RUTH MARTIN, San Clemente
Ms. Ward’s guest opinion article was quite interesting. I do not have a law degree, so I will not comment on Ms. Ward’s opinion of what constitutes a win or loss of the lawsuits that have been filed against the city.
However, I am fairly well-versed in California Civil Code 3480, which provides that all residents have an equal quality of life. Thus, I was taken aback by Ms. Ward’s comment that “I was elected by you to follow the General Plan.”
The plan protects residents’ “quality of life.” Her article implies that she has been an advocate for equal quality of life for San Clemente residents.
Residents who live near San Gorgonio Park have endured anything but an equal quality of life. Due to the city’s management of the park, residents suffer from light pollution, noise pollution and unsafe traffic conditions.
For months, residents have submitted videos, photos, letters and appeared before the council asking that the council require city staff to resolve these issues, citing Civil Code 3480.
To date, Ms. Ward is the only councilmember who has failed to acknowledge that residents surrounding San Gorgonio Park do not have the same quality of life as the rest of the city.
Mayor James, Mayor Pro Tem Duncan, Councilmember Ferguson and Councilmember Knoblock have all stated in council meetings that what is occurring at the park does adversely affect this neighborhood.
Ms. Ward has stated that she supports adding many more amenities to San Gorgonio Park, which will increase the light pollution, noise pollution and unsafe traffic.
According to Ms. Ward, the San Clemente General Plan protects residents’ quality of life. Well, so does California Civil Code 3480. Neither allows city staff or elected officials to protect some and not others.
Ms. Ward, please take the lead and demand staff comply and protect all residents’ quality of life. Any staff who refuses to prioritize this should not be employed in San Clemente. Any elected official who refuses to prioritize this should not be reelected.
