Readers React: You can’t be a progressive and a lobbyist for wealthy coastal developers

To the editor: The report on Susan McCabe, lobbyist extraordinaire for clients who have projects before the California Coastal Commission, really got my Irish up. One more time I learn that being “involved with” progressive Democratic politics does not make one a progressive. (“The most influential person on the coastal commission may be this lobbyist,” April 23)

According to the sample of clients and tactics of McCabe listed by The Times, she represents corporate and individual property owners set on debasing and restricting access to our coast in ways that promulgate backroom deals and circumvent the 1976 California Coastal Act. A version of this law was first passed by voters in 1972 to protect the coast and marine life from exclusionary development and preserve access for everyone.

McCabe has apparently broken the glass ceiling using the very same practices progressives work to expose and reform.

Patricia Goodman, Huntington Beach

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To the editor: McCabe attempts to “green” the work she does for her moneyed clients by saying, “I have a passion for our coast.”

People who have a passion for the California coast work hard to preserve its natural beauty and protect its flora and fauna. They are moved to oppose developments of ever more hotels, condos, malls and mega-mansions there.

McCabe has a passion for something green all right, but it’s not the coastal environment.

Deane Plaister, Santa Barbara

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