Security Contractor Blackwater ends bid for Calif. training site

[Liberty Belle]

Source: Associated Press

Security contractor Blackwater ends bid for Calif. training site
By ALLISON HOFFMAN Associated Press Writer
Article Launched: 03/07/2008 03:29:26 PM PST


SAN DIEGO—Military security contractor Blackwater Worldwide has pulled its plans to build a training facility in a remote area about 45 miles east of San Diego.
Company project manager Brian Bonfiglio said in a letter submitted Friday to the San Diego County planning department that the site near the small community of Potrero no longer meets Blackwater's business needs.

<snip>

Tiny Potrero, home to about 850 people, found itself split by the plan, with environmentalist and anti-war factions ardently opposing those who welcomed the prospect of an economic boost for the area. In December, voters recalled five members of a local planning board who supported the project.

"I feel giddy," said Jan Hedlun, a planning group member who led local opposition to the project. She said word was spreading fast as opponents celebrated by faxing around copies of Bonfiglio's letter, which was posted online Friday by The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Bonfiglio said the repeated marches and protests had nothing to do with the company's withdrawal. Recent noise tests indicated that sound levels in the bowl-shaped valley exceeded the county limits and would have been prohibitively expensive to fix.

Read more: http://origin.mercurynews.com/news/ci_8493247

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If you believe all the public protests had no effect on Blackwater's decision to tuck tail and run, then i've got some swampland to sell you in Florida.

Score a big win for the people vs. mercenaries!

[junior college]

1. Ah!

Some good news

[Faux pas]

2. Power to the People! Boo Hoo blackwater, go peddle your

warring ways somewhere else.

[Hekate]

3. Hooray for the citizens of Portrero! Tell the warmongers to go to hell!

I was down near Portrero exactly once, visiting my brother at his booth at either a local Ren Faire or an SCA encampment, I can't remember which at this point. The heat was well into the triple digits -- I stepped out of my car and it felt like a hammer hit me over the head. There was a lot of armor about, but that weekend participants could hardly bear to move, much less joust.

For preference, I'll take the coast, but I must say the 850 souls who live in Portrero are a hardy breed. Congratulations to them all for taking on the President's private army and winning.

Hekate

[bananas]

4. Yay! k&r nt

[Robbien]

5. It is great to see all the hard work pay off like this.

Kudos to everyone involved.

Liberty Belle

[maddezmom]

6. duplicate topic

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...