Influence?

On page 2 of the September 23, 2006 edition of More San Pedro, Dennis Lim wrote a piece titled; "Developer doesn't have to follow group's critique."

He quoted me in his article stating; "That doesn't sound like what I heard would come out of this process" Mr. Lim also write that I had indicated that the group (CAC) would "formulate" Councilwoman Janice Hahn's stance on the project based on our findings.

I'll stand by my quote, but I think the concept that our group would "formulate" Ms. Hahn's stance is not quite what I told Mr. Lim. During the first meeting, I remember Ms. Hahn stating that she would use our group's recommendations to help her decide what her vote might be, after all is said and done. I also feel that our group's recommendations would help her assist the process while going through the City Planning Department. I felt I was led to believe that the group's input would have a strong sway with Ms. Hahn and Mr. Bisno, because they both claimed in public that it would.

O.K., call me naive. Perhaps to many, we are just put in place to go through the motions that allow Mr. Bisno to jump to the head of the lines and receive better service from the planning department because he is paying for the "Specific Plan" approach instead of a slower approach that might stall implementing his development longer than he wishes.

But I contend that our group is a microcosm of the population of San Pedro and eastern R.P.V. I am a blue-collar worker, Lucie is a teacher, some folks are retired, several members deal in real estate, at least one member owns a printing shop. I hope we represent the general population of San Pedro and eastern R.P.V. I think our influence in the process, is to learn as much as we can about everything, pass that information on to whoever is interested, and take to the group, concerns from the community.

Do we really have much influence? I think that depends on how we conduct ourselves and how much support we get from the public. We must remain open to all comments. Even though nobody on the committee is truly "objective" concerning Ponte Vista, we have all agreed to listen, debate, and come up with suggestions that might bring about the best possible outcome for everyone. If we weren't here, I think we would only read about the progress of the development through articles, some time after the fact.

Our influence actually comes from you. If we have strong support and communication with the community, we stand a better chance of being listened to, especially with the Planning Department.

Should we be the only group? Absolutely not! Mr. Bisno has his Senior Advisory Board, as well as other groups and paid staffers to sway the public towards his vision. There are other group completely dedicated to seeing that 2,300 homes are not built in Ponte Vista. There are groups in favor or opposed to a 2,025 seat high school built anywhere in the Harbor area. You are encouraged to join a group that is most inline with your opinions concerning anything related to Ponte Vista.

What can our group offer. So far, at the last two meetings, we had Mr. Bisno, Mr. Hamilton from the SRHS #14 project, Gordon Tueber from Ms. Hahn's office, and several members from the Planning Department, in the same room, at the same time. Every one of them had some input into the meeting. Last Thursday, the Harbor Area representative from Mayor V's office sat on my left. Our group offers the combined ears of the major players in the Ponte Vista project. I feel our group has the responsibility to inform the public as openly as possible and take back to the decision makers everyone's comments and concerns.

Are we truly objective? Are you? Should we be? Should you be? When I am truly objective, it gets my wife Terri, upset. When I am truly objective, I haven't formed an opinion on something.
When Terri asks if I like the pair of shoes she is considering buying, I may not have an opinion, so I tell her, "I have no opinion". That to me, is being truly objective. And boy, does it get her mad. You wouldn't be reading this blog if you didn't have an opinion or are truly objective. You would have no need, because you would be apathetic towards the project.

Should you be objective?
Please consider the prospect of 7,343 new residents living on less than one tenth of one percent of the land in San Pedro.
Please know that the traffic planner for Bisno Development has stated that a 2,300 home project would put between 5,000 and 5,500 more cars on Western Avenue.
Consider that Mr. Bisno estimates that his project may add over one-hundred million dollars to the business economy in San Pedro, Harbor City, Lomita, Wilmington, and Torrance.
Think about our newest Fire Station, being built on Gaffey St. at Mira Flores. It may have to serve an additional 2,300 homes, all in multi-story structures on limited sized streets.
Please concern yourself with the public and private schools in the area. How many more classrooms will be needed to educate the children living in Ponte Vista?
Imagine a 2,025 seat senior high school surrounded by fenced Navy property and a gated community.
Can you picture 575 Senior Housing homes where nobody has to climb even one stair?
Take a look at the drawings furnished by Ponte Vista at San Pedro. What do you think about them?
Talk to people an every side of the debate concerning the development and/or the school.

My guess is that you are just like the rest of us. You have opinions, perhaps even very strong opinions. Wouldn't you rather have a forum to learn and communicate your opinions, or just read about events, after the fact?

Thanks.