Relics win Senior Tournament. Mickey Ayala wins HR contest. Next Senior Tourney Aug. 26?

The Relics had to rally for 5 runs in the bottom of the 7^th to slip by the Bears 11-10 to reach the championship game and barely held on to beat the Classics 5-4 to garner the 1^st Place Trophy donated by Samoa Athletic Club. The Rookies took down the Bears 15-8 for 3^rd Place.

From Bottom Left for Relics: Stuart Rosenburg 3B, Al Wolski 2B, Kathy, Mark Raymond OF, Robert Ruehl 1st and Tom Marking SS. Top: Softball King OF, David Damme OF, Tim Ash 1st, Paul Pennington P, Paul Barrett OF and Pat Higgins C.  Average age 64.45. 

Mickey Ayala hit 3 out 5 swings out of the park to win a very competitive Home Run contest. Doc Jones hit 2 out of 5 and hit the fence on another and Scott Wooley, Jeff Powers and Buzz Johnson also cleared the fence.

Very spirited Saturday! Big Thanks to Buzz Johnson and Tom Marking for the help with field prep. I hope we can do this again in August.

Thank You to all who participated and patronized the Snack Bar helping out Mad River Girls Fastpitch Softball League.

Here is the top 21 hitters by Base % in the Tournament:

1.       Paul Pennington               .777        Relics

2.       Stuart Rosenburg             .777        Relics

3.       Pat Higgins                        .777        Relics

4.       Mike Conboy                     .777        Bears

5.       Mike Powers                     .727        Rookies

6.       Tom Pagano                      .727        Rookies

7.       Tim Ash                              .700        Relics

8.       Kent Froblom                    .700        Classics

9.       Scott Wooley                     .700        Classics

10.   Bill Hicks                            .667        Classics

11.   Doug Pace                         .667        Classics

12.   Carlos Avelar                     .636        Rookies

13.   Mickey Ayala                     .636        Bears

14.   Kieth Morison                   .636        Bears

15.   Mark Raymond                 .636        Relics

16.   Paul Barrett                       .636        Relics

17.   Robert Ruehl                     .625        Relics

18.   Dave Schlosse                   .600        Bears

19.   Rick Mitchell                     .600        Bears

20.   Paul Woodland                 .600        Bears

21.   Earl Eddy                            .600        Bears

Rail meeting 7/12/17. Rail gone forever in Humboldt?

Healdsburg City Councilman David Hagele was welcomed aboard and attended his first meeting as at large city representative. And it was a lively one.

 

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) was on the forefront of the NCRA July meeting. There seemed to be a demand of the Commission for the NCRA to produce a working business plan or a shut down plan by October. It is to note that the CTC has no Jurisdiction over the NCRA.  As I am on the Finance Committee I have been privy to the projected budget for next two years and can confidentially say the NCRA will be able to pay their bills thanks to a settlement with AT&T over encroachment issues in Ukiah. That, of course, is contingent on no emergencies. The CTC speculated that the NCRA was selling properties purchased with public dollars to cover debt incurred and wanted accountability of those funds. A land transaction with the Judicial Council of California at Ukiah’s old train depot was supposed to generate $1.3 million for 4.1 acres has been in the works for a few years. The hope is to build a new Mendocino Court House at the location.

 

NCRA Executive Director Mitch Stogner explained that his organization has Operating Expenses of about $700,000 and Revenues of $500,000. That statement in itself usually gets attention. You have to remember that the NCRA is not legislatively funded so operating expenses have been “smoke and mirrors” or creative financing for years. One of the ways the NCRA has been able to exist is having NWPco make $15,000 payments to the NCRA for a Rail Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) 3.1 million dollar loan that was made in 2011 for track repairs with NCRA acting as Co-Borrowers with NWPco. Another critical financial burden for future consideration is the millions that is pending in lawsuits against the NCRA. Our audit calls us a "ongoing concern."

 

NWPco counsel and former North Coast Congressman Doug Bosco explained that the original legislative creation of the NCRA did nothing to fund the ongoing operations. Mr. Bosco said NWPco announced to the CTC Commission no plans to service the 240 miles north of Windsor. Currently they are only operating at night and have had to battle flooding. A proposed rail spur that was initially estimated at $150,000 has now been priced at $800,000 at Lagunita’s Brewery in Petaluma. Mr. Bosco said the NWPco is profitable in Marin and Sonoma County. But what about Mendocino, Humboldt and the Port at Eureka? Not in the plans at this time.

 

When you compare some of the numbers for transportation concerns, it is hard not to consider the $459 million for the 6 mile bypass at Willits or the $440 million to Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART).  Is train service even being considered by our local legislators? The bottom line is that the NCRA need legislative help as quickly as possible. The rail line is an important asset for the North Coast. As freight service or as recreational trail.

Crabs vs Bombers all day!

Times Standard writer Danny Penza wrote a story on how the Humboldt Crabs and Humboldt B52 Bombers need to play more games against each other. There used to be a time when the Crabs were very local and those days seemed to have slipped away. Back in the 70's there were open tryouts at HSU (they don't even have a field or official team anymore) and many local players could participate. Now only a few token players seem to have the chance. The B52's give that chance for local players in their later 20's to keep on playing. My wife and I were regulars at Crab's park until they dismantled the wooden bleachers and replaced them with those awful metal ones. Another advantage for the Bombers. Redwood field has nice seats and great food! So lets see more games!

Rest in peace Dietrich Streoh. You were a busy man!

Fellow Director of the North Coast Rail Authority Dietrich "Diet" Stroeh passed away. He was also the President of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District Board. He was a leader in many other civic positions.

He was a huge in politics and commerce in Marin County.

Diet was one of those guys who you just wanted to be around. Funny, smart and charismatic. He will be really missed.

"Diet" inspired a book concerning his actions during drought times in Marin County and how he helped solve complex political issues "The man who made it rain."

Democrats Divided. "Demexiting" continues.

This Chronicle article says it all and it is not good for the Democratic Party. I attended this years California Convention as a delegate for the HCDCC and what I witnessed does not bode well for the party. The old line Democrats seemed stunned that their ways and thoughts have been challenged by the "Berniecrats" or new free thinking young Democrats. Until this "chasm" is addressed, Democrats will further be marginalized even though a record number delegates were at this years Democratic Convention in Sacramento. The split is real and hard feeling are not going away soon.

Outgoing Chair John Burton was as classless as ever with his f-bombs and flipping the finger to everybody that wouldn't agree with his way. His leadership was a joke in a time of Democratic peril. That old guard needs to let go. But it won't happen anytime soon.

Mad River Softball meeting tonight at Arcata Community Center 6pm.

Mad River Softball Association will have a general managers meeting this Wednesday May 17th at 6pm at the Arcata Community Center. Please be there or send a team representative. Some topics:

 

Summer League will start June 19th. Sponsorship is $440 and $50 per player up to 12 players or total cost is $1,040 for 12 person team. Each player over 12th is $25 extra. (Same price as last year.)

 

Fees will be due by June 14th. No exceptions. No money chasing this year!

 

Women's Division? Have had inquires about women's league. Maybe a CO-ED division?

 

Friday night league? This night is mostly open. Maybe CO-ED division on Fridays?

Softball King at 60!

Please allow me to introduce myself, I’m am the Softball King. The best softballer you will ever witness.

Just ask the opposing teams in the 3 leagues I’m in this summer. I flat out rake. You could populate a small country with all the pitchers I've taken to shallow right. No wonder they walk me so many times in a season. Gotta be intimidation.

I just spent lots of time hitting batting practice. Blooper drives, blooper flies, opposite field bloopers. I can do it all. Some kids at the skateboard park at Coopers had to stop and were staring and pointing at me in awe. I can’t blame them. They’ve probably never seen a 60 year man wearing Oakley Blades and batting gloves who can hit rake bloopers like me. Especially not with shorts this tight.

This season, I am in it for revenge. We fell in the B League Championship Game in Arcata to Sushi Spot. The taste still lingers.  I’ve gotta get my hands on that 3-foot plastic trophy and tee shirt. It’s all I think about. Rumor has it the league winners get 2 free pitchers at the Jambalaya after the season. No way we lose with the trophy, shirts and 78 ounces of Bud on the line.

I just bought all new equipment for this season and you should see the extra long stripped baggy baseball pants I got. Super tight. I picked up a new set of wristbands, a tube of eye black and a pair of 3-inch mud cleats, you know, just in case I need to break up a double play. I also got my hands on one of those $25 Louisville bats for a little extra power. It may cost me a part of my retirement pension, but screw it, when I start cranking 100-foot pop ups it will be worth it. I am the John Wooden of the woodbat hitters! My dribbler to third is something to witness! 

This year I’m focused. In my mind I have visualized what needs to get done. My initials might as well be M-V-P. That stands for Most Valuable Player for all you non-softball players. The League starts tomorrow.

Why do I take softball so seriously? You kidding me? You’re just jealous! See you at the ball park!

King Richard

President Mad River Softball Association

ECO NEWS updates

Always something of interest and educational from this paper.

Dredge Spoils on Samoa Beach.

Understanding Dredging on Humboldt Bay

East West Rail update

Eureka Police Chief Andy Mills, “(Eureka) more violent than New Orleans!”

When the top police officer for your counties largest municipality (About 27,017 down from 28,600 in 1990!) makes an opening statement during a “Community Leadership” panel at Cannifest, “Eureka is more violent than New Orleans!” It tends to get your attention quick. When he says, “Santa Rosa had 5 homicides compared to our 22.”  You are forced to listen. And you just become downright concerned when he points out that 125 weapons were confiscated last year.  When he states that the Cannabis community should get more involved with solving the crime issues by standing firm and united and points out they need to say “enough is enough” in a singular voice against the criminal elements, maybe, just maybe it is time for the cannabis community to listen to his message of hope.

But his disgust was evident when talking about sneaking BHO labs around Eureka and the bad cannabis players. And where is the deterrence leverage when someone has been busted twice for over ¼ pound of Heroin with weapons in a year? Mr. Mills feels part of the solution lies at the feet of the cannabis industry that is compliant and pays taxes. How long does the cannabis community wait until it engages? Maybe the time is now.  

Humboldt County Democrats support McGuire Senate Bill 149.

Resolution in Support of Senate Bill 149 the “Presidential Tax Transparency and Accountability Act.”

Whereas, a presidential candidate’s income tax returns provide voters with essential information regarding the candidate’s potential conflicts of interest, business dealings, financial status, and charitable donations;

And whereas, President Donald Trump’s refusal to release his income tax returns departed from decades of established political tradition, denying voters the opportunity to fully evaluate his fitness for the office of President of the United States;

 

And whereas, transparency should be the optimal goal in evaluating all candidates for the highest office in the United States;

Therefore, be it resolved that the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee supports Senate Bill 149, the “Presidential, Transparency and Accountability Act.

Adult Basketball in McKinleyville!

Housing Shortage in Eureka! No jobs for you!

Randy Weaver, a North Coast Labor Market Consultant, did a Humboldt Housing Affordability presentation to the Redwood Region Economic Development Commission (RREDC) this week and some of the quick observations were pretty interesting. There has been very little growth in Eureka over the last umpteenth years.

The median price for a home in Eureka is $250,000. $317,000 in McKinleyville and ….$459,000 in Redway!

Rental Vacancy rates in Eureka are at 3.4%. Fortuna has 9% available.  

Renters represent 61% of Eureka Housing.

64% of all houses in Eureka were built before 1959! 32% of them were built before 1939!

Only 2% of the houses were built between 2000-2009. From 2010 to present there has been less than 1%.

Only 23% of residents can afford to buy a house. In 2007 it was only 11%!

When businesses are looking to relocate the most important criteria for such moves are:

1.      Low Crime Rate: Not good that Eureka has a crime index rate of 1. Only 1% of all cities are as unsafe as Eureka.

2.     Healthcare Facilities: Cost of Living index rate for healthcare is 119 compared to 100 for the US. Not good.

3.      Education: Only 82% residents of graduated High School. Average student test scores are 24% less than national average. Student to teacher ratio in Eureka is 19:1 compared to 16:1 for the nation.

Just about every living index is greatly higher than the national average. And we have one of the highest Homeless per capita rate in the nation also. These are what businesses take into account when they decide to grow into a community.

What is the solution? Just the messenger here.

Why does Homeless have to be Synonymous with Garbage?

Invariable if you see "House Poor" encampments in Humboldt County such as the one above just north of the slough bridge, there is lots of garbage. I don't plan on being homeless in the near future, but if this ever happened to me I would at least keep things in order. It makes you wonder how these people would live if they were re-housed. Would they then just keep the same habits and blight neighborhoods? I just don't have the answer.

Best Eureka Burger Redux. Mike's slips into first!

In my past posts on best burgers in Eureka, Mike's had always come close but never garnering the #1 burger position. I have been craving their burgers for months now and set them on the pedestal.

5. Surfside Burger Shack (Eureka)- I do think they need to put up a corn fed beef option. Just buy those pre-made up from Costco or something. 

4. AA Bar and Grill-Has the best consistent Burger you will find with old time bar type atmosphere.

3. Cafe Nooner- Great service and great burgers. Buns are a little chewy sometimes.

 

2. 6th and E Cafe- Where else is there a line of people waiting to be seated for burgers at lunch? Go have a burger on Tuesday half price day!  

1. Mike's (Eureka)-Don't talk politics in here and you will do well. Great greasy garlic fries. They made # 1! 

Rail Authority dealing with homeless in Ukiah.

The North Coast Rail Authority (NCRA) met yesterday and found out the flood water receded enough for freight service to ramp up. It was reported that a huge homeless problem is rearing its ugly head in Ukiah on the properties surrounding the old train depot. Seems to be the case all up and down the rail corridor. Hope to hear some solutions soon.

Spring Softball! Oh happy days!

2017 Spring League: The Mad River Softball Association is hosting an adult wood bat Sunday softball league starting April 23rd, at the Arcata Community Sports Complex. Teams play double headers on Sundays April 30th at Pacific Union, May 7th at Pacific Union, either Saturday May 13th or May 14 (Mothers Day) at Arcata Sports Complex, May 21st at Arcata Sports Complex and Championships on June 4th at Arcata Sports Complex. 10 game league season and double elimination playoff so 12 games guaranteed. Games start at Sports Complex start at either 12:30pm, 1:35pm, 2:40pm or 3:45pm. Games at Pacific Union will be either 10am, 11:05am, 12:10pm, 1:15pm, 2:20pm 3:25pm, 4:30pm or 5:35pm.  Price per team is $595. Free agent players without teams will be placed on teams at $50 per player. Players must be at least 16 years or older. League will only be able to accommodate 8 teams. For more information contact (707) 445-3432 or email Samoafog@aol.com.

 

Summer League will start June 12th. Sponsorship is $440 and $50 per player up to 12 players or total cost is $1,040 for 12 person team. Each player over 12th is $25 extra.

  

Blue Lake also has a Sunday league starting in April. For more information on their program call 707-668-5655 If you are interested in putting a team in Blue Lake and Arcata, I can schedule so there are no conflicts. 

 

Warm Up Softball Tournament Memorial  Weekend May 27th & 28th. Guaranteed 4 games $199. Either Wood Bat or Metal Bat determined on interest. 1st place Shirts 2nd place Trophy.

Samoa Community Service District chugging along.

A proposed Community Service District is moving along out on the Peninsula. It has been a long drawn out process but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Right now there are about 517 residents south of the Samoa bridge. When total build out is complete there will be about 1,221 with many new housing affordable. I am excited to see positive change in the horizon.

2017 California Maritime Leadership Symposium

I went to the California Maritime Leadership symposium.  17^th year they have met.   The California Maritime Leadership Symposium is a conference focused on all modes of California’s maritime transportation system – ports, vessels, highway and rail – and the intricacies, challenges and realities of maintaining and growing a viable, healthy and dynamic maritime economy in the 21st century. Here were some observations:

Plans

a.      Sustainable Action Plan

b.      Sustainable Freight Plan.

c.       Freight Mobility Plan

d.      Plan of Reduction of carbon footprint

e.      Plan for Creation Green Gates vs Dirty truck fee plan

f.        Plan of reduction of Carbon Footprint

Facts

a.    Walmart is focused on science based goals and have doubled their efficiency in recent years.  “Faster, Reliable and safe.” “Volume hides sins.”

b.   "0” emissions  is goal for most.

c.    By 2030 Los Angeles wants 100 “0” emission vehicles.

d.    Oakland is open until 3 in morning and exports represent 53% of business and 47% import.

e.     Need to use Foreign Trade Zones  and build in USA.

f.      Redwood City getting ferries.

g.     Port of Hueneme imports  80 million bananas.

h.     China not using clean energy still relying on Coal.

Bottlenecks

a.     Trucks moving without loads.

b.     Xmas trees being delivered in July

c.      Volume hide

d.     SO Cal Ports need more open hours.

e.      Pile ups at gates

f.       Short Sea Shipping failed in test run in Stockton

g.      Dirty Trucks waiting outside ports to haul

h.      Technology there. No Money. Cost Prohibitive.

i.       No consistent universal electrical plug ins

j.       Distribution centers don’t always agree with Truck hours

Marks selected Chair of Harbor. Mother Nature funding $50,000 to remove me from office. Dredge Spoils to Beach?

Tonight's Humboldt Bay Harbor meeting was packed once again. New 3rd Division Commissioner Stephen Kullman was sworn into office. I was elected by my co-commissioners to be Chair for the 3rd time with Larry Doss serving as Vice Chair. Earlier in the meeting a member of the public pledged $50,000 of "mother natures" money into a campaign fund to take me out of office. Our big ticket item for the night was a discussion on Dredge Sediment disposal plan and the Beach Disposal option. The discussion was lively, with the majority wanting dredging no matter what it takes. And many fishermen and boat owners were in favor of using the Beach Surf Zone Disposal option. Dave Schneider, who was a consultant (And Dock Owner) on the present and past disposal projects gave history back to the 70's and gave strong arguments for using the beach. It seems that there was some agreement in the past to never use the beach option again. Commissioner Kullman wanted to see if the cost difference was manageable to use the Pulp Mill outfall line as compromise. The subject was just a discussion and staff was given direction to work with the agencies first to get some common ground or sand if you will.

NWPco under water! NCRA financially floating along.

North Western Pacific Co (NWPco) is currently having flooding issues at Shellville and other areas on the Southern Portion of the North Coast Rail Authority (NCRA) rail tracks. NWPco is the freight carrier for the NCRA and service these customers (click on link) in Marin and Sonoma counties. There has been quite of few financial moves by the NCRA staff and board, that will have the NCRA running comfortably in the black for the foreseeable future. So some bad news, and yet some good news for rail service. Next expansion project to Cloverdale.

Ted Sillanpaa gone at 60. Sometimes Droll, always entertaining.

Witty, Sarcastic, Shrewd and in his own way, Brilliant. I met Ted at Eureka High when he was editor of the Eureka High School Redwood Bark paper. I was a junior writer and I thought the guy was arrogant. I noticed girls in class were gaga over him and he seemed aloof to their calls for attention. To really put a great impression on me, he assigned me to do a Eureka High golf story with Mr. Darling and I knew nothing about hitting a ball with sticks into holes. He was dating Amy Waldsmith at the time, so I did give him kudos for that. Truth be known, I was kind of jealous of Ted. He seemed so confident and focused.

Little did I know until letter in life that he suffered his demons like the rest of us. He was actually shy and not at all overconfident. Some of his writing for the Time Standard seemed to take "Scorch and Burn" attitude on some local issues. He was not afraid to share his feeling and points of view. I got to hear from plenty from the public locally and it seemed that Ted was persecuted for his coaching techniques in youth baseball, football and basketball as well as for his writing. I had to hear people talk about his favoritism with his sons Trent and Tyren, when in reality they were very talented and approachable young men. My son Jacob played basketball for Ted and I witnessed no favoritism and he was beyond fair.

I played Recreation ball with Ted and he was always very retrospective of the players playing and good at taking in the moment. I am sure he thought I took things way to serious.

Anyways, this is a poignant time to reflect a good man who loved his family, was a great coach, fantastic writer and master observer of people. He loved his children and was so proud of Trent, Tyren, Kyndall and Kellen with all his heart.

May Ted now Rest in Peace, but not be forgotten.

Broadband Fiber Optic Cable coming to Marine Terminal II.

Lots of rumors flying about Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District's agreement with Inyo Networks to bring broadband cable over 299 and out the outfall pipe at the old pulp mill site. Lost Coast Outpost did a couple of stories and then people started chiming in with poor information. No, this is not the project that came across RREDC a few years ago with the project using highway 36. This will not limit rural communities along 299 but will include Weaverville, Willow Creek, Hoopa and other small communities north of 299/101. There will be the opportunity for Humboldt businesses and the public to actualize better internet service. This is a good thing not bad.

What happened to Eureka Recreational Softball?

I have had a few arguments with Eureka City staff in the past about the drop off of Adult Recreational Softball in Eureka. This last year there were 17 Men's Adult Softball Teams and 0 Women's teams. In 1981 there were 55 men's teams and  and 37 Women's teams. There was also an active men's fast pitch league with about 10 team. That means there was over 100 adult teams playing softball in 1981!

What happened? In 1981 there were 39 teams playing in Arcata, and we had around 50 this last year, 2016. So the interest still is there. There has been huge league expansions over the years in Crescent City, Medford, Redding, Fortuna and Ukiah. Why such a drop off in Eureka?

Number one reason is the field conditions. If you ever had the chance to check out the Eureka Fields and compare them to the Arcata fields, you know what I am talking about. In 1981 Eureka used 7 fields for league. Highland, Carson Park (Two fields), Cooper Gulch (Two Fields), Kennedy and Hartman fields.

What I am surprised about is the lack of outcry from Eureka businesses. When you have the well over 1,000 people playing ball you fill the pizza parlors, brewery's and bars. Tom's Sourdough, Angelo's, Shakey's....all would be crazy full. 

I personally would like to see Eureka advertise, solicit and expand recreation adult sports. If not, it is Eureka's loss. 

(Below is standing for men's league in 1981.) 

Don't be mad, get active! Vote for delegates going to Dem Convention.

If you are a registered Democrat and have some time available from 10am to 12:30pm this Saturday, please come to the Labor Temple on E st. and vote for one of those Progressive Democrats in the link above.

Mike Wilson's last day as Harbor Commission.

Let me say that I have been so fortunate to have been associated with someone who worked so hard in his 10 years as the 3rd Division Humboldt Bay Harbor Commissioner. Mike challenged me to think topics out at higher levels than just probing an issue face value. Mike led the Harbor District during some really stressful changeover of staff and was instrumental on keeping the Harbor District "afloat" (No pun intended) by his leadership.

I consider Mike the king of "policy wonks" and have admired his wanting technical details of a project before pushing forward. Mike was peerless as a negotiator to help the Harbor District garner funds for the future King Salmon dredging project and keeping the Commissioners informed of the process. Mike served consecutive terms as President of the Commission and was on the lead of bringing the EPA on to help clean-up the old Pulp Mill.

I can't say enough good things about Mike. Although his taste in foods might not align with mine. But he has opened my mind to strange cuisines and had me taste foods I normally wouldn't try. And he is great to have a beer with and shoot the crap bout all things life.

Godspeed Mike as Supervisor of the 3rd District of Humboldt County. They are lucky to have you.

1091 to be taken out of water.

The former Navy vessel "1091" will be pulled away from dock by England Marine at 7:30am and towed to grounding spot below Samoa Cookhouse at 8am. Hope all goes well.

Humboldt County Democrats reboot Communication and Education Committee

Newly elected Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee (HCDCC) member Michele Walford from the 1^st District chaired a recent Communication and Education Committee (CEC) meeting on Tuesday November 29^th at HCDCC Headquarters. It was more of reorganization or restructuring of a committee that is tasked with electronic media, member support and training, technology support, and community communication, such as website and facebook maintenance but tonight the focus was energizing new members and new volunteers. Over 20 people came to participate.

The CEC opened with a pledge of Allegiance to the flag. (There, we are not all communist, socialistic liberal left wing anti Americans!)

The first thing we discussed is “Who or what are we locally and State wise as Democrats?” There was some back and forth about how the Democratic National Committee screwed up the Primary election for Bernie Sanders but all agreed we need to heal and solve this issue in the future. So as local Democrats, “What are we?”

For the People

Believe in Science/Climate change

Open to all Color and Sexes

Non-Discriminating

Progressive

Working Class

So after identifying who we are, what can we do to help the local Democratic Party?

Support Young Democrats

Support Black Lives Matter

Support Community Building

Extend outreach to all

Connect with Minorities

Support likeminded local candidates

What can we do right now in the immediate?

Fill empty seats on HCDCC

Do Outreach on registered Democrats who haven’t ever voted

Register voters who haven’t ever participated door to door

Fill vacated offices or seats for Special Districts such as:

a.    School Districts

b.    Community Service Districts

c.    Fire Boards

d.    Other Special Districts

What message do we want our leaders to have?

Differentiate what Democrats are doing as opposed to Republicans

Be the Source of Truth with details

Know we are watching their votes

Know we have their backs on decisions when they do their job right

What can CEC do better?

Do weekly updates on causes

Better use of social media with HCDCC Facebook page

Next topic of issue for the 2017 CEC will be a resolution to “Abolish the Electoral College.”

Is Recession on the way since Trump is in office?

USA Today has a great story and graph about how recessions come and go, but largely when Republicans are in the white house. Click the USA link to see the full graph back to 1901.

Humboldt Bay Shipping up 70%!

Since I was elected commissioner for the 4^th Division of the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District (HBHR&CD) in 2009 the narrative from some people critical of the commission has been a conceived notion we have given up on shipping and only focus on Aquaculture. This is not the case. We have had setbacks that we were not able to control such as shoaling caused by  sediment from the Eel river that received large volumes of rain this last year. This caused a few ships to be turned away, but overall we are surviving.

In 2016 we are expected to reach cargo levels of 583,019 metric tons. That is a 70% increase from 2015! Not only that, projections for 2017 shows we will nearly reach the million ton threshold next year which would be an additional 68.1% increase and a level not achieved in Humboldt Bay since 1991! A quarter of a century ago! That was when we had 2 pulp mills and one sawmill on the peninsula with nearly 1,000 high wage union workers. How did this happen? California Redwood has made vast improvements and upgrades to their facility with hopes of 10-12 vessels in 2017 and Schneider dock has picked up more log customers and Sierra Pacific dock reports stabilized business.

I know many people feel the Timber Industry is dead, but Lumber/Logs and Wood Chips represent about 50% of our shipping tons. When the pulp mills were open they added another 350,000 tons a year. From 2000 to 2008 the Samoa Pulp mill represented about 25% of the total volume of tonnage. That was a huge loss.

So since I have been in office we have went from 316,480 metric tons of cargo to 583,019. An 84% increase. If we reach the projected 980,000 metric tons next year, that will be a 209.7% percent increase since I took office. Is that not pretty good shipping increases? And we should have 2 cruise ships to boot in 2017.

The HBHR&CD commissioners continue to be proactive in soliciting businesses that would be a good fit to the bay and we have done our best to lobby and make sure dredging by the Army Corp is done each year. We are thankful to have partnerships with California Redwood, Schneider dock, and Sierra Pacific to make sure this happens. 

Marks family helps lead Trump to office?

I was doing voting inventory on my Mother and Father's children and came up with some eye opening observations or speculation. My siblings voted 4-4 for Trump and Hillary. Their spouses voted 5-2 for Trump. My sons, nieces and nephews voted 9-7 for Hillary. So overall my immediate family voted 16-15 for Donald Trump.  And of those, the ones with the most money voted for Trump and the ones with the least voted for Hillary. How did your family vote overall?

HCDCC goes undefeated with endorsed Candidates and Measures.

Might as well concentrate on the positives. The Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee (HCDCC) endorsed candidates and measures won Humboldt County elections by significant margins even though they were out spent by over $100,000 in aggregate by the opponents. The HCDCC "boots on the ground" electioneering was very successful this election. Even Hillary won huge in our generally Liberal county.

Congrats to Austin Allison as newly elected Councilman  for the City of Eureka, and to re-elected Arcata city Council-members Mike Winkler and Susan Ornelas. Also congrats to Measure "P" and Measure "V".

Nasty Presidential Election nothing new. Check out 1800!

The election for President in 1800 between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson was an emotional and hard-fought campaign. Each side believed that victory by the other would ruin the nation.

Federalists attacked Jefferson as an un-Christian deist whose sympathy for the French Revolution would bring similar bloodshed and chaos to the United States. On the other side, the Democratic-Republicans denounced the strong centralization of federal power under Adams's presidency. Republicans' specifically objected to the expansion of the U.S. army and navy, the attack on individual rights in the Alien and Sedition Acts, and new taxes and deficit spending used to support broadened federal action.

Overall, the Federalists wanted strong federal authority to restrain the excesses of popular majorities, while the Democratic-Republicans wanted to reduce national authority so that the people could rule more directly through state governments.

The election's outcome brought a dramatic victory for Democratic-Republicans who swept both houses of Congress, including a decisive 65 to 39 majority in the House of Representatives. The presidential decision in the electoral college was somewhat closer, but the most intriguing aspect of the presidential vote stemmed from an outdated Constitutional provision whereby the Republican candidates for president and vice president actually ended up tied with one another.

Votes for President and Vice President were not listed on separate ballots. Although

During the election of 1800, Federalists cast Thomas Jefferson as an infidel because of his strict advocacy for the separation of Church and State.

Adams ran as Jefferson's main opponent, running mates Jefferson and AARON BURR received the same number of electoral votes. The election was decided in the House of Representatives where each state wielded a single vote.

Interestingly, the old Federalist Congress would make the decision, since the newly elected Republicans had not yet taken office. Most Federalists preferred Burr, and, once again, Alexander Hamilton shaped an unpredictable outcome. After numerous blocked ballots, Hamilton helped to secure the presidency for Jefferson, the man he felt was the lesser of two evils. Ten state delegations voted for Jefferson, 4 supported Burr, and 2 made no choice.

One might be tempted to see the opposing sides in 1800 as a repeat of the Federalist and Anti-Federalist divisions during the ratification debates of 1788-1789. The core groups supporting each side paralleled the earlier division. Merchants and manufacturers were still leading Federalists, while states' rights advocates filled the Republican ranks just as they had the earlier Anti-Federalists.

Support for Thomas Jefferson throughout the entire Western frontier assured his victory over John Adams in the presidential election 1800.

The political cartoon above has the "Eye of God" directing the American Eagle to snatch the Constitution from Thomas Jefferson hands. Jefferson is kneeling at an alter to "Gallic (French) Despotism." The "Mazzei" letter in Jefferson's right hand where he refers to George Washington as "Monarchical." Jefferson was thought to be playing both sides of the fence. 

North Coast Rail Authority (NCRA) Operator reports update!

The Operator for Northwestern Pacific Corporation (NWPco) is represented by former Congressman Doug Bosco and he had some interesting updates on freight news for the NCRA rail. Doug said there was escalating interest in goods movement and announced that they were close to an agreement with Innovative Molding caps. (They make plastic caps for many products.) There would be the need for a rail spur to the factory near Rohnert Park at the cost of $600,000. Of that expense SMART is liable to $400,000 per an agreement for rights for rail use, but SMART might fight that in the end.

Mendocino Forest Product wants to use the rail for freight. They feel it could be cost effective if they could trans-load in Windsor or Petaluma. Humboldt Redwood would be a future target. “Willits is our dream for trans-loading,” Doug said, noting that was not a pipe dream.  

I met the Cannabis Boogeyman at NCRA Meeting!

At the latest North Coast Rail Authority (NCRA) meeting held 10/12/16 in Healdsburg I was introduced to Paul Trouette, the CEO of Lear Asset Management. (I am one of the 9 Directors for the NCRA.) This outfit is the absolute nightmare of trespass cannabis growers all over Northern California. They use helicopters and 20 paramilitary staff to eradicate or destroy illegal cannabis farms and arrest grow “Operatives.” 

   

Lear is expanding their services to include dealing with chromic trespassing of NCRA right away properties and is creating a Business Improvement Association (BIA) for about 542 property owners along the NCRA corridor between Willits and Arcata. Mr. Trouette reported that Lear has only eradicated about 140 plants along the NCRA properties and was focused more on trespassers such as Foreign Nationalists who are on the North Coast on a short time basis camping illegally. Can you say “Trimmigrants?”  

Lear is a “Private Security Contractor” with working ties with pretty much all law enforcement agencies in Northern California. 

Interesting meeting to say the least.

What happened to adult league basketball?

When I started out working in the Louisiana Pacific (LP) Sawmill in the 70's, I was asked to come out play in the mill basketball league on Saturdays. It was full of teams from Simpson, LP, Schmidbauer and other businesses related to forest product. There were also basketball leagues in Scotia, Fortuna, Eureka, Arcata, Blue Lake and Korbel. (Not to mention HSU) Lois Busey ran the LP league until the 80's. Then the city of Eureka decided to do a fall league for just 30 and over players. That left a hole for players under 30, so I ran the LP Fall Ball open league. We always seemed to be full and had spirited basketball for years. At one time I played in the Arcata, Eureka Rec and Church Leagues, Korbel, Samoa and tournaments to boot. Now you are limited to just Eureka. There are only 7 teams. About 70 players participating. I had more than that in the Samoa LP league! I know we have more people in the county now than in the 80's and 90's. Is adult recreation just not popular or is the opportunity lacking?

NCRA makes SF Chronicle.

North Coast Rail Authority is in the news for storing fuel on tracks. Well within their rights and done all over the east bay. It is more of a territorial war between SMART and the NCRA.

Love this quote, “The only authority (of SMART) is to dispatch the trains … to tell us whether or not the coast is clear,” said Mitch Stogner, executive director of the North Coast Railroad Authority. “It is not the freight police.”

Humboldt County Democrats support Measure "V" meet this Wednesday Sept. 14th.

The Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee (HCDCC) recently endorsed Measure V for fair fees for Mobile homes. A Resolution in support of Measure P creating a True Ward system for Eureka will be considered for endorsement at the next HCDCC General meeting on September 14^th at 7pm at their headquarters at 129 5^th St. in Eureka. Endorsement for candidates of Eureka and Arcata City Councils will also be on the agenda. All Democrats are welcomed to attend.  Check out HCDCC website for more information.  

North Coast Rail Authority comes to Humboldt Bay Harbor!

The North Coast Rail Authority (NCRA)will be meeting this Wednesday September 14th at Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District headquarters at 601 Startare Drive on Woodley Island, Eureka. The meeting starts a 10:30am and all of the public is welcome. The NCRA usually meets at the Humboldt County Courthouse, but that was not available.

A couple of items of Humboldt significant to Humboldt will be:

 E. DISCUSSION

1. Hum Bud Collective, Jennifer Finch– Possible Purchase and/or Lease Agreement for Development of Blue Lake Property on Glendale Drive

2. Humboldt Health & Human Services, Harriet Hill- Arcata Homeless Site Security Plan