The Shredder has a funny take on the County’s response to Lisa Schicker’s request that they look into alleged conflict of interest issues over the contracts for the Hideous Los Osos Sewer Project. www.newtimesslo.com/shredder/3358/poop-cachoo/ What makes the Shredder’s piece doubly funny is this:
One of the key problems with The Los Osos “Story” is that once you re-brand and reframe the story as LON (Los Osos Nuts, as the Shredder calls them) then anything anyone from Los Osos brings forward – no matter how factual or true -- can be dismissed as Looney Toons. When the “media” buys into that “story,” then it’s really hard to overcome. “Market-based” and media-savvy people know just how to reframe and re-brand the issues, i.e. “anti-sewer obstructionists” becomes a lazy but useful buzz word to falsely describe and so demean and dismiss anybody who raises a concern, even legitimate concerns and ideas that actually do get incorporated in the project, like returning water to the basin, which was proposed by those wacky Los Osos Anti-Sewer Obstructionist Crazies, The Sustainability Group. And once it’s reframed, the false story takes on a life of its own that absolutely defies correction. Worse, the consequences of that false story can be catastrophic on a community that is falsely branded – after all, a town full of LONs and “anti-sewer obstructionists crazies” can easily be demeaned and dismissed as a community deserving of regulatory incompetence, botched political and technical decisions, and a continued failure of due diligence and oversight, all failures carrying a devastating price tag, all failures that did not need to happen in the first place had the powers that be – including The Press – done their jobs properly.
Better still, once re-branded, instead of having to do the difficult job of sorting through the message to separate the wheat from the chaff, it becomes easier to lump it all together, shoot the messenger and then toss the whole thing out as LON chaff. So, lies are truly enduring, especially when they have so many handmaidens with vested interests to keep them alive.
Though it’s funny to see Shredder falling into that “rebrand & re-frame” trap since he/she’s usually waaaayyy more savvy than that. But, Shredder is right about one thing: It’s pointless to ask foxes to investigate their own chicken coops. That’s what the Watchdog Press is for . . . oh, wait . . . Shredder’s right. Forget that. Silly me.
Friday, October 02, 2009
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81 comments:
Ann astutely wrote:
"regulatory incompetence, botched political and technical decisions, and a continued failure of due diligence and oversight, all failures carrying a devastating price tag, all failures that did not need to happen in the first place had the powers that be – including The Press – done their jobs properly."
BAM!
That's why a lawsuit will not be a surprise.
You know, I really hate the "pox on both your houses" story that the national political press seems to break out whenever a member of one party does something outrageous. Sometimes, it really is that party's fault.
But with the Los Osos Sewer issue, it's very easy for the media to refer to people as LONs, because everyone seems to put this way out of proportion. This is not as important as, say, the national debate on health care. It is a routine public works project.
It is not the kind of thing that every citizen is an expert on, yet everyone in Los Osos seems to have a ph.d. in sewer. The fact that there is so much process--administrative, legislative, and judicial over this--is what makes the story so bizarre, and this, despite my distaste in saying so, seems to be common of all of the parties.
Even the groups that purport to represent "taxpayers" really only mean that they don't want to pay tax at all, not that they are trying to get a good investment. Very few people are being honest and open about what they really want. Some people want no growth in Los Osos and strongly believe a sewer will bring growth. Some people don't want to pay. Some people want this to be a utopian example of high-green-tech.
But aside from the people who show up in the press over and over, the people who have shown up to the ballot box and filled out their surveys are consistent on this: build a goddamn sewer, just not in the middle of town. And despite all the histrionics about this process, this is exactly the result that's coming out of it.
So, in the end, the facially obvious result was the one that came about. It is appropriate that governmental processes be open to challenge, boondoggles exposed, and corruption and graft exposed. but it should also deliver a decent result. I think, to strike a positive chord, all of that has occurred.
Wow, that "behavior-based marketing" MUST be powerful stuff if it works on The Shredder... of all people... errrr... things.
I've got an acronym for the Shredder: Think It Through, Shredder
Rick wrote:
"But aside from the people who show up in the press over and over, the people who have shown up to the ballot box and filled out their surveys are consistent on this: build a goddamn sewer, just not in the middle of town. And despite all the histrionics about this process, this is exactly the result that's coming out of it."
Exactly.
And, as I was first to show, and have repeated over and over again for the past five years, ALL that had to happen over the past 10-friggin-years-years for a successful sewer project in Los Osos, was to NOT have a "project objective for centrally located community amenities."
THAT'S IT!
That's the ONLY thing that had to happen, and the moment that County officials made that decision, three years ago, everything fell into place, just like I knew it would.
Again, the ONLY thing that need to happen over the past 10 years, was NOT to "a project objective for centrally located community amenities."
In fact, what the County just did was nearly identical to the "alternative" project (that I first exposed, of course) that the 2004 LOCSD had sitting in its file cabinet, but they didn't pull the trigger on that project because it couldn't meet their "project objective for centrally located community amenities."
Amazing.
I just posted my e-mail to the local media that shows them that the 2004 LOCSD had a project almost identical to what the County recently approved, but, because the 2004 LOCSD deliberately low-balled the numbers associated with their Tri-W embarrassment, they argued it didn't make economic sense to pursue the out-of-town project, when if they would have used REAL numbers, instead of deliberately fake numbers, it WOULD have made economic sense to pursue that project. And what just happened at the BOS, would have happened with the LOCSD... in 2004... waaaaaaay before AB 2701, and the recall, and the four years and $7 million worth of analysis (that led to nearly the exact same project that the LOCSD had sitting in its filing cabinet since 2004), and the dissolution attempt, and the CDOs, and the...
I wonder if THAT e-mail found its way to the Shredder?
Ann says:
"And once it’s reframed, the false story takes on a life of its own that absolutely defies correction."
Oh, you mean like liquefaction at Broderson and odors at Tri-W and sewage cascading into the bay? THOSE kinds of false stories?
Sorry, I lost his last name and got him confused with your outfit Lynette,
More like: “Sludge was addressed - 3 trips out per week, max and it is going to Cold Canyon.” & “Yes, they take this sort of biosolid that the WWTF will put out. County staff asked directly. The question was only raised because people don't listen.”
It's just a dumb editorial, that's it.
Word verification # 1:bulspim
2 people hearing I was from Los Osos asked me “What is wrong with Lisa Schicker?”
I haven’t read the Shredder yet and only glossed over the comments here so far..
Just how overpacked does a submission have to be, to be recognized as spam?
7000 pages?
-Memo instructing a backdating-1page
-Newspaper article “quoting” a DA-1page
-Actual contract with 2 back-dated signatures –8 pages
-A further divided community, Mobilized base, sympathetic to the Victim of the vicious sold out Press, showing up to express their righteous indignation, willing to donate Sewer payment reserve monies to a lawsuit (Lawsuit against the Waterboard comes to mind)?
PRICELESS
Behavior based marketing, is alive and well in Los Osos.
But it is not the exclusive purview of a specific Marketing firm.
THE MEDIUM IS THE MESSAGE
Don’t kill the messenger? That applies to when Kings sent disposable messengers to other kings.
A dead messenger was an acceptable form of reply.
Dead On Arrival messengers, Messages declared dead by a DA 3 years previously don’t work well in that scenario. (unless the receiving king has the power of animating corpses.)
1300 pages? assuming 95% of everything (Applies to anything, anywhere, including an EIR) to be Bull-snot;
We should find 65 pages to be the 5% that is not B-S.
(Where is the MWH executors signature? 8 pages -6 submitted? I’m not reading this AGAIN, I’ve already read more of the GIGO than 99.99% of commenters)
Future respondents; Please provide specific reference to at least 65 such pages in the complaint.
Additionally the following phrases are provided for your convenience.
- Alon, don’t you understand that the County is Corrupt?
- Alon, You are a traitor and a Pandora spy! You will learn your lesson soon!
- Alon, I made this tinfoil hat for you, put it on quickly!
- Alon, How much are the developers paying you? No really, I’m considering it myself
- Alon, don’t you see that it is YOU who is brainwashed?
- Alon, don’t you understand what we are trying to do here?
- Alon, don’t you understand that ____ is a saint? And _____ __________is a genius? And __ is a fine example of an elder statesman, just look at him in his suit?
- Alon, you are just jealous that people recognize ___________ and ________and also________ as Sewer Experts, and not you.
- Alon, You don’t know the history, see, back in 1982….
- Alon, don’t you understand that providing all documentation is part of a brilliant strategy, There are several ponies hidden in there, just keep shoveling.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Broilerplate; This message may be reproduced in whole and in context only, violators will be severely frowned upon, to the full extent of the applicable martial law
Sure- Let’s run this as a Devil’s Advocate Thought Experiment;
INPUT
_______
1. Paavo is the Devil.
2. There are secret deals, kickbacks and payoffs, waiting to be brought to light.
RUN--Barack’s Motorcade screeches to a diagonal shuddering stop in the wrong lane, in front of the County government Building, Fender flags whipping forward, A handsome figure smartly walks through to the lobby, Secret service agents, dark suits, black Raybans, white coiled wires from neck to ear, fanning out ready to subdue curious onlookers. (A forearm to the neck, pinned to the marble wall). Pouring out through the Second floor elevator. New County administrator and wayward Sups and staff are corralled. “What is this I hear, about corruption and a suppressed Investigation?” A clear, forceful voice rings out. “Yes, Mr. President, please come this way to County Council’s Office”. A Packed Cardboard box is gingerly placed onto the Presidential lap. “ This is the material submitted, in order” Silence ensues, punctuated with the sounds of riffled papers. “ After a while the riffling slows, “Mr. President? There are also materials submitted on this subject to the Planning Commission, would you like me to provide them?
“No, I’m done. O.K. we are leaving, Thanks for your hospitality. Remember, Corruption is a very bad thing , I’m against any form of it, Keep your noses clean”.
OUTPUT
1. A poorly organized, over dramatized, extemporaneous material containing complaint, (especially if provided by a former official, who would be expected to have a tidier, concise presentation than that of an ordinary citizen) now, that would be an OBSTACLE to an investigation.
2. In other words; The complaint AS PRESENTED is a GIFT to corrupt officials.
Beep,
>END OF DEVIL’S ADVOCATE SIMULATION.
>WOULD YOU LIKE TO RUN ANOTHER SIMULATION? _N_
>GOODBYE
Broilerplate; This message may be reproduced in whole and in context only, violators will be severely frowned upon, to the full extent of the applicable martial law
..you have missed your calling Alon...!!!!!!!!! RAOFLMAO...!!!!
I like the line, "A dead messenger was an acceptable form of reply," because it's true, except I'd say "is" instead of "was," unfortunately.
Alon, Bwa ha ha ha! Great.
In other words:
Gun- Loaded- Foot.
Remove foot from mouth before firing?
Yep, Foot- Mouth- Gun- Loaded.
Great rewrite!
Sequel, please!
Nice job Alon!!!! Thank you!!!
"Don’t kill the messenger? That applies to when Kings sent disposable messengers to other kings"
I would have worded that only slightly differently - Voodoo Queen sending red herring as messenger - because in reality, "The complaint AS PRESENTED is a GIFT to officials" as that was the plan all along. Sleight of hand to keep you busy looking at one thing, when something else altogether is happening stage left.
Sleight of hand to keep you busy looking at one thing, when something else altogether is happening stage left.
Sorry, I lost his last name and got him confused with your outfit Lynette,
Why are you now confirming Paavo's strategy?
Rick sez:"But aside from the people who show up in the press over and over, the people who have shown up to the ballot box and filled out their surveys are consistent on this: build a goddamn sewer, just not in the middle of town. And despite all the histrionics about this process, this is exactly the result that's coming out of it."
Yep, but look at the price paid for what was a reasonable request -- a goddam sewer, just not in the middle of town. Insane for all the points Rick makes but insane nonetheless.
Ron sez:"Again, the ONLY thing that need to happen over the past 10 years, was NOT to "a project objective for centrally located community amenities."
That's where the insanity began and the train tracks veered off towards the cliff with the engineers and others hurling shovels full of coal into the firebox to make the train go faster off the cliff instead of stopping and restoring sanity and getting a goddamned sewer, just not one in the middle of town. The "press" didn't really get that (or want it?) or understand the weirdness of the regulators, some of whom jumped the shark (i.e. Brigg's mad pumping scheme, the pointless, profoundly stupid and incompetent Mad Hatter Teaparty prosecution of The Los Osos 45)when all the town wanted was a goddamned sewer, just not one in the middle of town and were ready to keep chugging along with the Oct. "compromise" when things started getting totally wierd.
There's a stunning new book out on Columbine, called "Columbine." The Author, who was a reporter on the newspaper at the time, spent something like 8 years getting that story right. An author who wants to get this story right (and no, it's not Wolcott, not even close) would have to spend at least that amount of time untangling the threads of this thing. It's War and Peace on steroids.
Alon sez:"(Where is the MWH executors signature?" and "Memo instructing a backdating-1page" and letter from DA & etc.
That's where this all gets weird. Bruce Buel was asked to sign that contract, he did and in his letter attested to the fact he did, the DA did say in his letter that sort of thing was, well, uh, er, illegal, but statute of limitations & etc, so why didn't jensen simply fess up and say, Well, O.K. heh-heh, this was a technical screw up and a mistake that was caused because of time constraints, my bad, it was a minor "felony" but get a grip, nobody took the money and went to France, sorry, we won't do that again, time to move on. Then the public would say, o.k. I understand that, it was a technical thing, not exactly kosher, but just one of those goofy detailsin a project filled with about a bazillion detals that slipped through the cracks. End of story. But to call Bruce's letter and the DA's letter mere "opinion," when it's a fact makes Jensen look goofy. Surely there was a better way to both present this and respond to this???
Ann sez: An author who wants to get this story right (and no, it's not Wolcott, not even close) would have to spend at least that amount of time untangling the threads of this thing. It's War and Peace on steroids.
CORRECT!
Anyone who wants to unravel “this thing” must: FOLLOW THE MONEY!
...and none of the money goes thru Az...
At the end of an otherwise enjoyable post, Rick perpetuates the dismissal of Los Osos easily by the media when he himself talks about the exposure of graft and corruption. WHAT graft and corruption? You hinting at Paavo? Gunderson? Get off it. People who worked for others CAN develop proper professional responsibility for a new employer. The only remaining things are networking and experience with other companies, which is never bad when you rise to a decision-making level or supervisory level.
I for example can tell you endlessly about well drillers in this county, being a THIRD generation customer thereof. Does this mean that I have "corrupt" loyalty to any of them, of course not. It only means I'm not 23 years old fresh and ignorant out of engineering school, or with some magic-beans wild-eyed scheme such as vacuum or STEP to pathetically and slavishly push.
Nope, I don't think corruption plays much of a role in this and when we talk of it too much, we justify the habit of others to dismiss us. I would describe most of the players in our water dilemma as "seasoned", not corrupt. (Of course I'd describe the LOCSD5 of Schicker, Tacker,Cesena et al as "abysmally mud-fence stupid and opinionated".)
Can we get off the bandwagon of corruption until somebody gets a photo of a check changing hands? I'm sort of weary of it.
Not2010Yet, there is little left to stop the process and the people who drank the STEP kool-aid know it. (Just look at who are promoting that Paavo is guilty - they are STEP people.) Getting rid of Paavo would unravel the entire process, satisfying that they would get another shot at STEP, and the No-Sewers would be jubilant because we would be many more years away from getting one.
Gee, and you claimed to be a relative newcomer to our burden and you are already tiring of it. I can point to and document something corruptive about nearly every entity that has been involved this mess. Everybody. This started in 1983. Too many leaking septic tanks? Add 1100 more? 15 years later the County is going for the final leg of a project. 15 years? Then a group comes along and says we can do it "better,cheaper, faster". Turns out they deceived everybody with their plan, and got themselves put into power. Then they put on the blinders, put on the ear muffs, and proceeded to put forth their own agenda. What was to be a workable monthly sewer bill became a concern of whether a household could still live here. The CSD5 as they have become to be known simply took the lid off of the kettle of milk that was left to boil.
I've read the recalled directors and original CSD learned from their original enterprise that failed,(which they knew was going to fail before they were elected) so they devised a approved system and moved on. Was the CSD5 afforded the same grace? Wasn't the aggrevance the same?
You all ask for an apology from Lisa and group. How about one from Stan and group?
Sincerely, M
Not2010Yet: "WHAT graft and corruption?"
Any graft and corruption. It is important that our governmental processes are transparent so that they can be held honest. I'm *not* saying there was any in this particular case.
I am simply stating that I think that it is proper that our governmental officials get close scrutiny of their actions, that's all.
Would you rather that they all get to operate in a black box?
I'd rather that a spurious allegation or two get pursued than no investigation be allowed at all.
Hold it M... Both Lisa and Julie were on the CSD when then the approvals were obtained, but then they proceeded to throw all that learning out the window... In answer to your question, no and hell NO, they had been on the Board and knew what it took to obtain approvals for permits...!!!!! They deliberately let their egos override common sense and years of work to design a workable system... No, M... It is strictly Lisa and Julie's soap box to get up on and apologise to this community to their lying and spending the CSD into bankruptcy... They could have avoided all this wreck if they had listened to real experts instead of wishing the STEP quacks could have come up with an honest Plan... They stand in their own crap and deserve to be chastised by the community, not praised... They wanted to be community leaders, but chose to let their egos destroy any credibility they thought automatically came from being elected...
@Ron:
I think you're underestimating the dedication of the people who wanted to block any sewer wheresoever it might be placed. I'm not suggesting that they strategically advanced the acid-trip that was Tri-W knowing it would fail and gum up the works, but that ended up to their advantage nonetheless.
They were always going to make sure that every i was dotted on every EIR and every T was crossed at every administrative hearing.
It also didn't hurt their cause that the RWQCB went on a witchhunt (so perfetly described by Ann as autos-de-fe), which, again, not to Monday morning quarterback, should have been met with a huge 1983 case of the kind that has been successful in ag land cases making the "pro-sewer" side look like totalitarian maniacs.
Despite these blunders which only gave ammo to halting the whole process, the result that vox populi has been consistent about is happening.
After a lot of waste, yes, after a lot of bullshit, yes, and after a lot more cost than necessary, but it could be a lot worse.
Rick... Did you follow the management of public funds by Lisa and Julie...??? Any thoughts about the possiblity that some "corruption" took place and should have been investigated...???
I'd like to see one or more of the original "Move-the-Sewer" people have a talk with the Bear Valley Alliance people to have a face to face talk on their respective positions. I see no problem with a sewer plant in a community if built right. So it seems insulting to reject it here, but be fine with putting it there - as if the people there had no feelings about it or that they are not entitled to have feelings about it. Somehow this needs to be resolved and if it can be done before there is a lawsuit, this would be good for all of us.
All I have ever seen with "Move-the-Sewer" people is "we want it out of town," but I never saw any reaching out to or dialogue with those people out of town - as if they had no opinions on it. It's like "we don't want to know your opinion on it."
Sorry, I lost his last name and got him confused with your outfit Lynette wrote: “Getting rid of Paavo would unravel the entire process”
SWEET! Please explain why.
Mike little mouse opined: “...and none of the money goes thru Az...”
Should that turn out to be the case and I am not agreeing with you that it necessarily will, you may then consider me a disinterested third party who will work to illuminate everything good and not so good about the LOSTDEP.
Topsy turvy-What a full fortune does the thick-lips owe/ If he can carry't thus !
‘The "new" means "death" to the "old" so "the laws" mean nothing to them.’
Remember, the LOSTDEP "example potential" quotient is just too good to resist.
Sewertoons
Haven't you heard or weren't you at the day-long hearing, there will be no miasma drifting from the bubling pools of mystery liquid.
A planning department olfactory connoisseur group visited a small plant somewhere, stood in a sweet spot at the plant without any clue of the wind direction and didn't smell a thing.
They then assured the cemetary operator that their operation wouldn't emit any nasty smells.
Yep, that was their solid prediction, so you can either believe them or be wrong.
Vacuum and a USBF™ design as offered by me will eliminate odor, save money, energy and time.
Gravity, Ox-Ditch or Bio-Lac will not.
Background
Any place or process in which wastewater is collected, conveyed or treated has the potential to generate and release nuisance odors to the surrounding area. However, most odor problems occur in the collection system, in primary treatment facilities and in solids handling facilities. In most instances, the odors associated with collection systems and
primary treatment facilities are generated as a result of an anaerobic or "septic" condition. This condition occurs when oxygen transfer to the wastewater is limited such as in a force main. In the anaerobic state, the microbes present in the wastewater have no dissolved oxygen available for respiration. This allows microbes known as "sulfate-reducing bacteria" to thrive. These bacteria utilize the sulfate ion (SO4-) that is naturally abundant in most waters as an oxygen source for respiration. The byproduct of this activity is hydrogen sulfide (H2S). This byproduct has a low solubility in the wastewater and a strong, offensive, rotten-egg odor. In addition to its odor, H2S can cause severe corrosion problems as well. Due to its low solubility in the wastewater, it is released to the atmosphere in areas such as wet wells, headworks, grit chambers and primary clarifiers. There are typically other "organic" odorous compounds, such as mercaptans and amines, present in these areas, but H2S is the most prevalent compound.
FOGSWAMP, I am fine with a sewer plant in-town, but it isn't me that needs convincing - it is the cemetery corporation and the Bear Valley Alliance people. Good luck to us all.
Alon sez:
"2 people hearing I was from Los Osos asked me “What is wrong with Lisa Schicker?”
....so........what did you answer?
Like, she just a concerned citizen and past ELECTED official, that is aware of the corruption in county government and deceided to do something about it because she was there when most of her accusations happened and has alot of proof, public records and written, signed letters of illegal activities, but the COUNTY attorney, whose paycheck is signed by some of the accused, says he can find no wrong doing by his employers after READING some of the evidence and she has been threatened with bodily harm, told to stop pursuing a county official by the director of the BOS, who probably should also be investigated for some of his actions.......or what?
franc4, are you an attorney? If not, please advise Ms. Schicker that she will have to pay for an attorney to look over her documents. If she can find one to agree with her (Patrick Sparks comes to mind), she can pursue this on her own. (But she won't get a free ride as she had in the past as a director of the CSD.)
My take on Bear valley alliance and Scott Kimura is that they do not have NIMBy as religion, in the same way that there is "Sewer as Religion" in the url and PZ. (not to say that the religious aspects within are not a consequence of the UNPRECEDENTED situation(s) and History(s), including those currently under revision). And with the project conditions behind us, maybe this is moot, but the restriction rightly there on outside the PZ hookup, may be relaxed as a sugar coating on the bitter pill. And new and possibly continuing Basin plan amendments play a part (as possibly Ann may had mentioned previously). In other words reasonable folk (and fewer in number) can be negotiated with by the powers that be, and currently that be the County.
And to Rick addressing Ron, so maybe that is non of my beeswax-I saw a lot of tees being dotted and eyes being crossed in the process also, and even more so lately, and not only by Identified NO-SEWERS.
And that (more recent activity) is relative to the process actually reaching (hitting) the rotating Oscillator.
So what I'm asking is Does the Vox Populi say to you that the process is where it needs to be at this time and OK lets get it built even though even bending over at this point won't really reduce the unimaginable pain. OR Vox populi sez; A Lawsuit against the Water board should proceed, as should investigations prompted by allegations proceed, even if sufficiently spurious that Either Corrupt Officials or public benefit minded ones may need to consider Non perusal as an appropriate response.
Word verification; pessesto
Definition; A Californian Pessimist’s version of Pesto.
Utilizes Hard aged Monterrey Jack, Walnut Oil and Cilantro instead of Parmesan Olive Oil and Basil.
Used in a Sentence; Darn, this Pessesto tastes weird, are you sure that you didn't switch the Walnut with Olive Oil again? On second thought, don't bother checking, it's probably going to taste like Sewer anyway, what kind of A LON would even think of such a recipe anyway? Besides, you’ll probably get 86’d for posting a recipe on a Sewer related string.
Nice poetic Waxing Fogs, and it did sound like a marketing job, but actually no one visiting the Scotts Valley plant TAC related trip and ranging All over including Linde Don and Et Al Barrow (visible in a photograph) noted smells THAT specific day. On the other hand Pismo Paso are freeway adjacent and available to the discriminating schnoz with the cost of small Carbon footprint (depending on what you are driving). (At least 2 smokers in the visiting group, so maybe the mitigation for arroyo los Osso "Smokey" is to get the neighbors hooked) . The PC had some trips I didn't attend.
As before; I am hazy as to if we then proceeded north or was that another day, It's just a few mouse clicks away but Cal is losing 24 to 0, so again I'm not revisiting. And same as you, the Cemetery Operator, may want more assurance. Sorry Toons, twas addressed to you-. And M taking the lid off the boiling Milk can trigger a fast boil over. Best to gingerly lift the pan way from the heat source, or is that what you meant. And I agree -Nobody is Clean, Nobody. Mistakes were made, Consequences not considered. PR Blowbacks by everybody touching the project(s).
And to a much earlier tooners-Comment- Nah, I saw it as the right level. Aaron's comment was closer I actually considered Iz not Waz, somewhere but maybe not in that Specific paragraph.
See, Toonz I don't think too many people understand that if we haven’t heard from the other briggs- Gail Briggs McPherson, then that means that she is Verrry Active.
Nor are people ready to unnrstan that while Julie and Lisa support each other in general, the Original failed Paaavo Schicker Gate '06, had Gail-Assist all over it and the current version of "Action at a Distance" Double -Ditto. The real dynamic duo, right here before everybody's eyes. It's true for anything relating to Law or Regulatory. Except for the foam peanut packing. That unfortunately is a uniqueness I personally advised against (to no avail. Of course a legally and PR astute friend would advise against a unprofessional complaint, bound to attract ridicule. Unless if there was a personal upside to let your friend dangle in the wind as the media vultures circle closer- fresh meat?-Unfresh meat-Even better.
But, that doesn't even come close. Ann nailed it, but my personal experience(s) and knowledge of the players is different-
Flashback-In Sacramento-The Loan is to be pork barreled away-Al Barrow, first speaker- I have a disk, a presentation- Mr Barrow, You have 2 minutes.-TWO minutes? FUME SPUTTER-Continuous STEAM Venting out from Ears. Al Barrow Registered Trademark MeltDown. About five minutes later - I donno felt like a week- "The Next Speaker after Mr. Barrow Is A LON Perlman.
Tough act to follow? I did OK. Later I had to peel him off Lisa Schicker who stated "My community just lost the loan Al, I'm in shock, does it have to be now?"
Ok enough about that,
Attempted Poem break
The Priestess pilgrimages to the Mother-well of Bitter Waters, Whence, as instructed, she stirs away with a savory frond of California bay, so freshly broken.
Behold- the creators challenge-churning calls changes to the clanging chains of chiral chemistry-
Beware- the Miracle of Mara- Much more bitter then before.
Upon the previously unbeaten path uncloven hoofs tap sand.
The equines equivocate then quietly quench and consummate then quickly close and clash and loose their equilibrium.
The Stallions stall awhile then lustily they slake their thirsts then stumblingly stampede due south.
The palominos dawdle, play then dance forth, their tongues display the diamond spray. Eyes aglaze, without delay, they crazily canter North.
The mules skulk and shyly slyly mull then mouth the mirrored sky, so immediately are they rendered utterly mutteringly mad.
But who is to tell with a mule?
Better bring the burros back, beat up a froth of brackish mud and bray at the bat flickered moon.
Word verifiation:surflam
Franc4-does it matter?
I am not trying to make Lisa look foolish.
fill the blanks
___ ____ ______ ______ ___ ______
______ herslf.
If there is a smoking gun somewhere the evidence was not presented. A crayola drawing of a gun with wavy lines coming out of the barrel does not constitute proof.
If you call someone out to a gunfight you had best not show up with nothing more than a water baloon taped to your head with duct tape.
In order to even ask me the question you would have had to actively ignore very posting I've made on this string. All you have done is reiterate the line. and the line is very affective, as long as it is held by itself. Yes the backdating happened. Yes it is illegal to backdate contracts. No, Bruce G. is not the director of the board, He is the ELECTED Official who is the current CHAIR of the board of Supervisors. Jenssen is probably receiving a check signed by the County administrator and possibly also by the chair. Irrelevant- unlikely he will jepordise his future paychecks (possibly in another County) by taking a bullet in the portfolio for someone else. Please present the current unemployment rate among Lawyers.
When Lisa WAS an ELECTED official she submitted the evidence via CSD Back in '06 and was told of the statute of limitations. I could be wrong I didn't see that but I didnt read every page. Of course she would had submitted that if true? If I am not mistaken Statute of limitations are not subject to expiry with the passage of additional time.
Ignoring all else it is possible to present an apparently logial, damning argument on any subject in the space of a short paragraph.
Try to present one in 1300 pages and see how far you get.
I've argued that irrespective of the actual guilt on matters other than the specific backdating, it is possible to present a case so poorly that it will have no affect.
Scratch that, A poor Case can have the consequence of coloring Every Los Ososan as a LON
IE "once you re-brand and reframe the story as LON (Los Osos Nuts, as the Shredder calls them) then anything anyone from Los Osos brings forward – no matter how factual or true -- can be dismissed as Looney Toons.
To be fair- Completely out of intended Context.
Humn... So you are saying that Bruce Gibson threatned to bodily harm Lisa Schicker? you are a real anoninobody if you can't back that up.
Broilerplate; This message may be reproduced in whole and in context of all other postings by this author only, violators will be severely frowned upon, to the full extent of the applicable martial law
Hi Alon, thanks for the very entertaining posts above!
But as to, "… the restriction rightly there on outside the PZ hookup, may be relaxed as a sugar coating on the bitter pill."
I can't see that happening - it would be a growth inducement for developers and frowned on by the CCC. Besides, they are all on acreage - they have septics that work, why would they want to pay? If we are GIVING them something - let it be something that they actually want. If that happened, the people who want it out of town will scream that we shouldn't have to pay!
Toonces sez:"I'd like to see one or more of the original "Move-the-Sewer" people have a talk with the Bear Valley Alliance people to have a face to face talk on their respective positions."
You're forgetting, none of those folks you mentioned have any legal connection to the sewer project since AB227. The entire project was taken away from the CSD. It belongs to the county. Isn't the county the entity that needed to "have a talk with the Bear Valley Alliance people" Plus, didn't BVA folks come to the numerous workshops the County gave? All the possible sites were on the big maps at those events. The TAC, too, spent time on siting issues. Those meetings were open to the public. And Paavo's door is always open.
Toonces sez:"Besides, they are all on acreage - they have septics that work, why would they want to pay? "
You're forgetting about the RWQCB's "Stealth Basin Update" (about which I'm betting the Bear Valley People are clueless) which may well put them into the jaws of Roger Briggs one day, acreage or not.
Rick sez:"I think you're underestimating the dedication of the people who wanted to block any sewer wheresoever it might be placed." and "They were always going to make sure that every i was dotted on every EIR and every T was crossed at every administrative hearing."
One thing that the media overestimated was confusing dedication with numbers when labling Los Osos "Anti-Sewer." There are a tiny, tiny, tiny handful of true "anti-sewer" people here. There are (according to the county survey) about 1/3 STEP proponents, 1/3 gravity proponents and 1/3 I don't care one way or the other, which means 66 of the town is actively PRO-SEWER since STEP and gravity ARE sewers. The argument was always about cost and siting, with more arcane technical, environmental details thrown in for good measure. But always PRO-sewer. The "anti-sewer obstructionists" label was invented by someone very skilled in "marketing" and was a handy (and lazy) label picked up by The Media in attempting to get an easy handle on this complex story. These "marketing mantras" work (cf Republican Talking Points, "death panels," "a bureaucrat between you and your doctor," "government takeover of medicine" etc.) but they're meant to obfuscate and manipulate, not illuminate, so by using them the media contintued the con. And the con has and will continue to have real-life consesequences to real people.
As for dotting i's and crossing t's, that's how the system is designed, and, ironically, designed to hopefully slow down and catch problems before they turn into train wrecks. But that process is designed to presume that government officials will not lie about stuff (i.e. an SOC, for example). It's also not designed to back up very easily to correct mistakes (a fatal flaw in the present system as designed) and it's especially vulnerable to doing real damage to the general public when "malfeasance and/or mistakes are made" and correcting or exposing them will cause embarassment and/or threaten careers of regulatory or public servants or politicans are at stake. When it comes to a choice between accepting responsibility for a major screw up and thereby ending a high-level career and The Public Good, the public will lose every time. Bet on it. All of which is aided and abetted by a Handmaiden Press carrying water instead of acting like the independent watchdog it was meant to be.
Alon sez:"If there is a smoking gun somewhere the evidence was not presented. A crayola drawing of a gun with wavy lines coming out of the barrel does not constitute proof."
hahahah, very funny. One interesting thing Jensen did early on that I found fascinating is he shifted the issue from County Policy to Court Of Law Criminal/Evidence. Once you do that you can dismiss almost anything, especially things that may not rise to the level of Court of Law Criminal but are in the area of non-transparancy, confilict-of-interest, bad practices, questionable practices, ethical professional code violations, and other "Good Government Conduct Policy Issues," that elected officials like to talk about when discussing Making Government Work For YOU & etc. Stuff like the county's recently changing policy on how they're now going to contract out work to the short list of attorneys & etc that came under question with the Wilcox/Edge/Hall matter. Stuff that's not "criminal" but might need a closer look-see.
Once you shift the issue from Good Government Policy issues to "criminal" you can shut down the other avenue all together and can dismiss any "whistleblower" immediately. For example, suppose the BOS and the County Attorney had said to the "whistleblower" in the Wilcox matter,"You have no court-of-law evidence here of criminal wrongdoing, this is hearsay, merely a crayon drawing of someone who said someone said, go away until you can bring me evidence that will hold up in a court of law. Shoo, you're wasting my time?" (And, remember, in the Wilcox matter, whatever was alleged to have happened, there was no mention of "criminal." Edge was an at will employee who could be fired for no reason at all. To date and to my knowledge, no "criminal" complaints have been filed by anyone. Ditto for Wilcox. She was fired for violating county policies & etc. Not anything "criminal." Both these people were thrown overboard because the COUNTY was in jeopardy of civil lawsuits, not from some "criminal" behavior.
Once again, it's all in how you frame the issue.
Sorry, I lost his last name and got him confused with your outfit Lynette sez:
“- they have septics that work, why would they want to pay?”
SO DO THE CITIZENS OF LOS OSOS AS PERMTTED BY THE USEPA, CRWQB AND SLO CO. THERE IS NO PROOF THEY DON’T.
“Getting rid of Paavo would unravel the entire process”
PRECISELY THE REASON HE SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE EQUATION, FAST.
YEA, yea, yea, yea.
Ann sez:
"Both these people were thrown overboard because the COUNTY was in jeopardy of civil lawsuits, not from some "criminal" behavior.
Once again, it's all in how you frame the issue."
Damn Ann, you are on fire this day!
“Getting rid of Paavo would unravel the entire process”
Ssewertoons
Isn't the "cemetary corporation" upwind of the upcoming wastewater plant site?
Isn't the "location" carved in stone at this point in time, like the many headstones just upwind?
Does the "burner" upwind have a scrubber on it?
A.P. (are you not G.H., perhaps?)
No, sorry to say, I HAVE read all that you have written (painfully wordy) and if you ARE NOT "trying to make Lisa look foolish" you sure disguise that fact well.
Perhaps, in my one sentence (poorly constructed) statement, you misunderstood my reference to ELECTED Gibson and bodily harm. In no way did I mean HE threatened her BODILY harm, but his chastising for her questioning certain "goings on" at the county level, was close, and certainly appeared she was REALLY on to something, don't you think? Unless you are a country employee with a past, didn't you find it a little odd how Jensen did as Ann mentioned, changed from County Policy to Court Of Law criminal policy? That would "perk up the ears" of most law biding, wanting honest government folks, don't you think? My first question would be, WHY 'DE DODAT...must be trying to hide smething bad. But then Ann answered that above, didn't she?
...and I hate to have to remind you (and Mike) of the painfully old theme I have pursued over the (too many) years, but I will just the same. You, "not trying to make Lisa look foolish" folks have constantly (on purpose) overlooked a couple things.
1. The "Lisa CSD", "Fab5" or whatever you choose to call them, walked into a mess created by the previous "3", who blew a couple mil on a dumb, illegal plan, already on the brink of bankruptcy with 2 mil(maybe) in the bank. Not to mentioned a RWCB that didn't (don't) know a septic tank from a hole in the ground.....and let's not forget Tax Payers Witch....Gordy, Richy et al.
What progress could you make starting out with good ,honest intentions with those odds?
2. If they were guilty of anything it was believing the loan was still available. (When did you learn it was "site specific"?)....same time they did?...after they were insulted by a bunch of arrogant politicians, (WB), who came to realize they screwed up and took the easy out of an illegal loan? In fact "Lisas CSD" didn't need as much as was GIVEN to the TRI-W fiasco, to execute and build their plan. (yes, Mike, regardless of what you think and lie about, they did have a plan)
C. They never lied about ANYTHING, (Mike. You seem to be the only liar in these parts.)
So there is my version of the saga. You are and have been accusing the wrong people all along and too blind to see it due to listening to folks who dislike and don't understand HONESTY in government, evidently. To bad for y'all. Did you go to church today? You need to....badly.
sewer,
"But she won't get a free ride as she had in the past as a director of the CSD.)"
That really bugs you, doesn't it?
Envy and jealousy are sins.
You're right. She will have to pay a lawyer....want to contribute to help? ;-)
Hey Mike,
"They could have avoided all this wreck if they had listened to real experts instead...."
.....you, perhaps, with your infinite wisdom and knowledge?
Hi franc4, How's your wife...???
New blog article: Did the BOS Dismiss All the Appeals in Advance?
The Shredder editorial is also covered.
Word verification: amend
Tooncers first, Franc4.0 later
SewerToons-re 1:47 AM, October 04
S.T.(are you not L.T., perhaps? You sure look like her)
No, I don’t think so either, (bear valley resistance to location ‘09 - #2) Contiguous borders or 1000 feet radius hook-up option. See Churadogs comment after yours for the reason.
Remember; I have bILL gATES Personal gold Plated Z-Box 7200 (RTm), (I got lucky, he wanted a solid gold one) And his personal Alpha to Omega tested, Pre- release, VIP Collectors edition, Box set of ”SEWER MOGULS”
sO i HAVE RUN ALL THE SIMS, bEAT THE gAME AS eVERY CHARACTER, eVEN AS ”sTUCK cAPS-lOCK uBer-nURD”.
Then I Unlocked All the; Special Codes, Cheats, Extras, Cut-scene Out-takes. (Try getting through Level Billionty Seven of Disk Eight, “The Rebellion Eats Itself”, On the Alternate Map “Sweet Springs Chumash Casino All you can eat Seafood Buffet”; With All Characters rendered as LEGO + Big Heads + Helium Voices When YOU REACH THE mezzanine AND turn left there is a glitch where you get stuck behind the Caribbean bar and your feet go through the Floor. I’ll publish the solution Walk-Through next year at Cheatcodes.com
(OK, Hint- The Mojitos are explosive, but you need to accrue at least 99 Lives before you try it.)
Why You ASK?
BECAUSE TO CONSIDER BECOMING A CSD DIRECTOR IN THIS TOWN, IS TO TAKE ON AN AWESOME RESPONSIBILITY.
AND TO DO SO WITHOUT ADEQUATE LIFE EXPERIENCE, AND A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY PROVEN BY EFFECT AND APPLIED UNDERSTANDING OF, ENGINEERING, GOVERNMENT, LAW, INSTITUTIONS, FINANCE REGULATIONS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY _HUMAN PSYCHOLOGY, ETCETERUM, (INCLUDING A COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE ALL PREVIOUS CSD DIRECTORS WENT WRONG AND OCCASIONALLY-RIGHT), EVEN IF THE POLITICAL PATH IS MADE EASY, BY CSD PARTISAN ELECTION PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES, EVEN IF NON ELECTED INDIVIDUALS ARE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST, POST-ELECTION, THAT WOULD STILL BE THE HEIGHT OF IRRESPONSIBILITY.
Did you read some stuff yourself, in preparation?
Of course;
The Map is not the Territory,
The Simulation is not The reality
Life is not a game
Game theory and other concepts are essential to the understanding of Life.
Which is why I also traveled to the very real Alternate Universes, All 1,000,503 of them, including the one where The Planning Commission Chair S.C. returned the project to Tri-W on Day 1 of CDP consideration. (There are also 6 DC comics Bizzaro worlds)
By the way, trust me on this, don’t bother going to the 1,000,503 Anti Matter Universes.
They are Identical to their counterparts here, except that “They” refer to “Us” as “Anti Matter”, the conceited jerks.
All your Luggage gets Annihilated, and you have to buy Anti matter Luggage at the rate of Prime plus MC- Squared
And you can’t bring your brand new Anti matter Luggage back, same deal.
The Vaccinations itch like crazy and they don’t even work (something about D-Lavodexter versus L-Lavodexter)
All the electronic media gets corrupted, don’t even bother with a video recorder but if you do digital only., and then it needs to be professionally converted.
You get Lisdexia trying to read anything and if you stay there long enough to get over that, then you get it here when you come back, what a migraine.
Oh and don’t even let me get started about the travel insurance.
Franc4.0 (Are you not Franc3.5, Perhaps?)
No F-4, I did understand your reference to Gibson and a bodily harm threat against Lisa. You deliberately placed “ and she has been threatened with bodily harm, told to stop pursuing a county official by the director of the BOS,, who probably should also be investigated for some of his actions.......or what?”8:45 PM, October 03.
It’s Called framing. The Juxtaposition fools the casual reader. The eye is faster than the speed of thought.
I Know you are not THAT stupid, in fact I know you are smart enough to even become a CSD Director (The intellectual dishonesty will also guarantee that you will botch the Job up). You know people want transparency in government, and that, You have displayed. At least to me and most readers and posters here, who are only limited by the ideological filters they utilize.
It was really transparent. and there was very little Original else, in the posting. little ORIGINAL
In Fact you carry the same technique in your Linking me first with G.H. (and how many people know that is Gordon Hensley) Then with Mike, Who I have mutual disagreements with, as well of some level of Mutual Respect, You then in the 9:37 AM, October 04, post continue the insinuation while contradicting yourself. FRAMING THE ISSUE;
”In no way did I mean HE threatened her BODILY harm… …but his chastising... …was close,… ...must be trying to hide smething bad. 9:37 AM, October 04,”
And later “You, "not trying to make Lisa look foolish" folks” again linking Mike and I.
Pretty easy isn’t it, ever hear of “Fair and Balanced” Copyright FOX Network? Doesn’t PRAVDA mean something like “Truthiness” in Russian?
Point 1. of yours. I have called them mostly either post recall or mostly ‘05-’08 CSD. I served on their Committees, where were you? YOUR “ Not to mentioned a RWCB that didn't (don't) know a septic tank from a hole in the ground”
I made the RWQCB3 “My bitch” like no other- MY-“We may not talk about the legal action in Los Osos? Can I talk about Los Osos? Can I talk about Baywood? Can I talk about Baywood Fines? Can I talk about Baywood Fines Sands?” Where were you?
And when I saw that heads were not rolling My “Good Honest Intentions” I changed My tune, and tactics-and am trying to focus the water board away from their enforcement orientation to a "Regulatory Guidence for Implementers" approach. But not my Allegiance. And my Allegiance was primarily to the people of Los Osos, not to a “Clique”. I was also an honest critic of the post recall board. The first to Identify them as an “easily distractible Board”. Where were you Anoninobody?
Your Point 2. –Site Specific. It was their sworn duty to know that the loan was “site specific” before anybody else. You seem to focus your remarks to Mike, and it is futile to argue with you. (But they keep pulling me in!)
Till next time, you "think you are A Character assassin", Karl Rove wannabe.,
Thanks Alon... franc4 is not connected with Los Osos in any way except to "defend" the poor defenseless Ms.Schecker... just an outsider who accidently stumbled into these blogs...
I will continue to both agree and disagree with you, but I always respect you... Mike
Alon's points are well-taken.
I noticed that on SanLuisObispo.com, a user by the name of NCResident threatened to "rough up" Lisa Schicker in a comment that has since been removed by Tribune staff. There has been other inferences of bodily harm (not threats per se, but inciting violence) made by users SadToSay, Solomon and LOKahuna.
Whether you agree or disagree with someone, don't threaten violence.
"Don't threaten violence" ?
Good point, physical violence real or threatened should be out of bounds in most frames of reference.
But what about ministerial violence, what about Schicker/Tacker/Cesena et al blindly stupidly and against the advice of everybody DESTROYING a permitted funded workable project, saying they had an alternative plan, and plunging this little burg into:
-financial bankruptcy
-perilous move-out regulatory uncertainty for thousands of families,
-depressed real estate values because many don't want to buy in an uncertain waste water environment
-putting their hometown at each other's throats for another half a decade or more
? ? ?
Anybody else think this constitutes a form of violence?
After all, it was WILLFUL. It was INADVISEDLY DONE. It was bonehead, incredible, world-class @#$@-all STUPIDLY done.
Directors Tacker, Shicker, Fouche, Senet and Cesena disgraced themselves in front of all but the most profoundly-in-denial people, and incredibly damaged the little bit of Paradise they were elected and trusted to represent and care for.
In comparision to that Schicker/Tacker damage and violence, I think indirect so-called blog threats, or a good old in-person Al Barrow verbal rant or outside-the-community-center rage PALES by comparison.
IMHO.
Schicker/Tacker Victim 2010
This reminds me of an article written by MSNBC TV host and conservative Joe Scarborough, which was about Chicago being rejected for the 2016 Olympics.
He wrote, "We Republicans spent eight years trying to delegitimize Bill Clinton. Democrats spent the next eight years doing the same to George W. Bush. Now that a Democrat is in the Oval Office again, it is the GOP who is trying to delegitimize a sitting president. When I try to talk to Republicans about the need to break this cycle of viciousness, some cite the chapter and verse of every hateful left wing attack against George W. Bush. Whenever I attempt to have a conversation with some Democrats about the need for us respect our president-- whether he be an Obama or a Bush-- I am told that Bush deserved whatever he got because he was a lying war criminal who hated the Constitution and loved torturing people. Fortunately, there are a growing number of Americans who believe we cannot continue going on this way."
I can turn around and say, "What about Gustafson/Hensley/LeGros?" I can take everything you said in your post, Not2010Yet, and substitute those names into your comments -- but what's the point? I think most people in Los Osos are tired of that kind of stuff. At least I hope so.
...you are walking around in your own excretment Aaron... Stan, Gordon and Richard never had to lie to get elected... They are honest hard working folks who actually brought a legal sewer to Los Osos... Don't try telling us that the CSD5 accomplished anything... oh yes, they brought us a bankruptcy and they delayed the sewer which will now get built by the County at a tremendous cost... Spin in anyway you wish, but the CSD5 was a total failure...!!!!
What exactly was I spinning? Where, in the post I made at 2:54 PM, made the claim that the post recall board "accomplished anything"?
What a piece of work.
Hmm, I see where you are going boys..
Let me distract you
To not2010(but fast approaching)yet; Former CSD Director Fouche served his community in the remainder of a recalled director post and later as a County TAC member. For that he was rewarded by being called a “Traitor” by a couple of people. I haven’t talked to him, and don’t represent him, but I’m saddened to see, in a small town, that he is vilified by a few members of “both sides”. It’s not that you don’t have a right to your opinion, and certainly from your position lumping all “immediately post recall” directors is a natural thing. Nevertheless, looking forward, he does not appear influential in specific regard to issues that are of concern to you. And by posting this paragraph I hope you (but my intended audience is larger and more all compassing) see that current problems are different than the problems of the past, but some of the same damaging behavior continues, but there should be some space left to reward “Moderation” even by people who may be on “the other side”.
Al Barrow is another matter. As I once explained to Lisa, had Al Barrow gotten another 40 Votes in the Great Bum-rushing of the CSD directorship, the subsequent roster would most likely had been Sparks, Schicker, Tacker, Cesena and Kelly. What an alternate universe that would had been.
Now people may feel that I am biased, and I probably am. After all, my experience with Al Barrow “outside-the-community-center rage” includes him challenging me to fight him, calling me a “Dirty Jew” (He was 50% correct, but that’s just “My Opinion”), and his repeatedly swinging a Four foot ladder at my head. Oh, and he said “I’ll Kill you” to me, in front of two credible witnesses.
Now some may say, that he must had been provoked, after all, I was conducting Los Osos Community Advisory Council Business and I did quietly say “Don’t interrupt me, Al”, When he passed by yelling at us.
But what this about is not Al and I, and as you figured out by now, not as much about your posting. My secret agenda here, is not to assassinate Al’s impeccable character, but to bring up that Al only does well in groups where he gets to be he “Teacher”. He as been particularly damaging to his own side, has sabotaged most of his own projects and has been quite damaging to the post recall CSD, Constantly proposing projects that are out of the preview of the then CSD, and certainly out of the preview of the specific committees (including ones he was not a member of). Scheduled Agenda items tended to not be reached in meetings AL attended. A lot more was done in meetings he did not attend. He once stated “ The (Sewer technology) Companies haven’t been returning my calls. (Keith Swanson- “I wonder why?” Al didn’t get the Irony. This was during Dan Bleschey’s time)
Most committee (Including outgoing) members asked for MORE direction from the CSD. Al didn’t agree and suggested that each member in rotation control committee agendas.
Superficially democratic but in practice a manipulable recipe for Al centric Anarchy.
In this he was inadvertently (but that was the plan) abetted by the turnover in CSD committees (I wonder why) and entrance of new blood including new members, who were inexperienced in “AL behavior”, and this particularly affected those not very familiar with the subject matter of the committee, or had never served on a committee. Or did not understand CSD purview. This pattern repeated (repeats today in some instances) as new members of committees and groups in general were fascinated by him, and were excited at the prospect of their own involvement in some thing “Sexy” or “big”.
Lots of motion, with very little movement.
Now oddly, I don’t blame Al. Everyone has an agenda, (some don’t know theirs is).
It is the responsibility of the CSD to Direct the Committees, keep the rules that protect order and the democratic process, and keep them functional (and focused on CSD business).
I addressed the CSD many times reminding them “Your Committees are your power” but I didn’t bother to mention Al because there was always a CSD director at the meetings and they must had observed this system dysfunction, and yet the CSD kept assigning him to committees and let him run roughshod over the process.
Of course Al picked up knowledge fast, had made several contributions. Etc…
A committee is an example of a grouping that’s intended to be more then a sum of its parts. And if Al is a member? Most Al Critics dismiss him entirely thus dismissing his affects. Not so; A Genius in self promotion, constantly rising from his own ashes.
And the tragedy is- With some minimal discipline, or at least a threat of removal from the committees, some of this may had been avoided.
Examples? Plenty and there will still be enough for book 6 and 7 of the “Rise and fall (and rise again?) of the Los Osos Democracy Experiment”.
And of course this had to do more with your Blog posting Ann. (Back to Wolcott again, she put Al Barrow into her invented category of "UltraOpposition," a form of super-sized "Anti-Sewer Obstructionsts" without ever 'splaining why an anti-sewer obstructionist/Oppositionist spent about a bazillion hours and years researching and bringing sewer folks to town for sewer workshops, sewer information outreaches, alternative sewer systems and so forth. For Al it's been one years-long sewer focus 24/7. True, he's been a strong advocate for a STEP/Steg sewer system, but a STEP system IS a SEWER system. And yes, he's tried everything in the book to obstruct an unaffordable sewer system in favor of an affordable system. But an affordable sewer system IS STILL a SEWER system. Yet he's classified as an anti-sewer ultra-obstructionst which obscures the complexities and contraditions involved. Thing 1 is not Thing 2 is not Thing 3.)
Things can have bias and still be more complex then being dismissed as a pack of lies. Wolcott failed to create better book, additionally, because she failed to take advantage of the fascinating “Character Development" that the Real world provided her for free.
Sorry 2010-forgot this;
And I KNOW you don't have a victim "mentality" though you posted
"IMHO.
Schicker/Tacker Victim 2010"
Elizabeth Smart comes to mind. what an amazing composure. She would not allow her spirit to be raped.
Of the disservices to Los Osos
Once a victim mentalty takes hold of the victim, the victim usually stops taking responsibility for their actions.
Alon,
Why not enrich youblogger profilwith your email address.
I have a copy of Oxnard's Water Plan I think you will appreciate.
On the discussion of Al:
After seeing Los Osos Defense Fund's Jesse "That's a Headscratcher" Hill at the BOS meeting on 9/29, it became more apparent to me -- as it should be more apparent to everyone else -- that Mr. Barrow is a problem. He's a problem not only due to his explosive temper-tantrums but he doesn't know when to stop being the problem, being the person that everyone loves to hate.
The problem with the opposition is that they let the most vocal opponents (such as Mr. Barrow) approach the frontlines of the debate. Putting yourself in the BOS' shoes for a moment, when he approaches the podium, what are you going to expect? Someone who is repetitive, explosive, threatening, vulgar, and he often violates the rules of decorum. It's not just the BOS who sees it. It's everyone in the audience and everyone tuning in.
Folks like Mr. Barrow give editorials like the New Times' Shredder column legitimacy in that he serves as the strawman, the perfect example of the "Los Osos Nut." Unwilling to publicly distance themselves from Mr. Barrow, the rest of the opposition is given the same labels that should exclusively qualify for Mr. Barrow. Not everyone has that temperament. Not everyone goes up to the podium every Tuesday, looking for camera time and hand-outs. Not everyone earns their income by going through old ladies' purses. Not everyone has initiated lawsuits that ended up failing 100% of the time.
To this day, Mr. Barrow doesn't see the damage he's done and the costs he's brought onto homeowners who once thought he was the real deal.
Am I biased? Sure. My family was a target for years, but I admit my bias as a means of preventing others from falling into the same circumstances with him: the multiple phone calls, running his errands, taking care of business he should be taking care of, receiving hundreds of e-mail rants, being at the receiving end of name-calling and vile discrimination, receiving death threats... Nobody deserves that.
Young Mr. Ochs, as another pointed out above, to compare the pre-recall board that achieved a permitted and funded sewer (is it Ron who thinks revenue-anticipation cannot count as a repayment funding source, geez, what a geek) to directors who lied publicly and in writing in campaign materials (remember, truth is an absolute defense to libel) and who killed a hard fought and won project to the tune of almost incalculable damage to the town, townsfolk, and property values, is to make a COMPARISON which hardly deserves the dignity of a response.
You write some occasionally decent stuff on here, kid. I see occcasional glints of light in your thinking, I suspect you actually CAN be trained to rational thought. Tell me you don't really think you can substitute the pre-recall directors in my post for post-recall disaster directors. You were probably pulling my leg and I WAS THE SLOW ONE, I simply didn't catch on that you were making a joke.
Oh well, I guess old in-you're face Al Barrow has never been accused of being a "male" who lacks gonads eh?
Not2010Yet,
I respectfully decline to provide comparisons. It's not worth going back and forth, comparing what the recalled board did versus what the post-recall board did. I want to move past that and focus on the future.
Mike,
Wife's fine, thanks. Why did you ask...you know her? How's yours? Which one are you living with now since Julie won't have you.
...nice franc, real nice... My prayers include your wife, hope she recovers...
A.P....whoever you may be. (You remind me very much of two other posters in blogs gone bye), but it matters not.
Now that I have had my rant, I am willing to try to be civil and confess (gasp) I really enjoy your posts (you tell a pretty good story)....even though I spend too much time, loss of beddy bye time and eye strain, reading your stuff, but some of it IS addictive. You asked several times, "where were you". As Mike revealed to you, I don't live in LoSo, but my interest remains unknown for reasons I may explain, but who cares. I also have an addiction for standing for/with anyone who I feel is misunderstood or railed on unfairly. Ms.Schicker happens to be such a person, IMHO. Aaron has the right idea, getting beyond "comparing what the recalled board did versus what the post-recall board did. I want to move past that and focus on the future." a moot point...to which I say AMEN...almost, with one exception. I will go to my grave claiming the CSD bankruptcy was not ENTIRELY Ms. Schickers fault.
Thank you for putting me in my place most eloquently.
Mike,
No offense, but I find it hard to believe you know how to pray. If you do, you are a hypocrite. Anyone who knows how to pray, seriously, doesn't speak as you do about folks and to others.....like " ...you are walking around in your own excretment Aaron..."
PS. My wife ain't sick, but my first wife is dead.
Thank you Frank4,
I will respond in full later.(Wordiness and self promotion alrt on that)
The Los Osos situation is unique. The Banrupcy predictable, but I also see the position that it was not necessarily inevitable.
Mrs. Schicker had taken on a very difficult burden, I still feel for her. Long ago I told her "You need to learn to let the (hurtful) words pass right through you. (not to suggest that would magically happen, hoping to be pointing in the right direction). No, I don't consider, The CSD bankruptcy to be her fault, although the rules of causality apply, or more correctly I don't think of it in terms of fault. Conversely, I don't think that people who consider it her fault to be "wrong". I was right there as it happend. Yet I can’t say that in more than certain specifics and areas in the confused times after recall I would had known to act differently.
Given things I know, I believe the complaint she submitted in May this year, not to be in the Category “Things that are good for Los Osos” or even “Good for Mrs Schicker”
I’ll complete this later, please check it Thursday.
Word verification; sayer
2nd word verification; acqua
If your wife "ain't sick", then what kind of person are YOU franc4...??? You said on this blog, that your wife had cancer...
Maybe you were just bending the truth for some blog impact, but You'll have to live with that statement and I do feel sorry for you... and for your current wife for having to put up with someone as miserable as you...!!!
As for my wife, it's really none of your business... It's weirdo's like you that keep my identity private...
Mike sez:"and for your current wife for having to put up with someone as miserable as you...!!!"
Dear and gentle reader. Just thought I'd pull a typical excerpt from "Mike's" typical postings.
It's quintessential, that "voice" that always comes through even though "mike" is just another cowardly "annonymouse" without the courage of his own convictions.
...Thanks Ann... as usual, you simply plucked a line out of context... You seem to have overlooked the little "lie" that franc4 has tossed out earlier in his sorry effort to garner some sympathic support for his out of Los Osos and less than knowledgeable views... He did previously state that his wife had cancer... I have remembered her (turns out she is alive and well) in my evening prayers... Guess it's ok to lie on this blog... Thanks Ann for once again showing your understanding.... barf!
My guess as to the identity of franc4 - Julie's dad, remarried. His original wife - well, we all know, a much respected, but regrettably departed, Los Osian. And Julie's dad does not live here, but certainly has an interest here. Perhaps he visits…?
Mike sez:"Thanks Ann for once again showing your understanding.... barf!"
Yep, as I said, there's that "voice." Quintessential, soooo "mike."
See Mike......
You once again prove your (very) short attention span in your never ending zeal to discredit all and anyone who doesn't share your viewpoint....of anything!
To review the (who cares) exchange of the "wives" saga.....you mentioned something to the effect of one of your (appears to be many of) wives having cancer. I reminded you that you once stated, it upset you to see your ex tooling around town in your Corvette, and wondered if this was the same wife (that has cancer) As far as the cancer thingy, I believe I mentioned my FIRST wife died of same. Either you; 1)don't recall 2) don't read very well, or C.) misunderstood [see 2.] C) could also apply, since you don't seem to understand ALOT! Got it yet?
Gonna answer me franc4?
Sorry franc4, I really don't believe you have any connection with Los Osos...
Aaron,
"There has been other inferences of bodily harm (not threats per se, but inciting violence) made by users SadToSay, Solomon and LOKahuna."
FYI in the Who Cares department;
...they are all the same person, a seemingly angry, bitter, caustic poor lost soul who lives in Canada. On a previous blog, dropped by the Trib, he was known as Wonky1 and wrote parodies changing popular song lyrics with his own trash, denouncing and degrading the "Fab5", a title he gave the CSD. At times some of his posts were compassionate for certain causes, but the he reverted back to his old (real) self.....nasty!
'toons,
Waded through a bunch of post to get to your question.
Sorry....wrong guess, but I wouldn't lose much sleep over who I am, because it matters not.. consider my input as just a fart in the wind and someone to whom you can use to show how caring, intelligent and knowledgeable you are. My whole purpose here was to try and urge folks to stop belittling and degrading people whose motives and personalities they know nothing about. Things (or people) aren't always how they appear. You have to really know them and I don't think this holds true for most of us....does it?
Mike sez to franc4;
"Maybe you were just bending the truth for some blog impact,"
franc4 sez; You simply amaze me, Mike!!! You CONTINUALLY accuse others of EXACTLY what you have done for the years I have been reading your comments. What's even more amazing is that you don't see it.
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