September 2019 Edition

Edition 6, September 2019

In this 2019 sixth edition of Pacifica Voice:

  • A tribute to Nancy Morrison
  • Two Pacifica Social Justice Events: Lights For Liberty, and Close the Camps Protest
  • Thoughts on the 2019 San Mateo County Homeless Count
  • Failed court appearance for fraudulent petitioners
  • Mark Hubbell on gun control
  • Pacificans co authored immigration resolution

 

Pacifica Voice is eager to receive articles on issues important to our community. Please send them to pacificavoice@outlook.com for consideration.

Nancy E. Morrison, MSW, LCSW

2/14/47 – 8/13/19
Author: Peter Loeb
Nancy was born on Valentine’s Day in 1947 in St. Louis, Missouri and raised there. She received a BA from Grinnell College in Iowa and a Masters in Social Work from St. Louis University School of Social Service. She moved to San Francisco in 1975 with Peter Loeb, and later that year they settled in Pacifica where they lived for the past 44 years.

Nancy was a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and retired from her position as Mediator, San Mateo County Family Court Services after 20 years. Prior to that, she was Clinical Director, Family Service Agency of San Mateo County; Program Manager, Children’s Home Society of California; Residential Treatment Supervisor, Jewish Family and Children’s Services of San Francisco; Program Manager, San Francisco Head Start; Director of Research, St. Louis Drug Abuse Coordinating Council; Child Welfare Worker, St. Louis County Family Service Agency; Public Assistance Worker, St. Louis County Family Services.

Nancy was a member of Pacifica Resource Center Board of Directors, and member of Pacifica Social Justice, Pacifica Housing 4 All, and Pacifica Progressive Alliance. She was active in many Pacifica community groups and local political campaigns over the years, including Friends of Pacifica, the Community Organization of Watchdogs (COW), Pacificans for Highway 1 Alternatives, and others.

Nancy was loved by many, both human and animals. She cared for many feral cats, practicing trap, neuter, and release (TNR). She was predeceased by dogs Ruby, Begonia, Bernie, and Lucy and by cats too numerous to name. She is survived by her beloved dog Sadie and cats Beauregard, Bunty, and Dixie.

Nancy was preceded in death by parents Bert and Jane Morrison and by her brother Pete Morrison. She is survived by her husband Peter Loeb, sister Sally Riggs and her husband Tom, nieces Maddie Lee and Emily Riggs, brother Geoff Morrison and his wife Shelley, stepdaughter Lisa Loeb Stranga and her husband Pete and grandchildren Ben and Maggie, and stepson Jeff and his wife Cristen and grandchildren Cady, Connor, Caroline, and Cameron.

If a memorial is planned, it will be announced at a later time. Donations in Nancy Morrison’s memory may be made to Pacifica Resource Center or Pacificans Care.Nancy and Sadie

Lights For Liberty: a Perspective on Family and Community.
 Authors: members of Working Families Alliance of San Mateo

As light faded and darkness set in, the crowd lit candles which glowed in scattered points of light. Reverend Penny Nixon, Senior Pastor of the Congregational Church of San Mateo advised “Go forth in courage and let your light shine.” So concluded Redwood City’s participation in Lights For Liberty, a national movement to bring attention to and stand in opposition of the detention camps for immigrants.

July 11th and 12th found Peninsula cities including Half Moon Bay, Redwood City, and Pacifica gathering and sharing. The vigils, sponsored by dozens of faith, labor, immigrant justice, and community organizations, were in protest of inhumane and immoral treatment of immigrants and immigrant communities along the US border and across the country. We of Working Families Alliance believe that our community belongs to all who live in it, regardless of race, gender, economic status, sexual orientation, ability, and immigration status, and we echo voices in our community.

“I want a community that is both safe and a great place to raise my family”, a sentiment recently shared in Pacifica. A vision of community which is inclusive, secure, and provides for all its members is an ideal held by many; and certainly this vision is motivation for immigrants fleeing poverty and violence in search of another home to safely raise their children.

In Redwood City, a crowd gathered in front of the main library and grew in hundreds over the course of the evening. In attendance were several members of the City Council of Redwood City. Councilwoman Diana Reddy, a long-time volunteer with Faith in Action Bay Area, greeted the crowd. Clergy members Katie Goetz and Jorge Bautista told stories that upheld our sacred obligation to protect the welfare of innocent children. Two immigrant community members gave personal testimony of their journey to America, of the hundreds of miles of walking, and of the personal trauma endured in an effort to reach the safety of a promised land.

Representatives from the Office of Congresswoman Jackie Speier attended both the Redwood City and Half Moon Bay events. Brian Perkins spoke of the current Administration’s intentional cruelty and acknowledged horns from passing motorists saying they were the sounds of “real America”. Katrina Rilleven relayed a story of a young child separated by ICE because they couldn’t confirm a woman in attendance was really her mother. When the woman and child were reunited, all witnessed an undeniable deep emotional bond.

City council members in Half Moon Bay and Pacifica attended events. Deirdre Martin, with neighbors and friends gathered along Highway 1 in Pacifica, raised a simple sign, “I stand with immigrants.” Deborak Ruddock from Half Moon Bay recommended, “Speak up where you can…if you see something, you must say something.” Robert Brownstone also from Half Moon Bay said, “ It is wonderful to see a great portion of our city come together and stand up for each other.”

In Half Moon Bay, event organizers Alice Linsmeier and Kate Amoo-Gottfried reminded the city to support local immigrant families. Community organizations such as Pacifica Social Justice, Bay Area Faith In Action, Bay Area Border Relief, Pacifica Peace People, ALAS, San Mateo Rapid Response Network and the Immigration Advocacy Group – all organized, lent their voice, and gave recommendations of concrete actions to aid those in need. Monetary aid can be donated to Bay Area Border Relief and the Respite Center at the border. Volunteer opportunities to document ICE events, provide legal aid, or accompany immigrants are available with the Rapid Response Network in partnership with Faith In Action. The Immigration Advocacy Group also runs collection drives, and provides other services in support of local immigrants in Half Moon Bay. Contact information follows.

 

Blue Murov, member of Pacifica Social Justice and one of Pacifica’s event planners said, “People really want to do something about this horrible situation.” Ellen Hage of Faith In Action, stood to “bear witness” and support her brothers and sisters who seek both refuge and a better life. Core community beliefs in fairness, justice, and protection – these beliefs stand in stark contrast to the current Administration’s actions at our borders.

The Working Families Alliance of San Mateo, an advocacy group with aspirations of a just society, believes that no human being is illegal, and that this dehumanizing language contributes to discrimination and risk of harm. Everyone in our community should be able to live, work, and attend school free from fear. Full inclusion of immigrants, documented and undocumented, makes a community stronger…and creates that place where families and all who live here can thrive.

Working Families Alliance contact: WFASanMateo@gmail.org

Circle of Light

Day of Action: San Mateo County’s Protest of Immigration Camps
Author: Deeg Gold

Pacifican Art Sato pictured.

On behalf of Pacifica Social Justice, I want to thank our co-sponsors and all of you for coming, particularly on this day when the U.S. government just announced that they would now incarcerate children crossing the border indefinitely, in violation of the court agreement. End the Camps NOW!

Why are we having a San Mateo day here at the SF office of ICE? Well, this office is often the first place our friends, family members, neighbors and co-workers are brought when ICE decides whether to shred their lives.

San Mateo County has one of the fastest growing immigrant populations in the US and in California. Almost 800,000 people live in San Mateo county and 35 percent are immigrants, compared to 39 percent in Santa Clara and 36% in San Francisco. Of the over 270,000 immigrants in our county, about half are U.S. citizens. The rest remain at risk of ICE actions.

Both Santa Clara and San Francisco counties have sanctuary policies that prohibit local police and sheriffs from acting as agents of ICE. The 2017 California Values Act (SB 54), the sanctuary state law, prohibits police and sheriffs from most forms of cooperation with ICE. But there are many exceptions, where local governments can choose whether to cooperate with ICE. Local police agencies have to report to the state department of justice when they transfer people to ICE under one of SB 54’s exceptions. In 2018, our two neighboring counties reported no transfers to ICE. But San Mateo County reported that they had turned 51 of our neighbors over to ICE. According to the Sheriff’s statistics, between January and October 2018, ICE was let into the jails 36 times.

Last year, the San Mateo County Sheriff participated in Operation Stonegarden, a program that “supports enhanced cooperation and coordination among Customs and Border Protection (CBP), United States Border Patrol (USBP), and … local, law enforcement agencies.”

Pacifica Social Justice was formed in January 2017, and we participate in the San Mateo Rapid Response network, which is coordinated by Faith in Action Bay Area. Our first project was to get a Sanctuary Ordinance for Pacifica. A strong ordinance was passed and became law in October 2017.

In the past few years under pressure from immigration activists, San Mateo county government has taken some steps to support immigrants, most recently by providing over $750,000 to fund attorneys for deportation defense. But San Mateo has to do more – San Mateo must follow the examples of our neighbors to the North and South, and not permit ICE into the jails. San Mateo must stop using loopholes in SB 54. Mutual aid agreements may bring officers from other cities and the county into any community. For everyone’s safety, every city and the county sheriff must adopt strong sanctuary and use of force policies. Sarah from Advancing Justice will be speaking in a few minutes about their current campaign to get Daly City to adopt a strong sanctuary policy

We in PSJ are clear that the essential problems of ICE and Border Protection are national, and are not solved by even the strongest of sanctuary laws. The attacks on immigrants, whether by white supremacists directly shooting people in El Paso, or by vigilante border patrols, or by the racist rhetoric and policies from the white house, the refusal of the U.S. government to recognize its responsibilities under national and international law to provide asylum, these are the big problems. But as we work to address the national and international racist policies and the U.S. responsibility for many of the conditions that have forced so many people to leave their homes and countries, we must on the local level, dig in our heels and refuse cooperation at every turn, whether its supporting AB 32 to end private prisons, or AB 392, just signed by the governor to change the law about police use of force, or demanding strong local and state sanctuary policies.

In San Mateo, we say Abolish ICE, NO to camps, NO to raids, No to detentions and No to deportations.

San Mateo County 2019 Homeless Count
Author: Jack Coots, Editor

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone in Pacifica has safe, affordable housing? Pacifica is seeking solutions.

The County of San Mateo Human Services Agency (HSA) released the 2019 One Day Homeless Count and Survey last month. San Mateo’s homeless numbers increased about 20%, but the increase is “primarily driven by a significant increase in the number of people living in RVs (127% increase)” as compared to 2017. According to the count, 55% of the county’s homeless live in RVs, and an additional 20% reside in cars. The count is generally accepted as an undercount of the actual number of homeless individuals.

The huge jump in homeless residing in mobile homes is spurring an additional survey of this population by the county. The Center of Homelessness has been tasked by the HSA to complete this survey possibly by the end of October. It is unclear how soon the data will be available, but the information will be helpful as communities seek solutions to this regional issue.

Pacifica’s 2019 count of 116 was fairly stable as compared to 2017 at 112, but Pacificans have noticed an increase of mobile homes on city streets. In February, the Pacifica Resource Center conducted a weekend survey of the mobile home unhoused, and Anita Rees shared those results with City Council on 2/11/19:

  • all those surveyed were employed,
  • 8 out of 11 were over age 50, with one over age 70,
  • 9 out of 11 called Pacifica their home and had strong ties to our town,
  • the single greatest cause of their homelessness was high cost of housing with 50% reporting they were forced out of prior housing in Pacifica due to increased rents or no-fault evictions.

 

The growing gap between median wages and cost of housing are putting tremendous strain on families, the elderly, the disabled, and people of color. Approximately 1 in 10 Pacifica households have a median income under $25,000 annually, and approximately 46% of families in Pacifica could be eligible for subsidies. Those aged over 50 are the largest growing number of homeless in our county.

Recognizing the urgency of this issue, Pacifica’s City Council and the Pacifica Resource Center have brought a diverse-group of Pacificans together to research Pacifica’s “Unhoused” and present potential solutions. The UP (Unhoused Pacificans) Task Force has recently met and will be sharing information on their planned effort soon.

Everyone in Pacifica will benefit from stable housing. We await recommendations locally and county-wide on how best to achieve this all-important goal.

Alleged Fraudulent Petitioners Failed to Appear: Bail Bonds Forfeited and Warrants Issued. FPPC Continues Investigation of Missing Campaign Records.
 Author: Pacifica Voice Editors

On 7/22/19, Bradley and Jentry Jasperson failed to appear in San Mateo County Superior Court for jury trial related to multiple felony charges in a Pacifica petition drive. Felony charges included signing of fictitious or forged names, perjury, and identity theft. Bail bonds totaling $50,000 each were forfeited. The San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that the Jaspersons are currently in custody in Nevada, Jentry on unknown charges and Bradley for robbery and possession of controlled substances. The DA’s Office expects to extradite them after they serve time in Nevada. The DA hopes to prosecute them together for charges in our county. It is likely to be over a year before their extradition.

The Jaspersons had previously pleaded not guilty to 30 felony charges related to activities in a petition drive while in the employ of Griffiths Olson Consulting Firm. The Jaspersons were hired to gather signatures to defeat Pacifica City Council Ordinance 814, a temporary moratorium on no-fault evictions and high rent increases before Measure C, the November 2017 ballot measure for fair rents.

On the status of a separate investigation, California’s Fair Political Practices Commission continues to look into missing campaign records for the petition drive. Pacificans still don’t know how much outside money was spent to defeat Ordinance 814; but the California Apartment Association, in their 5/18/17 newsletter, identified they contributed resources.

Loss of Ordinance 814 had grave consequences for Pacifica: rents increased 50% or greater resulting in displacement. We continue to seek accountability for these likely illegal actions.

Thoughts On Gun Control
Author: Mark Hubbell

Here in America, our debate over guns does not measure up to the horror of the crimes. When shootings happen, we point to the Second Amendment, then blame ourselves. If the response were to become a national obligation to, on every instance, recite a list of all current and former politicians, judges, and advocates who voted against, ruled against, or spoke against sound gun safety policy, this carnage could be radically reduced. Putting a human face on enablers next to their victims would become their legacy. Although our First amendment allows for and encourages this, those with the power to wield it won’t.

Pacificans Coauthor an Immigration-Related Resolution
Author: Dan Stegink

Elected California Democratic Party AD22 Delegates Victoria Sanchez De Alba and Dan Stegink, both of Pacifica, have co authored a second national immigration-related resolution seeking to alleviate many of the injustices and abuses seen recently at the US Border, extending both Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA ) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) protections while reuniting asylum-seeking families through the traditional immigration process.

In mid July this year, “Resolution Encouraging 2020 US Presidential Candidates to Prioritize Comprehensive Immigration Reform in Their First 100 Days Plan” passed a unanimous delegate vote of Region 6, which includes San Francisco and San Mateo Counties.

 

Mori Point, Pacifica