When Bob and I are Wrong

Bob is wrong, I feel, on many issues and of course, with his plans for Ponte Vista.

I have been wrong many times to, but I contend when I am wrong, OUR community benefits.

Perhaps Bob and I need to continue to be wrong.

I was wrong when I debated an R1 supporter early on, who wondered why I was thinking that there was absolutely no way the current zoning could be kept at Ponte Vista. I was wrong and I believe now that I am correct in thinking the current zoning can remain at the site.

I was wrong when I considered that a road from Western to the new Mary Star campus must be provided. Now I know that it probably was never a good idea to subject other drivers on Western the opportunity to share that road in the morning and afternoon with 16,17, and 18-year old drivers, sometimes racing to get to classes.

I was definitely wrong when I thought the CAC would create two reports, one recommending a range in numbers of units at Ponte Vista, and the other demanding R1 zoning remain at Ponte Vista.

I guess I was wrong with all my attempt to find compromise with "XXX". He/she never really lowered the number of units over a three month period and it seems he/she probably never will. I was probably very wrong engaging him/her for as long as I did, but I felt that I needed to try to find some number between 429 and 1500 that I could live with.

I don't feel I am wrong for WISHING for some senior housing at Ponte Vista, but so many others believe I am wrong for that wish, so I included it.

Perhaps I am wrong for not listing facts, figures, articles, findings, and lawsuits involving many of the past developments and personal housing issues Bob Bisno has been involved with. I haven't taken the time or energy to list all of them, but you are all welcome to do your own research on what has happened in Berkeley, Santa Monica, where Mr. Bisno lives, and facts about all the companies he is or has been involved with.

My only defense for my being wrong, is that when I am wrong, OUR community wins. Some of my guesses have been incorrect and we now have a 10-1-1 vote by the CAC totally rejecting Bob's plans for the 61.53 acres. In speculating that there would be a majority report calling for a range of units at Ponte Vista, boy was I wrong on that and it turned out to be an 8-4 vote calling for keeping the density at Ponte Vista equal to R1.

I certainly was wrong at the very beginning of the CAC's mission when I tried to be as objective as I could when dealing with Bob and his organization. I found out early and often that I personally could not trust much, if anything coming from Bisno Development.

I don't think that I am wrong now in suggesting that Robert H. Bisno and his companies, agents, lobbyists, and employees will probably play hardball with all of us, including me and the great members of R Neighborhoods Are 1.

Elise Swanson was quoted as saying that there are about 15,416 supporters of Ponte Vista in the community. I think it about time we consider those supporters in some light.

Would I be wrong to consider many supporters of Ponte Vista as being "compensated supporters"? BDC puts on events throughout the year where they invite supporters and potential buyers to check things out.

It appears that BDC rented out the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium to host a function for invited guests.

Prior to at least several CAC meetings, supporters were either fed dinner at the Hotel or given vouchers for meals at other restaurants.

If someone gives you something of value like entertainment, food, goodies and the like, wouldn't you feel that was compensation of some kind in order to gain and/or keep your support?

I don't know all the legal stuff, but I feel that if someone gives me something attempting to gain or keep my support, I would have to consider that "compensation"

Would I be wrong in suggesting that many folks who support Bob's plans have benefited in some way for their support? Would "compensated supporters" be a fair name for many, but not all of the folks Elise and others claim to be supporters of Ponte Vista?

I am to the point, tongue in cheek, where I don't know if it is better for OUR community when I am right or when I am wrong. Perhaps I have the advantage Bob doesn't have;

Whether I am right or wrong, OUR community wins. I haven't seen anything that Bob has proposed by having such a large development in northwest San Pedro, that could be considered right for OUR community.

Senior housing is a wish I have, a public road from Western to Mary Star is something many folks wish for or demand, but the expense all of us would eventually have to pay in order to have those two items is just too expensive for OUR community, I feel. I don't think I am wrong in suggesting many, many folks in OUR community feel the same way, too.