From Calvert's lips (today) to...

1/7/08

4:51 p.m. today-Mon., Jan. 7 - 08, SC Community Center -

Congressman Calvert presented his State-of-the-State
(on shaky-ground) and his Capital POV (goes back to
DC aka work - next week), then he listened to SC's
village input = money for the Beach Trial, and parks, etc.

According to our porkly Congressman, anything "beach$$$"
is an easier "get" than parks$$$.
Great for "the Trail," but little or no DC-bacon for city parks.
Has all to do with Corp of Engineers and on-going beach
loss / coastal priority.

Lyn Hicks spoke to closer monitoring of SONGS disaster potential.

Another citizen (Talega res) spoke to the need for a more
comprehensive kid's-in-school evac-mechanism incase
SONGS ever plumes.

The concerned Talega-dad has actually read SONGS
evac-plan: brings evac-buses and drivers from MV - to here
for rescue when the big-boiler's alarms sound.

Calvert said he'd look into it, but thinks it's been recently
reviewed (It has. The SONGS folks think it's fine as is).

Councilman Noblock asked about water-desal here (hmm,
he asks about that a lot). Calvert said too expensive still.
Exactly double the cost of what our water is now per acre foot.
But the price is dropping as cheaper ways to de-salt ocean
water are researched.
Conservation, conservation, conservation - and holding on
to what we've got is the good congressman's recommend.

Then Noblock asked for a toll road update.

Calvert said it looks bleak, now with the Davis-Sanchez
amendment in-place (having passed) - and, that the
upcoming Feb Coastal Commission Hearing (SD) doesn't
look promising for TCA either - BUT,
like good soldiers the city shouldn't give up.

At that point I thought I was having a 6-years ago flashback
when "the don't give up" line was only coming from our side.
The worm turns.

Calvert said he'd go back to DC and keep the pressure on.

Ironical statement, early in the session:
Calvert applauded his sterling local eco-record in preserving
open-space. Mostly in Riverside and the Inland Empire
(San Onofre ain't open space?).

Really, he said that.

He also said, without the 241-ext, SC is screwed,
and that 80% of SC'ers want the road.
Both lies.

Proving - we don't have to watch TV political debates
to hear politicians leak their methane.

We can hear it here live.

Summation: Calvert's 08 outlook - bleak -
but with high hopes for 09.

Footnote: the fella sitting next to me whispered,
"Calvert sure doesn't look to be missing any meals."

I couldn't argue the point.

Onward to San Diego -

jc