For the first meeting of the general plan update task force we were each given a homework assignment: “Telling My Story” an introduction in short story form touching on; where we’re from, hobbies and interests, community group affiliations, occupation, special skills and expertise and ‘anything else that could help people get to know you better’. I think I’ve covered those here as well so I’m optimistic my choice of stewardship as a focus isn’t surprising.
Ten days ago I overheard a comment about our marina and the dredge ponds as I left Starbucks on my daily hike with my dogs Baron and Snoop. There are times when I’d love to be able to just stop, turn and say “it’s never just about one thing” instead I tossed my frustration out to the twitterverse and went about my day.
This comment stands out for me not because it was unique, negative reactions from people who perceive an aspect of the natural world as an impediment to “progress” are common, but it highlighted an ignorance of the greater than fifty year history of our dilapidated marina and pier. The current state of general disrepair and neglect was decades in the making, long before some stupid effing mouse chose to reclaim its rightful place in our marshlands and wetlands.
"Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it." ~Edmund Burke.
Unfortunately the final work product developed by the task force will have zero bearing on the development of the Alhambra Highlands project. Some very smart people have already voiced concerns regarding drainage and sluff when contemplating the removal of 650 trees and grading hill tops. I see it from a different perspective. I look at the removal of 650 live oak trees, presumably many of which are acorn granaries, as setting the stage for future human/wildlife conflict similar to what’s happened in Rossmoor.
Years from now the comment will be, ‘they’re just stupid effing woodpeckers’ and my response will still be it’s never just about one thing…
Showing posts with label Martinez News Gazette. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Martinez News Gazette. Show all posts
Monday, August 9, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Educating Rita: The Road to Political Advocacy
Back in April I had a surprise Facebook friend request from someone I knew twenty years ago. I had just divorced and took a job at Northrop Corporation, B-2 Division. I held entry level positions, housekeeping, copy center and finally data monitor. Looking back, hindsight being what it is, I can say that my time working with the trainers and engineers in the Integrated Logistics Department was, and continues to be, life altering.
I owe a debt of gratitude to one man, E.L. Wells, who saw something in the girl who copied his documents and offered to teach her how to use a computer. That one skill has opened doors of opportunity that otherwise would have remained closed to a single mother of three with a high school diploma. This was the late 80’s, before Al Gore invented the internet and the world’s knowledge became my pearl. Ernie used to nag me to rent the movie Educating Rita (I have yet to see it) but I understand the parallels.
Long before I learned about keystones I knew about cornerstones and foundations. That is what Ernie gave me and again I am grateful beyond measure. I’ll leave discussions of recent life altering events for another occasion.
The time I spent working around war worn veterans deepened my admiration for our nation’s armed forces and I began grooming my young family for a life of service. Two of my three children enlisted in the United States Navy post 9/11. My emotions have run the gamut between pride and dread ever since. Every day my children were in a theater of war or training their fellow citizens I knew the gnawing fear of not being able to protect them from what the world was willing to throw their way. Not an easy thing for a parent accustomed to slaying the dragons of childhood.
I brought these life experiences with me the day I learned the City of Martinez was seeking a depredation permit for a colony of beavers. Suddenly, like the loosening of the floodgates people were envisioning, I felt the rush of purpose and found something I could protect. I went to bed as someone politically aware and awoke as someone politically active.
I owe a debt of gratitude to one man, E.L. Wells, who saw something in the girl who copied his documents and offered to teach her how to use a computer. That one skill has opened doors of opportunity that otherwise would have remained closed to a single mother of three with a high school diploma. This was the late 80’s, before Al Gore invented the internet and the world’s knowledge became my pearl. Ernie used to nag me to rent the movie Educating Rita (I have yet to see it) but I understand the parallels.
Long before I learned about keystones I knew about cornerstones and foundations. That is what Ernie gave me and again I am grateful beyond measure. I’ll leave discussions of recent life altering events for another occasion.
The time I spent working around war worn veterans deepened my admiration for our nation’s armed forces and I began grooming my young family for a life of service. Two of my three children enlisted in the United States Navy post 9/11. My emotions have run the gamut between pride and dread ever since. Every day my children were in a theater of war or training their fellow citizens I knew the gnawing fear of not being able to protect them from what the world was willing to throw their way. Not an easy thing for a parent accustomed to slaying the dragons of childhood.
I brought these life experiences with me the day I learned the City of Martinez was seeking a depredation permit for a colony of beavers. Suddenly, like the loosening of the floodgates people were envisioning, I felt the rush of purpose and found something I could protect. I went to bed as someone politically aware and awoke as someone politically active.
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