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Sears Point Raceway Challenges Krasnansky Statements

13 August 1998

Sears Point Raceway Challenges Krasnansky Statements -- Identifies Distortions, Misstatements

    SONOMA, Calif., Aug. 13 -- Sears Point Raceway President
Steve Page today challenged Raceway critic Marvin Krasnansky for distributing
a press release to the local and national business press that incorrectly
suggests that Sears Point Raceway could be shut down because it violates the
county's noise code.
    "We have tolerated a lot from Mr. Krasnansky," Page said, "but this goes
over the line of fairness and decency.  Mr. Krasnansky is absolutely wrong.
Sears Point Raceway is not in danger of being shut down for violating any
county requirement, noise or otherwise."
    Page added that Krasnansky, in his press release, "misquoted his own
attorney's letter to the county about the draft environmental impact report so
as to make it appear that Sears Point was about to be shut down."
    Bill Falik, special California Environmental Quality Act counsel for the
Raceway, confirmed that Sears Point does not violate any county noise
controls.
    "Land use and permitting issues involving noise are controlled exclusively
in Sonoma County by the noise element of the county general plan," Falik said.
"There is no noise code or noise ordinance in the county.  The noise element
of the general plan clearly identifies and suggests mitigations and noise
control measures.  Sears Point is in full compliance with the noise element,
its use permit, and all other requirements imposed by the county's general
plan."
    Falik also took strong exception to statements in the press release
suggesting that the draft environmental impact report "falsely minimized" the
Raceway modernization impacts.
    The final environmental impact report will fully evaluate the proposed
uses identified by Sears Point as part of its modernization program.  If there
are any substantial changes generating significant impacts beyond the scope of
those analyzed in the EIR, these could trigger another round of environmental
review by the county, he indicated.
    "To suggest now that Sears Point - or a future owner - could unilaterally
significantly increase the number of events or their potential impacts without
full environmental review by the county is misleading and insulting to the
county.  The county completely controls this process pursuant to the
California Environmental Quality Act," Falik said.
    Said Page, "Mr. Krasnansky has made it clear that he is no fan of Sears
Point Raceway.  He is welcome to continue expressing that opinion.  He is not,
however, excused from the obligation to tell the truth.  If his tactics are to
scare and mislead, then I believe the people of Sonoma County will reject
them."