23 replies to this topic

[DandyDon]

Nice to hear from you, Bill - I'm sure it has been tough, but you seemed to have taken a good attitude. Oh, I guess that's just one of your talents, but it has been admirable.

Also got to admire the Captain and Tina for their attitudes after losing their home and warehouse, but they're pretty impressive people. Need to get back out there and dive with them again...!!

Glad it was no worse, and best wishes...!!

[Hipshot]

Good to hear that you and your home are safe, Dr. Bill. You've been in my thoughts and prayers.

Rick

[drbill]

Don... just to clarify, it was Catalina Divers Supply that lost their storage unit and inventory (which, fortunately, was all insured). Mayor Bob & Tina of SCUBA Luv came close to losing their home (50 yards or less) due to the same flare up that threatened mine, but it is safe now. As mayor and volunteer firefighter, Bob was one of the first on the scene to fight the fire in the interior and called in to warn the other city officials that it was out of control and heading towards the town. He was a model of leadership both in fighting the fire and in overseeing the briefings, etc.

I watched the press briefing yesterday on local TV. Afterwards, I turned to the guy next to me (the CEO of the Santa Catalina Island Company which owns 11% of the island) and I think we both expressed the same thought... where was the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy, owners of 88% of the island? There was no one from the administration present at the briefing... a glaring omission.

I knew where the staff of the Conservancy, especially the facilities management team and rangers... they were out on the front lines fighting the fire. I quickly learned that all three of the top executives at the Conservancy were off in Norway at an ecotourism conference! There was no one in charge on island. As the former Vice President of the Conservancy, I'm now on the warpath about this and am trying to gather the facts about what actually happened (vs the rumors that often spread on this island).

The Conservancy is a non-profit entity. For the top three leaders to be in Norway at Conservancy expense, leaving no one here on island to manage the organization, is incomprehensible... simply beyond belief. It smacks more of a Congressional boondoggle. One in attendance at the ecotourism conference would be understandable, but all three? Give me a break. I am considering rewriting my will in which I leave some of what little is left of my "fortune" to the organization. I have currently targeted anything left specifically for ecological restoration purposes and not for administrative boondoggles. I am furious about this...

Guess it's time to go diving. Yes, two of us are thinking of diving our empty dive park today. As far as I know there hasn't been a diver in its waters since the fire broke out on Thursday. Of course, safety would have been an issue Friday when the water dropping helicopters were dipping their buckets into the park waters (presumably because no small boats would be in the water there).

[DandyDon]

Don... just to clarify, it was Catalina Divers Supply that lost their storage unit and inventory (which, fortunately, was all insured). Mayor Bob & Tina of SCUBA Luv came close to losing their home (50 yards or less) due to the same flare up that threatened mine, but it is safe now. As mayor and volunteer firefighter, Bob was one of the first on the scene to fight the fire in the interior and called in to warn the other city officials that it was out of control and heading towards the town. He was a model of leadership both in fighting the fire and in overseeing the briefings, etc.

Oh, ok - I was confused and wrong on two points, thanks!

Sorry even one home was lost, but glad it wasn't Bob & Tina's - such nice folks.

I bet those gullies, valleys and cliffs were challenging in the fight. It'd been hell to win without the plane drops.

Edited by DandyDon, 13 May 2007 - 02:51 PM.

[dustbowl diver]

DrB,

Glad to hear that you are OK!! As far the folks from the conservancy, I'd by PO'd too!!!

[drbill]

I spent most of the day downtown talking to the few people who were walking about (where ARE all our residents?) and thanking the many fire crews and other support personnel.

I did run into Dr. Carlos de la Rosa, head of the Conservancy's conservation and education arms. He has been out in the interior dealing with the fire and was trapped out there, thus unable to come into town to deal with the press briefing and other planning/coordination activities. He is the one addition to the leadership team that I have respect for, but his training is not in the areas most needed at this time.

Everything is calming down out here. The fire crews are getting a break after going long hours and days. Good for them. They're receiving our thanks. I heard that the crews are calling this the "15 Pound Fire" because they've been fed so well while fighting it! I know they've been most thankful for the town's hospitality and all the expressions of thanks.

[CaptSaaz]

Hey Dr Bill... glad to hear everything is a-ok now. The rumor here is that a contractor working on the island accidently started the fire. Just a rumor?

[Perkolater]

Glad to hear you are OK!!

[cmt489]

I am relieved to hear that you are alright DrBill. I am also very happy to hear that almost all of the residents of the island managed to escape this fire unscathed. My best wishes to all of you.