Explaining Fog Fest
Dear Editor:
We would like to explain our commitment to this community to ascertain that people here know the facts about how the Fog Fest Organizing Group, Inc. (FFOG) handles the responsibility of doing business in Pacifica.
The Fog Fest does NOT create any expense to the City of Pacifica, nor to any of its departments, that is not reimbursed either by direct payment or by in-kind services. I cannot stress that too much.
The Fog Fest is self-sufficient – it is not a cost burden to our citizens!
Any costs incurred by the Public Works Department are offset by cost savings for the PB&R Department via Fog Fest paying for advertising their events (Fog Jog, Fun Fest) on our poster, on our website, in all printed materials, in our program, etc. (Sometimes we have helped find sponsors for the Fun Fest.) We’ve all worked hard and cooperatively to achieve this great working relationship.
We do not rely on the citizens of Pacifica to pay for the Fog Fest, other than by attending the festival and buying food, beverages and entertainment there if they choose to.
The Fog Fest, quite simply, exists to create a means for local community groups to raise funds and to attract visitors to spend their money on frequenting the businesses in our beautiful city, and this done with all-volunteer labor. That is our mission, and I believe we’re fulfilling it.
Linda Jonas
On behalf of FFOG
International Peace Day
Dear Editor,
In honor of International Peace Day on Sunday, September 21st, the Pacifica Peace People will again put a full page ad in the Pacifica Tribune. Signed by many members of our community, we will declare our ongoing commitment to peace and will request that the money spent on wars be redirected toward the many needs of our own nation and its people.
If you would like to see and sign this declaration of peace, you may do so by going to our website: www.pacificapeacepeople.net. Donations for the ad will be gratefully accepted and can be made through our website using PayPal. Alternately, checks payable to the Pacifica Peace People can be sent to Leslie Davidson at P.O. Box 334, Moss Beach, CA, 94038.
Finally, we invite you to show your support for peace by joining us in the annual Fog Fest parade on Saturday, Sept. 27th. Contact us for more information:iinfo@pacificapeacepeople.net
Linda Peebles
Vallemar
Pacifica Peace People member
Good Samaritan
Dear Editor:
One August 12, 2014, my mother Ruth was walking her dog behind the Chinese Restaurant on Terra Nova Blvd., when she tripped on the dog leash and fell to the ground. She blacked out for a few minutes. She asked someone to help her up because she couldn’t move her arm, but when they didn’t, two young girls saw what had happened and ran over to help her.
One of the young ladies’ name was Julia, the other was a cousin. She thinks they went to Ortega Elementary School. They helped her to her feet and asked if they should call an ambulance for her; she said she was okay. She wants to thank them for helping her, when no one else would. Her family really appreciates what these two young ladies have done for our mother. She lives at Casa Pacifica Senior Center Apartments. Please stop by so she can thank you in person. Her family took her to hospital to find out she broke her wrist and arm.
Thank you so much for helping her.
Justine Marck
South San Francisco
Thank you, Sara
Dear Editor:
More often letters are complaints; this is a thank you letter to Sara at Discount Cigarette.
I had put $40 in my pocket while I was in my car. I arrived at the store, went inside to buy something and realized my money was gone. We looked all around the floor and nothing. I paid for the item and checked my car and the parking lot where I was, as well as the path I took to get to the store.
Then in my surprise I received a call from Sara. She saw a customer picking something up in the parking lot outside her store. She asked the customer if it was $40. It was and she said she knew who it belonged to. The next day I got a call from Sara telling me she had my money. She told me the story and I want to thank her for being honest as well as the customer that handed her the money when she asked for it. She went above and beyond to get my phone number and my money.
Thank you again, Sara.
Lynn Krohn
Linda Mar
Thanks Elaine
Dear Editor:
On behalf of the Seaside Singers, I would like to express our appreciation to Elaine Larsen for the generous coverage she has given us during her tenure as Editor of the Pacifica Tribune.
All of the Arts in Pacifica are indebted to her and the Tribune for informing the community of the activities and opportunities that are available here. The Tribune has been fortunate in having a fine reporter like Jean Bartlett to write entertaining and informative stories about the arts and other community interest stories.
The Tribune is the vital glue that binds this collection of smaller communities within Pacifica into a unified whole.
No matter what changes may be implemented over the coming months, I hope that the coverage will continue to reflect the diversity of interests in our town.
Judith Tugendreich,
Director, Seaside Singers
Park Pacifica
No need to fly
Dear Editor:
To all Pacificans: Why not spend some time in St. Louis during the next three weekends? No need to hop a United bird, pay a costly fee and endure four hours of flight time. Just attend a performance of “Meet me in St. Louis” at the Theatre in the Park, presented by the energetic Spindrift players, and enjoy an evening of familiar tunes and spirited dancing.
A couple highlights: the portrayal of the Smith family maid by Joanie Pugh Newman is delightful, especially her Irish jig and song with a hilt of Irish laughter, and when John Blessed Espejo takes the stage he brings a radiance that transcends outward. His strong voice and nimble feet are a welcome addition to this production.
The show goes on each weekend through Sept. 7. Hop on that trolley for a fun ride and leave the theatre singing “Meet me in St. Louis, Meet me at the Fair”.
Marvin Morganti
Pacifica
Protesting sewer tax
Editor:
At the last Pacifica City Council meeting I was the only one that protested the sewer tax. Thanks to Nancy and Anthony for appealing it. I have requested several times under the public records act for an answer. They all have a copy including the city manager and city attorney.
They have taken the threshold out of the ordinance that was intended for low income residents without the public’s approval.
They discriminated against all residents that did not live on Linda Mar Boulevard. They got theirs for nothing. Those that volunteered received $1,000 off. As of July 2, 2014 they sent out a flyer for another 50 first come first served basis until June 2015.
I have given all members of the council including the city manager and city attorney copies of Paland vs. Brooktrails, which states that when it comes to fees, all residents must not be discriminated. No reply since 2013, latest March 24, 2014.
You cannot transfer money from the Enterprise Fund to pay off pension bonds or anything else. This came down in 2006 under the Dearhorn Decision. Mike O’Neill is aware of it and it’s in the council minutes; so far he has taken no action and we are subjecting ourselves to a potential lawsuit. I thought the public should be aware of this.
Therese M. Dyer
Linda Mar
Tribute to Vi Gotelli
Editor:
I was sorry to hear about the passing of Vi Gotelli.
I knew the woman in my early to middle years at the Pacifica Tribune.
To some, she was the bane of existence, a negative trouble maker.
I tended to see another side of her.
Vi was the original muckraker. Always questioning. Always in the face of politicians she was convinced were on the dole.
She often was wrong. But there were times she was right.
Along with the late Nick Gust and Pete Pereira she formed the trifecta of Pacifica pioneers who helped shape this community in the early years after it was first incorporated. And later decried what it had became.
A young reporter could always count on Gotelli for a barbed quote or two. She had her convictions. And she’d be the first to phone up that reporter to complain about the coverage. Or offer praise when it was due.
I don’t think she focused her energy out of personal gain. Not monetarily, at least. I just think she was from an era where injustice needed to be exposed. I think she did it out of her heart. At least I hope so.
May she rest in peace.
Elaine Larsen
Linda Mar
