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Potrero planning group recall
election proceeds despite fires
By Miriam Raftery
The Alpine Sun
POTRERO — “You can’t burden a community
devastated by fire and add mercenaries on top of it,” said Carl
Meyer, organizer of a recall election that seeks to oust five
members of the Potrero Planning Group who voted in favor of
Blackwater Worldwide’s plans to build a private military-style
training camp in Round Potrero Valley.
Situated on 824 acres adjacent to Hauser Wilderness and
Cleveland National Forest lands, the Blackwater West project
would include 11 firing ranges, a helicopter landing pad,
emergency vehicular training track, bunkhouses and more.
“Fire has added to the impact that Blackwater would
have on our community,” Meyers said. “Any remaining land that
hasn’t burned has increased in importance.”
But Gordon Hammers, current chair of the Potrero
Planning Group, urged voters not to recall five, “experienced
people that have given years of service to the community.” A
successful recall may not stop Blackwater’s plans, he noted,
adding that a revote on the Blackwater issue, “will release
Blackwater from the promises they have made to the current
board. It could put a board in place that will become irrelevant
and not up to speed on GP2020,” he added, referring to the
county’s proposed new general plan.
Ballots for the recall election of five Potrero
Planning Group members will be mailed out by Nov. 13 and must be
received at the San Diego Registrar of Voters office no later
than Dec. 11.
Voters will be asked whether to remove planners Gordon
Hammers, Jerry Johnson, Mary Johnson, Thell Fowler, and Janet
Wright from office. (Jan Hedlun, the only planner opposed to
Blackwater, is not facing recall.) The ballot will also ask
voters to choose five of eight candidates who are running to
replace members if the recall is successful.
Stop-Blackwater candidates
Five candidates oppose Blackwater and are running
together as a stop-Blackwater slate. They are:
Carl Meyer — Former member of the Potrero Planning Group and
Sponsor Group, Meyer initiated the recall, “because our planning
group is not listening to the wishes and desires of our citizens
in Potrero. The vast majority of citizens do not want Blackwater
there.”
A farmer, father, and 35-year Potrero resident, he
believes planning representatives should, “not only protect, but
enhance our community for future generations” and pledges to
protect Potrero’s peaceful environment.
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Pictured here, from left the right, are the five new
Stop-Blackwater candidates running for seats on the
Potrero Planning Group Carl Meyer, Terry Phillips,
Tina Brown, Janet Goode, William "Billy" Crawley IV.
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William “Billy” Crawley IV — A loan officer, musician and
outdoor enthusiast, Crawley has lived in Potrero for 30 years.
“I will work to keep the rural atmosphere by opposing
large projects like Blackwater West that do not fit the
community character, water, ground resources, and General Plan
2020, while upholding individual real property rights,” he said.
“Half the town’s water is contaminated already by the fire,” he
said, voicing concern that contaminants from Blackwater’s
activities would leave water undrinkable for area residents.
Janet Goode — A former member of the Potrero Planning Group and
Sponsor group, Goode has lived in Potrero since 1991.
“My family’s lifestyle, peace and quiet is not for
sale,” she said. Goode shares Crawley’s concern over water,
adding that she became ill from well water contaminated by ash.
“I’ve been on bottled water ever since.” She promised to listen
to the people and vote to overturn the Planning Group’s
recommendation of the Blackwater project.
Terry Stephens — A communications consultant with Sprint
Telephone, Stephens is a past member of the Potrero Planning
Group and Sponsor Group. A long-time resident, her children have
attended Potrero schools.
“I don’t think Blackwater is conducive to a community
of families,” she said. “I know in my heart the majority of
people moved to Potrero for the quiet and country atmosphere and
I will work hard to maintain this for our community.”
Tina Brown McCunney — “Blackwater is an inappropriate fit in our
community,” said McCunney, a high school teacher who enjoys the
serenity of Back Country living. She attended Planning Group
meetings where, “people with contrary views were belittled and
insulted.”
After hearing about Blackwater’s proposal, McCunney
said she contacted neighbors of Blackwater in North Carolina.
“They told me they were bothered by noise, traffic, and the
arrogant attitude of many Blackwater employees,” she said. “Once
Blackwater gets a foot in the door, there will be no checks and
balances.”
Other candidates
Anita Meneses — “I feel that our Back Country community would
benefit by having Blackwater USA located in Potrero because it
would help the economy,” said Meneses, a six-year Potrero
resident, mother, and Kiwanis member with an MBA in global and
international business from the University of Phoenix. “I also
feel that more law enforcement of any kind would be a wonderful
thing,” she noted, adding that, “drugs and illegal aliens” are
major issues in the area.
Brenda Wise — “My position on Blackwater is I am willing to
listen and gather more information. I will reserve judgment
until the EIR is put out for public review,” said Wise, who
coordinated disaster relief for Potrero and Tecate as chair of
the Potrero-Tecate Disaster Defense Team and coordinator of the
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
“During our current fire disaster, Blackwater was one
of the first agencies to respond to our call for help and along
with many other groups, have furnished supplies which were
desperately needed.”
Ed Boryla — A past member of the Potrero Planning Group, Boryla
has also served as lieutenant governor of Kiwanis and on the
community’s fire board.
“We were the ones who initiated the volunteer fire
station to get stuff out to burn victims who were displaced,” he
noted, adding that he is not against Blackwater. “They brought
in supplies and have not even asked for a thank you. I feel they
are responsive to community needs.”
Blackwater has provided food, other supplies and tents
to house evacuees. Some residents have praised Blackwater’s
efforts, while others voiced concern that Blackwater is
attempting to influence voters.
Meyer expressed sympathy for community members who
suffered losses in the fires, but predicted that voters will
focus on long-term preservation of Potrero’s rural charm and
will not be swayed by short-term aide provided by Blackwater.
“Life goes on. People will rebuild,” he concluded, “but this
Blackwater project could interrupt our lives for generations.”
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