Thank you Humboldt County!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Humboldt County voters of the 4^th Division for voting Richard Marks for Harbor Commissioner.  A special thanks to the over 300 residents that allowed me to share their lawns with sign placements and to the over 100 small donation contributors to my campaign.

I have been so fortunate to have had the endorsement of our highest legislative representative’s, Congressman Jared Huffman, Senator Mike McGuire and Assemblyman Jim Wood.  Thanks also to Humboldt County Supervisors Mike Wilson and Virginia Bass and Supervisor elect Steve Madrone.

To my button maker and friend Auditor Controller Karen Paz Dominguez, “Ok, we have enough buttons now!” 

Much gratitude to current Eureka Mayor Frank Jager and other conservative community elected members that endorsed me for my record and our friendships that transcend political party politics.

Thanks to former Eureka Mayor Peter LaVallee and congratulations to incoming Eureka Mayor Susan Seaman and Councilpersons Natalie Arroyo, Kim Bergel and Leslie Castellano. And thanks to Councilperson Austin Allison. I much appreciated your support.

I have been so blessed to have the continued support of my fellow Harbor Commissioners Pat Higgins, Greg Dale and Stephen Kullman. Keep doing what you do for the Harbor.

Thank you to my former fellow directors on the Samoa Peninsula Fire District, Chief Dale Unea, Troy Nicolini, Hal Grotke and Lia Stoffers for their support and for keeping the Samoa Peninsula safe!

A shout out to volunteers Nick Thomas, Bill Cook, Cody Johns, Crescent City Councilman Alex Fallman, Ciara Emery and  Sandy Farrell for canvassing the streets of Eureka with me to get the message out about our campaign.  And thanks to Arcata City Councilman Brett Watson for the logistic support that was invaluable.

For the wonderful “Fish Fry by the Sea” event, thank you to former 1^st Division Harbor Commissioner Aaron Newman, Leroy Zerlang and the Dale families and friends. People are still talking about the great food!

I can’t say enough about the former elected officeholders that endorsed my campaign, Senator Wesley Chesbro, State Assembly member Patty Berg, Fourth District Supervisor Bonnie Neely, Third District Supervisors Julie Fulkerson and John Woolley, Eureka City Councilpersons Linda Adkin and Larry Glass and Arcata City Councilperson Alex Stillman. 

Thanks to the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee, Humboldt Progressive Democrats, North Coast People Alliance, Green Party of Humboldt County, Humboldt State College Democrats, and the Sierra club.

To my union brothers and sisters who helped finance and make my election viable, I am truly grateful to Humboldt/ Del Norte Central Labor Council, Building and Trades Council, Operating Engineers local 3, United Brotherhood of Carpenters 751, International  Brotherhood of  Electrical Workers 551, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) 1684, The International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators & Allied Workers local 16, the Laborers International Union of North America and the many other labor organizations.  “United we Bargain, Divided we beg!”

To my ever patient lifelong partner Robin, I love you and can’t begin to say how much I appreciate you.

Thank you to my opponent Marian Brady for running a fair campaign. We share many of the same visions for harbor growth, but just respectfully disagree how to get there.

Humboldt County, It has been an honor to represent the 4^th Division for the last nine years and I am looking forward to continued success for the future.  

If anybody out there has some spare change to donate to my campaign debt, please sent to Marks for Harbor Commissioner 2018 at PO Box 184 Samoa, Ca 95564 or go to my website at voterichardmarks.org. It will be much appreciated. 

Door knockers welcomed. Marks for Harbor Commissioner.

If you have never had the opportunity to knock doors for a political campaign in this area, here is your chance. I will be out and about in the 4th Division/District and I will set you up with partners, (might even be me) at 1pm tomorrow, Saturday November 3rd. Should only take a few hours. Either message me on facebook or text me at 707-496-9043. Only a few days to go!

Huffman, McGuire and Wood Endorse Richard Marks for Harbor District

Eureka, CA –Congressman Jared Huffman, State Senator Mike McGuire and Assemblyman Jim Wood have endorsed Richard Marks’ re-election to the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation, and Conservation District, Division 4.

“I am proud to receive the endorsements of our top three legislative leaders for the North Coast,” said Marks. “I am grateful for their partnerships in working with the Harbor District on the Pulp Mill clean up, keeping our shipping channels dredged and supporting our fishermen and oyster growers. They have been strong voices advocating for our Humboldt Bay community.”

Hey Eureka! You are OK! Thank you!

I was walking and knocking doors is Eureka today and I was thinking about all of the campaigns I have have canvassed in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and all over California. I knocked on a person's door today and had a pleasant conversation and when I was leaving they said, "Come back again when it is not election season!" I have probably knocked more doors in Eureka and surrounding areas than any other person besides a mail delivery person. There is one common thread to all of the people, Eureka people are courteous and welcoming! I think all of the campaigns in the Eureka area this election cycle see the same thing. Eureka is a great place with positive people! So don't get discouraged with people giving the town a bad rap, Eureka is not all that bad!

Nice LTE from Jack Crider. Many thanks.

Jack and Shawn Crider

True leadership is rare these days as it takes time, dedication and the ability to listen, learn and follow your heart to do the right thing. Richard Marks is that kind of leader and Humboldt Bay and Humboldt County is very lucky to have him.
I’ve been port director for three ports over a span of 25 years, two in Oregon and Humboldt Bay Harbor District. I worked directly under more than 20 elected port commissioners.

Commissioner Marks is a great mentor who provided me with guidance and was always available. Richard attended every meeting and event. He was dedicated to the weekly administrative duties, such as reviewing information and contracts. His availability was critical to the success of the operation and greatly appreciated by all of Humboldt Bay’s staff.

Commissioner Richard Marks’ advice on local politics was critical to me and his ability to remain calm under pressure, listen and address his constituents was always impressive. Richard’s demonstrated his leadership skills many times during difficult meetings and had the ability to gain consensus and provide guidance to staff.

Cleanup of the Samoa Pulp Mill and the zoning changes that allowed for all the new businesses and jobs on the peninsula would not have happened without Richard’s leadership.

For the future of Humboldt Bay, Humboldt County and the harbor district, please vote for Richard Marks, he is one of the best port commissioners I’ve ever worked for.

Jack Crider, Former Executive Director of the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District

Richard's Fish Fry by the sea!

If you have never had the chance to see the Samoa Women's Club and witness a sunset, come by and check out this event. 

Marks for Harbor Commissioner announcement. Please come by Wednesday at noon!

P R E S S  R E L E A S E

For Immediate Release, September 27, 2018

Richard Marks Announces Re-Election Campaign for Harbor District Commissioner

Contact: Richard Marks, (707) 496-9043, voterichardmarks@gmail.com

Eureka, Calif.—Richard Marks, current Commissioner on the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation, and Conservation District, Division 4, will announce his re-election campaign at a campaign rally on Wednesday, October 3 at noon (12 p.m.) at the Madaket Plaza on Eureka’s waterfront. The campaign announcement will feature speeches by Richard as well as 3^rdDistrict Supervisor Mike Wilson, 2^nd Division Harbor Commissioner Greg Dale and Eureka Major Frank Jager.

“I am running for re-election to continue to bring real economic balance and environmental stewardship to the District,” said Marks. “I am proud of the vision and accomplishments of my hardworking fellow commissioners—from cleaning up three million gallons of toxic liquors at the Samoa Pulp Mill to increasing ship tonnage volume by over 100,000 tons this last year—and I look forward to continuing the momentum, moving Humboldt Bay ahead both economically and environmentally.”

All are welcome to attend and find out ways to get involved with the campaign over the closing

stretch. Learn more about Richard by visiting https://www.voterichardmarks.org/.

I have the endorsements of the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee, Humboldt Progressive Democrats, North Coast People Alliance, Humboldt County Green Party and local leaders in the Democratic, Green and Republican parties. 

Oh Man, I am going all political on you!

I hope to return to the sports and burger assessments soon, but I am being taken to task for this decision to have caustic liquors taken from the old pulp mill site and sending the chemicals to be re purposed in Longview, Washington. Over 700 truck loads and no spills or emergencies! This helped take an eminent danger to the bay and created a "clean" piece of property.

Please check out "Richard Marks for Harbor District 2018". Now go have a great day!

Honeydewds and Arcata Tire/Murphy's win "A" and "B" MRSA Divisions.

Honeydewds softball club slipped by Ironside 6-3 to win the 2018 Mad River Softball Association "A" Division.

Arcata Tire/Murphy's were seeded 9th but ran the table and beat Redwood Coast Fuel 7-2 for the Championship of the "B" Division. 

It was a great, competitive year for the upper divisions this year. All went smooth and let's hope for the same next year!

Senior softball gets press!

KIEM came out and did a story on Senior Softball. It was fun.

Arcata Softball still alive! EXGOINGTOGIVEITTOYA wins tourney.

EXGOINGTOGIVEITTOYA! Beat the Free Agent "Dom Squad" 10-2 to win the Samoa Athletic Club Invitational.

The "Dom Squad" was able overcome a 4 hit with HR performance by Toye Johnson of CJ's to squeak by 13-11 to advance to the Championship game. Jake went 5-6 to lead the "Dom Squad."

In the Home Run Contest, Les Charter and Jesse Homen tied with 4 out 5 hits HR's. Jesse Homen went 3 out of 5 to win the contest of over 20 contestants and win over $100. Toye Johnson hit the top of the Arcata Community center over 400 Ft away for the Longest HR in the contest.

Should we have another tourney before September?

Richard Marks for Harbor Commissioner Division 4.

Looks like I have an opponent for my Harbor Commission seat. Below is my Campaign Statement.

STATEMENT OF CANDIDATE FOR COMMISSIONER

HUMBOLDT BAY HARBOR, RECREATION & CONSERVATION DISTRICT

DIVISION FOUR

Richard Marks                                                                      Age: 61

Occupation:  Commissioner, Humboldt Bay Division 4

I am running for re-election to continue to bring real economic balance and environmental stewardship to the district.

From an economic development and job creation perspective the district has been on a path of growth. This commission continues to be successful in working with our elected representatives at the state and congressional levels to lobby the Army Corps of Engineers for the continued dredging of Humboldt Bay even through lean years – ship traffic wise.

This commission successfully acquired the former Evergreen Pulp Mill with its many assets, including a commercial dock, needed warehousing, ocean outfall and other infrastructure that would have cost tens of millions to replace.  The Harbor District successfully worked with the EPA to safely remove nearly 3 million gallons of caustic chemicals to be repurposed at another pulp mill in Washington.

The Harbor Commission continues to support the fish cleaning station at Shelter Cove and has made many environmental improvements, including repairing the breakwater structure protecting the harbor.

The District has never been more transparent and accessible. I look forward to continuing that momentum.

Richard Marks 4th Division Commissioner

Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District

Softball August 11th in Arcata!

Please help get the word out! $10 per player at the Arcata Community Center.

5 Worst rock bands of all time! Yucky awards!

My least favorite rock bands starting from #5 and working to #1.

5. Eagles- Hotel California just does nothing for me. Period. I cant tell you why. is the only song of theirs I can listen to.

4. The Knack- When Robin and I were first married we had these neighbors in Myrtletowne that played "My Sharona" day and night. Drove me nuts. Right next to them was another of our neighbors that played music and was on tour with Rush in 1978. Pretty cool.

3. Hall and Oates- "I cant go for that" or anything else they do. They are a consistent yucky.

2. Boston- This is more than a feeling, Man, when Boston came out in the 70's I thought they were going to be the greatest of all time. After decades they grate on me more than any band. And you too I suppose.

1. Steve Miller Band- Joker, Keep on Rocking me, Jet Airliner, Abracadabra, Jungle Love, Space Cowboy........all horrible. Equally. Hope to not offend all.

I agree with TS that EPA needs to follow through!

The Times-Standard

“Who pays for the pulp mill cleanup?” we asked in a Friday front page headline on Samoa’s environmental woes, but you could already guess the answer: You.

Not Evergreen Pulp Inc., the company found responsible by the Environmental Protection Agency for nearly causing an environmental catastrophe on Humboldt Bay and the Samoa Peninsula.

Rotting tanks full of caustic pulp mill liquors might have spilled into Humboldt Bay under a heavy rainfall thanks to Evergreen Pulp. But, shock, shock, horror, Evergreen Pulp has left taxpayers holding the tab for the cleanup: $16 million and rising.

That’s millions the EPA might not ever collect from the company it blames for the debacle.

“EPA investigated Evergreen Pulp, and believes it to be a liable party, but the investigation also revealed a long line of unsatisfied creditors ahead of EPA,” agency’s spokeswoman Margot Perez-Sullivan wrote in an email to the Times-Standard.

Reacting to Friday’s story on his own blog, Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District Division 4 Commissioner Richard Marks — who worked at the mill for 30 years — paints a picture of an EPA unable or unwilling to chase down bad actors and convince them to make good on their debts.

The cumulative effect of this limp response by federal regulators? For starters, it undermines whatever trust we may put in government oversight. It encourages malfeasance from unscrupulous companies, who see that they’ll be allowed to essentially skip town without being held responsible for their actions. It figuratively poisons the business climate for the companies who remain, or who hope to do business here in the future. And, most importantly, it continues to threaten the literal poisoning of our environment.

Do better, EPA. Get what we’re owed.

EPA decision leaves hundreds of Humboldt workers screwed.

Will Houston wrote an article in the Times Standard today, "Who pays for the Pulp Mill Cleanup?" The price is up to 16 million dollars! Basically they are allowing Evergreen Pulp Inc., the responsible party, to walk away from any form of repayment.

When I gave testimony to the Environmental Protection Agency, they had identified the officers of Evergreen and they knew of their subsidiary status with Lee and Mann of China. If you check the link out you will see that Lee and Mann is quite healthy finance wise. The investor rating is to "Buy." I requested and begged the EPA to go after Evergreen or Lee and Mann and was told at that time they were leery because they didn't want to make an "International Incidence" over a few million dollars. Well, 16 million is not chicken feed. I was hoping for the EPA to leave a paper trail so that I could hire lawyers to go after Evergreen and recover federal "Warn Act" money that workers were entitled to as well as medical monies and recovery of legal expenses for the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers local 49 workers at the former pulp mill. I called EPA spokeswoman Margot Perez-Sullivan to question the EPA decision to let Evergreen slide and she referred me to EPA attorney Andrew Helmlinger.

Mr. Helminger told me the EPA decision so far has been based on "No Judgement Proof" or the failure of AWPPW attorneys and the EPA's attorneys lack of financial success chasing Evergreen to Colorado and the Virgin Isles which were hidden in "Corporate Veils." Not wanting to throw good money for bad." Mr. Helmlinger and Margot Perez-Sullivan were very cordial and patient with my requests. I am considering options to rectify this situation.

(I took some time off from this blog for awhile. Should be more regular posts now.)

Mike McGuire wins biggest post card award. Timing off?

I went to my post box today and had to figure out a way to pull a 12' by 15" political post card on behalf of the McGuire campaign today. I ripped it slightly and was shocked to see how big it was. Mike, I love you, I support and will vote for you. But really? Tell your consultants to shrink that to a more standard 8 1/2" by 5 1/2". I ran across a mail carrier later in the day and saw they were folding these in half and were not happy dealing with them, and the lady who was delivering commented on the timing being off and that many had already voted and they seemed to think it was a waste. (Most Absentee ballots were delivered on Monday and absentee voters have already voted.)

Humboldt and Del Norte Central Labor Council nails Absentee mailer.

The only mailer that arrived with my 2018 primary election ballot was from labor today. So kudos to Humboldt Del Norte Central Labor Council (HDNCLC) for their timing. 

Did anybody receive any political mailers today?

Over regulation now?

How can we fix this problem? Start from scratch?

Local business leaders asked to invest in "Clandestine" opportunity?

Why all the secretive "hush, hush" on this new Pacific Northwest Railroad organization? Seems to me that the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District (HBHR&RD) and the North Coast Rail Authority (NCRA) should probably be part of the conversation. I was called by a concerned potential local investor who wanted to know our involvement and I said I have only heard rumors, but here is now some evidence. Supposedly local people have been asked to invest 10 Million dollars to help leverage an ask of 4 Billion private dollars from Wall Street. Anyone out there have further clarification? Supposedly this new organization said there are rail laws on the books from the 1800's that allow them to fast track the process.