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Re: “Water and sewer rate hikes pass in Cambria despite public opposition”
On the subject of spending money irresponsibly: The documents so carelessly prepared were the work product of Bartle & Wells, represented by Alex Handlers, which was paid $27,000, and reviewed by District Counsel Tim Carmel, who is paid a monthly retainer of $11,000. Other well-compensated district employees also overlooked the errors that were pointed out during the meeting.
Re: “Playing with water”
Good summary of Cambria’s water situation. The community has been maneuvered into millions of dollars of debt for this Emergency Water Supply Project, which the district now hesitates even to attempt to operate. Burdened with debt, the district is financially unable to address deferred maintenance on rusted water pipes that frequently burst and aging sewer plant problems. After all this, Cambria faces the same inadequate water situation that has dogged the community for years. Cambria’s elected leaders and employees need to come to terms with the limits of local resources and commit to living within our water supply.
Re: “Cambria health care district weighs vaccine mandate for staff”
Of course healthcare employees must be vaccinated. Thanks to Montalvo for speaking up.
Re: “Cambria vs. reality”
Thank you, Andrew, for this clear analysis. As one frustrated Coastal Commission member said at the November meeting, “These people [referring to Cambria board and staff] are not telling the truth.”
Re: “Cambria's advanced water treatment facility gets a new name, but the project's future use is still debated”
Put that cost at, conservatively, more than $18 million, as compiled by CSD Board Memeber and former Board President Harry Farmer. The project -- that "thing"-- has spent Cambria into a deep hole of debt. Including interest, Cambria still owes more than $9 million. The Wastewater Treatment Plant needs millions in updating and the rusted out water system springs constant leaks. No money to pay for those fixes, with over $1 million a year going to the Emergency Water Supply Project, which still isn't working. The Coastal Development Permit application was submitted -- after seven years -- only 13 percent complete. None of the documents required by the county to complete it has been submitted since the first application was submitted, July 2020.
Re: “Cambria's ongoing cost”
The EWS does not have the required Coastal Development Permit to operate. Although the CSD has had seven years to write the application, the material they submitted to the county last July was only 13 percent of what's required. The county told them what else would be needed. The district has not submitted any additional information since then. Check out the progress of the permit at https://energov.sloplanning.org/EnerGov_Pr… . I think the District doesn't want any scrutiny from engineers on the project. It can't do what they claim, and they'd rather postpone operating it and proving that it's a failure.
Re: “The real story about Cambria's water facility”
Allowing more new houses to be constructed based on the idea that the expensive water this facility may produce will be enough to serve them, the current residents, tourists and support the natural landscape and wildlife, as Tom Gray and Dave Pierson advocate, assumes that it can produce that much water. At any price. It can't. And that ignores the issues of fire protection, ability to evacuate in the event of fire. Cambria is struggling to pay for needed improvements to its wastewater treatment plant, because the community ignored it over the years in favor of this EWS. The community wants a skate park. Cambria can't afford it, because it's spending over $1 million this year alone on the facility. Which isn't producing any water. The idea of adding new water users is irresponsible. Cambria hired Paavo Ogren as its advisor on the permit, and he advised against trying to get the plant permitted for new users. The district ignored his advice.
Re: “Quilters: A Musical by Molly Newman and Barbara Damashek”
Terrific performances, wonderful singing -- and beautiful quilts. Don't miss it.