I was raised to believe historic preservation is a form of cultural preservation. Reminders from the past become teachers of sorts, offering lessons of where we came from and how we lived. I also believe historic preservation is a form of environmental conservation.
My parents, lifelong readers, taught me to look for lessons in the wisdom of others and the value of things best left alone. History buffs, they also encouraged my appreciation for cool old buildings. As an environmental advocate,
it was easy to recognize the link between historic conservation and ecological restoration.
In the upcoming election, decisions will be made regarding many issues, some big, some small, all important to the quality of life of Southern Californians, regardless of their intellect, age, race or political orientation.
Animal cruelty is on the ballot, as are civil rights, environmental restraint, energy innovation, ecological efficiency and a sand tax. Candidates of every imaginable perspective, seeking offices at every level of government, are also on the ballot. Federal, state, municipal and local elections are
studies of conflict between the need for change and the safety of the failing status quo.
Representational democracy is what brings all these things together, just as history is the tether that gives it all meaning. Knowing where we came from is as important as knowing where you’re going, as is an appreciation of how they are connected.
In the October 1978
edition of American Preservation, Jane Holtz Kay wrote: “Historic preservationists must make common cause with general environmentalists if we are to save the cultural as well as the physical environment — both as integral parts of our rich heritage. Such collaboration, hopefully wise, but necessarily aggressive, will do much constructively to influence our civilization for the future.”
In the spirit of Jane Holtz Kay’s call for common cause, this seasoned environmentalist has found an unexpected ally in the fight for environmental conservation, and historic preservation of the oldest building in Encinitas, in a school board race.
Maureen Muir is running for one of two open seats on the governing board of the Encinitas Union School District. This is important because the governing board of the Encinitas Union School District is currently pursuing an agenda of overdevelopment and historic eradication of a prime piece of Encinitas history. Maureen Muir is challenging the status quo, which is currently seeking short-term profit using shortsighted perspective.
Muir has stated she is not in favor of trading the Pacific View Elementary School grounds to a developer for high-density development. The other two candidates are actively advocating for the redevelopment of Pacific View Elementary School.
As a historic preservationist and environmental realist, I believe it is in the best interest of everyone who values education, and the wisdom of restraint in trying economic times, to support the candidacy of Maureen Muir and her efforts to bring much-needed balance to the governing board of Encinitas Union School District.
A vote for Maureen Muir is a vote for historic preservation.
A vote for historic preservation is a vote for environmental conservation.
Thank you for voting.
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7 comments
I’m voting for Bob Nanninga because he is a consistant voice for Historic preservation and environmental conservation.
Central Dad and others,
My goal was clearly stated. I am attempting to preserve the historic Pacific View school site, and will seek any legal avenue to do so.
Personally I would rather the city trade the 2.8 acre school site for 9 city owned acres on Quail Gardens Drive. There by avoiding the Naylor Act altogether, as well as a prolonged struggle.
I mean no disrespect to anyone. I merely exercised my first amendment rights in order to advocate for what is clearly a minority opinion.
Divirsity of opinion is a good thing. As it encourages dialouge, and hopefully deeper insight.
For the record, I will vote for Carol Skiljan and Maureen Muir.
As an educator in EUSD, and someone who attended the League of Women Voter’s meeting only to find that Mo Muir couldn’t make an appearance, I don’t think she is a serious candidate for the school board. In an article written in the San Diego Union newspaper, she says she “has fresh ideas” and that she “loves the Encintas schools.” The article did not give us any insight as to her fresh ideas, and she sent her child to TIP Academy for two years before settling on Mission Estancia, not her neighborhood school. Why should I or anyone else believe that Ms Muir is sincere in her desire to be a board member? As a former TIP parent who still supports the possibility of another charter school in Encinitas, why am I thinking this is her real agenda for running for the board?
Mr. Nanninga, are you so into the coast that you forget there is an Encinitas east of I5? I applaud the district for trying to be innovative, entrepreneurial and still be sensitive to the needs and desires of the neighbors of the Pacific View School site. Since school districts don’t often have land available to use in an entrepreneurial way, this practice is not common, at least not in Encinitas. One thing school districts need more of in my opinion, is this shot of entrepreneurship, that we might not have to depend on the state exclusively for funding. I view this approach as forward-thinking and visionary.
Wow, Bob, you are way off the mark on this one. I’ve been reading your column for many years and believe you and I are on the same page in regards to world view, with this exception. This EUSD School Board election is, to the parents of students with kids in the school district, about so much more than the Pacific View property. I am confident the Board and the community will reach a mutually beneficial agreement. To say ‘a vote for Maureen Muir is a vote for historic preservation’ is like saying ‘a vote for (insert Presidential candidate name here) is a vote for clean streets’. Muir’s seeming lack of accessibility, with her only few quotes available to the public being about Pacific View and her advocacy of charter schools, doesn’t show signs of leadership or willingness to look at options. We all have friends around the Pacific View property and want their quality of life to remain as good or better than it currently is in regards to the property. I hope you aren’t just using this as a lightning rod issue to gain ground in this election. I’d vote for you on your banning of plastic bags in Encinitas alone!
At a time when school districts are struggling to reduce their budgets it would be irresponsible for EUSD not to use all of its assets to maintain the high level of education that they currently provide. Besides being an historic site PV is also a very valuable asset which the District should use appropriately.
Perhaps, Mr. Nanninga, you could convince the City of Encinitas to purchase the site and keep it as a historic park. That certainly seems like something a city could do.
The School District can’t afford to be an historic philanthropist.
Mo failed to attend the PTA/League of Women Voters Candidate Forum on October 7. She supported the Hazeltons and their fast and loose oversight of TIP charter school funds.
My understanding of Pacific View is that EUSD has worked to be a good neighbor while also doing what is best for the children. Pacific View should be treated with care and community responsibility.
Carol Skiljan’s experience and Mary Page’s intelligence and understanding of law and school finance issues qualify them as a better choice for Encinitas School Board.
A vote for Mo is a vote for someone that can’t show up for a public forum to state her views, goals, objectives to a room of Encinitas residents. A vote for Mo is a vote for someone who says “I’m excited about school…I love the school district” yet doesn’t even send her own children to her neighborhood school. I can’t vote for someone who is on ther THIRD run for a school board position yet I still don’t know what she stands for.
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