We wanted to provide all the Friends of Westpoint Harbor with a BCDC Enforcement Hearing Update. The hearing was held in San Francisco yesterday, January 18, 2018. First, thank you to all who attended and especially to those who spoke on behalf of Westpoint Harbor! We had more than 50 people in attendance and over 20 people spoke during the public comment section. At first, the Enforcement Committee was not going to hear any input from the public! They opened the Westpoint Harbor agenda item by stating that they were no longer considering any changes of the initial Cease and Desist order they approved on November 16. The BCDC had drafted and published for comment an amended order a week ago. It was an agenda item for consideration at today’s meeting with an invitation for public comment. However, in a closed session they decided to reverse course and just send the original Cease and Desist order to the full BCDC Board for approval without further public comment. One can guess why the outrageous and confusing approach was taken by the Enforcement Committee. We think perhaps the new order was a reaction after the major loss by the BCDC in the Buckler Island case in late December. You may recall in that case, the judge ruled that the BCDC Staff were “vindictive” and had no facts to back-up ANY claims. The auditorium came alive with our supporters rightfully outraged. Chaos unfolded while the Enforcement Commissioners and their lawyers tried to decide on the fly what to do next. This was certainly not following any rules of order for public meetings and perhaps showed how really poorly run this entire organization is. The entire meeting was video recorded and we will share highlights of the meeting along with speaker comments with you soon. No written summary can describe adequately what happened. While chaotic, in the end, the BCDC Staff showed their true colors and they were not Red White and Blue! The Enforcement Committee relented and, while not changing their vote on the order, did allow a very passionate room full of Westpoint Harbor supporters the opportunity to speak. We also showed a one minute video of Westpoint Harbor. Check it out on our site as it really captures the essence of Westpoint Harbor. In closing, the Enforcement Committee affirmed the original Cease and Desist order and recommend it be taken up by the full BCDC Commissioners. We will keep you posted on that meeting date, but it may be as early as February 1. At that time, the full BCDC will consider the Cease and Desist Order, so we will want to be there in force to make our points again. Three Westpoint Harbor supporters stayed to attend the regular full BCDC Board meeting that followed the Enforcement Committee meeting. Out team made comments about the community concerns and frustrations with the BCDC staff actions. We invited all of the Board Members to visit Westpoint Harbor soon. Some seemed interested. We asked again for an independent mediator to be appointed. We also offered to meet. We will continue political outreach and media updates. In fact, be sure you see the article published this morning by the San Mateo Journal. One key BCDC Board member, Kevin Mullin, who represents the Westpoint Harbor area is quoted extensively and he is showing he is at least aware and concerned. Meanwhile, please keep up the great work getting out the word to your networks! Share with everyone both this BCDC Enforcement Hearing Update and the petition we’ll be sending soon requesting an investigation of the Westpoint Harbor case! We are at over 3,300 signatures at https://www.change.org/p/westpoint-harbor so far and growing. We also appreciate the ideas and comments you are making. You are making a difference! Visit our site here https://friendsofwestpointharbor.org/2018/01/19/bcdc-enforcement-hearing-update/ for this update with links to supporting visual media and news articles.