As an immigrant to our shores, it's little shock that Governor Schwarzenneger has a hard time understanding the plight of our indigenous peoples. Maybe that's why, in his letter supporting the TCA's 241 Foothill-South toll road extension, he makes his support conditional on the TCA's protection of cottages, coastal scrub and a surf spot. No mention is made WHATSOEVER of the Juaneno village-site of Panhe, threatened with severe and illegal impacts from the road, nor the lawsuit filed on its behalf by the Attorney General of the state of California.
What gives, I wondered?
So I called the Governor's press office to find out. Brad Maile was good enough to speak with me, although the conversation quickly degenerated. To, like, the 19th century. . .
Weekly: Why didn't the governor's letter mention the sacred site of Panhe, subject of a lawsuit against the toll road and protected by California state law?
Maile: "As we understand it, the TCA is working with federal and state officials and tribal representatives to mitigate the situation to everone’s satisfaction according to state and federal law."
Why does the governor’s letter specifically require the protection of Crystal Cove cottages and coastal scrub without mentioning the Native American Sacred Site of Panhe?
“I believe I answered your question. We stand by the governor’s letter.”
Is protecting cottages and scrub more important than protecting native American sacred sites?
"No, that’s not what I said at all."
Well, that’s what standing by the letter would mean.
(awfully, interminably long pause)
"Sounds like you’re typing away there. You want to finish typing?"
Well, I’m typing what you’re saying, so I’ll finish when you finish. It’s called transcribing an interview and it’s what professional reporters are required to do.
"I’ve worked with plenty of professional reporters in my time and I don’t hear them typing away."
That’s because usually they can afford voice-recognition software to do the typing for them.
"The conversation has become awkward with the way you’re going about this interview and … typing. My question to you … "
Yes?
"Tell you what. What’s your editor’s name? You said you work for OC Weekly?"
Sure thing. I work under Janine Kahn, the web editor.
"What’s her number?"
I don’t have her direct number, I usually communicate with her via email.
"You don’t have her number?" (emphasis added to indicate tone of utter disgust)
That’s correct. Would you like her email? It’s jpkahn@ocweekly.com
"No, that’s okay, I’ll find her."
Really, it’s fine. Her email is jpkahn@ocweekly.com
"I’ll find her."
You sure?
"Yeah I’m sure."
January 17, 2008 14:08
He still hasn't found me. . .
January 17, 2008 18:26
What does the 241 have to do with cottages at Crystal Cove? Please advise.
January 18, 2008 10:59
Of course, the fact that Crystal Cove is located in the rich, affluent communities of Laguna & Newport Beach, has abso-fucking-lutely NOTHING to do with "The Governator's" decision to protect it. ;-)
January 18, 2008 13:42
See, the TCA promised $100 Mil to State Parks for San Onofre State Beach and to help rebuild the Crystal Cove State Cottages - if they get to build the road, which would of course unbefudginglievably despoil San Onofre State Beach.
Problem is, Laura DavicK and the Crystal Cove Alliance said they wanted nothing to do with the TCA's dirty money.
It's all in a Daily Pilot article I'll link to when I don't have to late-register for classes.
January 18, 2008 13:44
THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE:
Crystal Cove offer unwanted
A $100M offer from agency isn’t tempting alliance even though another $22M is needed for park.
By Alicia Robinson
Reader Feedback - Currently 4 comment(s) Comments
Crystal Cove Alliance founder Laura Davick needs to raise about $22 million to finish restoration of the cottages and historic district at Crystal Cove State Park, but she said Wednesday she’s far from tempted by a $100 million offer for California state parks, some of which would go to improving Crystal Cove.
Her disdain is because of the money’s source. It’s being offered by the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency, and it’s tied to the agency’s plan to extend the 241 toll road through San Onofre State Park in South Orange County.
“As far as we’re concerned, any kind of plan that’s going to compromise a state park is not something we’re going to be part of nor do we support,” said Davick, whose nonprofit group manages and raises money for Crystal Cove’s historic district.
The offer was made Friday and would pay about $70 million to extend the lease for San Onofre State Park, which is federally owned land; provide $10 million for habitat restoration at Crystal Cove; and kick in an estimated $20 million that could go to various projects, including the historic district at Crystal Cove.
Supporters of the proposed toll road extension say it’s needed to relieve traffic congestion. But it has raised some vehement opposition from those who say it will wreck the environment, including popular surf spot Trestles beach, and lead to more urban sprawl.
Davick said she also fears the road extension would set a dangerous precedent for laying pavement through public parks. She fought in 2001 to defeat plans for a $35 million resort where the historic cottages stand.
“I’ve had experience of this first-hand with Crystal Cove with the resort plan,” she said.
If Davick looks to elected officials for support, she’s not likely to find much. Huntington Beach state Sen. Tom Harman has opposed completion of the toll road, but Costa Mesa Assemblyman Van Tran and Newport Beach Assemblyman Chuck DeVore are for it.
What some toll road opponents fail to point out, DeVore said, is the state park land is leased from the U.S. Navy, and Navy officials recently said if the long-planned toll road alignment doesn’t get built, they may take the land back.
“I look at it and I think, what’s the alternative to the toll road,” he said, adding that making the I-5 twice as wide as it is now has been suggested, which would displace people from homes and also take environmentally sensitive land.
DeVore believes opponents are “not seeing practical reality and mischaracterizing a lot of the debate,” he said.
The next battleground for the project will be an Oct. 11 meeting of the California Coastal Commission.
January 22, 2008 18:08
Hello to all from Florida,
At the songfest on Sunday, a statement made by Rebecca has been playing over and over in my mind, she stated something to the affect that Indians love America but it appears that America does not love us. I cannot get that statement out of my mind...America, the land of the free and the land that offers countless opportunities to the people who immigrate from other countries. America, who gives those immigrants the opportunities to become whatever they aspire to be. America, where you can become a movie star, rich and famous. America, where you can even run as governor of a state in a country that you have adopted as your homeland. AMERICA.....
Is it so hard for 1st generation immigrants, 2nd or 3rd generation immigrants, to remember the contributions that the Indigenous Americans made so they could be free. They were called into service during the World Wars, though the codetalkers of World War II are the most famous, Indigenous Americans were called into service during World War I. They served America even when the government did not recognize them as citizens.
I think it would do for Arnold to remember that Indians served in the American Forces to protect his homeland and give him the opportunity to be free! It may be time for him to now repay the favor and help us protect our home-lands, our sacred sites.
Aho