Commentary on the September City Council Meetings
and Anything Else That Riles Up my Demons

by Sandra Beebe

  City Council Meetings

September 13th

Hands down the most entertaining moment of the evening was Grant Crowl's musical objections to the goings on at a recent JPA meeting.  In a most amusing way he let all who would listen to his number (a cross between rap and The Mikado) know that he did not like the direction that Morro Bay Council is going with their plans for the new sewer system.

As most of you know, we have an election coming up and Mr. Yates, who was absent for years, is now coming to each Council meeting to put in his two cents about whatever crosses his mind at the moment during the Public Comment sections.

Tonight's words of wisdom were given by Yates in such a way that I had to check my calendar to see if the election had already taken place and he had been elected mayor. I know I'm a touch senile, but I was pleased to find out that he is not yet elected.   He spoke of what he would be willing to look at on various issues as if he were currently in office. I have no psychic powers but, unfortunately, I think he has an excellent chance of succeeding. But it would be somewhat more gracious if he waited till the electors voted him into office. 

Scheduled for the business section of meeting was the discussion of the new tree ordinance for those trees in the public right of way.  A new list was presented for discussion.  This list was compiled by a citizen Tree Committee along with input from staff and was presented at the meeting by Rob Livick—public services director.

This issue prompted remarks during the Public Comment period of the meeting that exemplified both the best and worst of Morro Bay.  We saw negativity from John Barta vs the positive attitude of a local business owner, Taylor Newton.

Nowhere in this ordinance does it mention trees on private property, but that did not stop Barta—in his most indignant tone—to declare that the city cannot prevent private property owners from planting what they want on their own premises. The fact that no one was even talking about anything but public right of way trees did not seem to compute in his complex mind.  He, apparently, belongs to the school of thought that if you make a statement with enough indignation, the sheep of the world will believe it is a fact. 

In contrast to "The Barta,"  Taylor Newton, a local landscaper and member of the Tree Committee, spoke rationally and explained what the goal of  this group is.  He stated that it was important to him to be "positive in this world we live in."  Amen!! We could use a few more minds like his in our fair city.

Since this was my first encounter with Taylor I visited the website for his business.  I was pleased to see that he is an intelligent, educated young man who is concerned about this fragile planet of ours. He doesn't do it for show in public places—he lives it. 

During the Council's discussion of this ordinance Councilperson Grantham woke up long enough to say in a tone that was even more aggrieved than Barta's that he was strongly against restricting what private property owners could plant on their land. When it was gently explained to him that this discussion was only about public right of way trees flashes of Glenn Beck momentarily seized my mind. He, apparently, didn't hear what was said or wanted to grandstand to compete with Barta's apparent faked outrage about a non-issue for he restated his objection to land owners being restricted. 

Isn't life complicated enough without making up issues to be outraged about. Let's be concerned about real issues that real people are facing. 

During this discussion of the tree ordinance  I again heard  the eucalyptus trees being maligned. The Blue Gum Eucalyptus has been completely eliminated from the list of public trees—even in open areas where they would cause minimal problems. In the past  I've heard them vilified by our Mayor,  Nancy Johnson (Planning Commission Chairman), and other residents of Morro Bay.  Personally, I'm still thrilled every time I drive to Montana de Oro and see the plantings of these magnificent creatures.

When I first moved here the Blue Gum Eucalyptus  in Morro Bay State Park were covered with the glorious  Monarch butterfly. Now there are few of these tall majestic trees left in the local park, resulting in very few seasonal visits from these creatures of beauty. You can find a few butterflies here and there on the trees near the golf course, but if you want to see an awe inspiring number of the seasonal monarch you now have to drive down to Pismo.

I know the excuse is used that they are non-native. So what. We should be honored that they flourish here and are such a wonderful habitat for local creatures.

The red flowering Eucalyptus tree is just as scorned.  I know that we are told they are messy.  Again, so what.  I have one on the corner of my lot and the mess is there, but it is a small price to pay for that beautiful red canopy.  I can lie in my bed and watch out my bedroom window as hummingbirds flit in and out. 

If a mess is a reason to cut a tree down, then back East there would be no more pines that drop their needles—or oaks, maples, etc  that drop their leaves each fall, resulting in hours of raking for their owners every year.  Some things of beauty that nature has graciously bestowed upon us are worth a bit of effort on our part.  You would be hard pressed to find any tree or flower that didn't create at least some problems.

September 27th

I have rarely, if ever, made anything but positive comments about the staff in my column.  I come from a workingman background and know how difficult many job situations are. However, I can't let something pass that has been an irritant for a number of years. 

During the Public Comment  section of this meeting, future Mayor (if God is angry at us) Yates announced how honored he was that the SEIU (the local union for Morro Bay employees that numbers 65) has endorsed him for Mayor.

I have never felt that public employees should endorse any candidate when all of us are paying their salaries.  Yes, as private citizens, each of them has the right to endorse and vote for their choice. If they want to return that portion of their salary commiserate when the percentage of us who will vote for candidate Winholtz, I might reconsider my position.

I pondered why they would be behind such a candidate who has demonstrated, in my opinion, his incompetence and arrogance in the past. Does he share his rumored stash with them? Has he invited them out to big bashes and turned on his charm. (So far such charm has eluded me). 

They have worked with both and know that Ms. Winholtz will hold them up to a higher standard.  Yates will be a good old boy and go along with their wishes. Again, all this is just a figment of my paranoid mind, but I'm going with it until someone tells me differently.

Also, when Yates  spoke during the Public Comment period he mentioned the trees that were recently cut down at both the library and recreation center by Mr. Woods and company. He actually hinted that Ms. Winholtz  was responsible for not doing a better job of protecting the trees. (I asked the editor of this journal if I could use the "A" word to refer to him and such a comment but she vetoed it.)

Mr. Woods, during the business section of the meeting, did address the cutting of so many trees at one time at the above-mentioned two locations. I was not satisfied with his answer and it seems he had the approval to go forward with his sweeping actions from no one.

Apparently Morro Bay is to receive 100 free trees and they will be planted at these two locations by volunteers on October 23rd, if I understood Mr. Smukler correctly.

Other business discussed was the current status of water usage, a facility fee waiver request by the AAUW and League of Women Voters for the upcoming candidates forum, and the acceptance of a grant from the nature conservancy to provide staff support for commercial fishing transitioning strategies and outreach. 

Our water supply is no longer restricted, but in November it will be again.  The fee waiver was denied and the grant was accepted.

There was a first reading of an ordinance to set up a procedure for designating some trees as Landmark Trees. Even this simple change had some residents; including The Barta, all in an uproar about possible phantom consequences. 

Who would have thought that trees could cause so much discontent with wars, genocide, floods, and threats of disease and pestilence so prevalent in many parts of the world.

The view from my couch is coming to an end. In fact, that particular couch is already in Santa Monica, where we are moving to be closer to our first grandchild, Nathaniel.  Since this column was my first attempt to write anything, except reports from my days as a psychologist and letters to friends and families, I want to thank those of you who enjoyed my observations and weird sense of humor.   I also want to thank Judy Sullivan, the creative force behind this much needed and successful journal.

Sandra Beebe

Sandra and Curt Beebe