When The People Lead, The Leaders Will Follow

photo by NOAA
The countdown has begun. Each day that passes, the citizens of Los Osos are closer to self-determination with another vote: Measures B, C, D and E. Absentee voting by mail begins 8/29/05, and ends 9/20/05.

Once, I thought taking control of the "county waste water treatment plans" meant successfully voting into existence a community services district. Didn't happen on the first try. That was tough.

It appears that was not enough. Now, three members of the current LOCSD board face a recall election date with destiny, 9/27/05. Public protests now occur in the once mellow streets and trees of Los Osos. Some people will not give up quietly and keep asking uncomfortable questions.

Why hasn't the "Community Plan" proven itself worthy? Why have the backers of the "sewer in a park plan" come to another crucial vote?

Four residents of Los Osos think the CSD has done no wrong and has demonstrated "responsibility for solving problems." They write in a Tribune editorial today that "stopping the wastewater project does not solve our future problems."

Observers say the project needs redirection, not a halt. Take the park out of the sewer/wastewater treatment plant, and relocate them separately. Would you want your child playing 30 feet from serious microbial scrubbing?

This has cost the citizens of Los Osos (I used to be one!) too much time and money to get it wrong at this late date. "Might as well do it right, eh?" Borrowed money for this effort will always have to be repaid. So do it right, money is not the problem. Real leadership is the kind that is fair to all concerned and displays concern for the truth.

Leadership. Just where has the CSD's "problem solving" actually been demonstrated? Shutting out people from public meetings? Using bogus restraining orders against vocal critics? Threatening to cut down irreplaceable trees? Is the CSD avoiding "obstacles it did not create?" Click on that link and read a few more questions.

If you answer each point honestly--and yet you still want a park in a sewer and its massive cost--you just might get your wish when you vote. Just remember: you'll have to drink the water. --Newsstand Greg