Dear Editor,It is unfortunate Ms. Apcar was not in attendance at the Board of Supervisors meeting referenced in her disparaging remarks of Supervisor Long. Those of us in the audience of that meeting were disturbed by Supervisor Smallcombe's concerted effort to "push the item" of the sale of the County's 7.6 acres until she had a majority agreement. After much discussion four of the Supervisors rejected the sale of the land, based on unknown future demands from the State regarding the Dump.
When the request from the Biomass Project to buy County land came before the BOS it was the third time the discussion regarding the Project had been added to the agenda by Supervisor Smallcombe. Supervisor Smallcombe has stated she and her husband have been working on the project since 2013.
During public input, I questioned why Supervisor Smallcombe had not reccused herself as Supervisor Long had during the Mining and CUP determination? She stated she didn't have to as she had no monies invested in it!
As to the County's rejection, the property owners of the adjacent property have offered to meet with the Biomass proponents to discuss their site needs. (Zoning is another hurdle. That land is not zoned for Heavy Industry)!
What all the Proponents of the Biomass Project must accept is that it is a PRIVATE ENTERPRISE!
It is not a Mariposa County Project! It is no doubt a worthy endeavor but it is PRIVATE INDUSTRY!
Supervisor Long was not in error of his remark regarding Supervisor Smallcombe's strong position on the sale of County land. Her comments were all aimed at the needs of the Biomass Project!
When the final BOS vote to declare the 7.6 acres as surplus land was 4 to 1 it should verify who Supervisor Smallcombe was representing. (Smallcombe was the only yes vote)!
Supervisor Long deserves a huge Thank You for voting as he did, considering his awareness that future mandates could possibly be expected from the State regarding Landfills.
Ruth Sellers
Mariposa, CA.
