HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/7/2020 Item 08, Lucas
From:wcwlucas@aol.com
Sent: 28 AM
To:E-mail Council Website
Cc:jamesralphpapp@hotmail.com
Subject:James Papp and The Cultural Heritage Committee
Dear Council and Mayor Harmon,
I am deeply disturbed by the issue before you re: the termination of Dr. James Papp from Cultural Heritage Committee, and ask that
you instead to stand by one who has been an ardent and vocal defender of the historical bones of this city.
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His is a driving passion for historic preservation. As a member of yak titu titu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash Tribe San Luis Obispo
County and Region, I have worked with Dr. Papp on a number of projects, even calling upon him to be present in a few meetings, as I
knew he would be a strong advocate for telling the truth. And at times in very difficult situations.
He has been critical in helping us navigate through some pretty complicated waters the past several years, whether it be bureaucratic
issues or trying to understand how the realities of our history can be valued through the lens of today.
He has always demonstrated great respect and integrity- and a willingness to go the extra mile with a project. One crucial role he
played was in the saving of the remaining small part of the tiłhini Aqueduct. When a Tribal monitor called him around 7AM to report that
a bulldozer was about to destroy it, James threw his pants on over his pajamas and ran down there to help stop this illegal activity. His
intervention made all the difference - we all know the adage, “it’s easier to ask for forgiveness...” when something unredeemable or
irreplaceable is about to happen. Such it was with this precious vestige of our history, and thereby the history of this community.
His strong commitment to do the right thing is sadly something one rarely witnesses.
His extremely impressive knowledge base and continual quest to dig deep into unanswered questions of the past as well as its impact
on the future is to be admired, not silenced. You would be hard-pressed to replace what he brings to the discussion. He does the
heavy work of seeking out the facts that are often not sought out.
His is an important voice that needs to be heard. He champions issues that often have no other champion, especially when those are
stories of the past, when folks are sorely in need of education. His efforts have all been about defending the truth of the past.
Don’t be afraid of healthy debate.
Don’t measure his worth by how uncomfortable he makes a developer feel with his questions, especially if it makes you feel
uncomfortable. We should be valuing the questioner, one that champions the rich and historic past that is so very present here.
The world needs more ferocious defenders- our community needs more ferocious defenders of the past, telling the truth of history, in
order to make good decisions for the future.
If the goal is to protect and have representation for our cultural heritage, then we need to protect and defend one whose voice has a
proven record.
I respectfully and strongly ask you not to terminate Dr. James Papp from this position.
Thank you,
Wendy Lucas
Board Vice President, yttyt Kinship Preservation
yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini – Northern Chumash Tribe
San Luis Obispo County and Region
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