[CRNMC] Report from the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors mtg 08/12/2014

[bodhirobin at pacific.net]

Report from the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors meeting 08/12/2014

They brought up their proposal for an anti-fracking ordinance and opened
it up to public comment.  I was the only person from CRNMC so I asked, “Is
this a competing ordinance?  I thought you voted unanimously last week to
put Measure S on the November ballot.  Why are we putting 2 competing
ordinances on the November ballot?”

Barry Vogel is in favor of the anti-fracking ordinance based on Butte
County written by interim County Counsel Doug Losak because it is
straightforward and will hold up to constitutional scrutiny.  It can also
be passed right here and now by the Board of Supervisors rather than wait
for November.  He said the CRNMC initiative, Measure S, is fatally flawed
because it has multiple issues and is unconstitutional.

Carre Brown wants to wait on the BOS anti-fracking ordinance until after
November when the People have spoken on Measure S.  She said that while
gathering signatures, the CRNMC deceived the People by making it about
anti-fracking.

John McCowen made it clear that they voted unanimously for Measure S just
because it was their duty to confirm the pubic signatures, but he first
wanted a report on its legality.  He agrees that they should wait until
after the November election before moving their ordinance forward.  If
Measure S passes, it would supersede this BOS anti-fracking ordinance.

John Pinches agrees to wait until after the November election for this
ordinance.  Let the People make their statement, and then, if Measure S
fails to pass, then move ahead with this one.

Dan Hamburg is in favor of the BOS ordinance because it distinguishes the
“good” fracking (steam) from the “bad” (chemical hydrocarbon) fracking. 
And it will stand up to constitutional muster.  He wants it in place now
to fall back upon in case Measure S doesn’t pass in Nov.
He disagrees about the deceit from the CRNMC because they were
straightforward about asserting community rights over corporate rights.

Dan Gjerde moved to pass it now.  Lost 2:3.  Result: No action taken on
the BOS's anti-fracking measure.