Sign, sign everywhere a sign!

I took down most of my "Marks For Harbor Commissioner" signs yesterday but inevitable I am sure there are ones I missed. People either took them from the Labor Temple, Democratic Headquarters or wherever we were handing them out, so I don't know where they might be. Please send me a note if you see one out there, or better yet, take it out and give me a Ring to come pick up. (I had hundreds out there, so this is a chore.)

GOTV

Please remember to vote today!

Financial Political Reality. Marks campaign busted.

I was approached by one of my friends today about my campaign. I told him we were broke. He took out his wallet and handed me $200. I told him I would have to report the donation and he snapped the money from my hand. I took a $1 bill out of my wallet and said if he gave me $99 I would not have to report it. He gave gladly. Man, I have done this way too much in this race. I realize this is a small community and there may be repercussions for political allegiances, but this becoming weird.

I am reaching out to the community for money to help cover my debt. Please contribute anything you can to "Marks for Harbor Commissioner" and send to PO Box 184 Samoa, California 95564.

Times Standard endorses Marks!

In the 4th Division, there are three candidates vying for the seat, and again, all would make fine commissioners.

But this is an important seat. In the recent past, the seat was filled by longtime Commissioner Dennis Hunter, who at times proved to be the swing vote. More often than not, he sided with the more conservative element of the commission, but was known to be an independent thinker not completely averse to breaking rank.

That need for a strong and independent swing voter continues. If Wilson retains his seat, which we believe is likely, which of the three candidates for 4th Division commissioner would best serve as an independent decision-maker?

While John Ash can bring a great perspective and background as an architect to board, and Susan Penn should be commended for her dedication as a regular attendee at harbor district meetings, the editorial board feels Marks is the most well-rounded candidate for the position.

Marks is a life-long Democrat, and has serious progressive credentials. He believes strongly in the conservation and recreation roles the district holds. Yet his No. 1 priority, appropriately, is jobs. He's spent a career working with his hands and heart, trying to make a good living while at the same time endeavoring to improve the working conditions of his fellow employees.

Marks, we believe, has elements of both political camps in his blood. And on a commission that is deeply divided, we believe he'd function well as an arbiter of compromise. He's done it before, in countless labor negotiations between management and workers, and we think that experience will come in handy without costing either side their primary goals.

Therefore, we're happy to endorse Richard Marks for 4th Division harbor commissioner.

Door knocking on Halloween. Wet and wild!

It was a wet one out there today in Eureka. Chris and I knocked on a ton of doors. We did all or part of 11 streets. The reception we had was really positive for the campaign. The bummer part was that I was going to knock on one door and this scantily dressed young lady came out dressed in white and high heels (an angel I was guessing), and my 24 year volunteer was across the street at a vacant house! He was not happy when I reported the sighting.

It was a great day to knock because many people were home. When it got around 4pm people were right by their doors to answer the call of the trick or treaters. I was offered candy! I went to one door and the guy came out and said, "You called me the other day, the first time I had a politician call me, and now you are at my door and I just received your mailer. Yes, I am voting for you!" (Overkill maybe?)

I seen many little goblins and adults dressed up and ready for the night. Robin and I are staying home and giving out candy. We are not going to make any parties tonight so far.

72 foot Female Blue Whale killed neared Ft. Bragg.

I am surprised there has been so little press on this subject.

NOAA Contract Boat Kills Blue Whale Off Fort Bragg
Fishermen, Enviros Call for Independent Investigation

By Dan Bacher

Environmentalists and fishermen on California’s North Coast are calling for an independent investigation into the killing of an endangered blue whale off Fort Bragg by a mapping survey boat contracted by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The 72-foot female blue whale, a new mother, perished on Monday, October 19, after being hit by the 78-foot Pacific Star, under contract to NOAA to update maps of the ocean floor

Multibeam echo sounders (MBES), like other sonar systems, transmit sound energy and analyze the return signal (echo) that has bounced off the seafloor or other objects, according to NOAA's Office of Coast Survey. Multibeam sonars emit sound waves from directly beneath a ship's hull to produce fan-shaped coverage of the seafloor.

The National Geographic and other media outlets gushed that the Fort Bragg blue whale’s death provided a unique opportunity for scientists to study a whale.

The irony of a boat collecting data to protect marine life hitting a huge whale is something of an anomaly you would think. Nope. NOAA boats have hit 3 whales in the last 6 months! One off Massachusetts and another in Southern California. They should take one more person with them to look out for whales while they are searching for other fish!

Susan Penn taken by the Police!

To Ferndale. After her car over heated on the way to KHUM for a talk on Cliff Berkowitz show, Happy Trails. Susan had put water in her car and didn't put the cap back on her reservoir and so she made it as far ad College of the Redwoods. A police officer pulled over where Susan was stranded and gave her a lift to Ferndale just in time to make the program. (The officer lives in Ferndale.)

After the show, I gave Susan a ride to John's wrecking yard and the wife of former pulp mill worker Glen Bernald was able to find a cap to replace the lost one on Susan's 81' Mercedes in the yard. So I took her back to her car and she was back on the road.

Oh, and about the "Happy Trail" show. I thought Cliff was trying to turn the show into "Grumpy Rails." http://feeds.feedburner.com/KhumHappyTrails

Jim Bush passes. Long time Pulp Mill worker.

Jim Bush passed away today around 2:30pm. I worked with Jim in the Bleach plant in the early 80's. I was a 4th Assistant (Lab Tester) and he was the Digester Operator. Nice guy. He then became management and was the Shift Supervisor on my crew. I have good memories and he will be missed by all. May he rest in peace.