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Community Conversations
 

 
 

From Kevin and Nancy Lunny

 

Dear Editor,

 

We are writing to publicly express our gratitude for the efforts of concerned citizens seeking, through an Internet video, to enlist public awareness of the problems we have suffered as owners of the Drakes Bay Oyster Farm. We also want to clarify our own limited role in that effort.

A video has been produced for distribution over the Internet (oystergate.org) to call public attention to the untruthful means employed by some representatives of the National Park Service and by private individuals in an effort to discredit the oyster farm. Within the limitations of its short length, that video attempts to chronicle some of the worst of the many untruths which have been told in that effort.

We were among the persons interviewed by the producer of that video, but personally had no role in funding the production or in controlling its style. We provided all factual information requested of us, so as to ensure that the video was factually correct, but we were in no respect responsible for the editing and use of such information.

Now that the video has been completed, we can attest that it is in all respects factually correct. Much additional information could also be added to the dismal tale of efforts to discredit the oyster farm, but within the limitations of its short length the video is entirely accurate.

Some friends of ours and of DBOF have expressed surprise at the hard-hitting style of the video, indicating to us that this style isn’t at all consistent with our quiet and non-confrontational nature. We can understand that concern. If we had controlled the video’s production it would have been less aggressive (although quite possibly less effective as a result). We also understand, however, the independent video producer’s desire to underscore the extent of the improper means used in the campaign to discredit DBOF and to attract attention to the need for governmental reforms.

So, for those of our neighbors and friends who have indicated that the video isn’t what they would expect from the Lunny family, please know that we haven’t changed at all. We love Marin, and are honored to grow food for its residents for four generations. We would like to continue doing so into the fifth generation and beyond, which is why we’ve long appreciated folks offering to help us ensure that result.  We extend our most heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for your daily, weekly and yearly acts of support.

Kevin and Nancy Lunny

 

 

Responses from John Hulls and Ken Fox were not received before press time.

 

 

 
 

From Corey Goodman

 

The Citizen editor asked for my reaction and critique of the internet video “Oystergate” by Nicole Adams. I offered to be interviewed, as I was on KWMR, but the editor declined, spending nearly 300 words telling me that all he wanted was a “yes or no” answer whether I “endorse” the video’s “tone” and “rhetorical devices” without regard to the content.

It is inappropriate to ask anyone to “endorse” the style of someone else’s work irrespective of its content. Neither Adams’ video nor Kravets’ one-word interview are balanced journalism. I have never been asked to give a cart blanche one-word endorsement of anyone’s work. I would have done the video quite differently. Nevertheless, it speaks truth about scientific misconduct, and provides a startling new insight.

What the community will find newsworthy in Adams’ video is Ken Fox’s interview that contradicts Gordon Bennett’s and Don Neubacher’s testimony to the Department of Interior Inspector General (IG). Fox’s describes a secret meeting at the Red Barn in early 2005 in which Bennett encouraged Neubacher to drive Kevin Lunny out of business before 2012. This is in marked contrast to the IG report. The implications of this revelation are profound for our community and should be investigated.

Adams’ video is a polemic - in a tradition of political advocacy - her mission to influence decisions in Washington. Hopefully that includes getting our government to take broken laws and policies seriously and adjudicate the allegations of scientific misconduct against NPS officials, something politicians have dodged for two years.

 

 
 

From Phyllis Faber

 

Dear Editor,

 

I suspect that everyone that participated in the oystergate video is equally aghast at the product and deeply regrets their own involvement. We were interviewed and that was it until the video was already circulating. There was no review and no opportunity to opt out.

The video does not reflect my views of fairness, of good taste, of an informative piece of film. I do fully support extending the Lunny lease as the oysters enhance the health of the Estero and adds so much to the West Marin Community and to the Seashore. I also fully support honest science in all cases but this video is no way to air this issue. I believe it is fair to say that the Lunnys and I are all deeply regretful of our participation.

Phyllis Faber

 

 

 
 

The West Marin Citizen:

The Community Response
and Ongoing Coverage
of the Oystergate Video

 
In early February 2010, Nicole Adams, a videographer and self-described social media expert posted a video, The Oystergate Scandal, advocating for the Drakes Bay Oyster Farm. The West Marin Citizen queried people on both sides of the issue regarding the video's tone, language, rhetorical devices, imagery and production techniques.
 

<<<Responses from people in the video
 

Responses from community members
 

View oystergate video
 

Kathy Munger - A truly great soul

 

I want to say how grateful I am to Kathy Munger’s daughter, Kerry for taking the time to phone and inform me personally of Kathy’s death last week. Saturday’s memorial was beautiful, and I would not have missed it for the world.

Kathy was a very special friend to me - and, as it turns out, to hundreds of others in the community.

I met Kathy back when I was teaching senior fitness at the Dance Palace. Another good friend (and Kathy’s sister-in-law), Louise Landreth, brought her to my class. Almost immediately I felt a ‘special connection’ to this beautiful, soulful, sometimes whimsical woman, with her wry smile and unassuming manner. Of course, it was not until her memorial on Saturday that I discovered there were hundreds of people in the community who felt such a connection with Kathy. It seems that was her gift. Kathy had a way of connecting with anyone who was receptive enough to perceive, appreciate and embrace her profound human-ness.

Kathy was fearless. She loved a lively debate and had an almost uncanny ability to see through the rhetoric and hyperbole to the core of a given issue. She knew the truth when she heard it, and she held great respect for honest dissent articulated without hostility. Her ability to hold seemingly contradictory concepts /or points of view in her mind without resorting to ‘either-or’ logic was all too rare in these conflicted times.

As so many testified at her memorial, Kathy’s literacy was legendary. That literacy contributed to making Kathy not only well-informed, but, what can best be described as ‘enlightened’ - on so many levels. She was one of the few ‘true progressives’ I think I have ever known. Her passing at this particular time is especially significant for me because she understood the critical nature of respectful discourse, whatever our differences. She never lost sight of the Big Picture. When Kathy believed in a cause - or a person - she supported them with a fierce loyalty as steady as it was courageous. I was blessed to have been counted among those ‘causes.’ Kathy inspired and encouraged me through some very difficult times. Her ongoing support for SolarTimes continued until the day she died.

In many ways, Kathy Munger epitomized who we all strive to be. With her passing, the community has lost one of its greatest treasures. But Kathy was so much more than that.

If it is true that Great Spirits never really leave, but live on in those who love them most, then her family and closest friends are indeed fortunate.

Thank you, Kathy for being my friend. You are already missed.

Sandy LeonVest, Bolinas

 

 
 

From the Mungers

 

Dear Editor,

 

As Kathy Munger’s children, we want to thank our wonderful families and our local community for all your kindness and prayers since our mom died last Wednesday. Kathy was adored by all, was celebrated beautifully on Saturday and we feel all your ongoing love and support all around us.

Thank you.

Kate Munger, Inverness; Jim Munger, Sea Ranch; Kerry Livingston, Inverness; Ben Munger, Los Olivos CA; Louisa Munger, Los Alamos NM

 

 

 
 

V-Day forum

 

Dear Editor,

 

Wanted on Valentine’s Day - Men and women, all ages and persuasions, to laugh, share and discuss who we are as a species.

We will gather on Sunday, Feb. 14, from 3 to 5 pm, at the Station House Cafe, in the private room. At 5 pm, stay for the live music of the Heartstrings and Paul Knight.

Your hosts,

Donna Sheehan and Paul Reffell, Marshall

 

 

 
 

Scholarship honoring resident

 

Dear Editor,

 

In fond memory and honor of Laura Richardson and in celebration of her generous spirit, her family has established the Laura Richardson Memorial Scholarship, administered by Marin Education Fund. Laura loved working with children at West Marin School in Point Reyes, where she worked for 18 years. She was a passionate advocate for young people, and enjoyed watching the children grow and mature. She wanted to give back to the children the love that she received.

This special scholarship will aide West Marin Elementary alumni who graduate from Tomales High School and pursue the medical sciences or healing arts fields in college.

Students should complete Marin Education Fund’s Undergraduate Scholarship application which is now available online and due on March 2.

To make a contribution in honor of Laura, please mail you donation to Marin Education Fund, 781 Lincoln Ave, Suite 140, San Rafael, CA 94901, or call 451-4005.

Traci Lanier, Vice President, Marin Education Fund

 

 
 

Art column - steady, helpful, essential

 

Dear Editor,

 

Thank you so much to Claudia Chapline for taking the time to review my show in her Artswell column in the West Marin Citizen.

My work really doesn’t get much coverage so it was extremely appreciated - partially because I had many self-doubts about this work in the last few months before the show.

Claudia’s column is a wonderful addition to the community. Not only for us, the artists, but also for others. It keeps us aware of each other’s work and for those others it introduces another dimension of culture that West Marin has to offer.

What Claudia does and writes about is so important, and I want to thank her for doing it.

Marje Burgstahler-Stone, Inverness

 

 

 

 
 

 ’Are you awake?’

 

Dear Editor,

 

Last Saturday night in a sold-out crowd at the Dance Palace, I strained forward in my chair to hear every word, catch the cadence, the nuance of meaning, trying to lift myself above the usual rudimentary, cliché-ridden chit-chat of our lives into the heavenly realm of “conversation” between Michael Ondaatje and Robert Haas who were up on the stage.

The two esteemed writers delivered subtle, complex thoughts about the human condition, feelings born from unlikely blends of pine and heart, skin and passion. Words as music, voices of search and wonder, voices unlikely to pop up on twitter.

I could follow them only haltingly, unable to catch it all, am now preoccupied with finding the sources, the books and particular poems where I can re-read and learn to “think different.”

I’m in awe of the extent to which proprietors Steve Costa and Kate Levinson are transforming Point Reyes Station into a cultural and literary Mecca!

Watch for the next Country Arts and Lectures and buy your tickets in advance.  

“Are you awake?” asked Professor Haas.

We are trying.

Ginny Brownback, Inverness

 

 
 
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