Developer Fights Back

brightpathvideo has been documenting the occurances on Gallinas Creek, of an endangered bird, the California clapper rail, since October in an effort to bring official attention to the fact that the bird does in fact use the immediate vacinity on degraded former wetland, where developer Joe Shekou hopes to erect an enormous 4 acre indoor soccer facility. Recently the following acrticle on brightpathvideo appeared in the local paper, The Marin IJ

Breithaupt: Could birds get in the way of a new soccer complex?
Brad Breithaupt
Article Launched:12/04/2006 09:38:48 AM PST Marin IJ

JOHN PARULIS spent much of his day off Tuesday watching birds with a video camera.
The videographer stood on the dock at McInnis Park hoping to catch sight of a California clapper rail - and strengthen his case in his fight against plans to build an indoor soccer complex across Gallinas Creek.
The Santa Venetia resident, whose resume includes three years of filming Greenpeace raids, already has filmed the federally protected, chicken-sized bird foraging through the reeds along the creek. His video is posted on his Web site - brightpathvideo.com - and he has burned discs and sent them to San Rafael City Hall and the Marin Audubon Society. His bird footage already on his site has been viewed more than 600 times.
His Web coverage of Marin issues is a new factor in local politics.
Parulis is hoping the shy shorebird will stand in the way of the proposed soccer complex.
"I stayed with that bird for maybe three hours," Parulis said, retracing its path down the creek's muddy bank.
"I wanted to show that the birds really are using this area. There is no proof like video proof," he said. "I think this is going down," he said of the soccer complex. "It's going to be a big fight, but I don't think it's going to fly."
Parulis also is hoping that the landowner, Joe Shekou, will decide to donate the land for a refuge.
"He would make a name for himself if he just donated the land - or set it aside for conservation," he said.
But the development has strong support. Backers say Marin needs an indoor soccer complex where local kids can play. City Hall hired a consultant to delve into environmental questions.
Parulis launched his career in Web journalism in 1999 by taking and posting video recordings of the labor battles at KPFA, the Berkeley radio station.
"I was getting hits from all over the world," he said.
His Web site features streaming videos that reflect his own political interests. He's chronicled recent death penalty protests outside San Quentin, a presentation on cultural resources by the Graton Rancheria tribe's leader Greg Sarris, and a Marin conference on judicial reform that raised questions about Marin's courts.
The tile and stone contractor just finished an elaborate redecorating project at U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein's Pacific Heights mansion.
But lately he's made time to catch the bird on bytes.
"To me the issue here is the sacredness of life," Parulis said. "There is something profound when a species is on the verge of extinction."




I was so impressed with your dedication and hard work with your
attempts to preserve such a beautiful species as the Clapper Rail. I
totally concur with your feelings about utilizing every possible means
to thwart the plans for the indoor soccer complex. Can you believe the
nerve of those people? How could anyone possibly put the future of
these magnificent species in jeopardy for a few snot nosed kids? I
know I don't care about them. You and I both know that Marin could use
a far lot less selfish little brats anyway. I watched your video on
the website and I appreciate your hard work. Most people work during
the week days - but not you. It is wonderful that you can do this
while all the working families in Marin, parents who are supporting
and raising children, do not have the time to blow off the entire work
day. Shame on them. It's their own fault for having kids in the first
place! Your insight and wisdom was refreshing. I think every person
with money and land should donate their property to open space. Just
imagine how beautiful it would be. If everyone practiced what you
preached we wouldn't have any buildings or recreational sport
facilities for kids - just a beautiful open marsh with birds
everywhere. Come to think of it most of Santa Venetia was built on
marsh lands. Perhaps you should lead the cause and we can start
tearing down houses to restore the marsh lands. What a message you can
send by donating your house first. Plus who needs an indoor soccer
complex? Marin has plenty of tattoo and piercing parlors, and smoke
shops for the kids to hang out at. With any luck maybe some will get
hooked on drugs, go to prison, and end up with crack babies. What a
bunch of jerks - all those "soccer" moms. I can't stand the site of
them driving around with their mini vans trying to juggle kids,
sports, school, and the home front. I just wanted to say : "keep up
the good work! " - you should be proud of your accomplishment if
this complex gets rejected.

Paul Thompson

From: "Paul Thompson" <PaulT [at] westbaybuilders.com>
Paul Thompson is President of West Bay Builders, A Marin County Development Co.





Question: Where were these so called kids' sports advocates before Joe Shekou decided to develop his property?

Question: So, endangered species are expendable when development desires happen to serve children? (The proposed soccer facility is also applying for an alchohol license and will stay open late into the evening, past the bedtimes of most children)