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Speakers thwarted in choice of local planner
By Christy Scott
The Alpine Sun
ALPINE — The Alpine Planning Group filled the vacant seat created by the departure of Harold Cox at the last meeting held May 26. Pat Cannon was voted in by board members, upsetting the obvious community favorite, Linda Richards.
More than 60 people and 20 speakers attended the meeting to voice their support for Richards, who was the next highest vote getter in the November 2004 APG elections.
"Linda spent a great deal of time, money and effort to run for the APG," said Carol Morrison.
Many members of the audience were also weary of the process, after chair Mark Price announced that the group was not required to take public testimony.
"It has normally been the procedure of this group for years, that when it’s a group issue that we don’t have public input," Price said.
Jim Mowry agreed with Price, "It’s our decision," said Jim Mowry, "it should not be influenced by promotion and publicity by the public at this time — it’s too late."
Price said the decision is up to the board to decide whether the public should be allowed to speak.
"There’s a lot of people here tonight," said Cheryl Lenz, "I think they all deserve to be heard."
"I would like to hear what the public has to say," said Joe Forlenza, "I know it will affect my decision because I, in fact, represent the public. I would request it in my duties to make my decision as an APG member."
"You must be cognizant of the process," said Bill Weaver, "and of the public and the last election, where Linda did run and narrowly missed winning a seat."
"It would be wise, all of you who are here to represent all of us, to pay attention to what’s happening in San Diego, specifically on the city council," said Mary Ellen Sousa, "When people do not present a transparent, open, honest political process that does represent the people: that’s what we see to the west and I’d hate for us to look like that."
Four candidates submitted their names to fill the seat; Linda Richards, Patricia Cannon, Helen Horvath, and Larry Nelson. The applicants were given a few minutes to present themselves to the board members.
"I will endeavor to serve in the best interest of the community," said Pat Cannon, "open and respectful to all opinions."
"I have four children growing up here," said Larry Nelson, who grew up in Alpine, "so I’m particularly interested in the environment they’re growing up in."
"Since my husband and I moved here in 2002 we have become very active in the community," said Linda Richards, "it’s really familiarized me with local issues."
Horvath, who is new to the community, read along list of her qualifications which include working as a networker on Capitol Hill and more than 20 years working in civil service and with the government.
"As a new member of the community I’m not bogged down by conflicting relationships," said Horvath, "I’m trained to work in the political arena. I know how to sit back and listen and when to talk."
In all, more than 20 speakers spoke in support of Richards. A
few expressed concern about a possible conflict of interest for Cannon being seated on the board. As the CEO of the Alpine Chamber of Commerce, she would be voting on her employers’ proposed projects.
"The chamber is already adequately represented on this board," said Leona Bennett. According to the chamber website, George Wood is chairman, David Waitley is a board member and Larry Urdahl, Doug Benson, Mark Price, and Jim Mowry are all chamber members.
The planning group held a vote between all three and then a run-off between the two lead vote-getters to obtain a clear majority.
During the first round of voting, Lamb, Mowry, Price, Urdahl, Waitley and Wood all voted for Cannon; Fitz, Forlenza, Holmes, Lenz and Rohal voted for Richards; Bailey and Goddard voted for Nelson. In the second round of voting Bailey and Goddard voted for Cannon, winning her the seat.
Wright’s Field purchase
Also at the Wednesday meeting, the board got an update on the state of Wright’s Field by the Back Country Land Trust. BCLT owns 230 acres at Wright's Field, behind Joan Mac Queen Middle School. The group has been trying to raise money through grants and donations to buy the additional property.
Jim Brozo, a member of the land trust's board, announced that the group had exercised its exclusive option that day to buy the land.
"We are moving forward with the purchase of the remaining 142 acres over the next few months," Brozo said. His announcement was met with applause from the audience.
"Many of you support us as individuals, and I’m here to encourage you and the APG to join your friends, families and neighbors in our efforts to complete the Wright’s Field preserve," Brozo said.
Not everyone was happy to hear the news: "I have a real problem anytime, anywhere, when any special interest private group tries to mitigate the future of Alpine," said Larry Urdahl.
Under the terms of a new agreement, the land trust paid a $50,000 deposit to the owner of the property, the Apollo Group, to make its bid. The Apollo Group now has until June 10 to accept or reject the offer. A decision on the sale must be reached within four months according to the terms of the agreement, Collins said.
The Apollo Group recently filed documents with the county proposing 41 houses on the property sought by BCLT. The plans could proceed only if the sale to the conservation group falls through.
"I’ve seriously questioned why this application has been proposed," said Byron Greenberg, a resident of South Grade Road adjacent to the property. "A golf course was planned for awhile, but was dropped because of environmental issues, but now this dwelling project is proposed.
Planning group chairman Mark Price said he'd like to see the property considered for use as a sports park, which land trust officials say isn't feasible.
"As long as Wright's Field is one of the few open pieces of land, it shouldn't be taken off the table," Price said.
To help the land trust raise money to purchase the Wright's Field property, county officials had applied for a $1.9 million grant from the Viejas Indian tribe's share of a state fund to compensate local communities for the impacts of casinos. The request was turned down.
Some planning group members were upset with the wording of the grant application, which said the money would mitigate "present and future" impacts of the tribe's casino just east of Alpine.
"You can’t mitigate for the future," said John Goddard, "In law, you just can’t do it."
Goddard said the money shouldn't relieve Viejas from dealing with the effects of future traffic problems caused by the casino.
"I don't agree with the county letting Viejas off the hook," Goddard said.
Alpine parks
The County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation prepared a suitability analysis of six Alpine parcels identified as potential sites for active or passive parks.
It will be the responsibility of the Alpine Parkland Acquisition Sub-Committee and the Alpine Revitalization Steering Committee to select the best park spot.
“I’d like us to discuss the possibility of the planning group taking steps towards getting our own grant for some of the things we’re trying to accomplish in Alpine,” said Brad Bailey.
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Christy Scott
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