508 Pacifica Tribune, March 20, 2013 _ Page 13A

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new contracts with the Paci- union movement...” I do not licans are trying to eliminate ter to you from Jim Wagner They quote the retired fi re- Letters fi ca Police Department save have facts to share on that, necessary programs for the and Mark Stechbart pub- fi ghters as saying, “We do the City of Pacifi ca any more however, my husband was in working people to balance lished March 12. not want to tell any Pacifica Continued from Page 12 money than farming out their a union and feels the Demo- the budget. Mr. Wagner and Mr. resident we were late to a services to the county? cratic party is for working “What struck me ... is the Stechbart’s alleged safety fi re or medical emergency Did I miss something? people. Recently Republican total lack of recognition that problem is just smoke and because we were stuck in ing slightly higher funds for Humberto Gutierrez governors were reported reasonable people may dis- mirrors. On October 18, 2012 traffic.” They are not say- keeping the recyclables with Linda Mar decimating the unions in agree. It doesn’t mean that the San Mateo Daily Journal ing that emergency vehicles Recology). their state governments. My person is ignorant, stupid or published an article titled have been stuck in traffi c. Marie Martin Ziggler’s opinion: the Republicans are dishonest, just a difference of “Pacifica residents: don’t They are merely saying that Park Pacifica no longer representing work- opinion.” That is my philoso- widen Highway 1.” You can they don’t want it to hap- Truths ing people. phy but assume my facetious read the article at http:// pen. In other words there Police Editor: I am not sure he under- fi nal sentence was too subtle www.smdailyjournal.com/ is NO EVIDENCE that an In response to his points: stood the analogy I was mak- for him. I admit I mimicked article_preview.php?type=l emergency vehicle actually outsourcing “We now have the most ing between the rules for Mr. Alversen because I ob- news&title=Pacifica%20res has been stuck in traffi c. No Editor: divisive White House ever.” owning a car and proposed jected to him ridiculing Ms. idents:%20Don%27t%20wid evidence from the retired If I remember correctly, The Republicans stated “we rules for owning a gun. My Arietta because she had a en%20Highway%201&id=17 fi refighters and none from there have been study groups plan to make him a one-term opinion: they were almost differing opinion. My opinion: 56653 Wagner and Stechbart. or other City Council activi- president” and continue identical and neither was vi- He had a right to his opinion, Here’s what the article There’s more misinfor- ties where the results indi- fi ghting to make him fail. My olating our 2nd amendment but no one has the right to says: “North County Fire mation and misleading innu- cated that the City of Pacifi ca opinion: racism is at the root rights. ridicule someone or accuse Authority spokesman Matt endo in the letter, but I don’t would save $500,000 dollars and outweighs Republicans “California used to institu- someone of lying because Lucett said he is not aware of have the space here to ad- a year if it would farm out doing what is right for the tionalize dangerous patients they disagree with you. Highway 1 congestion caus- dress it all. For accurate in- police services to the County, average American. ... but now sends them home Barbara Medina ing the failure of any emer- formation I would invite you just as the City of Half Moon The Democratic party with behavior-controlling Park Pacifica gency vehicles to meet 911 and your readers to check Bay does at a considerable “no longer represents ordi- drugs ...” True - our Repub- response time requirements out the web site of Pacifi cans savings to the city. How does nary working people,” and lican Governor Reagan did Highway 1 . . .” for Highway 1. saving $137,000, which is the their “support for illegals has exactly that to balance the Editor: Read the Wagner and Hal Bohner total amount saved from the all but decimated a robust budget. My opinion: Repub- I’m responding to the let- Stechbart letter carefully. Vallemar

My Turn My Turn Laverne Villalobos Fank Vella It’s our turn to say no Revisiting Stereotypes “That hand is not the color of African American and so on, have been around a long time yours, but if I prick it, the blood and if you teach your kids about and they have changed their will flow, and I shall feel pain,” your culture, you might have name many times. In 1915 the to ‘The Group of No’ said Standing Bear. “The blood had to explain one or two ste- Cleveland Naps changed their is of the same color as yours. God reotypes of their background. name to the Indians, reportedly made me, and I am a man.” Like the cartoon of President in honor of the first American Last week we were sub- Council is typical of this done. There will not be a Recently, I was a guest Obama as an ape being shot or Indian player in baseball Louis jected to a letter from a group of people; it is un- “smooth flow of traffic” speaker for the Native Ameri- the gesture kids make when Sockalexis. Mr. Sockalexis was group of people many call called for and not helpful to during the construction can Studies class at San Fran- they are pretending to be Asian a member of the Penobscot the “No Group.” Pacifica at all. Our council period, there isn’t one cisco State where the topic was by slanting their eyes. Maybe Tribe of Maine and had a brief I am certain that some members are intelligent, now. Pacifica needs to get racial stereotypes. Over the someone has made fun of your and promising career. In 2000, of the individuals are sin- fair and open. They will moving on so many issues, past eight years, I have writ- child’s accent.? Or maybe a big the Penobscot Nation’s Tribal cere in their beliefs yet I proceed in a manner that it is unfair to all for this ten about different instances organization, like MLB, has de- Council passed a resolution that am sure that others have is meaningful and will be No Group to again drive of the use of Native American cided to use a cartoon and color asked the Cleveland Indians to their own agenda. Overall working with Planning on up the cost to everyone stereotypes in the classroom to represent all Indians. These “eliminate” the Chief Wahoo I find their letter insulting this. To imply otherwise else for their benefit or de- and sports field. One question are all types of insensitivity to logo. “Louis Sockalexis was a to the City Council, the is absolutely insulting. sires. It’s time for the No students asked was “Do I feel human beings. When discuss- handsome, talented and proud residents of Pacifica and This group should im- Group to once again stand like there has been a positive ing stereotypes, I try to keep Penobscot Indian who is neither all those commuters on mediately apologize. The along Highway 1 and pro- change in your community re- the children in mind. How does being recognized nor honored Highway 1. project will certainly be test to all the people who garding stereotypes? And will a child see it? Is the child aware by the cartoon mascot ‘Chief Overall, they are com- open to discussion with are idling and polluting it last?” I think the answer is yes it’s racial? Do they understand Wahoo,’ ” the resolution states. plaining that there is not concerned citizens; at in the traffic, at the same and no to these eager learners. what the image is represent- This was ignored by the Cleve- enough public input re- that time the “No Group” time they can keep push- Understanding history is im- ing? As adults, we know what land Indians. garding the redevelop- should step aside and ing the crosswalk button portant. In 1879, Standing Bear, an ethnic or racial stereotype As far as education, in PSD ment on Highway 1 and let those citizens speak, to slow traffic down even a Ponca Chief (and one of my looks like and we can identify there is growing support of the Environmental Impact we’ve heard enough from more. ancestors) along with his attor- it. We can process it, then inter- multi-cultural education. Dur- Report. you. Pacifica has been The City Council rep- neys, went to an Omaha court pret what we are seeing or and ing Thanksgiving week, kinder- This project has been bombarded with many of resents the entire city to argue that Indians have the make our own opinion. Younger garten teachers opt to have In- spoken about for numer- these same people over of 40,000 people; it does right to habeas corpus. The U.S. children may not be able to do so ternational Feast Celebrations, ous years. Pacifica Rip- the years, the result – ex- not only represent the Government argued that the In- until we teach them. If we don’t instead of dressing up like Pil- tides has a mention of one traordinary expenses to No Group. Caltrans rep- dian was neither a person nor a teach them, who will? A few grims and Indians, Ocean Shore of the EIR’s from October the city, individuals, the resents the state. The No citizen within the meaning of years ago, my daughter asked has a Diversity Day that hosts 22, 2011. One of the “circu- public, city and private Group takes advantage of the law and, therefore, could not me about the red, round, ugly guests from different back- lators” of this letter has projects. Improvements all of us who have been bring a suit of any kind against faces on the Cleveland Indians grounds to share their culture. his own website with a to the city stopped and busy with our families, the government. Standing Bear baseball caps on Picture Day. Ortega has the largest selec- heading of “what are the many businesses failed. working, going to school won and American Indians It was the first time she saw a tion of American Indian books City and Caltrans trying We do not attract many and who have naively would be considered human stereotype that affected her in a for children and in 2010, Vida to hide?” businesses, developers, or placed trust in our gov- beings. In 1917, the Minnesota negative way. She was little and Stabler (Umonhon Tribe) and Interesting enough, entrepreneurs to Pacifica ernment to do the right Supreme Court ruled in Opsahl it was difficult as a mom to see recipient to the National Edu- when another one of these because the climate is so thing. v. Johnson that Indians did not the hurt on her face. Her beauti- cation Association (NEA) Hu- “circulators” was pushing bad with the No Group. Many people have not have the right to vote because ful olive tone American Indian, man and Civil Rights Awards for the biodiesel plant in They do a great job at been able to be vocal and they lived on reservations and Irish and Italian face/skin. Now in 2009, taught the Ortega 5th Rockaway, an environ- what they do. be involved; that has to were not part of the “civilized” she is able to identify some ste- graders social traditions of the mental report on that proj- The No Group wants to change or the No Group population. The court deter- reotypes and make her own Umonhon Tribe, the Round ect wasn’t even needed ac- delay and drive up the cost will get their way. Time to mined that “civilized” referred opinions about it. Her current Dance and Hand Game. In my cording to them, and that again for what reason? stand up and say No to the to American Indians who were opinion is that she objects to the opinion this is progress but it project, which failed and Does anyone from the No No Group or realize the living off reservations and pur- logo. Not everyone in my house- shouldn’t be taken for granted; cost our city precious dol- Group want to tell us that things that may happen or suingthecustoms and traditions hold or family finds it offensive. it is fragile and not yet cemented lars and time, was pushed they have more experi- as in many times in Paci- of white Americans. American After all, like other Americans, into our schools’ curriculum. It through without one. ence or knowledge than fica have not happened if Indians were granted the right not ALL American Indians takes the effort of all teachers to Where were all these con- the engineers at Caltrans we just stand aside and to vote in 1924. Also, genocide agree on everything, including keep this on-going. This article cerned citizens then? for this project? say nothing. is a topic nobody really wants to some of the main stream ste- isn’t meant to offend Cleveland Where was the outcry That stretch of high- These opinions and the admit to since it happened here reotypes of sports teams. Indian fans and if it does, I apolo- over what the city was way has needed some content of this column are in the U.S. by Americans but Right now (again), there is gize. trying to hide then? Oh, it sort of improvement for those of Mr. Vella and do that is a topic that deserves its nationwide controversy about My hope is that it brings was one of their projects, decades. The work won’t not necessarily reflect the own article. Indian mascots and logos with awareness and opens a healthy so it must have been OK. be easy and it won’t be position of the Pacifica Tri- Like many parents, if you the Washington Redskins, At- discussion about stereotypes This attack on our City perfect but it needs to be bune. are Irish, Italian, Latin, Jewish, lanta Braves and Cleveland and how they affect our Pacifica Chinese, Korean, Swedish, and Indians. The Cleveland Indians children and our community.

we rabid railfans hopped onboard to join the LA-bound MORI POINT MENACE people, making for a small but lively nonstop “express.” Message from a concerned citizen: “To all of you who enjoy (Experienced riders will appreciate the ironic quotation this beautiful town’s outdoor treasures by biking, hiking, Wandering & marks; Amtrak is known to operate at an average speed walking the dog, surfing, or just strolling the beach: How well under 55 miles per hour.) So the doubledecker many times have you been forced to go another way, or Wondering train creaked out of the East Bay, leaving the main have your pet attacked by an off-leash aggressive dog, or John Maybury line and snaking up scenic Niles Canyon to Sunol, then been screamed at by some disrespectful people for com- on to Pleasanton, Livermore, over green Altamont menting about the leash law? There was a severe example Pass (dotted with cows and windmills), and into the of this recently at Mori Point. A woman walking her dog DISINCORPORATE PACIFICA smoggy Central Valley. We traveled the old Southern on leash was accosted by four young men who screamed Sixty years ago, during the era of suburban sprawl, Pacific route alongside Golden State Highway (99) via obscenities at her, threatened her small dog with their highway building, and bland homogenization, creating Modesto, Merced, Fresno, and Bakersfield. Fruit and large off-leash pit bull, and laughed at this woman’s terror. a new city out of a hodgepodge of disparate districts nut orchards stocked with beehives were in pink-and- After I intervened, which caused them to turn their wrath gave birth to Pacifica. It seemed like a good idea at white bloom. The human landscape was a messy mix away from the woman and onto me, she had a chance to the time. But now that experiment has run its course of truck stops, motels, gas stations, taco wagons, and escape down the stairs. These guys came after me, forcing and proven a failure. The cement that once bound this junkyards. The real visual treats began as we climbed me to back down the trail and run for safety. Rather than gaggle of beaches and valleys together has dried out up the grade and around the Caliente horseshoe bend confront such bullies, call Golden Gate National Recreation and crumbled. Governance of this municipal mess is to the Tehachapi loop, where the tracks corkscrew 360 Area (GGNRA) and report these situations. The direct line lax and ineffective. The city constantly puts off impor- degrees. On a long freight train, the engineer can look to the park ranger dispatch line is 415-561-5505. The ranger tant decisions, postpones hearings, wastes money on down and see the tail end of his train disappearing into in charge of our area is Offi cer Durham and his direct line is useless consultants to tell us things we already know, a tunnel that he is passing above. Photographers affec- 415-561-5190. Instead of risking your life and your pet’s life, and generally fails to act decisively. So let’s admit that tionately known in the railbuff community as “foam- call these numbers and report what is going on. Try safely we bit off more than we can chew. Our various neigh- ers” appeared at various spots along this line, taking to get good descriptions or pictures so we can help make borhoods are incompatible. We have no true center pictures of our train negotiating these dramatic curves our town safer for all of us.” or core. Our demographics skew all over the map. We through the mountains. As the sunlight faded, we rolled have no common cause or “language.” The business and past Mojave, with its high-desert boneyard airport full SPINNING WHEEL environmental communities are inexorably divided. Our of parked jetliners, and passed Palmdale and Lancaster Alan Wald writes: “Pacifica Riptide reader Dan Underhill shopping centers gouge tenants and settle for empty on our way into Soledad Canyon, and finally across informed me of Urban Fauna in San Francisco, which storefronts. Our small businesses wither and die on the the San Fernando Valley toward our final destination, specializes in spinning wheels, and I received two local vine. Our infrastructure is crumbling: Have you tried grand old Union Station in Los Angeles. Our “train responses from your Pacifica Tribune column. So thanks driving up and down Linda Mar Boulevard lately? The crew” stayed overnight at nearby Metro Plaza Hotel to your help, I won’t be ‘spinning my wheels’ about this only solution I can see is for the city to turn in the keys (next to Olvera Street), and in the morning returned to machine anymore.” and walk away. This town has four flat tires, a dead Union Station for the ride home on the beautiful coast battery, a cracked block, no engine, no direction known, route. Along the way, we saw miles and miles of fields SWAMI SEZ and an empty tank. And I am out of gas and metaphors. planted with broccoli and strawberries. A huge, orange “My choice early in life was either to be a piano player in sunset greeted us as we passed Elkhorn Slough and a whorehouse or a politician. And to tell the truth, there’s RAIL RIDER Moss Landing. Arriving in the Bay Area, we left the hardly any difference.” (Harry S Truman, 33rd President of I just went riding the rails around California. The occa- train and gladly breathed the clean, cool air. If you are the United States) sion was Amtrak’s March 13 detour of the southbound interested in Amtrak detours or regular runs or private Coast Starlight train due to planned trackwork at trains, register at amtrak.com and explore sites like WASTING AWAY IN MAYBURRITOVILLE San Jose. At Oakland, all passengers bound for points trainorders.com and publications like Trains magazine. •Editor: goofbuster.com south (other than the final destination of Los Angeles) •Blogger: pacificariptide.com disembarked and took the bus (too bad for them). Then •Email: [email protected]