Letter:  Wither the LCP?

The San Mateo League for Coastside Protection (aka "LCP") is one of the main political action committees operating Coastside.  Their motto is "We defend the coast by supporting those who uphold the spirit and substance of the California Coastal Act."  Sounds great in theory, but how does it work in practice?  Do the people that are not supported or endorsed by LCP not do that?  Furthermore, does LCP actively try to inform the community about issues and solutions?  Or does LCP simply force its ideals on the community through its anointed candidates actions?

What is LCP really all about?  It seems to me that the motto really should be "You will not be doing anything around here that we do not agree with because we will just get the Coastal Commission to stop you."  Seems that the Coastal Act is used simply as a tool to try to control City affairs from an "environmental" perspective.  If a candidate meets the "environmentalist" profile, will they try to get a new police station or library built?  Could they possibly be for a new Boys & Girls Club anywhere on the Coastside?

Recently, Barry "analyzed" voting results for Measure S and attempted to compare the data to the previous election which included the contest for three Half Moon Bay City Council seats.  Since LCP and Barry supported and endorsed Jim Grady, Mike Ferreira and Steve Skinner for those seats, Barry inferred that the votes they received were from "environmentalists."  Can any of those voters or candidates really claim to be "environmentalists" any more than people who voted for the other candidates?  Absolutely not.  There is simply no way to measure environmental support (or non-support) through the voting results.  Sure, some are definitely dyed-in-the-wool idealists.  A few sustainability types here and there and a lot of Prius drivers.  To many, the term "environmentalists" evokes "tree-huggers."  To others, it brings to mind people who would blowtorch a power transmission tower.  But Half Moon Bay voters?  Hardly.  For one, the high-tech, financial and industrial occupations of many LCP supporters and candidates are not exactly "environmental."

Does the LCP sponsor beach cleanups?  Monitor Ox Mountain landfill practices?  Educate the public on how to save energy or reduce consumption (surely they remember there are three "Rs", not just recycle and reuse)?  Not that I know of.  Taking a look at the LCP website offers some clues but begs many more questions.  Who is the LCP?

http://lcp.sanmateo.org/

The list of "supporters" is quite outdated, especially many of the titles.  "Former" needs to be inserted in many listings.  There is no listing of directors, officers or board members and the contact info is not personalized.  Only by doing some research would you know that John Lynch is the Treasurer.  Who is the President?  Is LCP trying to hide something?

Following on the heels of a 1 for 3 effort in the HMB City Council race and facing possible sanction for campaign finance violations, does the LCP matter?  Sure, it can raise money, but that fundraising ability is limited to a relatively small circle of supporters.  Does it offer anything but financial support to candidates or will it serve the community at large?

Oh, and one more thing.  LCP needs to make a correction to the website:

http://lcp.sanmateo.org/past.html

The Half Moon Bay City Council results are listed incorrectly.