Proposition 3
Voters in Pacific Palisades should pay close attention to Proposition 3, a statewide water bond on the November ballot.
Southern California is completely dependent on a clean, safe and reliable water supply. We live in a state prone to drought, wildfire and floods and our water supply must be managed properly to meet these challenges. Our state’s economy and population continue to grow, as do the water needs of urban and rural communities, agricultural and fish and wildlife. General obligation water bonds are the traditional way of financing water infrastructure throughout the state.
Hundreds of thousands of people in California don’t have a safe drinking water supply. Proposition 3 includes $750 million to help solve these problems. Proposition 3 is estimated to provide enough water to meet the water needs of more than three million families in California.
Proposition 3 also makes key investments in the mountain watersheds that are the source of our water. Fire is transforming our watersheds, degrading water quality and reducing available water supply. Proposition 3 devotes more than two billion dollars to restoring those landscape, and improving water quality and quantity. Funds will be used to reduce fire danger and to repair fire-damaged watersheds.
Proposition 3 will repair failing surface and underground water storage and conveyance facilities. It develops new water through such proven methods as recycling of wastewater for irrigation and industry, desalting, capture of stormwater and water conservation. Funding for fish and wildlife habitat protection and restoration is included as well.
Other programs in Proposition 3 include urban stream restoration, river parkways, and improvement of water quality in local rivers, streams and coastal waters. Proposition 3 will prepare us for the next inevitable drought by improving the reliability of our local water supplies and giving local water providers the flexibility to deal with changing water supply conditions.
Proposition 3 includes $175 million for the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, restoring local watersheds and improving public recreation opportunities and water quality right in our backyard in the Santa Monica Mountains.
California’s state credit rating has vastly improved since the recession, the state has a large budget surplus and only a few bond acts have been presented to the voters in recent years. Proposition 3 does not raise taxes.
Proposition 3 is a chance to improve the reliability of our community’s water supply, and enjoy higher quality water in our rivers, streams and ocean, but is not without controversy. Learn more at waterbond.org.
Matteo Crow
‘Steadfast’ Revisited
Context is everything. I found the original guest editorial to be a thoughtful critique of “Steadfast,” whereas the two rebuttals missed the point—and in one case, engaged in red-baiting. Seriously? In 2018? Oh right. I forgot.
Well, as a natural born citizen and 26-year resident of the Palisades who is not, and never has been, a member of the Communist Party, permit me to add some local context.
First: There was a community here long before there was a new shopping development. Whatever one thinks of “The Village” inside the existing village, adding a statue of an overweight dude saluting the flag and calling it “Steadfast” is, whether intended or not, a provocative political act akin to adding the Ten Commandments to a courthouse lawn, and no one should be surprised that some find it inappropriate.
Unlike the current occupant of the Oval Office, I believe in separation of church and state, and also separation of personal profit and patriotism. Had this been erected in another era, then maybe this wouldn’t stand out as much. Add to that the fake controversy stirred up by our Fearful Leader about standing for the national anthem and you have a toxic context.
Perhaps it’s bad timing rather than an overt political statement, but it sends the wrong message at the wrong time. True, maybe a woman or a Native American or a family group or a dolphin would have been more appropriate.
Personally, I think it’s ugly and in the way. Why not have some open space? The walkways are narrow enough as it is. And by the way: I don’t need a flag lapel pin, pledge of allegiance or hand-on-heart statue to remind me I’m a proud American.
P.S. I too like Sinatra music as much as the next person, but not piped at me relentlessly. Please turn off the steadfast muzak.
William Morgan
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