The fire fighters are beginning to get well-deserved breaks from their hard work. I spent the afternoon walking around in our empty streets (I know our visitors are not here, but wher are our locals?). Every time I saw a fire crew or support personnel, I stopped to say thanks.
So many people, locals and mainlanders, worked so hard to ensure the safety of Avalon. However, I am furious about one thing. Following the press briefing Friday, I turned to the individual watching it with me and we both said at the same time "Where was the Conservancy?" Not one person
WARNING: Soapbox harangue about to begin (what follows is my opinion, but a very educated opinion)
Well, I knew where the Conservancy staff were. Facilities management teams were out on the front lines fighting the fire without need for "direction" from the "executives." The rangers were out transporting personnel and supplies for the crews. Other staff were involved in a variety of different ways.
But where were the "leaders" of the Conservancy. I quickly found out only one, Dr. Carlos de la Rosa, was even on the island and he was indeed trapped in the interior and doing what he could to assist in the effort. However, Dr. Ann Muscat (president); Mel Dunkle (COO) and Leslie Baer (Communications/PR) were ALL at an international ecotourism conference in NORWAY! My first thought was who made the decision to allow all three of the top personnel to go to a conference not just off-island or even out of state, but out of the country!
When I was one of the three top executives of the Conservancy, all of us made sure that at least one of us was on island or at least easily reachable in the event of an emergency. I cannot understand the lapse in judgment that led to all three being gone at the same time, especially at such a distance.
Now the Conservancy is an organization whose mission I respect. I was one of a number of people who suggested its formation to the Wrigley family back in 1971. Although many perceive it as "rich" (and a "boondoggle" like this only reinforces that view), it is not. When I was V.P. we were careful even about travel to the mainland. I believe I only used the helicopter once and that was when the boats weren't running and I was expected to speak at a conference on the mainland. We were cautious about our expenditures and our salaries were on the order of 1/2 to 1/3rd those of current executives.
The Conservancy will have much unexpected work to do in response to this fire. It will need the support of people who love Catalina, both topside and beneath the seas. It will need donations. Please do not hesitate to make those if you feel so inclined. However, I would suggest that these donations be targeted to specific needs and that they be conditioned with a demand that none of the donation will be used for "administrative overhead." IMHO there is no reason for those of us who love Catalina to fund irresponsible travel like this. But help the staff that is doing the work on the island itself. They need, and deserve, your support.
Falling off soapbox... into deep (and probably hot) water
