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Archive for the ‘about aboutcambria’ Category

Cambria’s water history

Ms Adleson’s comments on the water history of Cambria includes some very misleading comments and lots of fiction.  Please, if you will Ms Adelson come up with some proof verifying the following allegations.

1. The 26,000 population figure!

2. The heliport claim!

3. The golf course claim!

4. 10″s of thousands of trees cut down!

5. Silting of the reservoir requiring excessive maintenance!

6. My not allowing ratepayers to speak at meetings.  I originally ran for the Board because a then Director (Pitkin) told me to shut up and sit down.  I ALWAYS allowed ANYONE to state their case in meetings under my control. Subject to the three minute rule.  

One thing I can agree with is the fact that in my 30 years in this town NO additional water has been provided because the NO growthers have been successful the their “no water - no growth” beliefs.  And contrary to your statement I have not joined the NO growth movement.  I believe that property owners who have paid taxes, water and sewer “availablity” fees for years and years should be allowed to build.

about aboutcambria Comments 0 Sep 7th, 2008

Appeal from AboutCambria.com for Your Support

I originally started AboutCambria.com as a place for Cambrians to share information about the issues surrounding the rate increase that was rejected last fall. As I continued to learn about the District, it became clear that an additional source of information - one that could augment what could be found on the CCSD’s website and what is printed in the Cambrian. Although it isn’t yet everything I hope it can become, it has come a long way.

We recently had to change to a new web host because there have been so many visitors we brought down the server on the old host (more than once). Since the move we’ve averaged about 250 visitors per day. There are now 62 people subscribed to the feedblitz newsletter that sends out an email when new articles are posted. (See right column to sign up.)

I want to keep this resource growing and thriving and have come up against the limits of what I can do by myself financially. A few readers have already donated generously to AboutCambria.com and to them I say thank you. They have helped keep the hosting and some of the software tools paid for. With the new host and the amount of time involved, I need to get some more financial support to keep this project alive and continue to pay my mortgage, so I can remain a Cambrian.

You can donate to the cause (not tax-deductible, but definitely a few points toward good karma) using paypal by clicking the little gold guy at the end of almost every article. Any amount will help cover the costs. I’d like to stop digging a deeper hole, so every dollar counts. If you prefer to avoid paypal, I will be at the CCSD meeting this Thursday or you are welcome to send check by mail (2220 Ardath) or call me (4191) to arrange a transfer from your offshore account. Any and all donors will receive my deepest gratitude and a thank you (with a link to a site of your choice) on a new Supporters page - though if you prefer to remain anonymous, that will be respected.

Thanks to everyone who writes for AboutCambria.com and everyone who reads it. I hope it will continue to improve and be a resource for our community in the years to come.

I  believe that the best way to have a good community is to make sure there is information and conversation easily available accompanied by citizens paying attention to what their representatives are doing in the name of the community. We don’t have to all agree, but we do have to communicate.

Tags: 93428, aboutcambria, appeal, donation

Fiscal Responsibility, Helping Hands, about aboutcambria Comments 0 Aug 17th, 2008

AboutCambria.com Seeking More Balance

Why do I spend so much time and energy researching and writing and adding resources to AboutCambria.com? Because I believe in democracy - and without information and conversation, democracy doesn’t work as it should. It’s really quite simple, almost elegant, when representative democracy works like it should. But if we don’t participate, we get what we deserve.

I’ve done a lot of digging and reading and AboutCambria.com has a growing collection of documents, resources and opinions from all over that pertain to Community Services Districts, water and sewer services, municipal finance and civic participation. But AboutCambria.com isn’t yet the site I’d like it to be. I’d like to have a more balanced site, one that includes every point of view and opinion.

Ideally, everyone in Cambria would find this a place where they could read about and discuss the issues, find background, information and ideas from other communities facing similar issues. If it seems slanted or biased against the CCSD (which it could very well be), it’s because not very many CCSD supporters, board members or staff have contributed. Since the inception of AboutCambria.com, I have invited Tammy Rudock and each of the Directors to use the resource of AboutCambria.com to communicate their goals and help address misunderstandings the community might have. I would be a mighty happy camper if this became a forum for open communication. We’re never going to all agree on everything - but we can try to build consensus and build a bridge over the canyon dividing our community - but not without communication.

I have a sense that most Cambrians aren’t as polarized or apathetic as it might first appear. There are many Cambrians who trust the leadership, many more who carry forward the values of the “Question Authority”  generation. People who question the status quo or plans for our future are not the enemy. People who question those things are usually just trying to confirm they supporting the right plan of action.

Our community is unique, of the 80% of Cambrians over 25 years old, over 35% have a higher education degree - and over 90% are high school graduates. The median age in most communities in this country is 35.3, Cambria’s median age is 50.7. We’re smart and experienced. I think we can understand the issues, no matter the complexity, when we have the opportunity. AboutCambria.com is my attempt to provide that opportunity. I’d like to see more people contributing what they know about the history of Cambria and the CCSD and growth and water. And of course there is MUCH more to Cambria than issues of growth and water - a fact that has been missing from this site thus far.  But soon,  AboutCambria.com will have a sister site AboutCCSD.com. As AboutCambria.com broadens its focus to cover more of the great things that go on in Cambria, like entertaiment and non-profit activities, AboutCCSD.com will be continuing to follow what’s happening with CCSD-related issues.

What’s your opinion?

Tags: 93428, aboutcambria, Cambria

about aboutcambria Comments 4 Aug 17th, 2008

Where does AboutCambria.com Stand on Cambria Issues?

As we await the results of the second prop 218 ballot validations, it seems like a good time to reflect on why this site was first created and how it has grown and changed. (Those of you wanting a report from the July 24th meeting…one will be up soon!)

So where does AboutCambria.com stand on Cambria issues? The short answer: Behind each and every Cambrian who wants their voice heard and right next to every person who loves this town and wants to contribute to it’s success. Of course, that’s not really an answer, and the longer answer is, of course, longer.

Just to the right of these words is a section in the right column that says

PLEASE NOTE: About Cambria.com was built as a forum for all Cambrians and the community. The ideas and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of AboutCambria.com or any organization or the community as a whole. Express yourself. Comment to show support or opposition. Contribute to state your case.

This statement (plus the one at the very bottom of the page) hint at what I’d like to see this site become. The driving force behind building this resource was to provide a place for “regular” Cambrians (and CFRC members) to exchange ideas, share documents, have conversations, share a calendar and links to useful sites. It’s no substitute for face to face conversations, but I hope an interactive website would help extinguish one of the main things stopping some from participating: time.

The CFRC formed to oppose the fall 2007 rate increase, not to oppose the CCSD. It is difficult not to take things personally in such a small community and there has been tension and some animosity. But our group is still serious about working with the CCSD find a way forward and propose a rates plan that the community would get behind. AboutCambria.com was built to help address the steep learning curve. The volunteers worked hard to ensure their rates proposal would be informed and realistic.

Since AboutCambria.com launched last November, many of the contributing writers focus on improving the oversight and accountability of the CCSD. Not too many cheerleaders for CCSD. I get reactions from some who see this site as a CCSD-bashing, inflammatory and/or insulting site and are not likely to join the conversation. That view is very far from my ideal vision: a democratic, self-monitoring, safe place for dialogs and debates in the interest of our community.

What AboutCambria.com will never be is free from bias. When it comes to discussion of the future of Cambria, I would be a fool to think any site would be unbiased. What this site CAN be is balanced. (And quit thinking I’ve gone all Fox News on you!) Where does AboutCambria.com Stand on Cambria Issues? It stands in support of them. All of them. Because one of the core values of this site is one central to the success of democracy: access to information and education. The founding fathers believed that successful democracy requires well-informed, involved citizens. If AboutCambria.com is providing accurate information about the community and the opportunity for everyone to add to the conversation so everyone is more well-informed and more involved, I consider it a success. If AboutCambria.com becomes a nursery for solutions for Cambria, it will be a resounding success.

AboutCambria.com is not a success yet….And it needs YOUR help. Have you commented or written a post? I have invited the participation of many in the community, including the General Manager and her staff and Board President Joan Cobin. CCSD Director Muril Clift has responded constituents’ concerns that had been posted and contributing a human interest story about Zac Sunderland, perhaps to remind everyone it isn’t ALL About Cambria. Other members of the community who have posted here: Charlotte Darehshori, Clive Finchamp, Doug Buckmaster, Elizabeth Bettenhausen, Rich Davega, Frank DeMicco, Anne Winburn, Lauren Younger, Richard Brownhill and yours truly - Amanda Rice.

Now its your turn. Go on over and read the Fine Print (click tab above) and then get to typing what you think about all of this. Its simple - you can click the “Submit a Post” tab at the top or register to be a member with additional editing tools and permissions. There is no charge to contribute. That’s right - FREE! Contact Amanda if you have any questions or problems with the site.

So where does AboutCambria.com stand on the issues? On the community’s side.

Four Little Thought Packets:

• A popular government without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy, or perhaps both. ^ James Madison
• Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government; that whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights. ^ Thomas Jefferson
• Don’t be afraid of opposition. Remember, a kite rises against; not with; the wind. ^ hamilton mabie
• Any story sounds true until someone tells the other side and sets the record straight. ^Proverbs 18:17

Tags: 93428, CA, Cambria

Cambria University, Helping Hands, Solutions, about aboutcambria Comments 0 Jul 25th, 2008

About Cambria’s Growing Library of Documents

This site was born to provide a place for Cambrians to share resources and ideas relevant to the CCSD and it’s rate increase. We were helping each other through a crash course of what our local government can and should be doing. To that end, I have posted many links and documents (accessible by clicking the Library and/or Links tabs at the top of the page.)

To date, the Library has 97 documents from many reputable sources. In the Library you will find:

• numerous CCSD expenditure reports, contracts and financial documents obtained through public records requests.
• Primers and booklets about Community Services District laws and the communities they serve, published by the state and professional organizations.
• Rate Studies and Budgets from other agencies - to compare with what the CCSD has done.
• All about water: supply, demand, drought, management, pricing and financing.
• Publications written primarily for CSD staffs and boards to aide in their service to the community.
• An excel document for doing water quantity conversions (acre-feet->CCSD Units ->Gallons) and water demand calculations.
• Documents focussed on public participation, improving government accountability and civic engagement.

Visit the library to download any of the documents available. Below is a list of the document titles and authors you will find in the aboutcambria.com online library.

If you have any documents you think should be included in the library (paper or electronic), please contact Amanda Rice at 927-4191 or amanda at aboutcambria.com.

Tags: Cambria, documents, library, local, resources

Back Story, Helping Hands, about aboutcambria, community news Comments 0 Jul 7th, 2008

AboutCambria.com Celebrates Six Months Online

On November 12, 2007 AboutCambria.com posted it’s first and second articles: “Why did You Protest the Rate Hike?” and “Who Should Be on the Citizen’s Rates Committee?”. Now, six months later, the CCSD has invited the town to attend a rates/budget workshop so they can move forward and increase the water and wastewater rates. Along the way, the number of people visiting and contributing to the conversation continues to grow.

As the site’s administrator, I’d like to thank a few of the people whose input and support have made this site more useful and easy to use. For writing, loaning documents, suggesting navigation and visual changes, adding comments and information and spreading the word about the site to Cambrians all over town. And so, without further ado, and in no particular order, thanks go to: Leslie, Charlotte, Anne, Frank, John M., Jerry M., Muril, Lauren, Karla, Peter C, Janice, Elizabeth, Doug B., Steve F., Valerie, Deborah, Jim K., Raul, and Gordon.

In the very early days of the site, Ken and Rick did more to help develop the site’s privacy and participation guidelines than any experience or education I possessed. Although I didn’t think of it as helpful at the time, talking about the site with them (and Mickie and Greg) helped me understand the importance of passion and commitment, no matter what the endeavor. And nearly everyone else keeps me balanced by reminding me the critical role a good sense of humor plays in the larger scheme of things.

Since the Budget & Rates Workshop is tomorrow, here are most of the pages that are about rates that have been posted since Novermber 2007:

• CCSD 2006-2007 Operating Budget

• 2008 CCSD Objectives

• Rates, Rates everywhere, but ne’er a drop to drink

• Rate-Setting Resource from EPA

• See how rates COULD be expressed

• CFRC Rates Proposal Received by CCSD

• CCSD Budget and Rates Meeting Schedules

• Rates and Budget Workshop “Study Guide”

• Draft of Proposed Budget with Rate Increase Available Today

• Setting water rates isn’t easy - but it isn’t rocket science either.

Thanks go to each and every person who visits, reads and contributes to making AboutCambria.com and the “real world” Cambria a better place for everyone.

Keep your eyes on AboutCambria.com for more background and more news of what’s to come for our community.

Helping Hands, Water Rates, about aboutcambria Comments 0 May 12th, 2008

New Library @ AboutCambria.com - and More to Read

AboutCambria.com’s document library has a new look and some new documents. Recently added that may be of interest: (1) The Board Packet prepared by the CFRC and provided to the CCSD Board and staff prior to the March 6 CCSD meeting. (2) The Draft of the SLO County Growth Management Ordinance (currently in public review)

The library spans several pages, with 15 items per page. If you have a specific document in mind, you can narrow the choices by date and by category using the drop down boxes at the top of the page. As the collection grows, the topics will be refined and hopefully make it easier to use.

The new library was developed using a Wordpress Plugin called Publications Archive Manager. I was glad to find it and hope it will continue to work with Wordpress 2.5, which is soon to be released.

CCSD, CFRC, SLO County, about aboutcambria Comments 0 Mar 23rd, 2008