On Sept 5, 2018, Surf Equity won the fight for inclusion, the fight for a multi-heat division and the fight for equal prize money across all World Surf League global events. In an email referring to Surf Equity’s advocacy work, Governor Newsom said: “I applaud the courage of the athletes and activist who fought for this victory, and I am hopeful that this will inspire the next generation — of daring athletes and activists with the audacity to challenge the status quo.” New York Times Magazine | Sunday, Feb 7, 2019
San Mateo County Harbor District
Monday, Feb. 16, 2015 - 7:00pm Half Moon Bay Yacht Club
Co-Chairs: Robert Bernardo and Sabrina Brennan
Goals of the Communication and Marketing Committee (CMC)
o Support civic participation
o Emphasize education and outreach
o Increase the availability of information about District activities
o Increase access to new technologies for openness and accountability
o Support the District mission, vision, core values and strategic goals
In 1992, Pietro Parravano, President of the Half Moon Bay Fisherman's Marketing Association, mailed a letter to LAFCo requesting dissolution of the San Mateo County Harbor District.
In 1998 SMC Harbor Commissioner Don Shearer, who served with Pietro Parravano as Vice President of the HMB Fisherman's Marketing Association, pleaded guilty for embezzlement. It was reported in the San Francisco Chronicle that President Parravano gave Don Shearer the stack of blank checks Shearer used for embezzling money from the HMB Fisherman's Marketing Association and the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations.
In 2012 Pietro Parravano's attempt at grant fraud from Bay Area Air Quality Management District was reported in the Half Moon Bay Review. A whistle-blower triggered an investigation by the Air Quality District and the $83,000. Carl Moyer Air Quality Grant from the state was rescinded.
Commissioner Brennan's comments on the FY 2014/2015 Final Budget:
The summary letter included with the FY 2014/2015 Final Budget paints a misleading and deceptive picture of the Harbor District's financial situation.
The letter implies that the District has $11.5 million free and clear without any outstanding obligations. This is simply not the case.
A structural operational deficit, continuing debt payments, emergency projects/repairs (such as the 2013 replacement of a leaky sewage pipe under Johnson Pier and the recent 2014 Pillar Point Harbor sewage spill/pipe repairs) and the ongoing need for capital projects puts the District in a severely constrained cash position beginning in the 2015/2016 Fiscal Year.
It's vital that the Strategic Business Plan address the structural deficit, and be complete by the beginning of the 2015/2016 budget cycle.
I'm voting NO on the the FY 14/15 budget because it reflects wishful thinking and does little to reduce spending.