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CRA News April 2004
Selected articles from the newsletter of the Carmel Residents Association
 Greg D'Ambrosio and his close friend Sandi Davenport display the Roger Fremier photograph of cypress trees which was presented to Greg at the March CRA meeting. The inscription on the plaque reads, "With heartfelt appreciation for your work to preserve and improve the environment of Carmel-by-the-Sea." See story below. |
Police Chief Rawson will
explain residential alert program
| Thursday, April 22 -- CRA Meeting | |
| 4:45 p.m. -- Police Chief George
Rawson Vista Lobos Meeting Room, Torres between 3rd & 4th Following the meeting, delicious hors d'oeuvres and liquid refreshments |
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CRA members, if they wish, will soon have an opportunity to help our police force! Police Chief George Rawson will present at our April 22 meeting the Carmel-by-the-Sea Police Department LINKS Program (Linking Information to Neighborhoods for Knowledge and Safety). An integral part of the Chief's "Community Policing" concept, this program will enable the Police Department to quickly contact residents, preferably by e-mail but also by fax. Residents would be given useful information and also told how they could help the department by serving as extra eyes and ears. Examples are alerts to be on the lookout for a particular vehicle or person associated with local criminal activity, warnings of local scams, names and photographs of wanted persons believed to be in the area, crime trend information, traffic accident data, weather warnings or city-planned road closures. Members of Project St. Bernard have already signed on to help with this program.
Prior to Chief Rawson's talk, the newly-elected mayor and council members will be introduced.
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A look back at 2002 campaign
promises
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"Now we must watch to see if the
promises made during the campaign will be carried out.
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While looking through back issues of CRA News, your editor accidentally came across the preceding article and was astonished to read it because these promises have not been fulfilled. It should be noted that in 2002 all council members received a copy of the editorial and no one disputed its accuracy. Let's look at the facts--
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The fire house remains unsafe. The council waited almost two years before signing a contract with a Portland architectural firm to look at seismic safety of the fire house. One fire engine has been moved to the seismically-safe public works building. The fire department has a part-time acting chief, who can spend little time in Carmel because she is also chief of two Carmel Valley fire departments, heads the ambulance agency and handles fire protection for the Santa Lucia Preserve. As a result, the employees suffer from low morale. The council has never addressed whether or not to retain Carmel's independent fire department while rumors abound that the city administrator is looking at Pacific Grove and other agencies with which to merge Carmel's department.
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The Forest Theater and Scout House master plans have not been implemented. In fact, the council refused to accept a win-win proposal from builder John Mandurrago, who owns property next to the Scout House. Mandurrago offered an easement through his property to provide the necessary handicapped access required for the Scout House. This action could have eliminated the need for an expensive elevator, thus greatly reducing the master plan's cost. Instead, the city closed the Scout House, leaving the community with no access to this historic facility and lost revenue. The Forest Theater still remains in great need of renovating.
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Although a planning commission subcommittee drafted an ordinance to curtail the proliferation of art galleries, it was never allowed to be brought before the City Council for discussion. And, there have been no visible proactive attempts to attract desirable businesses to Carmel.
Instead, the city has more and more vacant spaces, and art galleries still replace most businesses that leave.
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City finances have continued to deteriorate. This year's budget was balanced by dipping more than a million dollars out of reserves. Next year's budget will deplete reserves by more than a million more. No new revenue source has been secured. The mayor allowed only paid parking, a stormwater utility fee and the Business Improvement District (BID) to be placed on the council agenda. Requests from Council members Ely, Livingston and the public to address other solutions such as an increase in the hotel tax, a $.25 per meal restaurant tax, a development impact fee or a real estate transfer tax went unanswered. Neither residents nor the business community thought paid parking was appropriate for Carmel and when the proposal became controversial, it disappeared. Even if the stormwater assessment fee or the BID formation had succeeded, they were not designed to be revenue enhancing and would have been of little help to the budget deficit. But, the botched handling of these proposals and poor attempts at developing consensus doomed them to failure.
All of these 2002 campaign pledges were worthy and, had they been met, the quality of life in Carmel would have been enhanced and the city would be much farther along the road to economic and financial stability.
President's Message
Are you better off?
by Larry Rodocker
The election for mayor and city council
is happening in a few days. A question you need to ask yourself is: Am
I and is Carmel better off than two years ago? Let's examine some key
issues and see what the outcome has been.
In early 2001, the city was beginning to have financial difficulty. The
city administration not only saw it, but were warned numerous times by
the public that new sources of revenue were seriously needed. In the last
three years, what everybody feared has come true. We are in financial
chaos. Approximately $1.1 million dollars from reserves were used for
balancing the 2003-2004 budget. During this past year, more money has
been drawn down from reserves until it is forecasted that approximately
$1.7 million will ultimately have been used. It appears that well over
a million will be siphoned from the reserves to balance the beginning
budget for 2004-05.
The city administration's weak response to this financial crisis was to
introduce three revenue sources in early 2003 which were all negatively
received by the residents and businesses of Carmel. After the defeats
of these proposed revenue sources, we have heard nothing, not even a whisper
from city administration on other revenue sources. Well, that's not quite
true. A blue-ribbon committee was formed to come up with new revenue sources
for Carmel. I'm sure something is forthcoming from this committee, but
it will be too late. The city administration is currently preparing the
2004-05 budget with a large deficit built into it. Any new revenue streams
will have little if any impact for this new fiscal year.
The question needed to be asked is why has there not been a continuous,
concerted effort made until new revenue resources were in place? The revenue
crisis has been known since 2001 and, unfortunately, little or no priority
has been placed on it.
The Sunset Center project has been successfully completed. However, no
timely management operational plan was developed in parallel with the
construction, so now the transition of the Sunset construction to Sunset
operation is likened to an eight-cylinder performance car limping along
on five cylinders.
We have had many costly projects undertaken by the city administration
in the past two years and, except for the Sunset renovation, financial
and project controls have not been in place to evaluate whether or not
these projects successfully met the goals for which they were originally
targeted. This is not the way a properly-managed city would handle its
financial well-being.
The key to all the aforementioned issues is foresight, planning and control.
Have we had a city administration which has used these tools as a management
cornerstone in the past four years to make our city viable for all situations
in which it has been or might be confronted?
Greg D'Ambrosio honored by Carmel Residents Association
It was touching for all
when recently-retired Assistant City Administrator Greg D'Ambrosio was
honored at the March CRA meeting. A standing ovation followed Jim Holliday's
final remarks, "So much to recall, to praise ... to conclude by joining
together to make known to Greg that Carmel's residents and business
owners and the millions of visitors will be forever grateful for all
you have achieved in making this a unique village in a forest--Carmel-by-the-Sea
gives you its heart for your 33 years of caring and guidance. Oh, how
we will miss you ..."
Armed with a degree in Forestry, Greg joined the forestry staff in 1971
and soon became a tree climber. Serving under ten different mayors,
he worked his way up to the position of Assistant City Administrator.
Holliday outlined "a few of the strengths and beautifications and creations
and reforms that Greg has produced through his years of day-to-day caring
for our village:"
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Wrote the city's Urban Forestry Management Plan
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Developed the first computer program survey of city trees in 1971 (now the longest-running survey in the U.S)
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Designed and developed Mission Trail Nature Preserve
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Created the Rowntree Native Plant Garden with the Native Plant Society
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Designed and developed First Murphy Park
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Designed and developed the Forest Hill Park playground
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Guided to completion the Carmel Beach reconstruction and Scenic Pathway project
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Revamped the city's financial operations
In sum, D'Ambrosio, according
to Holliday, "has worked as caretaker, arbitrator, protector, administrator,
nurturer of our village's basic strengths and beauties for thirty-three
years. He epitomizes what we long for and know we have largely lost--namely
steadiness, continuity, devotion to a larger purpose than one's own
career. In sum, commitment to our village, to preserving the fragile
beauties that make up the image of our village, an image literally known
around the world."
In the area of handling city finances and putting together the budget,
Greg credited Sandi Davenport with being "an important cog in the city's
machinery." Sandi, who was Financial Services Coordinator, also recently
retired from the city.
Local history lecture
Santiago Duckworth and the Catholic Resort
This month's free Local
History Lecture will be presented by Brother Larry Scrivani,
of the Monterey Diocese, who will talk about Santiago Duckworth's vision
for what became Carmel. Talks will be given on Monday, April 26, at
10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Park Branch of the Harrison Memorial
Library.
In 1888, realtor Santiago Duckworth of Monterey purchased the development
rights for 324 acres in Carmel. His dream was to establish a Catholic
resort based upon the success of the Methodist community of neighboring
Pacific Grove. Brother Scrivani will share his research on this interesting
early dream which did not materialize.
Sunset in Bloom - a Flower
Show
Carmel-by-the-Sea Garden
Club members will present a flower show, Sunset in Bloom, at
Sunset Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 29 and 30. The show is open
to the public and admission is free.
Included will be flower arrangements, horticulture entries, photography,
a conservation exhibit and a boutique. All entries will be judged by
national Garden Club of America judges.
In addition, two lectures will be given by nationally-acclaimed garden
and flower-arranging experts. Chip Callaway will present a slide lecture
at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 29, featuring many of the historic gardens
he has created and restored in North Carolina and the Washington, D.C.
area. The Rev. Dr. William McMillan, of Belfast, Northern Ireland, will
captivate his audience with his wit, poetry and outstanding floral arrangements.
The fee is $20 for one lecture or $30 for both.
Reservations for the lectures may be made in advance by sending a check
to Carmel-by-the-Sea Garden Club, P.O. Box 1972, Carmel, CA 93921. Tickets
will be held for pickup and also sold at the door.
Note: The Carmel-by-the-Sea Garden Club presented a conceptual plan
to the City Council on April 6 for the renovation of the garden at the
Harrison Memorial Library. The group, a 501(c)3 charitable organization,
will be raising funds for this project.
Another coastal beach goes smokeless
Last October, Solana Beach
in San Diego County banned smoking on its beaches. Now the city of San
Clemente has also voted to keep its city beach and pier free of the
litter left by smokers. And, the city of Santa Monica is considering
a similar move.
Carmel has always been known as forward thinking. Wouldn't a prohibition
of smoking on Carmel Beach fit into this tradition?
Month after month, for over twelve years, CRA Beach Cleanup volunteers
have picked up literally thousands of cigarette butts. In addition to
preventing Carmel's white sand beach from serving as a gigantic ashtray,
a ban on beach smoking would prevent this ubiquitous litter from polluting
the bay and endangering the sealife.
Carmel has best beach!
Among the results in its annual Readers Poll, the March 18 issue of the Monterey County Weekly named Carmel City Beach as the "Best Beach" in the county. That should make CRA Beach Cleanup volunteers even more proud of their monthly efforts to keep our sand white and sparkling!
Beach Cleanup
Saturday, April 24
10 a.m. - noon
* Volunteers meet at
foot of Ocean Avenue
* Please bring gloves
* Coffee and pastries served courtesy of Caffe Cardinale and
Carmel Bakery
CRA PROFILES
by Walter Gourlay
Paul Eastman--birder, inventor,
writer and more
Who
is Paul Eastman? A long-time member of the Monterey Peninsula Audubon
Society and enthusiastic leader of bird walks. A forestry and wood by-products
specialist. A choir member. A writer. An inventor. A defender of Carmel
who attends public meetings and is not afraid to speak up. This quiet,
soft-spoken, modest man is or has been all of the above, and more.
Recently I went on an amazing tour to the Los Banos area led by this
redoubtable Paul Eastman. He showed us hundreds and hundreds of Sandhill
Cranes and literally thousands of Snow Geese crowding the sky and sitting
in the wetlands on their annual trip northward. It was "Like wow!" as
my grandnephew would have put it. This was one side of Paul Eastman.
I decided to learn more.
I've learned that he's a past member of the local Audubon board. He
leads such birding groups annually during the early spring migrating
season, and around Christmas time he participates in Audubon's annual
bird count held nation-wide.
Paul was born in 1924 in Monrovia in Southern California, and grew up
in Bronxville, on the edge of New York City. It was there, he says,
that he became a real birder, since they lived next to a wonderful forest
that has now been replaced by housing.
After high school, Paul served in World War II in the navy as a radarman
on an infantry landing craft in Palau, in the Western Carolines. He
then ferried troops between Shanghai and Hong Kong. After his discharge
in 1946 he attended Duke University on the G.I. Bill and received his
B.S. in 1948.
After graduating from Duke, Paul worked in Chicago with Graybar Electric
Company. Relatives introduced him to Lyn Elias, a graduate of UCLA,
who taught French in a school in the city. They were married at the
home of Lyn's parents in Readfield, Maine.
Paul next worked for ten years for Weyerhauser Timber Company in their
Special Products Division, promoting the use of wood fiber and bark
particles for residential construction. He was moved from location to
location--five times during Paul's ten years with the firm. After leaving
Weyerhauser, Eastman went into business as a manufacturers' representative,
involved in residential construction.
In 1963 the couple moved to Marin, where Paul conducted his business
for twenty years. In 1982 they decided to move to Carmel, where his
mother was living. They had bought a house in Carmel in 1967, which
now became their home. They were attracted to our city, Paul says, because
of its natural beauty, its climate, and the many interesting people
they had met during visits with his mother. In 1985 Paul retired from
business and began work on a number of his inventions.
He's pursued many other activities since moving here. Paul has been
a volunteer with the Carmel Red Cross and has been a regular blood donor.
Until two years ago he sang regularly in the choir of All Saints Episcopal
Church. And both he and Lyn are active supporters and volunteers for
the Carmel Bach Festival.
Anything else? Well, how about being an inventor and would-be author?
Paul has several patents in his name, "Nothing that will fundamentally
shake up the world's economy," he says, grinning, "but time-saving and
labor-saving devices of practical use for everyday living." For example,
a Velcro knot for a man's tie that saves time (envision Dagwood Bumstead
closing his Velcro knot as he dashes out to catch his car pool in the
morning!) Paul's not looking for monetary profit, he says, but would
like to have his patents in the public domain where everyone can use
them.
To this end, he's writing a book, now almost completed. "Why not?" he
asks. "Isn't everybody in Carmel writing a book?" The title is Happy
Discoveries--for the Do-It-Yourselfer. It includes patents on several
of his many inventions, as well as some good inventions of others that
didn't make it to the marketplace. In addition it gives helpful "how
to" advice on getting a two-year patent.
Eastman got his inspiration for the book, he says, attending a writers'
class several years ago at the Carmel Foundation, which he describes
as "a wonderful place for so many residents. Every town should have
one. It has such a variety of classes for so many interests."
In his "spare time" Paul frequently attends City Council and Planning
Commission meetings when agenda items involve "the beauty and charm
of Carmel." The CRA, he adds, "has done a great job in that direction.
They've always been a great help."
The Eastmans have a daughter, Holly, who lives in New Jersey, and a
son, John, living in Santa Cruz. Their oldest son, Reed, died in Seattle
about a year ago after being employed by Boeing as a draftsman for several
years.
Paul and Lyn live in a delightful modest cottage on Carmelo Street,
with an enclosed garden and a small guesthouse with an air of privacy
and contentment. Lyn, he says, takes care of the garden, while he "uses
birding as an excuse!"
We can only speculate about what Paul Eastman will be involved in next.
But involved, he most certainly will be.
Mail box ordinance and proposed
water board change on agenda
As one of her final actions,
Councilwoman Barbara Livingston has asked the City Council to reconsider
a permanent ordinance banning mail boxes and street addresses and to
discuss a controversial change in the water board proposed by Senator
Bruce McPherson.
Mail Boxes and Addresses
In November, 2000, the City Council adopted an emergency ordinance prohibiting
home addresses and mail boxes in the public right of way in Carmel except
for those annexed areas which already had mail delivery. A November
17, 2000, letter from the Postal Service to Congressman Sam Farr said
that the Postal Service had been "advised the council will vote in the
near future to make the ordinance permanent."
Unfortunately, the ordinance, according to Livingston, "got sidetracked
and overlooked by the rush to complete the Local Coastal Program and
Sunset Center." Since the city will soon begin review of the General
Plan to make it consistent with the Local Coastal Program, it is a good
time to put into place a permanent "bullet proof" ordinance to ensure
that Carmel's long-time tradition of receiving mail at the Post Office
will remain intact. Such an ordinance would in no way change the current
home delivery system for those who cannot get to the Post Office. As
part of her backup information for the council, Livingston included
copies of several articles about the uniqueness of Carmel which all
include a mention of no street addresses.
Proposal to Change Water Board
The proposal being floated by Senator McPherson, which has support from
local developers and realtors, was, not coincidentally, drafted by the
law firm which represents most development interests in the county,
Lombardo and Gilles. The water board rejected the draft in a 5-1 vote
and Supervisor Dave Potter was quoted as saying, "Last time I checked,
Jeff Gilles was not an elected official."
This ordinance would put the mayors in charge of the water board and
eliminate the right of the public to vote on water projects. In addition,
it would allow the board, at the request of any member, to use "weighted
voting." This means that votes would be calculated according to the
population of each city, leaving the mayor of Carmel with very little
influence. Livingston wants the Carmel City Council to oppose this proposal.
[An April 4, 2004, editorial in the Herald asked voters to give McPherson
feedback. His address is Sen. Bruce McPherson, State Capitol, Room 4081,
Sacramento, CA 95814. His fax is (916) 445-8081; email: senatormcpherson@sen.ca.gov]
Springtime Preparation and Awareness
by Carmel Fire Department
Captain Mitch Kastros
Spring is here and hopefully the heavy
rains have bid us farewell. Although the hills are green and the grass
is thick and lush, it will not be long until they are dry and brown again.
With the coming of the dryer weather, the threat of fire becomes an issue.
We have discussed the trees and the various challenges associated with
them. Our recent attention was on their potential for falling due to their
weakened state. Our main concern toward the trees will soon be shifting
to fire prevention.
As you drive or walk around Carmel and it's surrounding areas you will
find a tremendous number of dead and dying trees. Some are standing and
some have fallen, but all contribute tons of volatile fuel to our forests.
Nature's way of dealing with these conditions is and always has been fire,
and she does not care if houses are next to trees and grassland.
Although these dangers exist, there is plenty we can do to help minimize
the fire potential to our homes. First of all, if you have trees on or
near your property that fit the above description, call the Forest and
Beach Department and see what can be done to remove dry branches or, if
necessary, entire trees. It is a shame to have to think about tree removal,
but the ones in this condition will not regenerate and their danger level
will only increase.
Any wild grass growing on your property needs to be cut to a minimum of
30 feet from the house so that only the dirt remains. It is best and less
dangerous to do this when the grass is still green (less fire potential
if using power equipment) and the soil is still damp (easier to remove
the grass and get to the dirt).
Make sure you have a spark arrester on top of your chimney and your chimney
is clean. Even in spring and summer we often use our fireplaces. Also,
keep ten feet clearance of branches and other vegetation in all directions
around the top of your chimney, and keep your rain gutters and roof clear
of leaves, pine needles and other debris. The fire department can help
you get permission to trim tree branches.
If your roof is older and not treated with properly-rated fire retardant,
consider having it applied. Call the Planning and Building Department
for details and advice.
The recent time change to daylight savings is a reminder to all of us
to inspect our smoke detectors and change their batteries.
Citizens' Emergency Response Training Spring Schedule
Class 1: Saturday, April 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. @ Carmel Fire Dept.
Class 2: Saturday, May 1, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. @ Mid-Valley Fire
Class 3: Saturday, May 8, @ Mid-Valley Fire 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Class 4: Saturday, May 15, @ Carmel Highlands Fire 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Class 5: Saturday, May 22, @ Carmel Highlands Fire 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
May 29: No Class (Memorial Day Weekend)
Class 6: Saturday, June 5, @ Mid-Valley Fire 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.--Practical
hands-on applications, graduation, barbecue
For more information call 620-2030 and ask for Leslie Fenton or Mitch
Kastros. Breakfast will be provided.
OLD CARMEL
by Connie Wright
"Uncle Joe" Stilwell
Joseph W. Stilwell was born near Palatka,
Florida, March 19, 1883, of a well-to-do family from Yonkers. He entered
West Point in 1900, developed a proficiency in languages, graduated and
was commissioned in 1904. Curious and eager for action, he chose the Philippines
for his first service, the only place where U.S. forces were actively
engaged. He returned to teach at West Point, where he married Winifred
(Win) Smith in 1910. They sailed for the Philippines in 1911. When she
became pregnant, Win returned to the U.S. while Joe, on leave, sailed
for Shanghai and Hong Kong, absorbing details about China and the Revolution
which overthrew the Manchu Dynasty. Returning to the U.S., he took up
duty at the Presidio of Monterey. Joe and Win saw Carmel for the first
time and decided that they wanted to build a house there.
In 1917 the U.S. entered World War I, and Stilwell went to France for
intelligence duty. Returning home in 1919, he immediately went to Washington
to inquire about a job as far away from home as possible. As it happened,
military intelligence had programs in Japan and China to train officers
in either language. Both proficient in languages and experienced in intelligence,
Stilwell fit the bill. All the posts to Japan were taken, so he got China.
In 1920 Stilwell purchased five lots on Carmel Point shortly before the
family sailed for Peking. Still in the Army, but detached from his duties
at the American legation, he took a job with the American Red Cross building
roads. He met war lords, peasants and bandits. Stilwell began collecting
exquisitely-carved ivory fan handles. This collection is now housed at
the Monterey Museum of Art.
His tour of duty over, Stilwell and the family returned home in 1923.
When they returned to China in 1926, to Tientsin, Chiang Kai-shek was
gaining power, but the country was still warring against itself. Stilwell
was thought of as the Infantry's expert on Chinese affairs. Japan was
flexing imperialist muscles.
The family returned to the U.S. in 1929 and in 1934 built a two-story
house, slightly west of San Antonio on Inspiration Avenue. They returned
to Peking from 1935-1939. By that time they had five children: Joe, Jr.,
Nancy, Doot (Mildred), Alison and Ben. Stilwell served as Commander of
the Presidio of Monterey in 1940-41. During World War II, the Allies had
very different interests. Britain was not interested in China, but the
European theater; America was interested in China because of its interests
in the Pacific; as head of the Chinese Nationalist Government, Chiang
Kai-shek was not interested in fighting the Japanese, but in getting all
the American help he could in arms, supplies and money for the survival
of the Nationalist regime against the Chinese Communists. Stilwell was
ordered to retake the Burma Road. Burma was an essential corridor to China,
where he believed that the campaign against Japan would be fought. The
U.S. needed China to be in the war as a base for air operations. Stilwell
became the commander of the China-Burma-India theater of operation and
was, of course, completely opposed to Chiang's aims. Both Stilwell and
Chiang were ultimately defeated. Chiang and Roosevelt had Stilwell ousted
in 1944; and the Chinese Communists forced Chiang to flee to Formosa.
Recalled to the U.S., all Stilwell wanted was to be home with his family
and walk on the beach with his dog, Gary. Unfortunately, that did not
last for long. He died October 12, 1946, at Letterman Hospital in San
Francisco.
Stilwell did not believe in long speeches by those who had been promoted,
saying: "The higher a monkey climbs a pole, the more you see of his behind."
One of his officers said that he had never seen an officer who treated
his troops better. They, in turn, admired and respected him, and called
him "Uncle Joe"; "Vinegar Joe" was used by the press.
A Letter to CRA Members
Dear Friends:
For the past 12 years it has been my great pleasure and honor to serve
the residents of Carmel-by-the-Sea as a member of the City Council. I
am grateful to the Carmel Residents Association membership in general,
and to the CRA Board of Directors in particular, for their stalwart defense
of and support for the values, aesthetics, traditions and laws of our
village.
Members of the CRA Board stay in close touch with the important issues
facing our village by regularly attending the monthly meetings of the
Planning, Forest and Beach and Cultural Commissions as well as the more
frequent meetings of the City Council. The CRA observers/speakers study
the issues and are extremely thoughtful, knowledgeable and polite in their
presentations before the city bodies. They advance their ideas with respect
and authority.
I have very high expectations for the future of this great organization--may
the Carmel Residents Association grow stronger in its membership and may
it become ever more impressive in its support and defense of our residential
village.
With love and appreciation,
Barbara Livingston
Remember that your City Council is on T.V.
City Council meetings
are taped and re-broadcast
Sundays, 8 a.m. - 12 noon on
KMST Channel 26
