It is and will forever be the law of the land despite some Republican’s promises to still try and derail it, calling it an “illegal action”.

Health Care for ALL is a DEMOCRATIC VALUE. 

Second, on the 26th, they ruled by a 5-4 margin in favor of Marriage Equality in OBERGEFELL V. HODGES. Same Sex Marriage is now legal in the remaining 13 states of our country. The United States now becomes the 21 nation in the world to have full marriage equality for all it’s citizens. As I write this letter, they are now issuing licenses to same sex couples in Kentucky! A truly landmark day, especially in the South and Midwest.

Our own Democratic Party Chairman John Burton had this to say:

The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges to overturn state laws banning same-sex couples from marrying is a victory for the American ideal of equality. The recognition of loving families that started in California and Massachusetts has now swept the nation. 

When I introduced Assembly Bill 167 in 1991 to change California law to permit same-sex marriage, a conservative commentator called it the “battle of the century.” This battle is now over, but it won’t end Republican-led attacks on gay Americans, and California Democrats won’t stop fighting discrimination against gay and lesbian families and students.

Marriage Equality for ALL is a DEMOCRATIC VALUE. 

Our State Representatives continue to lead the way in forward thinking legislation. Our own State Leaders, Senator Jerry Hill, Assemblyman Phil Ting, Kevin Mullin and Rich Gordon are making us proud every day in Sacramento.

The fight for our DEMOCRATIC VALUES  has only just begun. There are many fronts for us to consider now as we look to 2016 and the candidates that will represent our party.

  • Women’s Rights and Equality and complete access to reproductive services and health care
  • Safety for our Children in the education system, be it bullying or vaccinations
  • A fully inclusive Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA) to include Transgender Rights
  • Compassion in the End Of Life for all
  • Immigration Reform 
  • Strengthening of Gun Regulations
  • Environment and Renewable Energy
  • and finally, federal  VOTING RIGHTS reform

These ALL are DEMOCRATIC VALUES! 

We must use 2015 to build momentum for the coming 2016 election cycle, by building  our base of voluteers and participants in all things Democratic in San Mateo County. Talk with your friends, neighbors and family about the SAN MATEO COUNTY DEMOCRATS. Get them to a meeting or event or even have them join one of our Democratic Clubs.

Annual Club Meeting on May 31 from 3 pm to 5 pm

Coastside Democrats Annual May Meeting

WHEN:     May 31, 2015 from 3 pm to 5 pm

WHERE: Rich & Kathy Klein’s Home

               771 San Carlos Ave

               El Granada CA

DETAILS:

Pot Luck

We ask everyone to bring a little food to share. The Coastside Dems will provide beverages.

Agenda

3:00 pm Sign In and receive ballot (Board & Bylaws)

3:15 pm State of the Club Report

3:30 pm SB700 (Disclose Act) Resolution

3:45 pm Collect Ballots & tally

4:00 pm Keynote Address, “What a progressive Democrat can do to make the world a better place” by Ralph Miller,

   California Democratic Party, Executive Board

4:45 pm Announce ballot results

5:00 pm Closing & clean-up

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