Argument Against Measure H

ARGUMENT AGAINST MEASURE H

• Having a beautiful beach as a centerpiece of our community is both a blessing and a responsibility. It is a beautiful place to sun, walk, play, rest, and reflect. But it sometimes brings typical public-area problems such as trash, drug and alcohol abuse, and fires.

• Mostly, the negatives are caused by people looking to "party,” not by campers, strollers or surfers. Most beach goers, including campers, are responsible citizens. Singling out campers for exclusion is unfair and won’t result in a significant reduction in beach problems. The existing weekend camping ban appropriately and effectively addresses the camper-specific problems of long-term habitation and excessive camping on summer weekends.

• A new and more restrictive beach ordinance will punish responsible locals and visitors without solving beach problems. Laws against these abuses already exist. They are not always enforced, because the Sheriff's Department does not always have the staff to do so.

• We as a community can and have already made progress on the problems through beach entryway beautification and regular trash removal, and we can do a lot more along these positive lines. Public education, stewardship, and citizen vigilance will evoke respect from beach visitors, while repressive laws will generate antagonism.

• Do not be seduced into believing that, by checking yes on the total camping ban, you'll be making our beach more hospitable: you may be making it less so – especially to responsible citizens wanting to sleep under the stars next to the rolling surf. Vote NO on a total camping ban on our beautiful Bolinas Beach. It does not deal with the real issues.

        Don Smith
        Vic Amoroso
        Magi Barror
        Don Deane
        Judy Molyneux