|
Yellow paintbrushes and stagnation?
My friend Herbie, the political consultant, is a fountain of practical
vote-getting advice. The other day we were discussing ballot measures, and
how to persuade voters to vote your way when they might just as easily vote
the other way or not at all.
First, Herbie says, if you've a truly valuable local measure, one that's a
real asset to your community, just use the facts. For example, if a Yes
vote will bring the benefits that come with new housing, folks are helped.
Just mention that. Remember if you're going to give away some land for open
space, mention that. If you're going to donate to the people of the city
land worth hundreds of thousands, or even millions of dollars so the city
can build a library, mention that. If you'll be creating a new town center
in the town's population center, just mention that. In other words, if a
Yes vote on your measure will be of major benefit to the community, just
talk about those benefits.
"But Herbie", I said, "Suppose you oppose the measure, and don't want the
voters to realize what a great asset your new town center will be? Suppose
you want to distract them from that great new library site? Suppose you
want them to be skeptical about that generous gift of open space? Suppose
you just want to stop any progress in its tracks?"
Herbie's a pragmatist. He's been known to argue both sides of any given
issue. "No problem," Herbie responded. "Just paint up a bunch of bright
yellow and red plywood sheets. Use vague, meaningless words like 'Don't Buy
the Lie' and 'It's a Bad Plan.' 'Lie' is a powerful word. Even when your
argument's full of holes (actually that wasn't the word Herbie used, but
this is a family newspaper) it can do the job for you."
I was thinking of Herbie the other day, as I observed how the campaign
against Measure E is going. If I'm any judge, E will be defeated soundly.
All the quarry plan has going for it is that it's a great idea, and will be
a great asset to Pacifica. That isn't nearly enough to dissuade the
naysayers, who don't want Measure E, or Trammell-Crow to succeed. Actually,
I couldn't care less myself if Trammell Crow succeeds or fails. I don't own
any TC stock, nor have I ever met any of their people. But I do know a lot
of folks in Pacifica, people on both sides of the issue. The truth is, I
even like some of those opposing Measure E, probably even some with yellow
and red paint on their hands.
I even admire some who signed arguments against the measure. Dorothy
Edminster, for one. Eulalia Halloran and Ron Maykel are civic assets in
many ways. That they're completely wrong this time around should not
distract from an appreciation of their past accomplishments, nor any they
may make for this city in the future.
The folks opposing Measure E have no idea what to do with the quarry land,
except perhaps let it sit there uselessly gathering windblown trash, a
liability rather than an asset, a drain on the community instead of a
wonderful benefit. The quarry is one of California's oldest industrial
sites. It was being mined for limestone when the Declaration of
Independence was signed 3000 miles away. It's time we built a town center.
It's time a couple hundred more families were allowed to achieve their
dream of home ownership within the boundaries of Pacifica. It's time the
naysayers put away their yellow paintbrushes.
Paul Azevedo has been sharing his opinions with Pacifica's
readers since 1975 in his "Reactor" column. Once in awhile, someone
disagrees, and e mails him at Paul@thereactor.net to say so.
|
