[CRNMC] (CRNMC) latest ordinance, 4/25/14

[karinajoy]

Attached is the latest version of the ordinance. Only sec.4(a) has been changed. 

It was resubmitted friday. While we wait for the county counsel to resubmit the title and summary (which will probably be the same), we can be preparing our flyers and other media announcements, etc.





For those who aren't familiar with why we changed sec.4a, it started with an email from Norman deVall, saying we needed to amend the ordinance to state the kind of "offense."  Barry Vogel had already, several times, made the point that the enforcement clause was inadequate. When Shannon heard it again from Norm, she asked for more info. Charles Wood concurred that the way it was worded, a judge could fine a fracking company $1/day, if he wanted.

This made some of us realize that the ordinance basically contained no real punishment, and thus no deterrence. If the fine is small enough, then it's just another cost of doing business. What is the point of passing an ordinance that we couldn't enforce? This was an emergency situation. 

Of the people who responded to this emergency call, 73% agreed we needed to change it. Only 2 people said no. The core committee agreed to let Barry, Charles, Ben and I move forward with the language changes and resubmit as quickly as possible.

I wish we'd taken Barry's warning seriously a month ago. But better now than a year from now, as we watch the fracking of our county and can do nothing about it. I wish we had had more time to discuss this change and work with the wording.

But let's all remember that decisions are made by those who show up - whether it's to a meeting, a phone conference, an email discussion or the voting booth. Only those who show up can cast a vote. That is how democracy works.

So now we wait.  All the next steps (petition, filing form 410, opening a bank account, publishing an announcement in the Ukiah Daiily Journal) are ready to go. The county counsel has 15 days to respond, but he could turn it around quickly, if he chooses to. Let's put this time to good use and pray (or whatever) for a quick turnaround.

In service, 
Karina


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