Who will choose whom?

In the May 3 Cambrian and in May 7 San Luis Obispo Tribune articles appeared stating that our Cambria Community Services District board wants to open a few lots to development and added that an “ad hoc committee on alternative water sources” would be selected. This raises several important questions, a significant one being: HOW will an ad hoc committee on alternative water sources” be selected?

Will they be hand picked by board members who have already shown (over 20 years) that they desire a desalination facility to the exclusion of other water alternatives? Mr. MacKinnon has already stated publicly that he wants only “team players” working on and with the CCSD board. This became clear when he discussed which of the candidates for the recently vacated board seat should be selected. The CCSD Board seems to have a penchant for unanimity rather than for representation of the various views of Cambrians.

Steve Figler

Cambria

Thanks for the decades

This will not be the typical “thank you” letter to the editor that we submit following a Friends of the Cambria Library book sale. We would prefer, at this time, to remind the public of the 21 years of book sales that the Friends have sponsored in which the community has participated. The sales started out once a year, then twice, moved to three sales and now we hold four events a year.

Over the years, the funds from book sales purchased the first public computer in our library system (MAC). All the proceeds have gone to supplementing the county funds to purchase general supplies, special unique books and replacement items the county does not provide.

The monies also fund special BBC DVDs and art videos. The Friends also supplement the summer reading programs with rewards given to different age groups upon completion of chosen categories.

Each year $3,500 goes to materials, new edition books for rental, DVDs, and this year a new white board for library announcements. The funds go to landscaping/maintenance of the old and new buildings. Monies have also gone to purchasing furniture, tables and chairs for the existing library. We hope to reach 80 percent of $1.4 million for the new library by this June. At that time the construction drawings will begin for the interior. Please help us to complete one of Cambria’s most recent additions to the town. Let’s make the dream come true for those who have spent many years fundraising and give the community a truly beautiful place to gather.

Thanks to everyone who has, over the past 21 years, purchased books, magazines, helped organize book sales, made cookies and drinks for Hospitality Night and a special thanks to Joen the librarian and Destiny, Erin and April, her assistants, who keep the library running smoothly.

Thanks to the many Friends who have worked on floats, marched in Labor Day parades, or volunteered many hours in various jobs at the library on a weekly basis. We could not have done this without the entire village. Thanks, Cambria.

Teri Lord

Cambria

They got game

While I was preparing to leave my aerospace job after 30 years, my work mates asked what my plans were for the first day of retirement. I told them I was going to a baseball game. The Dodgers? No, Coast Union High School.

I have been to a fair share of Dodgers and Angels games through the years, but hyperbole aside, I cannot remember a game more entertaining then the varsity playing Coastal Christian on May 1. Amongst all the action and scoring, the game had the feel of a chess match between the two coaching staffs. There was a lot of smartness out on the field that day.

Even though the opponent was the underdog, CC played with every intention of winning. CUHS had its hands full through most of the game.

I know blowouts do occur, but I'm wondering if this varsity squad, along with the other sports programs at Coast Union, maintain such a high degree of entertainment throughout the year. If so, you should get out there and see them in person. It was a real treat.

Randy Schwalbe

Cambria

Franklin’s invention

In 1731, Benjamin Franklin, concerned that books were only available to the very wealthy, brought together a group of 50 members to form a library. Each member invested 40 shillings to start the library and promised to invest 10 shilling more every year to buy additional books and maintain the library.

It is largely due to the efforts of those 50 that we have access to libraries today. And, when you think about it, libraries are one of the few things in the world that give everyone, rich and poor, old and young, a chance to improve themselves.

Cambria may not be home to Benjamin Franklin, but we are lucky to have a group of wonderfully dedicated people involved with the Friends of the Cambria Library. Are you aware that there are 4,800 cardholders in Cambria! That is about 75 percent of the residents! Think about it — if each cardholder donated just $30, work could begin on the new library tomorrow! That is only $2.50 a month!

And about 100,000 items are checked out of our little library every year. Just think how much money could be raised if every cardholder dropped a dollar in the donation jar each time they checked an item out.

As Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” If any community can build a new library, Cambria can! What do you say?

Sue Robinson

Cambria

Harpainter ill

Longtime Cambria artist and our close friend, Ted Harpainter, has fallen ill in Berkeley, where he has been living the last four years. Anyone wishing to send him a note of well wishes may mail it to: Ted Harpainter, c/o Mark Harpainter, 1809 Grant St., Berkeley CA 94703.

Jim and Susan Glitch

Cambria