Hello Voters!
I’m a fourth generation Californian, my great grandparents were married in Grace Cathedral in San Francisco in 1872. Though I have lived and worked in many places, San Mateo County has been my home for the past 26 years. What’s most important to me is insuring that we have a safe and beautiful place to live and work, so we are able to nurture and educate ourselves to care for each other and the world around us.
The best way to build respect and appreciation of our natural environment is to experience it. That’s why I want to protect public access to our shorelines and harbors. I want the public to be able to visit the coast and harbors, to see a spectacular sunset, to feel the chill and mystery of fog, to hear the ding-ding-ding and flapping of rigging, ropes and sails in the wind, to walk, jog, bike, surf, swim, fish, paddle, sail, watch whales and seals and enjoy local seafood in fresh air and clean water. I want families to be able to safely introduce their children to our natural world.
When COVID-19 restrictions lift we will be able to move more freely; for now please follow the state and county guidelines, wear masks and practice physical distancing outside your immediate family group.
I have great respect for commercial fishing families; the Harbor Commission can make their risky work a bit easier by renovating Johnson Pier at Pillar Point Harbor. The Pier was build in the early 1960’s and does not meet current water quality and safety standards. Pier runoff and waste must be diverted into the sewer system, not the harbor. A renovation that includes more designated space for off-loading fish is long overdue.
I support Bay Trail improvements at Oyster Point Marina and expanding Bay Ferry service.
The Harbor Commission receives regular reports on water quality from San Mateo County Health Environmental Services, the Surfrider Foundation and Heal the Bay, and must to be more active in searching for ways to improve water cleanliness at Pillar Point Harbor by controlling storm water runoff and water circulation. Beaches at the Harbor are currently listed as some of the most polluted in California. The District must educate and energize the public to help curb pet waste, plastic and petroleum pollution in our Bay and Ocean.
Surfer’s Beach is a magnet for residents and visitors. I support improved facilities including restrooms, outdoor showers, a pet watering/waste station and recycling bins with frequent servicing. Roadside-parking and pedestrians crossing Highway 1 is dangerous and results in traffic backups and accidents. I support working collaboratively with state and local agencies to construct parking on the East side of Highway 1 and a safe highway crossing solution.
Transparency is essential. Citizen participation in the current Zoom meeting process and in-person meetings when possible, can be increased by publicizing meetings through local media and on-line platforms in English, Spanish and multiple Asian languages and by encouraging public comment. Email comments could be read aloud if a member of the public is not able to join/attend a meeting. Public comment and informed discussion among the Commissioners during meetings is imperative. Reinstating an evening meeting time would encourage the working public and students to participate.
The Harbor District can increase recognition and inclusion of our multi-ethnic community by providing educational, interpretive and safety signage in English Spanish and Asian languages.
Our ocean and bay coastlines are precious, let’s enjoy, utilize and protect them.
I would be honored to have your vote.
Thank you, Lee Fernandez
