HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/16/2018 Item 9, Small (2)
From:Camille Small <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Item 9
Dear Mayor and Council,
Because I am not fond of rhetoric, I wish to present the following
to point out the fallacy in its use to attempt to prove a point
and to support an ill-advised program.
This was written by Mayor Harmon:
Someone reminded me of this quote recently. “We cannot win this battle
to save species and environments without forging an emotional bond
between ourselves and nature as well – for we will not fight to save
what we do not love” – Stephen Jay Gould (Renown American geologist
and evolutionary biologist and popular-science author).
Response from C. Small
Yes! Then you understand that we are fighting to save what we love! Thousands feel this
way and hundreds of them have signed a petition. Will your vote demonstrate love?
Written by H Harmon:
I love this premise and believe whole heartedly that people
won't protect what they don't love, and they don't love what
they don't know.
Response by C Small:
You, Dan and Aaron choose to not protect the animals
currently granted their use of their habitats after sunset.
This logic, if applied, would mean you must not
"know them/love them" if you choose to not understand their
life rhythm and "protect them".
Circadian rhythms are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a daily cycle. They
respond primarily to light and darkness in an organism's environment. ...Circadian
rhythms are found in most living things, including animals, plants, and many tiny microbes.
H Harmon wrote:
By offering our residents a new window to cultivate love for our lands,
I believe we have an opportunity to increase our collective commitment to protecting these
places we treasure.
C Small:
I am sorry--but a "new window"? Do you mean after dark is the
"new window"? Not much of nature can be seen then. Hikers tell me how
uncomfortable (uneasy about being hit) they are with mountain bikers during the day so
night would not be the time to enhance their part in the 'collective commitment'.
H Harmon:
It is up to us to build the next generation of stewards. And this is
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only done by giving all of the people of San Luis Obispo equal opportunity to fall in love
with nature and our open spaces.
C Small:
ALL the people of San Luis Obispo DO HAVE an equal opportunity
to fall in love with nature and our open spaces.
They have every daylight hour of every week day and every weekend day... of every week...
of every month... all year long.
Harmon:
... "up to us to build the next generation of stewards".
Small:
In going forward in the way you have chosen, the next generation is being taught to fight
for personal 'wants', to ignore any regulations written by more experienced and wiser
stewards with much more love--and protection-- of nature.
This proposal will demonstrate that those who lobby, plead or coerce may be catered to. It
shows young and old alike how some in government condone lobbying. The Bicycle
Coalition and other bike enthusiasts are a special interest group. Some think the Bike
Coalition voted Dan R. into office. I think that is a slight exaggeration. Of course they
campaigned for him and of course they voted for him. However, Dan was given his win by
running with two seasoned politicians who were endorsed by The Tribune! Understandable
how votes were gained.
We will continue to advocate for residents and neighborhoods and nature, knowing there
are actually many more of us out here than there are members of the Bike Coalition, so we
await the next election.
The majority of residents do not respect the proposed program
even when is is called "small" "just 3 hours" or "just a "pilot".
Logical thinkers ask why a "pilot program" is any less
unreasonable than the unreasonable program for which it is a pilot.
Intelligent thinkers know it is manipulative.
Cogent thinkers are aware night use by mountain bikers
is about having fun, not about nature.
The Chamber thinks about tourists.
Residents think a City Council should represent the
majority of the population.
I think it is unfortunate we have been given another worry!
Camille
Request for understanding: Mountain bikers should think about the negative attention
being drawn to them. They are not personally disliked. (Yes, I know some). I can assure
them it is only their sport...
at this venue ...in the dark.. that is being discussed at this time.
Thank You.
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Request for clarification: When questioning the hours of use set at 'Parks', the Council
might point out the difference between a "park" and
a "Natural Reserve". Thank you.
I require no written acknowledgement of my submission
Thank You.
Camille
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