One of the most-read articles (as measured by page visits and length of visit stats – see privacy policy for information we use and don’t use) has been the “Advisory Ballot on Desalination”. No matter your position on which additional water source Cambria should pursue – Cambrians seem to have reached a consensus that more water is necessary. Which source seems to still be of hot contention, as evidenced by last night’s discussion. (If you missed last night’s fun, keep you eyes here for more parts of my report on it and Kathe Tanner stayed all evening, so the Cambrian is likely to have some more information).

Before this Town Hall meeting, Joan Cobin spoke of getting a better idea of what Cambrians’ are thinking at the event. As she was closing the 4 hour-long meeting last night she wanted to make sure everyone was aware that only about 80 of the town’s 6000 were there and although the majority of them (she said about 75%) were resisting the desalination project and had many questions about trust, it was not indicative of the rest of the town. She seemed to imply that most of the people in Cambria support the actions of the Board, so they stayed home. They feel their viewpoints are represented by the Board members, so they don’t have to attend the meetings. Well, which is it? If you can’t get your supporters out to a meeting you were hoping would quiet the dissenting voices, how many supporters do you have that you can really count on? I might feel a bit frustrated if I were in Ms. Cobin’s place – in any board member’s place for that matter. I think I would have done as much as I could to pack the Vets Hall with supporters.

Now my question about an advisory ballot seems even more important. Where were all the supporters of Desal and the Goals of President Cobin? And are the voices we heard last night just louder than most? I’d like to know what YOU think. What trade-offs really exist in placing an item on the ballot as an initiative? I’m willing to rock the boat a little bit to make sure the community’s interests are being respected and verifying that Desal IS what the majority of the community would support. Eight years is a long time and the population is made up of different people than were here nearly a decade ago. Maybe all it will take to ensure majority support is taking the time to explain the alternative again. Or maybe not.

[survey_fly]

Call for writers:  In a study completed in 2002 (at the latest) several alternatives were examined as possible solutions for the shortage of water. If you haven’t read the report (included sometimes called “Task 4″ and included in the Environmental Impact Report for the CCSD Water Master Plan), you would be well served to do so. A couple months ago I called for volunteers who would read and summarize the main points , but as yet no takers. If you are interested in this assignment, contact Amanda.

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