S - The Spectrum Magazine - Redwood City's Monthly Magazine ...

REDWOOD CITY’S MONTHLY MAGAZINE
S
FRIENDS OF REDWOOD CITY: “MOVE TO THE
NUISANCE” OR AN AMAZING GROUP OF CITIZENS?
Valerie Harris, Special to The Spectrum
In 1982, the Redwood City City Council
approved a development project for Bair Island.
A grassroots citizen organization opposing any
development, called Friends of Redwood City
(FORWC), prepared a referendum. They gathered
the required number of signatures, placed Measure
“O” on the ballot and campaigned for its passage. On
Election Day, most Measure “O” advocates went to
bed acquiescing defeat. The next morning, Measure
“O” had won by 42 votes. A recount cemented the
win by a margin of 40 votes. The win was the first
referendum in this city’s history. The win was tight,
but it exhibited democracy in action. This was a clear
message from the voters: Leave Bair Island alone!
Today, that Measure “O” victory evolved into the
Bair Island National Wildlife Refuge. Redwood City
partnered with the National Wildlife Refuge System,
together with the Fish and Wildlife Service and
community groups, to restore the tidal marshes and
wetlands, allowing the natural habitat to flourish in
that region. Proper care and stewardship will lead to
many years of enjoyment and education not only for
the children of Redwood City, but for people of all
ages in the San Francisco Bay Area.
FORWC maintains that what makes this area so
desirable and so unique is the expansive bay. Almost
85 percent of the bay has been developed — calling
to mind the lyrics of Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow
Taxi”: “They paved paradise and put up a parkin’
lot.” The asset that initially drew many to the Bay
Area has slowly become inaccessible and disrupted
from its original pristine state. The collective mindset
of these citizens asks, “Will future generations
ever see glimpses of the bay as it once existed?”
These citizens banded together to ensure that as far
as Bair Island was concerned, the answer would be
“yes.”
Jump ahead 22 years to 2004. Once again, the City
Council approved rezoning to allow residential
development, along with 17 high-rise towers. The
plan outlined Marina Shores Village, a billion-dollar
development with 1,930 housing units, a series of
canals and marinas, restaurants, shops and parks.
FORWC quickly rebanded to create a referendum.
After the high-rise development approval by the City
Council, FORWC had 30 days to gather close to
5,000 signatures of local voters. They gave up their
evenings, weekends and any other available free time
to gather signatures. They infiltrated the farmers
market, grocery stores, malls and schools, but hit the
jackpot during the Fourth of July downtown parade.
This referendum eventually became Measure “Q.” A
“yes” vote on Measure “Q” would favor development.
FORWC championed the No on Q vote.
FORWC is an amazing group of citizens from all
walks of life.
Peggy Bruggman, an attorney at Oracle, has lived in
Redwood City for 25 years. She worked on airport
noise control, participated in her neighborhood association
and was an early member of the No on Q
movement.
Dr. Lynne Trulio is a professor of environmental
studies at San Jose State University and lead engineer
on the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration
Project. She moved to Redwood City three years ago.
Kathleen Wade, a former schoolteacher, retired in
1980. She has lived in the area for over 50 years,
with the last 24 in Redwood City. She has always
been involved in conservation and with projects such
as the preservation of Corkscrew Slough.
Dr. Ralph Nobles, a retired research physicist, spent
(continued on page 6)
5
ARE TRACKERS CLEARING THE WAY FOR A DEVELOPMENT?
WWW.SPECTRUMMAGAZINE.NET