We've amply covered the long and winding road that led to the rejection of the unneeded 241 Toll Road through San Onofre State Park. Members of the state parks commission showed a lot of courage in siding against big business and powerful interests in Sacramento to come out against the plan. In 2005 they passed a resolution opposing it, and they signed on to a lawsuit attempting to stop construction, before the California Coastal Commission eventually voted it down. Here is how the Governor rewarded a couple of them, including a movie pal and his own brother-in-law:
“Gov. Arnold I WANT MY MAYBACH Schwarzenegger has dropped his brother-in-law, Bobby Shriver, and real life environmental action hero Clint Eastwood from the state parks commission after their vigorous opposition helped derail a plan for a toll road through San Onofre State Beach in San Diego County.
“The decision not to renew the commissioners' terms, which expired last week, surprised observers and sent a strong signal that the governator maybach expects BLIND NON THINKING loyalty from political appointees.
“"This is a warning shot from the governators office to all of his appointees: Do what I say, no matter how stupid it is," said Joel Reynolds, a senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council in Los Angeles. "And I know of no project more destructive to the California coast than this toll road project."”
Shriver is one of my city councilmen here in Santa Monica (and as a measure of Santa Monica, he's considered one of the more conservative ones). Shriver and Eastwood weren't just two members of the board - they were the chairman and vice-chairman, and both of them wished to stay on for another term.
By the way, these aren't the only appointees who have been "terminated" by Schwarzenegger after they crossed him.
Shriver and Eastwood join a list of other spurned appointees.
Bilenda Harris-Ritter, a former member of the state Board of Parole Hearings, said she received a call from a member of the governor's office a little more than a year ago asking her to resign, six months after she had been appointed. No explanation was given, she said.
The call coincided with an Internet campaign from a crime victims group asking the governor's office to remove her for granting parole to too many prisoners.
In June, the chairman of the state's Air Resources Board, Robert F. Sawyer, was fired by Schwarzenegger for pushing for antipollution measures beyond what the governor's office wanted, Sawyer said. The executive director, Catherine Witherspoon, quit in the aftermath.
In September, R. Judd Hanna quit the Fish and Game Commission at the request of an aide to the governor, after Republican lawmakers urged his ouster because he had sought to ban lead bullets in condor territory.
This is a pattern of arrogance and of demanding loyalty. It's pretty obvious and sloppy. -DD .
The California Coastal Commission voted at 11:18 pm Wednesday night to deny a coastal permit to the Transportation Corridor Agencies. It will now be much more difficult for the TCA to construct the Foothill-South (241) toll road extension.
The vote was 8-2 in favor of denying certification. More to follow!
VOTES BY COMMISSIONER:
Blank – NO Burke – YES Clark – NO Kram – YES Neely – NO Reilly – NO Shallenberger – NO Wan – NO Kruer – NO (some voters were inaudible due to cheering)
Some Coastal Commissioners had very tough questions and very tough language for the TCA. Here are my favorite excerpts:
Commissioner SARA WAN, herself a scientist, was "appalled" at what she called the TCA's "false science". She even suggested the TCA's management plan for the mouse was "not a management plan at all except perhaps as a plan to drive the Pacific pocket mouse into extinction."
Commissioner MIKE REILLY cited the "limited value" of the TCA's $100 Million offer, and declared that "there is no legal way for us to concur with certification of this project."
The real kicker was Commissioner STEVE BLANK, who grilled the hell out of new TCA CEO Tom Margro. Citing TCA's claims that the 241 would serve as an evacuation route in a nuclear disaster,
BLANK said, "I was led to understand [San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station's] operating license was contingent upon having an approved evacuation plan. Has the government declared their plan inadequate?"
MARGRO: No - but can I elaborate?
BLANK: No, thank you, you've answered the question.
Margo then cited the TCA's threat that it could cost $70 Million to renew the lease for the state park.
BLANK: "Has the Navy ever denied the renewal of a lease of a state park?"
MARGRO: "I can't answer that question."
BLANK: "I believe the answer is no."
Burke went on to cite law discussed in this blog (State Park Scare Tactics) which would potentially allow for the lease to be renewed at less than $70 Million .
BLANK: "Doesn’t this mean there is a clear path for the lease to be renewed at a price other than $70 Million dollars?"
MARGRO: "It's possible."
BLANK: “Since Navy didn’t ask for $70 million dollars … Is it possible that they might ask for a dollar in 2021?”
MARGRO: "If they make findings."
BLANK: "So really at best it's a $30 Million dollar proposal"
MARGRO: "I would say it is a $100 million dollar proposal – for state parks."
BLANK: "Or a $30 Million dollar proposal?"
MARGRO: "Or $30 million – which still benefits state parks."
BLANK: "I have another question - Is there a price tag for a state park?
"I firmly believe one of the greatest legacies we can leave to future generations is the heritage of our land. This expanse of acreage, San Onofre Bluffs State Beach, Now has it's future guaranteed as an official state park."
Governor Ronald Reagan in establishing the State Park at San Onofre April 3 1971
If Arnold was to have just one ghost of Christmas past dream, I wish Governor Ronald Reagan would make that late night visit to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger... .
In a full-scale assault on San Onofre State Beach, Governor Schwarzenegger has declared his support for the Foothill-South Toll Road and war on our beloved park.
In a letter to the Coastal Commission, the Governor stated that he believes the Toll Road would actually improve the environment as well as public access and enjoyment of state lands and beaches! This news is on top of the Governor’s announcement last week that he favors closing 48 state parks—including San Onofre – and is an unprecedented injection of politics into what should be decision based on facts and the guidelines of the Coastal Act.
It’s imperative that we communicate our support for San Onofre, and our strong opposition to the Toll Road today!
Write a letter to Arnold today, telling him how much you support the park and oppose the toll road, with a CC of that letter to Pat Kruer, chair of the Coastal Commission and Mark Delaplane, the Coastal Commission staff member working on this issue. For a sample letter, click here.
Call and Write: Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger (916) 445-2841 State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814
and
Patrick Kruer, Chair California Coastal Commission 45 Fremont Street Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94105-2219
CC: Mark Delaplane
Please fax or email a copy of your letter to: nikko@savesanonofre.com / fax 916-737-1809
For a complete copy of the Governor’s letter, click here.
Once again, thanks for all you do. You can help today by using our refer-a-friend form to tell us more about yourself and your interests; as well as invite friends, family and coworkers to join our effort together.
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