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

Peter Grenell

A “deficit” is spending more than you bring in


June 18, 2014 Harbor District meeting, Agenda Item 7

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.

Harbor signs new contract with divisive manager

Half Moon Bay Review  .  Mark Noack  .  June 18, 2014

Divisive Harbor District manager Peter Grenell.jpg

What's up with Fish Buying Fees?

On April 21, 2014, I requested the 2013 Fish Buying Fee data. I wanted to review fee revenue collected monthly under the new 2012 Fish Buying lease agreements. 2013 was the first full year fish buying fees were required under the new lease agreements.  

On May 21, 2014, I received the Harbor District's fourth revised spreadsheet of 2013 Fish Buying fees collected.  After receiving so much inconsistent information I'm not sure if I'm being provided with accurate data.  Also, the fish buying fees collected (as noted in the most recent version of the District's spreadsheet) do not match the Fish & Game catch data.  It appears the District has been significantly underpaid.  I wonder why fish buying fees have not been collected accurately and why management did not alert the board about the problem?

On June 11, 2014 I received  the Harbor District's fifth revised spreadsheet of 2013 Fish Buying fees collected and April/May 2014 fee worksheets.

May 21, 2014 8:35:21am (from HR)

Fish Buying Fee data from Harbor District management  →

May 19, 2014 12:18:22pm (from GM)  

Fish Buying Fee worksheets →

May 19, 2014 11:02am (from HR)

Fish Buying Fee data from Harbor District management →

May 19, 2014 8:42:44am (from HR)

"One change, it should read Pillar Point Fishery, not Pillar Point Seafood."

April 22, 2014 4:06:30pm (from HR)

Fish Buying Fee data from Harbor District management →

June 11, 2014 3:25:28pm (from HR) 

Fish Buying Fee data from Harbor District management →

Fish Buying Fee worksheets →

Fishermen Unite Against Harbor Management

At the May 21, 2014 Harbor District meeting commercial fishermen from Pillar Point Harbor waited three hours outside the South San Francisco City Council chambers while San Mateo County Harbor Commissioners met in closed session. 

After waiting four hours Commercial Fishermen Steve Fitz was called for public comment. As Captain Fitz approached the podium to address the Commission the clock struck ten and Commissioner Tucker said, "meeting over." Before President Robert Bernardo adjured the meeting Commissioner Tucker got out of his chair, interrupted public comment, and announced an abrupt end to the meeting.

I responded by requesting that President Bernardo allow Captain Steve Fitz to address the board. The meeting was extended a few minutes and Captain Fitz read a letter from the HMB Seafood Marketing Association.

Letter from HMB Seafood Marketing Association →

Two articles published about the letter

Daily Journal - Samantha Weigel

Harbor improvement grant lacks fishermen support: Frustration boiling over about Pillar Point Harbor control, district decision-making

Half Moon Bay Review - Mark Noack

Harbor bid for grant money spurs mutiny

Fishermen waited for hours while Harbor Commissioners met in closed session

Commercial Fishermen Steve Fitz standing at the podium in South San Francisco

Video: Steve Fitz addressing the Harbor Commission on Aug. 7, 2013 & May 21, 2014