SQUID FRY 02.05.15: Self Esteem…

SELF ESTEEM… Squid’s long heard humility is a desirable trait to aspire to, but Squid doesn’t quite get that line of thinking. Squid never misses a chance to pat Squidself on the back, to remind the world of the gloriousness that is Squid.

Watsonville Mayor Nancy A. Bilicich seems to get it. On Jan. 24 she made it official: Bilicich signed a proclamation declaring herself Watsonville’s “2014 Woman of the Year.”

The document is a sight to behold, and lists the many admirable contributions Bilicich has made to the community outside the sphere of her mayorship: Her “strong leadership in the Pajaro Valley School District,” her service on several boards and her years serving on City Council before being elected mayor last year. But the best part comes last: “I, Nancy A. Bilicich, mayor of the city ofWatsonville… hereby recognize the community service and excellent work of Nancy A. Bilicich… and congratulate her on being chosen ‘2014 Woman of the Year.’”

Signed, Nancy A. Bilicich.

So it is written. So it is done.

THREE-LEGGED RACE… Even compared to Squid’s generally slow pace of existence, which resembles glaciers more than rivers, the process of finding a water source to replace the over-pumped Carmel River water that supplies the Monterey Peninsula seems remarkably slow. Despite numerous slowdowns and plenty of haters, California American Water is the natural frontrunner in building a desalination plant to suck water from Squid’s salty lair to feed thirsty landlubbers. The latest delay: the seed of a federally protected spineflower, buried in the sand, which forced Cal Am to hold off on drilling a test well on the Cemex property in North Marina.

The new best-case scenario for Cal Am’s desal plant to be operational: mid-2019, more than two years after the state’s mandated timeline. Meanwhile, competitors continue limping along toward the finish line, and despite the odds, might even catch Cal Am.

On Jan. 28, Moss Landing Harbor District’s board voted to circulate a request for proposals for consultants to do the environmental review for the People’s Moss Landing Desal Project, backed by real estate magnate Nader “Agua” Agha. And onetime eco-cement pioneer Brent Constantz’ competing proposal, DeepWater Desal, has already inked a power purchase agreement with the city of Salinas (a water purchase may be in the works) and is moving along with environmental review.

Squid doesn’t trust anyone peddling water around here any more than a snakeoil salesman, but competition – even if it’s against Squid’s nature – at least gives Squid hope that the best project will win.