Mariposans for the Environment and Responsible Government
Has Served Mariposa for Over Two Decades
Bart Brown Steps Down as Chairman
Our longtime chairman, Dr. Bart Brown, was forced by illness to step down from his post late last year. He is recovering well and continues to share his wisdom with MERG in his new position of Chairman Emeritus. Bart has a truly extraordinary record of accomplishment with MERG and through his efforts he has established a high standard for the future efforts of the organization. Bart devoted an extraordinary amount of time and energy to MERG and it will be impossible to replace him. His vision has made Mariposa County a much better place to live, not only for us, but for future residents of this beautiful area.
MERG Purpose, Principles and Values
We have done some serious thinking about MERG and why we are here. The outcome of this can be summed up in a statement of our purpose, our principles and our values.
MERG seeks to seriously study the pros and cons of important county issues and present them to county officials and residents so that they can make informed decisions about the future of Mariposa County.
Purpose: Our purpose is to inform the public and decision makers about responsible government, land use and environmental issues so that the best choices can be made for a sustainable high quality of life for present and future Mariposans as change comes to our community. Along with many other Sierra counties, our environment and our economy are intimately linked.
Principles: The underlying principles of MERG are to inform and educate the community as to issues that affect our environment, to conduct scientific and legal research within our capabilities in furtherance of our education and information mission, and to observe and report on local government issues, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Values: Sparking debate and community action through respectful and honest presentation of fact; educating the public with integrity and respect for all opinions; and, seeking commonality and coalitions with other groups to solve community issues
Focus for 2010
- Carrying Out Community Education/Information about General Plan Implementation and Area Planning
- Providing Public Input on Land Use and Environmental Issues
- Encouraging Responsible Government and Leadership
New MERG Website
In the past year, we have completely reworked our web site (www.merg-mariposa.org). The new design makes it very easy to navigate and learn about our history, contemporary events, important issues, and what we are doing about the future. It lists our directors, areas of focus, much local information, links to other relevant sites, and how to contact us. We hope that you will visit the site, see what it has to offer, and provide us with your feedback.
Victory in Legal Battle with the NPS
September 2009 saw the conclusion of our almost ten year struggle with the National Park Service over the inadequacies of the Merced Wild and Scenic River Plan and the Yosemite Valley Plan. The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed lower court rulings in our favor and required the NPS to properly plan for the future of both the Yosemite Valley and the Merced River. It was a tedious, expensive, and time consuming effort to achieve that victory. With our colleagues in Friends of Yosemite Valley we were able to prevail against big government, entrenched commercial interests, and large and powerful alleged “environmental” and “conservation” organizations that were following their own sometimes hidden agendas. Many members of MERG supported this undertaking and you should all be very proud and pleased. MERG board members are now engaging with the Yosemite National Park staff in what we hope will be a fruitful joint undertaking to protect those most valuable resources and implement truly effective plans that are soundly based in science. We expect this renewed planning process to take approximately three years.
Integrated Regional Water Management Planning
Mariposa IRWMP continues to work with DWR, Madera and Merced IRWMP planners to move toward a collaborative if not a Central California IRWMP, encompassing the three counties. State funding issues slowed this process during 2009. We look toward resolution in 2010.
Initiative to Educate/Inform the Community
After almost $2 million and six years of work by County staff, the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors, the 2006 General Plan Update remains unfinished and unimplemented. The delays have impaired the ability of the County to move ahead with a plan described by the Sierra Nevada Alliance as the “best in the Sierra.” The timeframe for area planning continues to be rolled forward, there are no impact fees yet in place, the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances are, as yet, inconsistent. These delays are forcing many other laudable implementation measures to also roll forward.
From MERG’s vantage point, the key to priority-setting by the County is an educated and informed citizenry. For that reason, MERG will spend much of 2010 seeking to inform and educate citizens groups, advisory committees, public officials, and individuals interested in area planning on the legal and practical facets of General Plan Implementation.
In the fall of 2009 in an effort to address this needed community education, MERG sought grant funds from the Tides Foundation California Wildlands Grassroots Fund to help with the cost of this effort. A grant in the amount of $4,000 was awarded in February 2010.
The MERG Board worked with Planning staff to assure that the information included in the presentation is accurate and fair. The slideshow to be used has been presented to individual members of the Board of Supervisors for input, and has been presented publicly at a recent Planning Commission meeting. When the Planning Commission asked Planning Director Kris Schenk his reaction to this initiative, Mr. Schenk kindly responded that “when anyone wants to put Planning as an issue, front and center, for discussion … that is a good thing.” The presentation was provided to the Midpines Community Planning Advisory Committee in December, 2009.
Funding Support for Legal Technical Advice on Land Use Issues
MERG Board is of the opinion that Mariposa County is in the crosshairs of development interests willing to change Mariposa’s quality of life without regard for the County General Plan and community planning process. Compelled by significant recent challenges to the Catheys Valley Community MERG has retained a respected environmental law firm. MERG retained Shute, Mihally & Weinberger, San Francisco (SMW), to provide legal technical support on issues ranging from the supplemental EIR for the Catheys Valley Community Plan to providing input on county practice related to issuing certificates of compliance on historical parcels.
In the fall of 2009, MERG sought $5,000 in grant funding from the Rose Foundation Grassroots Fund. This grant supplemented the $1,000 in local fund-raising by Friends of Community Planning. The legal services provided by SMW have been excellent, and some of our work could not have been carried out effectively without that support.
Responsible Government
Those MERG members focusing on responsible government have and will continue to provide input to the County Board of Supervisors in various areas related to governmental processes. Our priorities in this area include: Civility, Transparency, Responsiveness, Equity, Economy, Efficiency, and Effectiveness.
MERG believes that responsible government requires active informed citizens willing to routinely engage in civil discourse on public policy.
2009 Visitors
To better understand County issues, MERG seeks insight from individuals, public servants and private citizens alike, with knowledge and expertise in specific areas.
During 2009 MERG was fortunate to host visits from a number of knowledgeable people including:
County staff: Rick Peresan, County Information Technology; Brad Aborn, then Chair of the Board of Supervisors; Steve Dahlem, County Counsel; Brian Muller, Sheriff; Fred Lustenberger, former Building Director; Lyle Turpin, North County Supervisor; Charles Mosher, Public Health Officer; Mary Hodson, Assistant County Administrative Officer; Bob Brown, District Attorney; and, Kevin Cann, District 4 Supervisor.
Citizens: Jeff Gabe provided periodic updates on the FERC process; Don Fox, Chair of Midpines Community Planning Advisory Committee & John Schroeder, former Midpines Community Planning Advisory Committee member provided perspective on the challenges of community planning.
Recognition from Chamber of Commerce
On the 16th of April, 2009, recognition was presented to MERG by the Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce. A Certificate of Recognition from the California State Legislature, signed by Senator Dave Cogdill and Assemblymember Tom Berryhill was presented in honor of MERG’s “Outstanding Community Service 2008.” In a letter presented on the same date from Congressman George Radanovich, the congressman wrote: “This great honor is a tribute both to your past accomplishments and to the potential identified in you for even greater things in the future. I applaud you for your achievements and I am confident that you will continue to be a source of inspiration to members of our community.” Thank you Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce for this recognition!
Joan Conlan – In Memoriam
MERG Board member, Joan Conlan, lost her battle with cancer on April 3, 2009.
Her character and perspective were invaluable in keeping MERG focused, with the right attitude and purpose, on the right issues. She served on the MERG Board from 2003 to 2009.
Her presence is missed.
Other Changes
Bart Brown, Chair Emeritus
John Brady, Chair
Ruth Shane, Treasurer
Board Members
John Brady, Chair
Rita Kidd
Tony Kidd
Mike McCreary
Len McKenzie
Shirley Schmelzer
Ruth Shane
Jim Spotts
Bart Brown, Chair Emeritus
Advisory Board
Members
Sylvia Boyd
Trudy Williams
Sharon Dickinson
P.O. Box 2121
Mariposa, CA 95338
April 2010
Dear Friends,
Welcome to our third decade! We invite you to renew or initiate a new Associate Membership in MERG with a contribution. We appreciate your support this year as MERG continues its community education/information work related to General Plan implementation, area planning, providing public input on land use and environmental issues, while providing on-going support for good County governance, transparency and responsible financial management
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This year’s newsletter shows the many changes that MERG has undergone during 2009. As you see in the newsletter there are a number of issues important to Mariposa County, which will take our time, money and energy in the coming year. We will continue to champion for the land use and governance issues that our membership and supporters believe in. We have heard the message that the broader community continues to expect a high quality of life in Mariposa County. MERG’s role is to offer information about challenges faced in maintaining our “rural character” while continuing to research, educate, inform and encourage responsible smart growth.
Thank you for your continuing support of MERG.
The MERG Board
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All 2010 contributions are tax deductible and can be made by snail mail using this form.
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Our mailing lists are confidential.
For further information about MERG, visit:
http://www.merg-mariposa.or
MERG
PO Box 2121
Mariposa, CA 95338
