MEETING THE CHALLENGE -- President's Message
The new year 2003 has been filled with action for the LWVMP. Email keeps me in touch with state, national and local action alerts which often require timely responses. The national issues surrounding a possible war with Iraq caused the LWVUS to respond by developing a sample letter-to-the-editor for use by local Leagues. Our version was co-signed by the LWV of the Salinas Valley and published in both the Monterey County Herald and the Salinas Californian. It urged that the U.S. work actively and constructively with the U.N. and is supported by LWVUS positions on the U.N., on U.S. Relations with Developing Countries, on Military Policy and Defense Spending, on the Presidency, and on Arms Control.
At the state level we responded to an action alert urging Governor Davis to sign legislation fixing the Coastal Commission terms of office. On the local level, the LWVMP took action regarding:
- A proposed town hall meeting on SB 149 (State Senator McPherson's bill dissolving the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District).
- The grading violations in Carmel Valley by the Fiskdale/Coyote Ranch developers.
- The city of Pacific Grove affordable housing trust discussion.
- Monterey County Planning Commission changes in the roles and responsibilities of Land Use Advisory Committees (a joint letter with the LWV of the Salinas Valley).
- In December we co-signed a letter with the Leagues of Santa Cruz and the Salinas Valley to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council expressing our concern about the expansion of cruise ship activity in Monterey Bay and its environmental impacts. We supported a no discharge policy and the provision (by cruise ships) of complete records concerning compliance.
- We also co-sponsored:
- A symposium on the Brown Act with the Monterey College of Law and HOPE and
- A meeting on Natividad Medical Center with the LWV of the Salinas Valley.
Beverly G. Bean, President
