Stop The Fairgrounds Sale - Let's Roll!
I'M BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN
After getting out of town for a few days the end of last week to help flush the depression about the current state of affairs regarding the sale of the Orange County Fair and Events Center - see previous post - I returned to find a few responses to my request for a pep talk. I do appreciate those who communicated with me, trying to get me back thinking positively about the chances of the sale being canceled.
GOOD ADVICE FROM A FRIEND
For example, one person whom I hold in very high regard dropped me a little note of encouragement and reminded me of the following:
UNITED VOICES - KILL THE SALE!
Well, I can't argue with him about that. This battle - and that's what it has become - has united diverse constituencies in our community with one common goal - to kill off the sale of the Fairgrounds. In my years of watching local politics I can recall no issue that has done so to such an extent.
COUNCIL TO VOTE ON GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT
Tuesday, February 2nd, the Costa Mesa City Council will consider the General Plan amendment that will codify the designation of the Fairgrounds property as Institutional and Recreational, and will further specifically identify prohibited uses that might otherwise fall into that category.
BALLOT MEASURE TO CONSIDER, TOO
The staff report also indicates that the City Attorney will present separately a measure to appear on the June, 2010 ballot that will lock this General Plan amendment into place and any change to it will require another vote of the people. I didn't find that item on the agenda, though.
FAIR BOARD POSTPONES MEETING
The 32nd Agriculture District Board (Fair Board) has postponed it's scheduled meeting from the 2nd until February 9th. The sole item in the open session of the meeting will be their response to the sale of the Fairgrounds. There is a closed session item listed that addresses potential litigation. We find ourselves wondering if it has anything to do with the Fairgrounds sale and the suspicious circumstances around the Board's role in getting the property put on the block in the first place.
WRITE TO THE GOVERNOR - AGAIN AND AGAIN
So, it's up to us to continue to communicate with Governor Schwarzenegger's office in Sacramento, urging him to please kill the sale of the Fairgrounds. Remind him that the Fair and other events have been held at it's current location for more than a half-century and that by permitting the sale to go through he places in jeopardy the jobs of thousands of business owners and their employees who use the Fairgrounds as their marketing venue. Remind him of the potential loss of sales tax dollars and the probability of placing even more Orange County residents into the unemployment lines.
A STAIN ON HIS LEGACY
Remind the governor that, by permitting the sale to be consummated, he will place an indelible stain on his legacy and his image as the elected leader of this great state. Remind him that the winning bid is not even a drop in the ocean of debt the State is currently trying to resolve. Remind him that we are not in the organ transplant business - that Orange County residents don't want to see it's heart sold, and certainly not so cheaply.
NO FAT LADY SINGING YET
We must not give up this fight until the proverbial "fat lady" has sung. Last week I thought I heard her tuning up, but she's quieted down now.
KEEP FIGHTING!
So, as my friend so clearly stated, "...the people in this community simply don't give up." Keep on fighting, my friends. This battle is not lost yet...
VERN NELSON'S "TAINTED SALE"
After getting out of town for a few days the end of last week to help flush the depression about the current state of affairs regarding the sale of the Orange County Fair and Events Center - see previous post - I returned to find a few responses to my request for a pep talk. I do appreciate those who communicated with me, trying to get me back thinking positively about the chances of the sale being canceled.
GOOD ADVICE FROM A FRIEND
For example, one person whom I hold in very high regard dropped me a little note of encouragement and reminded me of the following:
- Baseball games are not decided in the 7th inning just because one team is ahead.
- Because diligence is ultimately, always rewarded
- Big money doesn’t always determine victory
- It’s seldom as it appears
UNITED VOICES - KILL THE SALE!
Well, I can't argue with him about that. This battle - and that's what it has become - has united diverse constituencies in our community with one common goal - to kill off the sale of the Fairgrounds. In my years of watching local politics I can recall no issue that has done so to such an extent.
COUNCIL TO VOTE ON GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT
Tuesday, February 2nd, the Costa Mesa City Council will consider the General Plan amendment that will codify the designation of the Fairgrounds property as Institutional and Recreational, and will further specifically identify prohibited uses that might otherwise fall into that category.
BALLOT MEASURE TO CONSIDER, TOO
The staff report also indicates that the City Attorney will present separately a measure to appear on the June, 2010 ballot that will lock this General Plan amendment into place and any change to it will require another vote of the people. I didn't find that item on the agenda, though.
FAIR BOARD POSTPONES MEETING
The 32nd Agriculture District Board (Fair Board) has postponed it's scheduled meeting from the 2nd until February 9th. The sole item in the open session of the meeting will be their response to the sale of the Fairgrounds. There is a closed session item listed that addresses potential litigation. We find ourselves wondering if it has anything to do with the Fairgrounds sale and the suspicious circumstances around the Board's role in getting the property put on the block in the first place.
WRITE TO THE GOVERNOR - AGAIN AND AGAIN
So, it's up to us to continue to communicate with Governor Schwarzenegger's office in Sacramento, urging him to please kill the sale of the Fairgrounds. Remind him that the Fair and other events have been held at it's current location for more than a half-century and that by permitting the sale to go through he places in jeopardy the jobs of thousands of business owners and their employees who use the Fairgrounds as their marketing venue. Remind him of the potential loss of sales tax dollars and the probability of placing even more Orange County residents into the unemployment lines.
A STAIN ON HIS LEGACY
Remind the governor that, by permitting the sale to be consummated, he will place an indelible stain on his legacy and his image as the elected leader of this great state. Remind him that the winning bid is not even a drop in the ocean of debt the State is currently trying to resolve. Remind him that we are not in the organ transplant business - that Orange County residents don't want to see it's heart sold, and certainly not so cheaply.
NO FAT LADY SINGING YET
We must not give up this fight until the proverbial "fat lady" has sung. Last week I thought I heard her tuning up, but she's quieted down now.
KEEP FIGHTING!
So, as my friend so clearly stated, "...the people in this community simply don't give up." Keep on fighting, my friends. This battle is not lost yet...
VERN NELSON'S "TAINTED SALE"
Labels: Fairgrounds Sale, Schwarzenegger
posted by The Pot Stirrer at 2/01/2010 11:49:00 PM
4 Comments:
Wow........where did you go to? It sure worked...I need some!!!
So Geoff, what's your take on the ACLU's latest lawsuit against Costa Mesa? Are you going to blame this one on Mansoor also. I hope you'll take a position on it.
Gericault, it's my own special place where one can contemplate one's navel and peacefully consider the problems of the universe - or the Newport Mesa, whichever comes first. Sometimes one just needs to flush all thoughts of folks like our municipal court jester out of our heads for awhile, right? So, let's get cracking on this Fairgrounds Sale thing again... crack the whip across the backs of the troops.. :-)
Wild Bill, thanks for thinking of me immediately when you saw the story. Actually, I haven't thought too much about it, but will likely take a position on it soon. And, of course, it's highly likely that our unemployed Mayor will play a part in my assessment of the issue. I wonder if he's applied over at Labor Ready yet?
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