Blog: Thanks—It's Been an Honor

The Measure A journey started in April 2011, nearly two years ago. Bill Brand sent me an email with the plan AES submitted to the State Water Resources Control Board. This plan revealed AES intended to comply with new environmental regulations by building a new power plant.

Our first action was to inform the public via a press conference and then a series of public awareness meetings. The Tear Down this Power Plant blog was born and became the repository of information we collected.

Along the way, NoPowerPlant.com was born from the initiative of three Redondo Moms who were passionate about stopping the power plant. Dawn Esser, Lezlie Campeggi, and Sheri Patterson combined are a force to be reckoned with. And Melanie Cohen was always there ready to take action. There are many who played key roles and volunteered their skills, but for fear of leaving someone out accidently and not knowing exactly where to the draw the line, I will refrain from listing you all. In all, over 500 people donated their time, money and/or capabilities to the activities related to Measure A... from public outreach, to testifying to Council, to fundraising, to meeting organization, to signature gathering, to door-to-door campaigning, to banner and signs and on and on.

It's been hard work and at times long hours. Our Council abandoned us and then turned on us. We went up against a multi-billion dollar company who tried to bully and intimidate us all into silence. We've all been dragged through the mud some. But for nearly two years you all pressed on. And you keep perservering in the face of a $400,000 campaign of fear and intimidation right to the very end.

I can't tell you how proud I am of all of you for what you have accomplished. Think about it, you've got a multi-billion dollar company pulling out all the stops to defeat us. I see in each of you a bit of that uniquely fearless and bold American spirit that formed this great nation and our democracy. And the most impressive thing, is you are not in it for personal gain, you are in it for our town and for generations to come.

Too often people credit Bill or me for Measure A. But they are wrong. This was a true grassroots community effort and there is no way any one or two of us could have made this happen.

I don't pretend to know what Tuesday will hold for us all. But I do know that you will have done everything you possibly could right to the very end. My hat is off to all of you on the Yes on A team. No matter what Tuesday brings it has been an honor to serve our community with each and every one of you.

I have attached a video put together by Walt Hyneman as a tribute to your efforts. When you watch it, you will realize how far we have come on this journey. Look for yourselves, your friends, your family—our team—and then pat yourself on the back. You've earned it.