Writing to the Man....

 On Thursday  October 13, Surfrider members gathered in room 300 of the Psychology building and took part in a political letter writing campaign.  The task was to write letters expressing our the goals of our organizations to prominent political figures in Long Beach such as Mayor Bob Foster and in the country such as President Barack Obama. 

People working hard trying to get local and federal government to notice the breakwater issue in Long Beach.

Cameron Shiabata coordinator of the Surfider Letter Writing Campaign feels that we can make a difference.  "Let your voices be heard" she says.  "They might not listen to one person, but a group of people, that's a different story."

The following is the letter that I wrote:

"As a student at Cal State Long Beach it is my great pleasure to write to you on this day about a problem that in my estimation has not received enough attention.  I am of course talking about the East San Pedro Bay Ecosystem Restoration Project, which you may also know as the Long Beach Breakwater Study.

 

Long Beach lacks one important thing that the rest of the beaches in Southern California have and that is waves.  The Long Beach breakwater is the cause of all of this.  Now, we do not seek to change the breakwater in way that it would be unable to protect the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.  Instead, all I ask is that the study is considered in the upcoming Army Corps of Engineers funding.  Not only will this study improve the overall environmental health and the economy of our beautiful city, but also I am proud to inform that we have the support of the full Long Beach City Council, regional leaders and the community.

I am also proud to share with you that this city has partnered up with the Army Corps of Engineers to help with our proposed study.  All we need now is your federal support to begin.  If you care at all about ecosystem restoration, improved water quality, increased recreation, increased tourism and significant job creation, then I don’t there is any reason why you even need to think about it right?

Thanks for hearing me out I know your time is limited your funding recommendations is greatly appreciated by all stakeholders.  

Sincerely,

Cesar Mondragon"

I have to admit, at the beginning writing this letter seemed pointless and I was very disinterested.  While conducting the research and applying it to the letter however, I felt that what I was doing was in the best interest for this city.  I actually felt like what I was doing was the right thing. ( I assume that hell has indeed frozen over.)