I voted last week by mail-in ballot and phoned the department of elections

today. Yes, my vote has been counted. 

Fingers are crossed and will follow the results closely all day.

–Doug Kern

While you were away, Speaker Pelosi introduced H. R. 6305 (enter bill number) to the House of Representatives on June 19, 2008. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Natural Resources. On June 25, 2008 the bill was referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands. As of this posting the bill does not appear to have been calendared for discussion. 

I had heard that the Golden Gate National Recreation Area wanted to change its name to Golden Gate National Parks. This has been floating around for some time. Sec. 2 of this bill does deal with that change. 

In addition, there are items in the bill that modify the current version of the Presidio Trust Act.  Sec. 3, “Presidio Trust Technical Corrections,”

• “…the Trust shall provide interpretive services, visitor orientation and educational programs within the Presidio.” 
• Building 102 will no longer be the visitor center. Another site will be selected.
• Funding for law enforcement will be appropriated rather than paid for out of Presidio Trust proceeds.
• The Trust will no longer lease properties to tenants that contribute to the general objectives of the General Management Plan for the Presidio, but rather lease properties that contribute to the Presidio Trust Management Plan and “tenants that provide high quality public programming.”
• The Presidio will no longer revert back to the General Services Administration if it does not meet financial goals.

A new Sec. 108 creates a twelve person advisory task force to “provide expertise and advice to the Board of Directors regarding the preservation and reuse of Fort Scott.” The 12 members are nominated by the Chairman of the Presidio Trust, and appointed by a majority vote of the Trust Board. The Task Force will serve for two years.

–Doug Kern

Now, I’m reading the Main Post SEIS and all the other supporting documents. More to come on that subject.

Meanwhile, the 4th of July is an important day for all of us to celebrate what it means to be Americans. If you haven’t been all that happy with the government, then get involved and participate. Vote. And celebrate the diversity….

America the Beautiful

The Star Spangled Banner

– Doug Kern

No one is his right mind would have started off on this errand knowing the difficulty.  And so, beginning anew with year 15, it is fitting to step off into the unknown, fresh, with the wind at my back, ready to take the plunge again, just like the Fool.

What can this place, the Presidio, be?  How will it turn out?  We’ll try to answer these and other key questions about this important natural and cultural treasure in the days to come.  Come on along and enjoy the journey.

– Doug Kern

– Doug Kern