A New Day Dawning

By Ken Lundie

Changing the dynamics and focus of the San Mateo County Harbor District

Ms. Fernandez and I are not "politicians" in the usual sense and we have no political aspirations beyond that of being Harbor Commissioners. We are 2 individuals deeply concerned with the direction the District is headed which could be likened to "Lemmings rushing to the sea". We have the necessary skills and experience to turn this Public Agency around and put it back on an even keel.

It is indeed heartening to know that virtually all of the Commercial Fishermen at Pillar Point Harbor endorse us and a large percentage of the Harbor Crews and Office Personel at both District operated facilities are supportive of our candidacies. Those employees who have been forced to do their jobs under trying circumstances in a hostile work environment fostered and perpetuated by current Management, are hopeful that conditions will change for the better if Lisa and I are elected to the Board.

Transitioning the Harbor District from what it is now, a Private Club, into a Public Agency, where members of the Public are encouraged to speak freely at Meetings, won't come easily, but we will make it happen. Decisions that routinely take place in total secrecy in violation of the Ralph M. Brown Act will be made in Open Session within full view of the Public. Meetings will be televised for the first time in the District's 40 year history and we will not permit members of the Public who choose to speak before the Commission to be verbally berated. The Minutes of each Meeting will represent an accurate account of the proceedings and not be "spun or altered" to reflect a particular point of view, as is currently the case.

Diversity of opinion among Board Members will be welcomed. With 5 individuals from varying backgrounds looking at difficult issues from different perspectives, there is a much greater chance of solving problems than if all are in "lock-step" in what I call a "Stepford Commission". Every Member of the Board will be afforded an equal opportunity to serve in each Officer Position (President, Vice Pres., Treasurer, Secretary) and no 2 Offices will be arbitrarilly "consolidated" so as to exclude anyone from participation. The time honored practice of "Good ole Boys" meeting beforehand in a backroom to determine who will be elected and rewarding cronies for their loyalty, will be abolished and replaced by a regular rotation system. No Member will be permitted to serve as President to the Board for consecutive terms (as is presently the case), without unanimous approval of all 5 Commissioners. The issue of equal opportunity on the Commission holds special significance for me, as this Commissioner has been systematically passed over for consideration of ANY Officer position for 4 years straight. Not only have I been denied any chance to serve as an Officer, but positions were deliberatly combined in an effort to exclude this Commissioner from holding any position of Authority. Fairness will replace cronyism, the playing field will be leveled and this "Stepford Commission" will be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st Century.

Environmental abuses will no longer be tolerated; the practice of the SMCHD's "winking" and looking the other way when violations are occurring by District hired contractors will be a thing of the past. We will require the District to obtain all necessary permits and Environmental Impact Reports, where appropriate, and Public Comment will be actively solicited before any major development or land use decision receives Commission approval. Employees will be encouraged to provide ideas on how the Harbors can be improved and operated more efficiently and rewarded through an incentive program if their ideas result in savings to the District. We will reduce the fee for selling fish directly to the Public off the boats from $225 to $1 thereby allowing more fishermen to participate. Veterans will no longer be required to purchase a $225 Commercial Activity Permit at either Harbor as they are now, in flagrant violation of State Law. We will throughly review the Leases of those doing business with the Harbors to close "loopholes" and assure compliance with all Terms and Conditions; There will be no "Sweetheart Deals" or special treatment for anyone. Contracts will be scrutinized for accuracy so as to avoid another Hilton Hotel fiasco that potentially could cost the District millions of dollars in lost revenue. We are committed to purchasing the Princeton Boatyard so that the Commercial Fishing Fleet has a future and to ending the traditional SMCHD practice of entering into exorbitantly long Lease Agreements, historically, in the 50 to 75 year range.

Employee grievances will be handled professionally and in accordance with established Union Rules and Procedural Guidelines. Complaints from the Public will likewise be addressed in a dignified manner and corrective measures taken where appropriate. Requests for Public Information from the District will not be "stonewalled" or ignored as is common practice, but will be attended to in a timely manner. Issues site specific to one District facility will be heard at the Meeting in that location to allow for increased participation by those directly affected by the decisions. The Rates and Fees Schedule, which currently is applied differently at both District run facilities, will be changed to reflect parity. We will encourage more frequent Tenant's Meetings at Pillar Point Harbor and Oyster Point Marina/Park so that the Commission can be kept fully informed as to the needs of Liveaboards and Berthers. Commission Members will regularily meet with Representatives from the Half Moon Bay Fishermen's Marketing Association to see how we can help promote off the boat fish sales through such avenues as District sponsored newspaper and radio advertisments.

There's a New Day Dawning. That which has spun it's web in the shadows of District Headquarters and profited from the hard work of others, is about to be forced into the sunlight of Justice and swept away by the cleansing winds of change.

The election of Lisa Fernandez and myself to the Harbor Board is going to signal the end to "Business as Usual" and usher in a new era of openness and cooperation. The changes we envision will have a positive effect on those working for the District as well as the various user groups that do business with the SMCHD. We hope that after reviewing the experience and qualifications of all candidates, you will come to the conclusion that Ken Lundie and Lisa C. Fernandez are the only ones with an ACTUAL CONNECTION to the Harbors and, therefore, would be the best choice to represent your interest on the Commission.

Thank you.