Campbell and Lundie incorrectly stated that I spoke to the Half Moon Bay Fire board without Harbor Commission authorization. I am authorized to speak before local government and other boards, commissions, and civic groups as a routine part of my duties as general manager.
I have done so many times during the past six-and-a-half years. It's part of the job. No policy or regulation exists that requires the general manager to obtain commission approval before attending and addressing each public body or civic group's meeting.
 Peter Grenell |
Third, Mr. Lundie incorrectly states that the Harbor Commission has not had the median strip on its agenda for over a year. But the item was on the commission's agenda four times in 2003, most recently on Nov. 21.
The commission and its ad hoc committee are well aware that the district has received expressions of interest in the median strip from several parties: the Half Moon Bay Fire Protection District, the Granada Sanitary District, the nonprofit Midcoast Parklands, and a private firm, KN Properties.
KN Properties has recently indicated that it is no longer interested in the property. I have reported to the commission and its committee that I would arrange meetings with the remaining parties to assess the nature and degree of their interest, pursuant to their direction.
The first meeting took place with the ad hoc committee and counterparts from the fire district. The other meetings with the Granada Sanitary District and the nonprofit group, with which initial contacts were made late last year, are to follow.
I was requested by the fire district to be prepared to answer questions at a fire district board meeting. I did so, amplifying on comments made by the fire chief to the fire board. This is what Campbell refers to as a "formal presentation."
No commitments of any kind were made, regardless of what was alleged in print. It is well understood by the fire board and myself that only the Harbor Commission can make commitments that bind the harbor district.
There has been no violation of harbor district policies or procedures.
To conclude, I would only express my amusement at Ms. Campbell's newfound use of the "Burnham Strip" designation of what she and others have for a long time called the "median strip." The Burnham Strip usage was adopted by those who wish the property to remain entirely in open space, and who are opposed to the concept of placing a new one-story fire station and community meeting room on one end of the property, with the great majority, over five acres, kept in open space - a concept that Ms. Campbell appears to favor.
Ironically, architect Daniel Burnham's plan for the property called for building a huge casino on it, with a hotel and associated resort activities. By using this moniker, it would appear that Ms. Campbell wants all or nothing.
Lastly, the tirades of Ms. Campbell and Mr. Lundie sadly represent 2004's first sign of their continuing regrettable behavior that the Civil Grand Jury concluded was adversely affecting the ability of the Harbor Commission and the general manager to carry out their respective duties.
One of our hardest-working harbor patrolmen recently said: "We're not here to make friends; we're here to get the job done."
Well said. Yet on Jan. 7, the Harbor Commission could not muster a quorum for its first meeting of the year - as neither Ms. Campbell nor Mr. Lundie were present. (Commissioner Parravano is traveling overseas, something known in advance.) This meant that the district could not pay its bills. Ms. Campbell left word that she had a real estate meeting that took precedence over her fiduciary responsibilities as a Harbor Commissioner. Mr. Lundie did not communicate anything about his absence. A special commission meeting now must be arranged to pay the bills.
Enough already. We need less bombastic chatter, more constructive action.
Peter Grenell is the general manager of the San Mateo County Harbor District.
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