Citizens Group Raps Council
(Brisbane Bee, Thursday April 15th 1965)

The Brisbane Citizens for Civic Progress unanimously voted Dr. Paul Goercke, 41 Margaret Avenue to succeed Lou Walker Jr. as chairman of the organization.

In accepting the appointment Dr. Goercke promised "to uphold the ends of the organization." Founded a little under a year ago the BCCP objective Is to "promote and bring to the attention of the people Dr. Paul Is. Goercke through research, discussion and constructive programs of action, public issues and problems which in the considered opinion of the membership pertain to civic progress in Brisbane."

In the first item: of busi-ness under its new chairman the organization voted fulds to retain the services of Henry M. Siegel to file papers for its incorporation as a nonprofit civic organization.

This Brisbane Citizens campaign into existence Angust 14, as the outgrow;.!] of a public session of tlie city cou-icil at which it approved open garbage dumping in wi'.Lers east of the freeway, "apparently in tne face of significant. If unorganized public opposition within the tOWtl."

"At this session of the council a surprising area of prior understanding with the San Francisco garbage authority w.i'j revealed," Walker stated. "One coji- cllman was publicly re- quested to disqualify him- self because of It, but he refused, and with his vots the decision to dum^. car- ried 3 to 2.

"This decision has long disturbed the citizens com- mittee," Walker stated, "letters from Individual residents opposing the dump ra state authorities havs glim-rally come back with the same answer: 'the principle of homa rule has worked .well in California.* In other words the prob- lem m .131 be faced .and ham - m^r-id out here.

"The citizens committee wishes.: there were some: w,".y to be polite, rational and long range about all this," added Walker. "But, the bay at our door is filling Up rapidly and will soo'n be out of sight. And ':it'i:.i are plans afoot to lop' 6;)() feet off the shoulders of nht; hills which sur- round our honied to fill in the bay all the way to the airpor;.. Tli''.s'; hav" not be:2n abandonail although San Francisco ha-j with- drawn official supper... :

" Unfortunately big cor- poracioiiB, including local .; otii.!?.,,- Ido i.no.t",.lpc>k'\upon- t'limfi^'-.'j-s as conserva- tors of our natural assets in any Impi-.r.ain way. It is high timo wi all woka up to the fact tha"; the Ba/ Ar.ia has a naturil heritage worLh saving. Brisbane with its mou'ltalns and '.ts w,-iler me.idow.q happens :.o be; smnck in the mid'il' of i;. Unless we acquire R:)m'.i ;. il'.ticat sophistication fau^ it will all bo taken awiy for a few thousand dollars whi.'-h '"10 o:ie will remem- ber as soon as they are spent," Wa'kfir continued.

"The Citizens Commit- tee would like mor-; and mor.i to take on the role of Conservator and become a clearing house for this kind of thought and activity among the citizens, pointed out Wa'.ker. It hopes to contact similar organizations In the Bay Area and periodically to use the pages of the Bris- bane Bee to talk to the community at large. Occa- sionally it will venture into civics also, and in this connection it is investigat- ing the possibility of bring- ing the dump issue before the voters in some form for the first time.

Membership Is open to every homeowner and to every registered voter In Brisbane. Dues are payable upon joining, and are non-^ refundable. Communica- tions may be sent to post office box 602, Brisbane.

"The committee is In- terested in hearing from homeowners with views on the 'bay, the dump, down- town apartments, freeways and mountains; as well as from citizens with views on the viability of an or- ganization such as this. >Vhat do the merchants think? What the profes- sional people? What the old timers? What the young people? Are there some things about Brisbane we want to hang^onto? Is .the dump one? For God'ssake^ general citizen, speak upl concluded Walker.