Editor’s note: The following is a letter to the editor. The opinions expressed in this letter are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Mendocino Voice. If you would like to submit a letter to the editor feel free to write to info@mendovoice.com.
Dear Editor:
The full justification for the Fort Bragg City Council putting off resolution of its lawsuit with Mendocino Railway in the courts — in order to negotiate a master development agreement for the Fort Bragg headlands with the railway — was never transparently vetted with the public. And while it’s legal for city councils to make decisions about litigation in closed session, it is not legal or morally acceptable to make land use planning decisions in closed session.
Because the council decided to hide its decision-making regarding land use on the headlands behind its closed session considerations regarding litigation, it has exposed the city on multiple fronts to added risk of legal and financial liability.
Equally troubling, hiding the deliberations regarding land use planning from the public undermines the public’s faith in the integrity of city officials and the council. The argument that the city needs to do its headlands land use planning in secret because of litigation issues with the railway is nonsense.
Land use decision-making must be done in public with full transparency, and determinations of law should be made by the courts. More than six months into these secret discussions, and the public has no way of knowing what is being discussed or what the impacts may be on the community.
Peter McNamee
Fort Bragg
Peter you come across as a little obsessed about the Skunk Train, IMO. There aren’t land use negotiations/deliberations with the Skunk Train going on in closed session, the Skunk Train doesn’t participate in them, only the City Council, City Manager, and the City’s lawyers. There is a ad hoc committee that meets with the Skunk Train but that isn’t a closed session even if the meetings aren’t public. That said, unlike closed sessions, the participants aren’t barred from discussion what was said in those meetings so why don’t you just ask Lindy or Jason what is going on? It is entirely normal to work on negotiations before bringing a proposal forward for public review and participation. Any final agreement, including all land use decisions, will have to happen in a public meeting (or more likely meetings). It will also have to go through the Coastal Commission, for another series of public meetings.
Peter, you continue to attack first and ask questions second, if ever. For a leader of an “Institute” you sure like to spread rumors and cause friction. This is your third attempt in the past month to cause friction between the parties. At this point, it appears your primary goal is perpetuate fighting and prevent redevelopment of the millsite.
We have some complex things to work out the we’re trying to make progress while under the clock. Not easy. I know the City has not one but two public meetings planned in June to discuss things, which is on top of the 2 meetings that already happened. City staff have made it clear how much public participation is important to them and I think your comments are unfounded.
I am not aware of anyone with the City, Coastal Commission or my company doing anything illegal or morally wrong while trying to resolve this fight. If you know different, then lets hear it.
Chris – Actually my letter to the editor was written as a question. However the editor chose to use a different subject heading than the one that I wrote. Editors, have the right to use headings they determine fitting, and I appreciate that the Editor found my letter important enough to publish. But your statement that I “attack first and ask questions second, if ever” is incorrect, as are your other assertions about me. Please feel free to contact the Editor to confirm the facts about the heading. Here is the entirety of what I wrote:
IS FORT BRAGG’S CITY COUNCIL ILLEGALLY MAKING LAND USE DECISION IN CLOSED SESSION?
The full justification for the Fort Bragg City Council putting off resolution of its lawsuit with Mendocino Railway in the courts, in order to negotiate a master evelopment agreement for the Fort Bragg headlands with the railway, was never transparently vetted with the public. And while its legal for city councils to make decisions about litigation in closed session, it is not legal or morally acceptable to make land use planning decisions in closed session.
Because the Council decided to hide its decision making regarding land use on the headlands behind its closed session considerations regarding litigation, it has exposed the City on multiple fronts to added risk of legal & financial liability.
Equally troubling, hiding the deliberations regarding land use planning from the public, undermines the public’s faith in the integrity of City Officials and the Council. The argument that the City needs to do its headlands land use planning in secret because of litigation issues with the railway is nonsense. Land use decision making must be done in public with full transparency, and determinations of law should be made by the courts. More than six months into these secret discussions and the public has no way of knowing what is being discussed or what the impacts may be on the community.
Peter McNamee
Fort Bragg, Ca. 95437
Ohh Dear – What a surprise !! NOT !! Fort Bragg & Mendocino County is SO CORRUPT !!
Ohh Dear – What a surprise !! NOT !! Fort Bragg & Mendocino County is SO CORRUPT !!