HOPE’s interview about the Right-Sized Water Solution with former Water Board Chair, Attorney Alexander Henson will broadcast on AMP (Channel 24) three times in the next week.
Monday morning 9am
Wednesday morning 7am, and
Friday afternoon 3pm
For more information on the Right-Sized Water Solution please see :
http://1hope.org/waterpuc.htm
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The Herald has a long tradition of censoring important opinion: a long list of letters to the editor, commentaries and Op-Eds. Censorhip is the Worst
That’s bad enough. But I didn’t think it could get worse.
Well, I’ve been reading the Herald for several decades, but until recently, I had never seen them censor a major local news story.
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Here is a linked list of the 27 articles that are original to HOPE. There is also a list of some helpful websites. (Smartmeter overview)
Pebble Beach Company "Stewardship" Equipment
While, in their own way, Pebble Beach Company knows what they were doing, it was embarrassingly clear that Monterey County staff (lead by Joe Sidor) and the hired commercial consultant (Jones and Stokes) have no more idea how to handle this project than Donald Trump (“Trump for President – We shall OverComb”).
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Sadly, This article is not an April Fools JokePacific Grove City Council voted last night (April 18, 2012) to become a water agency for the Monterey Peninsula and set aside its own issues. (Early in the meeting the Council actually continued 3 important items to the next meeting to act on this instead.)
Becoming a Water Agency to build a Desalination plant for 100,000 people will make the City of Pacific Grove taxpayers responsible for some 128 – 160 million dollars in bonds to pay for a water project at Moss Landing — some 15 miles from its city boundaries. (That’s if there are no cost overruns.)
The project is proposed by the controversial Nader Agha doing business as Desal-America.
Pacific Grove has a yearly budget of about $16 million dollars.
Pacific Grove City Manager Tom FrutcheyWelcome to the Bad ol’ Days of Closed Government with a Bunker Mentality in Pacific Grove.
Current Pacific Grove City Manager Tom Frutchey takes every advantage of loopholes in the Open Meeting law (Brown Act) to avoid informing the public about important City activities.
Squirrel at LunchOnce upon a time Pacific Grove had a majestic forest canopy that flowed from Monterey Bay to Shining Sea. Squirrels could jump branch to branch from Lover’s Point to Asilomar – and never touch the ground.
The forest almost completely covered the rolling landscape by the Pacific. This of course was before we “settled” here in the 1800s and started cutting roads — less than 200 years ago. That land is now almost covered with pavement and buildings.
Stumps
So how does the current Council want to “solve” this serious problem? (After all the town is called Pacific Grove.)
By WEAKENING the law to allow more tree destruction and blaming the current law for the tree loss.
What a mess. What a mess of our forest and a mess of alleged ideas by the City Council.
For a set of Pacific Grove Council members who believe they are smart (hang on to that amusing evaporating concept) – they could not have demonstrated –
1) More Contempt for Trees, and
2) Sillier Thinking or Rationale
Nerve Gas Methyl Iodide Sales Halted in US - for NowTokyo based Pesticide manufacturer Arysta pulled their Methyl-Iodide nerve gas called “Midas” from the US Market.
While nerve gas is illegal to use in warfare, the US-EPA and California’s EPA (Department of Pesticide Regulation) both approved it.
The fundamental corruption of both Environmental “Protection” Agencies is illuminated when we learn that –
1) California EPA’s own scientists warned against approving the gas.
2) In October 2007, more than 50 scientists, including six Nobel Laureates, wrote to U.S. EPA opposing the approval of methyl iodide
3) An independent scientific review panel’s chair, Dr. John Froines, called methyl iodide, “one of the most toxic chemicals on earth,” citing research that the pesticide causes cancer, late-term miscarriages and contaminates groundwater.
California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation approved Methyl Iodide in the final moments of the Arnold Schwarzenegger administration falsely claiming it was needed for “Emergency” purposes.
The lawsuit on the use of the chemical will continue.
Its Not Over
Arysta has not asked to have its US-EPA approval revoked, because they may bring the nerve gas / pesticide back in the future. In the meantime, Arysta intends to sell their Methyl-Iodide nerve gas in other countries.
Stay tuned.
PS I have long maintained that “EPA” means “Environmental Protection by Autopsy.”
Ronald McDonald Quits
Attempted Murder of a Good Law: Two people tried to kill Pacific Grove’s law banning Fast Food. Councilman (and Carpetbagger) Bill Kampe1 along with Commerce Chamber head Moe “Strip Mall” Ammar wielded the weapons of mass deception.
Councilman Bill "Fast-Food" Kampe
Kampe put it on the Council Agenda arguing the City should welcome Fast Foods and “streamline the ordinance2.”
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This is a press release
Subject: Press Release – Police Escorted Utility (SCE) Forced Smart Meters on Private Residences
(Thursday, 15 Dec 2011) Police and Electric Utility Force SmartMeters on Residences in Violation of Federal Law, U.S. and California Constitution
by Orlean Koehle and Deborah Tavares
On Monday morning, December 12, 2011 two separate Southern California Edison SmartMeter deployment teams, escorted by police, violated property rights on apartment buildings in Covina and San Gabrial by cutting through steel protective grid enclosures, yanking off the safe analog meters and installing nineteen wireless SmartMeters in their place.
Forum– Methyl Iodide and Our Community–Learn the Facts. Methyl Iodide is a Deadly Poison
What: Central Coast Community Forum on Methyl Iodide. Come learn about the State’s most hotly debated strawberry pesticide- Methyl Iodide, and the potential health risks for the Central Coast. Open to the public. Free of charge.
When: Thursday, September 29th, 6:30-8:00pm
Where: Hartnell College Steinbeck Hall (near cafeteria—main campus) corner of Central Avenue and Homestead Avenue in Salinas
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The Calif. Public Utilities Commission President issued a new ruling on Sept. 21 formalizing “Smart”meter delay lists. Now, by September 26, 2011, PG&E’s “Smart”meter installation delay procedures must –
1. Provide information on its website that if a customer currently has an analog meter, the customer may request a delay in the installation of a smart meter. The information shall include instructions for how the customer may make such a request.
2. Provide the customer sufficient advance notice BEFORE a smart meter is installed so that the customer may request that installation be delayed.
3. Place any customer immediately on a “delay list” when they currently have an analog meter and request a smart meter installation delay.
4. Once a customer has been placed on the delay list, a smart meter shall not be installed at the customer’s location unless:
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Proposed Resolution – Draft IV
by California EPA’s Fort Ord Community Advisory Group (FOCAG) September 2009-September 2011
Fort Ord Fire Fuels Anger
Credit: Monterey Herald
Subtitle: “The Dangerous Costs of Military Base Toxic Cleanup When Legal Oversight and Accountability are Prohibited by SuperFund Law(1) and Replaced with Bureaucratic Public Relations.”
To purportedly clean up Fort Ord, more than half a Billion dollars(2) has been spent since the 1994 closure, however the second largest US-Army base ever closed(3) remains a dangerous and toxic mess, and the cleanup itself is harming many residents.
Squirrel at LunchOnce upon a time Pacific Grove had a majestic forest canopy that flowed from Monterey Bay to Shining Sea. Squirrels could jump branch to branch from Lover’s Point to Asilomar – and never touch the ground.
The forest almost completely covered what is now a town with pavement and buildings. This of course was before we “settled” here in the 1800s and started cutting roads — less than 200 years ago.
(Here is the schedule of meetings where the future of Pacific Grove’s forest will be decided.)
Update Nov 4, 2011 –
“Our plan is to send you those sections at the end of next week and post them for the public, for discussion at a Urban Forest Advisory Committee (UFAC) meeting on November 17th, at 4pm.”
“We will subsequently release the remainder of the UFMP, after discussion with you on those key aspects of the plan, the week of Thanksgiving. We’d like to hold a second meeting in early December to continue to get input on the ordinance t of and standards, as well as the rest of the proposed plan.”
October 5 (2011): City Council – Project briefing and update, Council Chambers
October 6: Public Review Draft UFMP (public release.)UPDATE Oct 4: This date has been pushed back to about Oct 20th. That likely also pushes back the other meeting dates below.)
October 12: Natural Resources Commission (Special Mtg), 6pm Council Chambers
October 13: Urban Forest Advisory Committee Meeting #3 – Review Draft UFMP, 4pm Council Chambers
October 18: Community Workshop #2 – Review Draft UFMP, 6pm, Community Center
November 22: Natural Resources Commission Public Hearing, Council Chambers
December 7: City Council Public Hearing & Adoption, Council Chambers
The few tiny places in what was to be called “Pacific Grove” without native forest were along the ocean; a narrow strip of land along the beachfront from Asilomar, narrowing further as you approached Lover’s Point. The rest of the landscape where the town stands now was covered by a magical forest.
Precipitous Downward Canopy Loss Trend
Monterey Pine Light
Freeway Empty (Carma-Heaven)You’ve heard the hype that California’s Freeway 405 closing will cause “Carmageddon” – gigantic gridlock this weekend.
What’s wrong with this?
1. Predictor of Distaster Can’t Lose:
If gigantic gridlock occurs – they were clever.
If no gridlock occurs – their efforts to get people to do alternate transportation worked.
Thats extremely misleading because I predict – traffic will DECLINE !
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Back in April I called PG&E to be put on the “Smart Meter Opt-Out Delay list” pending the PUC decision, due this year.
Five weeks later PG&E installed a smart meter on my home anyway. When I called about this, PG&E claimed that there was never a guarantee.
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HOPE sent this letter to Monterey County Thursday June 30, 2011 –
County Counsel
Monterey County Supervisors
Monterey County Water Resources AgencyPlease Rescind/Void All Regional
Water Project ContractsHello Supervisors, Water Resources Agency Board and County Counsel,
Considering the improper conflicts of interest and the acts of Steve Collins and others purportedly acting on behalf of our Water Resources Agency while being paid by RMC we are respectfully requesting that you rescind or void all contracts and approvals related to the “Regional Desalination Project.”
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Monterey Herald
May 22, 2011
Dear Editor:
In your Sunday, May 22 Rants & Raves, the Herald’s editorial staff argues that Mark Dierolf and his “tax-hating” pals at Citywatch will “say almost anything to beat a tax measure.” Well, does this line of reasoning include the editors of the Herald who are usually on the other side of the aisle?
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The Carmel Pine Cone is the last paper I expected to break the media silence and publish information about the “Right-Sized” Desal Solution by our Water Management District.
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I’m amazed at the thorough research conducted by Ed Mitchell regarding the meetings MCWRA Director Steve Collins participated in while getting paid to do so as a paid employee of a private corporation. Ed’s commentary is at http://1hope.org/hopeblog/?p=1644.
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MCWRA Gen Mgr Curtis Weeks (photo at Monterey County Weekly)
I believe I was the first to file a Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) sworn complaint against Steve Collins with my May 5, 2011 delivery to the FPPC office in Sacramento, 5 weeks before the County hired an independent investigator. 
The breadth and quality of the evidence package I supplied caused the FPPC to decide after 2 weeks review, to open an investigation. I may have also been the first to file a sworn complaint to the District Attorney’s office with my May 12th submittal. And this last Tuesday I notified the Board of Supervisors that public records show other county officials may have violated the Political Reform Act of 1974.
(The 1974 act prohibits a public official from participating in a decision in which he has a financial interest. Government Code 1090 prohibits a public officer from being financially interested in a contract made in both his private and public capacities.)
The report to the County Supervisors about Monterey County Water Resources Agency Director Steve Collins’ Conflicts of Financial Interests was released yesterday. Steve Collins (at Herald website)It states 
“. . . the facts we have discovered to date are extremely troubling.”
Some of those troubling facts include -
“…we have uncovered evidence that Collins participated in governmental decisions as a director of MCWRA while he simultaneously was being paid for his time by RMC.
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In the mad rush to approve the silly and violently expensive “Regional Desalination” plant in Marina – HOPE warned of the Boondoggle in Waiting. We warned the public through articles, public presentations at City Council meetings and even a special Television presentation. (We also showed off a genuine solution.) Our work was ignored by those in power – until now.
Now . . . you get to read front pages news of –
1. The Marina Coast Water District again unmasked as the Keystone Cops (some prefer “Three Stooges”) trying to hide vital financial information not just from the public – but from one of their own elected Directors.
The only responsible Board member is Jan Shriner who thankfully chose to serve in spite of the outrageous antics of other Marina Coast Board members.
But that’s small potatoes . . .
What few remember is that the clumsy Marina Coast Water District tried to do a desal project before; in 1999. It was a tiny one a mere fraction of the size of the Regional project (50 times larger) they are supposed to manage — and it failed ! Their tiny Desal Failed. That project is now gathering dust and weeds.
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It is time for HOPE to convert over to a gasoline free vehicle.
Do you have an electric vehicle you want to donate and get an IRS approved tax-credit ?
Please call and let us know. 831-624-6500
Thank you.
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Landmark News !
This morning a panel of the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), changed their position declaring now that Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields (of cell-phones and by association WiFi, cordless phones and Smartmeters) can possibly cause a malignant type of Brain Cancer. The formal classification is “2B.”
“Louis Slesin, editor of Microwave News, a newsletter that focuses on nonionizing radiation, said in an e-mail that the fact that the W.H.O.’s cancer panel had expressed concern had the potential to change the debate about the health risks of cellphones. “It’s a wake-up call for the telecom industry and for the U.S. government to take cellphone radiation seriously,” he said. “The first step should be limiting the use of cellphones by children.”
(Update August 12, 2011) According to Cal-Am’s Chemistry lab, as of August 2011 they do not yet add any Fluoride to Monterey Peninsula water. However, naturally occurring fluoride is in our water at about 0.3 (ppm?) and Cal-Am does not remove that. However, when Funding becomes available (we’re #27 and 17 was just funded) they will start adding it !
(Originally written in 2001, updated in 2003) Monterey County’s so-called “Health Department” is now taking steps to put a poison, fluoride, in our Peninsula’s drinking water supply as directed by a recent and extremely controversial state law that was passed with little debate.
HOPE wants you to be aware of the best science on Water Fluoridation and have included two articles.
They illustrate six important points –
PG$E has a phone number (877) 743-7378 that will stop installation of a Smartmeter at your home for about 18 months – until the PUC or the Legislature acts.
Tell them you do not want a Smartmeter installed period.
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