Wow!
That is what I have to say. In just three days, we doubled from 1,700 petition signers to over 3,400. This is remarkable, and my sincere thanks to all of you who have signed and spread the word. Strength in numbers!
Key developments:
- The fence wasn’t an official agenda item for the 10/15/2020 NCTD board meeting, so it couldn’t be officially discussed, but they did receive over 130 written comments opposing the fence and three verbal messages played at the beginning of the meeting. The board is now fully aware of the intense public opposition.
- Diagrams released from the NCTD show that much of the fence would be constructed not right next to the tracks, but along the edge of Seagrove Park (where many weddings occur) and the street ends, dramatically increasing the fence visibility and destruction of views.
- They are also considering adding surveillance cameras, motion detector lights, and a motion-activated audio warning system that could be used to yell at those who would cross the tracks. They actually want to spend taxpayer money on this.
- We have received favorable press coverage from the LA Times and KUSI News: https://www.kusi.com/del-mar-residents-fight-plan-to-fence-off-train-tracks-blocking-coastal-access/
- The California Coastal Commission issued a scathing condemnation as well: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/communities/north-county/oceanside/story/2020-10-24/state-agency-opposes-transit
The next NCTD board meeting is on 11/19/2020. It is my goal to get this fence proposal as a discussion item on that agenda and force a vote on the issue. In this way, we can single out and isolate the tiny number of individuals responsible for pursuing such a terrible and ill-conceived proposal.
As an alternative to concerns about safety and liability, I've been promoting a collaborative public awareness campaign, which could be a low-cost, effective, and win-win solution for all sides.
2020 has been a crazy and stressful year for so many of us—across the City, the county, the country, and the world. The bluffs, the beach, and the ocean remain a vital source of relief from it all. Broad and free access is the right of all Californians and all those who live in or visit Del Mar.
Continue to spread the word! Strength in numbers!
Dan
p.s. If you like my advocacy and approach on this issue, please consider voting for me for Del Mar City Council for the November 3 vote! If you don’t live or vote in Del Mar, please recommend me to your friends and family that do!
danquirkdelmar2020.com