“People of Earth, your attention please,” a voice said, and it was wonderful. Wonderful perfect quadraphonic sound with distortion levels so low as to make a brave man weep.
“This is Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz of the Galactic Hyperspace Planning Council,” the voice continued. “As you will no doubt be aware, the plans for development of the outlying regions of the Galaxy require the building of a hyperspatial express route through your star system, and regrettably your planet is one of those scheduled for demolition. The process will take slightly less than two of your Earth minutes. Thank you.”
The PA died away.
Uncomprehending terror settled on the watching people of Earth. The terror moved slowly through the gathered crowds as if they were iron filing on a sheet of board and a magnet was moving beneath them. Panic sprouted again, desperate fleeing panic, but there was nowhere to flee to.Observing this, the Vogons turned on their PA again. It said:
“There’s no point acting all surprised about it. All the planning charts and demolition orders have been on display in your local planning department in Alpha Centauri for fifty of your Earth years, so you’ve had plenty of time to lodge any formal complaint and it’s far too late to start making a fuss about it now.”
The PA fell silent again and its echo drifted off across the land. The huge ship turned slowly in the sky with easy power. On the underside of each a hatchway opened, an empty black square.
By this time somebody somewhere must have manned a radio transmitter, located a wavelength and broadcast a message back to the Vogon ships, to plead on behalf of the planet. Nobody ever heard what they said, they only heard the reply. The PA slammed back into life again. The voice was annoyed. It said:
“What do you mean you’ve never been to Alpha Centauri? For heaven’s sake mankind, it’s only four light years away you know. I’m sorry, but if you can’t be bothered to take an interest in local affairs that’s your own lookout.”
“Energize the demolition beams.”
Light poured out of the hatchways.
“I don’t know” said the voice on the PA, “apathetic bloody planet, I’ve no sympathy at all.” It cut off.
There was a terrible ghastly silence.
There was a terrible ghastly noise.
There was a terrible ghastly silence.The Vogon Constructor Fleet coasted away into the inky starry void.
- Douglas Adams, The Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy
Futuristic, barbaric, funny and starkly close to the modern day planning process. Every new project, county ordinance or state policy can seem like a Vogon demolition order. It may be our elected representatives who write and ratify legislation but democracy doesn’t stop after the election. Every time wonderful new regulations are announced, why is it that great swathes of the electorate blink, pinch themselves and then wonder what the hell possessed “the Vogons” to think up of such ridiculous ideas – don’t they realize what the consequences will be? Representatives need open channels of communication to continue being representative after election, otherwise they might as well be on Alpha Centauri.
One of those “open channels” in Cambria is the North Coast Advisory Council. The NCAC (and other advisory councils like it in other communities) was created by the County Board of Supervisors, whose vision was to provide a way to get the input of various community interests and citizens about decisions they make that affect our community. It is a group of people, elected and appointed, who volunteer and serve in an advisory capacity on issues at the county level. (For the entire proclamation creating the councils, the NCAC bylaws and other information, visit the website at www.northcoastadvisorycouncil.org)
Members of the council are elected by their neighbors. Cambria is divided into seven neighborhoods or “Geographical Voting Areas” and San Simeon is represented by its own GVA. Residents vote for their own neighborhood’s representative. So, for example, I vote for who represents my Lodge Hill neighborhood, but not for representives from Park Hill or San Simeon. Elections are held the first Tuesday in May – even-numbered GVAs in even years and (surprisingly) odd-numbered GVAs in odd years. In addition, four members are appointed to serve the following interests: Hispanic, Business, Ag and Environmental. Check the map to see which are you live in. If you live in 1, 3, 5, or 7, visit the NCAC website for details on how to become a candidate.
The NCAC reviews projects, proposed ordinances, road/public works projects that the county sends for our review. We look whatever it is over (sometimes in committee first), discuss with our friends and neighbors and at the monthly meeting and send our comments back to the county. The Council is currently reviewing the Conservation and Open Space Element of the County’s General Plan and will soon be reviewing revised policies concerning growth management, strategic growth and low impact development.
Democracy is a process and not solely the act of electing some people every couple of years. Many people aren’t able or arent interested in attending public meetings on a regular basis, but many do try to catch part when they are broadcast on TV. AboutCambria.com strives to share the happenings of many of these meetings. The Cambrian prints details of meeting times, places and agendas, as well. There are many ways to be involved and informed. It doesn’t take much time or energy to be a part of your community and your participation ensures better leaders and a stronger community.
*Note: Amanda Rice was elected to the NCAC as representative for GVA 8 in 2006 and currently serves as Chairperson. The views presented here on AboutCambria.com are not necessarily those of the North Coast Advisory Council members or the council as a whole.
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Last 5 posts by Amanda Rice
- Gail Robinette Chosen to Complete DeMicco's Term as CCSD Director on Unanimous Vote
- California Coastal Commission Unanimously Denied Army Corps Desal Tests
- Cambria CSD Agenda for November 27, 2011 Meeting Includes Water Conservation & New Tank Project
- Sunken Oil Tanker Off Cambria's Coastline Will Be Checked Again Soon
