In my opinion the CCCI issue goes far beyond zoning and environmental violations. The underlying problem is a matter of concern for all citizens. It involves the Board of Supervisors and the Departments of Building and Planning, Environmental Health and Air Quality.
It calls into question representation by the Supervisors. Do they represent people or industry? Do they offer more respect to corporations than citizens? Do they 'listen' to the public when their decisions are already made? If their handling of CCCI is any indication, we the voting, tax-paying people of Mendocino County are on our own.
I can't think of the Departments of Building and Planning, Environmental Health and Air Quality in regard to the CCCI issue, without seeing the image of the three monkeys: hear no evil, see no evil and speak no evil. If only they were that innocent. These departments have practiced selective and uneven enforcement of state and county regulations in regard to CCCI. These same departments have a reputation for making citizens dance the bureaucratic boog-a-loo complete with fines for any misstep. In the case of CCCI where they found repeated violations, some serious enough to revoke their use permit, they wrote warnings. Who do these people work for? I thought their mission was the health and safety of the community, not aiding and abetting corporations.
What you can do
In a quest for truth and justice I would like to hear of citizens' experiences with the supervisors and these county departments. Write to me c/o MEC.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 1998
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