Michael Zwerling
KSCO
Dear Mike,
I wish to correct some misinformation contained in Michael Olsen’s opinion piece about me and CAFA. This piece has appeared in a number of places and has for quite some time been posted on your KSCO website. Everyone has a right to an opinion, but when that opinion is based on misinformation, it has no substance. It’s even worse if the writer is a news person, because one of the first duties of a news person is to check the facts.
Olsen’s statement that “CAFA does not like these attractions” referring to the Fairgrounds hosting attractions throughout the year is factually incorrect. CAFA is a supporter of the Fairgrounds in many ways. CAFA members attend, sponsor, and donate to a multitude of events and activities at the Fairgrounds. At issue is the failure of the Fairgrounds to follow a Master Plan that they began to establish over a year ago. A Master Plan was to be set up to allow controlled development of the Fairgrounds. I think we would all agree that uncontrolled development of almost anything usually results in problems that are difficult to correct later.
Long before CAFA was formed, many members of the community approached the Fairgrounds management and Board of Directors with concerns and offers of input to the Master Planning process. Last year, Fairgrounds Management promised changes to the noise policy, having acknowledged it as inadequate and unenforceable. The community was promised a meeting with the Master Plan consultants (RCH Group) the Fairgrounds had hired. A finished Master Plan was promised in the near future. NONE of the promised actions came to be. Instead, the Fairgrounds started to add new events, one at a time, without the benefit of a plan, much less community input. Some of the new events included extremely loud attractions on days that used to be quiet. Some new events ignored sanitation and waterway requirements. We protested and even offered solutions.
CAFA was formed by a large diverse group of community citizens being repeatedly ignored by the cavalier State institution known as the 14th District Agricultural Association (Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds). After trying many times to help and have a say in the expansion plans, and after the Fairgrounds repeatedly broke its promises, CAFA sought legal counsel. The Fairgrounds approved a new event with a 35-day limit to challenge. CAFA was forced to sue or else lose the right to address potential problems posed by this new event as well as future new events.
The idea that CAFA’s lawsuit can cost the Fairgrounds its existence is supported only by the Fairgrounds’ refusal to work with the community that it exists to serve. Although a few concessions have been given to the community, there is much more to do and there is no written agreement that would keep these concessions in place.
Other factual errors in Michael Olson’s piece:
- 1. I did not “develop a mansion on Rancho Brazil Lane.” The Victorian farmhouse I live in was moved to its current location in pieces after falling victim to the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989. It was put back together by a contractor in 1994, then sold to another couple in 1998; we purchased the house in 2001.
- 2. I am not a “developer” (nor is CAFA associated with a developer). To use this lie to support an assertion about my “agenda” is misleading and inflammatory. Where (or why) did Mr. Olson come up with this lie?
- 3. To decry a citizen’s integrity by perceiving him/her as “rich” ignores the possibility that there is a real issue to be addressed here.
- 4. I invite Mr. Olson to bring a watermelon of his choice to see if he can toss it from our house to the closest Fairgrounds border. If he is successful, he would win the Guinness world record in many categories.
Bottom line, Olsen’s article uses falsehoods to support a predator/prey opinion, when in fact no such scenario exists. Presenting falsehoods brings into question a person’s credibility in other areas as well.
To continue to host Olsen’s piece does not speak well of KSCO’s journalistic integrity. I suggest that you remove it, or at least correct the falsehoods. Also, I request that in the future you and your staff take the time to check the facts before making potentially slanderous broadcasts and ads.
Sincerely,
Max Kelley
CAFA member
