I recently received a letter requesting that I recuse myself from the blackball issue. It was from Equal Beach Access for All. The writers of the letter are concerned that my late father made harsh comments about surfers.
He made some harsh comments about men divorcing their wives. Should I recuse myself from every issue involving divorced men?
They also pointed to a comment of mine. I stated that I had read some of the online comments about The Wedge issue and was embarrassed to say I was a surfer. Yes, when ignorant people make homophobic and other comments, it embarrasses me to be associated with that. I would have answered Equal Beach Access for All directly, except that there was no individual's name and no address included. So to set the record straight:
1.) I'm a bodyboarder. Although I did bodysurf The Wedge, and am proud of the fact, that was in the 1960s. I have been a bodyboarder for the last 30 years or so. In fact, when the initial policy to restrict The Wedge was introduced, I planned to speak in opposition, but something came up — I no longer remember what — and I wasn't there that night.