CRA News March 2001

Selected articles from the newsletter of the Carmel Residents Association

Jim Holliday, Citizen of the Year 2000, looks on as Melanie Billig reads a citation sent to him by State Assemblyman Fred Keeley, who was unable to attend because of duties related to the energy crisis.

Zad Leavy is April 26 speaker at 4:45 p.m.

A time-honored Carmel tradition may soon disappear
by Melanie Billig, CRA President

At the March Council meeting, Mayor Sue McCloud and Councilmembers Gerard Rose and Paula Hazdovac voted for staff to negotiate spending around $55,000 from the city's General Fund to hire a courier service to provide home mail delivery for up to 200 residents. Anyone, old or young, disabled or fit, would be eligible to receive this subsidy. The issue is scheduled to return to the council on April 6 for a final decision. When asked by Councilmember Barbara Livingston if this proposal for city paid delivery would lead us ultimately to home delivery for everyone in Carmel, City Administrator Rich Guillen replied, "Once you crack open the door, anything is possible." In answer to another question, Guillen replied that this would "have an impact on our character."

Councilmember Dick Ely cut to the heart of the matter saying, "There is one thing that disturbs me about this slippery slope. What is the exit strategy? Once it exceeds the plateau [cost cap or number of clients], we go to the postal service or are forced to retract service. I find both alternatives very difficult." Many feel that this action is the first step toward home delivery, house numbers and mail boxes for Carmel, leading the village down the path of further homogenization into "anywhere U.S.A."

The mayor conducted a survey to provide the council with a clear idea of how the residents felt on this issue. Out of 500 responses, 400 wanted to keep things as they are and 100 wanted home delivery. To now ignore the results of this survey is mystifying and stands majority rule on its head. In addition, the speakers at the City Council meeting opposed to the courier service vastly outnumbered those who wanted it.

Our organization has offered to assist the homebound and disabled with home delivery at no cost, without pushing the community into something it clearly does not want. At present, volunteers are serving a number of residents. One speaker at the meeting pointed out to the council that it should simply consider bonding current volunteers, save money and end this debate. As long as these residents who need help are taken care of as they have been for all these years by volunteers, family and friends, we believe it is wrong for the city to hire a courier service. Councilmember Gerard Rose, however, suggested that, "We have to accommodate those who do not want to go to the post office or turn over their privacy to volunteers from an organization they might not agree with politically." We suggest that politics has no role in volunteer efforts such as this or the beach cleanup.

At the next council meeting, instead of hiring a courier service, an ordinance should be introduced prohibiting mail boxes and street numbers. The council has been deliberating for well over a year on this matter. It is time for strong proactive leadership to end this debate. The longer it drags on, the surer we are to lose another element of village character that defines our way of life.

President's Message

by Melanie Billig, President, Carmel Residents Association

New Local Coastal Program and Land Use Plan

On March 14, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to forward the Draft Local Coastal Program and Land Use Plan to the City Council for its consideration on the April 3 agenda. In general, the staff has done an outstanding job in drafting this document. It definitely shows the amount of time and effort expended in complying with the requirements of the Coastal Act and Coastal Commission directives.

The Coastal Land Use Plan is divided into three major topic areas: Community Character and Development, Access and Recreation and Coastal Resource Development. The section on Community Character and Development strongly emphasizes the very special nature of Carmel as a residential village in a forest, which must be retained for both residents and visitors alike. One of the most important aspects of the village is its human scale, which contributes to a pedestrian-oriented and friendly environment. Another is our unique street design. Staff has identified and developed seven key components of Community Character: residential design, commercial design, street design, forest management, beach management, historic preservation and zoning. There is a strong recognition that the existing patterns of residential, commercial and civic design must be maintained.

The weakest component, however, is historic preservation, over which the Coastal Commission has recently expressed so much concern. It does not show a strong commitment to preservation or a recognition of the cumulative loss of resources. It will be interesting and instructive to hear the Coastal Commission's comments. The real public discussion about historic preservation will come when the Historic Preservation Element of the General Plan is broadly debated at the Planning Commission and City Council levels.

The section on beach access and recreation attempts to balance the requirements of the Coastal Act to maximize access without sacrificing the environment, residential quality of life and community values and character. Excessive signage, boardwalks, parking and ramps to the beach are items to keep track of.

Coastal Resource Development is the last section of the plan and deals with the biological and environmental protection of our resources, such as the beach, parks, environmentally-sensitive habitats, forest, streams and open space. The new language which seeks to protect, maintain and enhance these resources is excellent.

If the current basic thrust of this draft is accepted by the council, I believe that the community can feel comfortable with staff's work. The devil is always in the details, so we must watch closely the implementation of the goals, objectives and policies in later ordinances and decision making.

• Is good for you, feels good and is fun?
• Eases parking and traffic?
• Is good for your car and saves gas?
• Helps Carmel-by-the-Sea businesses?
• Enables you to chat with old friends and make new ones?
• And is FREE?

J.S. "Jim" Holliday named
Citizen of the Year 2000

Historian-author J.S. "Jim" Holliday, noted for his books about the California Gold Rush and also a civic activist, was named Citizen of the Year for 2000 on March 11 before a large audience at the Scout House. Howard Skidmore, master of ceremonies for CRA's thirteenth annual event, said "Jim Holliday's literary and civic activities represent the two main streams of Carmel life so important in the past and present of our beloved community." "One stream," said Skidmore, "is active, committed, passionate participation in the civic life of the village, with a fervent emphasis on the protection and preservation of the traditional qualities which help fulfill the shared vision of Carmel as a forested village by the sea, with a human scale. The second stream of Carmel life is literature and the arts."

Holliday's two books, The World Rushed in -- The California Gold Rush Experience, selected by the New York Times as "one of the notable books of 1982," followed by Rush for Riches -- Gold Fever and the Making of California, are considered the definitive works on the period, and its enduring consequences for California and the nation.

On the civic scene, Jim has served on Carmel's Forest and Beach Commission, been a board member of the Robinson Jeffers Tor House Foundation and served on the 2016 Committee, helping create a vision for the village. In 1987, Jim and a small group of like-minded concerned citizens, who saw a danger to Carmel in excessive commercialism, formed the Carmel Residents Association, dedicated to advancing village interests and preserving resident values. He twice was president.

A graduate of Yale and Berkeley, Jim has had many editorships and professorships, followed by nine years as executive director of the California Historical Society. His honors include the Silver Medal of the Commonwealth Club of California, the Oscar Lewis Award for Achievement in Western History, the Main Selection of the History Book Club and the Best Non-fiction Award of the Western Writers of America. When Ken Burns did the series on the Gold Rush that appeared nationally on PBS, Jim guided the production team to the California mountains and also appeared on camera.

But busy as Jim is with his literary duties and speeches, he keeps an alert eye and ear on local events. When the need arises, he puts on his citizen's armor and joins the good fight. Jim Holliday's heart is where his home is, in Carmel-by-the-Sea, with his wife, Belinda Vidor Holliday, an accomplished artist and daughter of the noted film director King Vidor, and their Jack Russell Terrier, Barnum.

Bob Campbell remembered at CRA event

After the Citizen of the Year award, President Melanie Billig took a few moments to recognize another outstanding Carmelite and dear friend to all who died last September. Distinguished writer Robert W. Campbell was a powerful personality and an insightful individual filled with creativity and enthusiasm. When he came to Carmel, he immediately joined in the battle to save the Village Corner Restaurant. He started the Common Ground Theater and most recently was the spirit and force behind the revitalization of the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts. Bob Campbell is truly missed and will always be remembered for his wit, humor and love of life.

Exciting CRA/CBA fund-raiser is in the works

The Carmel Residents Association and Carmel Business Association representatives have met and received approval from their respective boards to team up and plan a major mixer and fund-raising event, probably in September. The title of the event is "Carmel Fun Night, The Hunt Is On." It will feature an old fashioned scavenger hunt and silent auction. The proceeds will go to a worthy and needed cultural project. We'll keep you posted. If you would like to be part of the event committee, please call Melanie Billig at 626-3826.

City Council will make decision on Business Improvement District at May 1 meeting

The City Council is expected to enact an ordinance on May 1 creating a Business Improvement District (BID). Once in place, a 30-day protest period will allow business owners to express opposition, and if those representing more than 50% of total revenues are opposed, the ordinance could not go forward. However, because the measure is heavily supported by the innkeepers and larger businesses, who generate more than 50% of the revenues, it is unlikely that a protest would succeed. A recent Herald article featured CRA member and former councilman Mike Brown, who had serious concerns about the number of new visitors this greatly-enhanced marketing program would bring, and said that he and 10 to 15 other small business owners would protest.

The district is expected to create around $500,000 per year in assessments, the bulk of which will be used for marketing -- $182,000 to the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau, $100,000 to the CBA and $17,000 to the Monterey Visitors Center. The city previously paid the latter two bills. The plan provides that most of the assessments will be passed on to the customers. Although residents do not have a say, it is important to be informed since it could have a major effect upon Carmel.

Lieutenant Poitras has safety tips for Carmelites

"If your house were broken into," asked Pete Poitras, "would you be able to list what is missing? Would you know the serial number of your television, VCR and computer? Have you borrowed the engraver from the police department to put your name on the back of valuable equipment?"

Members who attended the February meeting were fascinated with Acting Lieutenant Warren "Pete" Poitras' wide-ranging talk about crime, or lack thereof, in Carmel and police matters in general. He pointed out that most criminals don't live in Carmel. But, as Willie Sutton said when asked why he robbed banks, "That's where the money is." Yes, our village is relatively safe, and its "rabbit-warren streets" are daunting to criminals. But, we do tend to become complacent.

The only way the battle against crime can be won, according to Lt. Poitras, "is with the help of Carmel's some 4600 residents--and their 9200 collective eyes. The city has 15 police officers, a total of 30 eyes used, only a fraction of whom are on duty at any one time." Residents often see suspicious activity but rationalize it as unimportant, feel intimidated or are afraid the police might think them silly if they call. The most important message we heard was: "The police would rather have 100 false alarms than one robbery which could have been prevented. If you have a sixth sense that something is wrong, it probably is. You won't bother the police. Please call."

Regarding crime in Carmel this year, the speaker reported no aggravated assaults, 9 burglaries, and one forcible rape, although the victim waited three weeks to report it, making it almost impossible to prosecute.

Carmel has lots of embezzlement by home care workers and other employees who are in positions where it is easy to steal. Poitras warned the audience to "Make it difficult for anyone to steal from you! Don't let anyone sign your checks."

We also have lots of thefts from cars, yards and, of course, from downtown shops. In the last six weeks, four businesses--all with no alarm system--have been burglarized.

Again, we were warned, "Lock your cars! Put valuables out of sight in your trunk." Lieutenant Poitras suggested that if everyone had an alarm system, the town would be safe. Most burglars will pass up a house with an alarm. The increasing number of second homes makes the police job harder. Unless an alarm system is in place, a burglary might not be discovered for weeks.

We were told, in response to a question about drugs in Carmel, that there are "more drugs than you can imagine. There is probably not a bar in town where you can't buy cocaine. There are drugs in the high school--just like everywhere else." He didn't feel, however, that there has been an adverse impact from CSUMB in Carmel.