Comments by Ric Lohman

After five hours, Big Wave hearing continued to Tuesday, Nov 23

November 18, 2010
The project's attorney made a speech in which he both belittled and slandered Coastside residents. His theme was "How to Block an EIR". He should also have mentioned a key strategy in getting an EIR approved. 1. Intentionally disc the area to remove any annoying species. 2. Pause and Repeat. 3. Offer as a key part of your project to restore the species which you eliminated. Also... What are the ways to know when a project has serious issues? 1. When the lawyer make the presentation. 2. When the lawyer…

Granada Sanitary District candidates

October 12, 2009
Bill and several of his backers seemed obsessed about the fact that the Sewer Authority Mid-Coastside (SAM) Wet Weather project involves a land purchase. The project that was chosen by SAM is less than half the price of the project proposed by the challengers. That’s less than half the price, including the land. Why do they insist on a more expensive project that will take years longer? Bill says we are lying about the timetable for the project. Applying the same delay factor to his project would…

Granada Sanitary District candidates

October 12, 2009
Lisa, like all of us, is concerned about the pollution in the harbor and on the beaches. The harbor pollution is a multi-headed beast involving the creeks, additional runoff from more impervious surfaces, boats, the occasional sewer overflow, and even the thousands of seagulls in the harbor. GSD has been working with the County Health Department and SF scientists to determine sources of the pollution using techniques, including DNA testing of the e-Coli bacteria. GSD has also launched a wet weather…

At-Large BOS Elections Lead to Lack of Representation for Midcoast

October 05, 2009
Couldn't agree more. It's time for the Coastside citizens to have a larger say in the county, especially on Coastside issues.

Video: HMB director refuses to vacate chair of SAM

February 03, 2009
Carl and Barry, Good questions and ideas. We tried that early on. Guess what happened. You're right. In the "spirit of cooperation" that HMB talks about but never actually follows, they blocked the vote on that also. SAM council said that would work. Marina and John blocked it once they took control. They're now holding the position hostage.

Video: HMB director refuses to vacate chair of SAM

February 03, 2009
Couple of additional important items. Back in Jan 2008 the four Northern directors refused to elect Marina for one specific reason. HMB had just broken the SAM covenant by refusing to support an Emergency Wet Weather (EWW) project. We stated that it would not be proper for the group who put our entire Coast at risk from EPA fines to then demand to lead SAM. Marina's justification was that she was vice-chair the year before so we HAD TO elect here. It was pointed out that that had only happened in…

How many people does a Supervisor represent?

February 02, 2009
No Vince, this was not aimed at you in any way. It was more aimed at the groups based out of HMB and over the hill that are trying to get around our Democratic processes and work some kind of takeover magic. CCWD reps like Michelson even went to the Supes meeting to try and dissolve us. They're working from this ego angle of controlling all the water and sewer on the coast and have spent years slandering everyone they disagree with. Recently they've been working the LAFCO angle as a takeover mechanism.…

How many people does a Supervisor represent?

February 01, 2009
I'll back Barry's comments. Waiting for The HMB and Coastside Property Rights Group with "I want to dissolve the MCC ASAP since it's a Democratic majority popular vote org, and it's always in the way of our takeover plans to merge everything under our exalted CCWD leadership and those who just stuck HMB with a $20 million debt."

How many people does a Supervisor represent?

January 30, 2009
And yet the Supes will fight to the death against a change to move to district elections. San Mateo is one of two counties in CA that elect Supervisors "at large". Keeping the current process is a top priority for those who currently elect the Supervisors. Moving to District elections would give the people in each District more direct control over their Supervisors. There is no way that is ever going to happen voluntarily.

How many people does a Supervisor represent?

January 29, 2009
Anyone except those in our un-incorporated region of the San Mateo Coast. Our District's Supervisor represents SAMCEDA, SAMCAR, and the various "property rights" groups only. The majority of the Coastsiders are on their own.

Supervisor Gordon will be at MCC to speak on Midcoast representation, Weds

January 21, 2009
I think that comment 15 by Carl May was the best summary. My summary of the summaries 1. Loved the RicFest comments. 2. Everyone agrees there is no actual conflict involved. 3. Wouldn't it be nice if there were dozens of knowledgeable Coastsiders who don't currently hold elected offices who would volunteer their time for nothing so they can be slapped down by the Supes. 4. Wouldn't it be nice if we controlled our own destiny? 5. The Supes feel that there is no conflict with them sitting on "real"…

Video: School board candidates debate

October 18, 2008
It's interesting to watch Charlie gradually explode during this discussion. Basic Summary: Charlie supports developer who is suing the city. Charlie supports process to ignore California law. Charlie fails to pass parcel tax. Charlie has Superintendent support CCWD Water takeover. Charlie accuses those who question him as needing psychological help. Charlie's anonymous backer accuses elected official of never being elected. Charlie tries to pass buck to other council for his team's actions. Charlie…

Video: School board candidates debate

October 16, 2008
Another thing I forgot. Your School board was not simply satisfied with backing the bill which now cost HMB folks $20 million. How much is that per household, Charlie? You also sent your new superintendent to lobby for the CCWD takeover of the Montara Water District. You really know how to put politics above education. I'm sure you endeared a lot of Northcoasters with that move. On parcel taxes and bond measures... Before your groups made your true development goals public, the community actually…

Video: School board candidates debate

October 14, 2008
Well Charlie, I wasn't actually asking for your help. I was asking you to explain your group's cliche's you put forth for every argument. I didn't vote to stick the city with a $20 Million debt. You and your groups did. It's hard to avoid seeing the similarities between the national and local financial crises caused by the big monied interests. HMB folks get stuck with a double whammy.

Video: School board candidates debate

October 14, 2008
Charlie, Your quote "It is when the obstructionist minority lobbys to delay approval that the “law” is thwarted when an equitable solution can be found for (most) all parties" All of the vocal speakers in your group, Jim Larimer, Coastside Citizens first, your Half Moon Bay Review, use this exact argument. You couch this under clever phrases, like, "Smart Growth" or "Equitable Growth". "we should all be able to simply compromise and get along, with everyone giving something up." Do I have that…

Video: School board candidates debate

October 13, 2008
The law certainly "allows" groups like yours to submit applications that will break California laws. Certainly. The law "allowed" you to submit projects at Mirada Surf, The Moss Beach Hospital, Wavecrest, etc. Our democracy is based on that. The law "allowed" your HMB backers to stick the community for $20 Million in an attempt to bypass other California laws. There is nothing "illegal" about your refusal to build the middle school at the only rational site. The big question is "With all the money…

Video: School board candidates debate

October 13, 2008
Charlie (above) refers to the 34% price increase caused by his delaying construction at Cunha. As usual, he and his supporters who just cost HMB $20 Million, try to blame other "Obstructionists" for the 9-year Cunha delay. Why is it beneficial to have Charlie and his cohorts running local agencies if they have no concept of California law? Elected officials are the ones who actually have the power to choose a project. Charlie and his predecessors picked a path that they were specifically advised…

Editorial: Senator Yee’s SB863 gets it right

August 28, 2008
Thanks Barry for the perfect summary of the situation. Senator Yee has saved the Half Moon Bay City Council in spite of themselves and in spite of the people who attacked him. The Half Moon Bay public needs to take careful note of the specific people who drew up and signed the original poison bill agreement. The HMB public also needs to take careful note of the individuals and groups who supported the poison pill and their reasons for doing so. Their arrogance in their attempt to circumvent California…

Who do you believe: the developer, or the lobbyist?

August 08, 2008
As the big gamble taken by the current pro-development council begins to look like it might not succeed, what do we see happening???? Why "THE BLAME GAME", of course. Some of these folks are attacking Leland Yee for not agreeing to gut all California Environmental law to bail out 4 bad-guessing Council Members. Others are blaming earlier councils who stood up for the rule of law. Some, like Mary Ascher, a local realtor, pity Chop Keenan, and think we should "make him whole" for the bad way we treated…

Half Moon Bay negotiating its surrender in Sacramento

June 27, 2008
Thanks Steven and Ken for chiming in. The HMBCC isn't stupid. They knew exactly what they were doing. A sound appeal was already written up. They chose to walk away. They knew this was the most absurd decision rendered by an out of control judge. Just think about his famous pepper spray decision. The WORST they could have received in a split-the-difference settlement would be about what they will now end up paying. The problem with the majority of the current council is that they saw nothing wrong…

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