A BIG Thanks to All

[edsofish]

Yeah, I looked at the tape to see if I got the point across and I did, so that's what is important. I just wish I could speak comfortably like the guys I mentioned.

If I do continue with this MLPAI stuff and make anymore presentations I am going to get some help. I noticed I sway back and forth, LOL. I never knew I did that. We live and learn and I must say being involved with the MLPAI has made me a better person and I have discovered things about me I never knew.

There is some good in all this bad.

Thanks to everyone for all your hard work and energy you have put forth in this noble effort to save our way of life. Unfortunately the world has different plans and we are getting in the way.

I hope everyone is not putting down their guard, however. There are more battles to fight and it is a shame it has to be that way. We can ask the question; "Why do we need the SAT, BRTF and Dept. guidelines if all we are going to do is use the screaming enviro method?

I still say, the most disappointing part of the whole process was when the "other side" did not sign onto the 2/XA proposal. When we started, everyone was saying they would focus on making a proposal such as we did, including the enviros. The only organization that gave us support for most of what we did in 2/XA was Oceana. They actually gave us a letter supporting a meaningful portion of what we did. I thank them for that. At least they were able to look past the spin. Ben had some serious dialogue with them in order to accomplish this.

Just think of the goodwill that could have been fostered and the end of the tensions between us. We could have become a formidable force in the good fight. Instead, the battle is between the "sides" and there will always be the ugliness present between us. Was it worth the small differences between the proposals, I think not. All we were asking was a chance to maintain the minimum standard of our way of life. Considering the merits of 2/XA and the support it had from actual ocean users, if they joined us they would have created a whole new constituency and sent a clear message of good will to the rest of the world that they actually care and are willing to be and do what they claim. Instead the ugliness rages on with even more intensity and distrust is now, and forever, the norm.

On a much better note:

Let me tell you about Ben. To say Ben made a huge difference in the whole process with our interests at heart, is an understatement. I cannot even begin to tell you how much he applied all his resources and talents, and the sacrifices he made, in order to provide everyone who share our interests with the best possible outcome. Every consumptive user in California needs to thank you and applaud your diligence.

Ben, you have my most sincere respect and admiration. Working with you these last several years has been an education and a real pleasure. Your strength and determination set an example, and I will carry it with me as I move forward in my continued involvement with forces who would end our way of life. Thank you for all you have done.

I would also like to acknowledge the intense efforts of many other participants who worked along with Ben and me. Great people such as Paul Pierce, Dave Yarger, Tom Estes, Matt Plutt, Tom Mattusch, Mike McHenry, Acrh Richardson, Allan Jacobs, Eric Owen, and Bill Bernard to name a few off the top of my head. To name everyone would take pages and pages and 2/XA could not have been if it were not for each and everyone of you.

You may not be aware of one person who helped us with the final formulation of 2/XA and I would like to acknowledge his more than expert input. His name is John Ugoretz. John was the Dept. Habitat Conservation Manager for Marine Resources in the MLPAI. John sat with us for several hours during the final round providing us with extremely critical and valuable input. Unfortunately, John lost his patience with the BRTF during a BRTF meeting and was, for lack of a better way to say it, "set up". As a result he was laterally promoted out of the MLPAI. He is now involved in the monitoring phase. Susan Ashcraft has since taken his position.

John was the kind of guy you could always get the right answer from, on the spot. No waiting, just the right answer. Sometimes it was NOT what you wanted to hear but sometimes it WAS and you could take it to the bank. He was and is missed, and the process suffers from his absence.

Thanks John for all you have done for us.

[SteveDillon]

Hi Ed, my sister joined a group called toast masters to help sharpen her public speaking skills, she enjoyed her experience with them

[zimo]

Hi Ed,
I am glad you are not abandoning the fight,you guys have have worked so hard and sacraficed so much of your time for 2XA. We have to keep our dreams alive for our future. THANKS to all you guys again.