Mad River Softball Association Standings.

Mad River Softball Association Standings 7/10/14
MRSA "Composite Bat" Division
	Wins	Loses
1. SOP's	4	0
2. Brant Electric	3	0
3. Bear River	3	1
4. Snow Leopards	3	2
5. Samoa Athletic Club	1	3
6. O & M Industries	1	4
7. Marks Consulting	0	5
MRSA "A" Wood Bat Division
	Wins	Loses
1. Hey Juan’s Barnstormers	4	0
2. Schwaap	4	1
3. Ball Bangers	2	1
4. Ironside	3	2
5. Snow Leopards	3	2
6. Arcata Used Tires/Murphy’s	2	2
7. Arcata Garbage	1	4
8. E & O/Hum Depot Wood Bang	1	4
9. Sidelines	1	5
MRSA "B" Wood Bat Division
	Wins	Loses
1. Sushi Spot	3	0
2. Blue Lake Good Woods	3	1
3. Pigs	2	1
4. Home Run Batting Cages	2	1
5. Tomaso's	2	2
6. Blondie’s Breakers	1	2
7. Glassblowers	1	2
8. Dirt bags	0	5
MRSA "C" Wood Bat Division
	Wins	Loses
1. Big Pete's	2	0
2. BCM Drywall Fat Bastards	3	1
3. AMPT	3	1
4. Renegades	2	2
5. Warlock Nuits	2	2
6. Betz Bombers	2	2
7. LPB	1	2
8. Blue Lake Casino	0	5
MRSA "D" Wood Bat Division
	Wins	Loses
1. McKinleyville Barbershop	5	0
2. Kokatat	2	1
3. Everett's	2	2
4. NHS Blazers	1	1
5. Tomo's Sake Bombers	1	1
6. Mad River Hosp. Crash Karts	1	3
7. Points West Surveying	0	4

North Coast Rail Authority (NCRA) update! Meeting for 7/9/14 in Ukiah.

The meeting started out with a presentation by North Western Pacific Corporation (NWPco) president John Williams celebrating 3 years of successful freight service. Above is the cake and cupcakes.  They survived a Federal Railroad Administration sanction emergency order and have been cleared to do business and are currently making a profit!  Good for them and the economy of Sonoma and Marin counties! (As a side note, NWPco counsel Doug Bosco was on hand to celebrate.  I ran against the former Congressman for the California 1^st District Assembly seat vacated by Dan Hauser in 1995. We both came up short to Virginia Strom- Martin. Doug and I got to catch up a little, but I think we need to meet again at a good Marin County Buffet.) There is still some bad blood between NWPco and Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART). Hope it does not end in litigation.

The first official order of business was discussion of possible action for Windsor to Healdsburg Repairs. NWPco President John Williams stated his goal to get rail service to either Cloverdale, Geyserville or at least to Healdsburg. He proposed his company renovating the rail line 5.3 miles to Healdsburg for 1.25 million. He wanted to start the project in September to keep his workforce busy during some slack freight time. Work was targeted for completion in 6 months to a year. The subject was referred to the Operator ad hoc committee for clear scope of work and finances. Clearly the NWPco was confident that we would find funds to repay, but the Board of Directors was not so much. I asked Mr. Williams how long it would take to repair lines to Cloverdale under optimum conditions and he said to complete that 15 mile stretch would take about 2 years.

The next item was about amending an agreement we had with NWPco over clean-up of our Ukiah properties. At first the clean-up was supposed to take no more than $250,000. Then that threshold was raised to $450,000. Now we were presented with a $571,170 bill! I had asked Mr. Williams publicly what was the actual threshold he would dole out on our behalf to clean this property. He said, “Whatever it takes!” So he has fronted close to $600,000. The theme is pretty consistent. NWPco and the  NCRA financial survival is hooked at the hip.

Up next on the docket was discussion and possible action regarding lease of Willits Cell Tower to Parallel Infrastructure. The Board pretty much agreed that the compensation was inadequate and was sent back to committee to reevaluate.  

And the final conduct of business was the Possible Action of a request for a Quitclaim of Right, title and interest to Charlotte Roush at 1141 Spear Avenue in Arcata. Here is the quick version. Lady wants easements rights to her property that were once a rail spur.  The rail has been long ago abandoned and no physical evidence that it existed.  In 1997 another person filed for the same and it was granted. We did the same with the request to pay for administration of the process. We had paper work on this land back to 1878 when Jasper Janes had a claim and had to pay $50 in “Gold coins in hand!”  For his rights to the property.

Cameron Renner finished the meeting by asking for some sort of variance for his petroleum trucks to not have to do a complete stop on unused railroad tracks. It was refereed to staff for more investigation.

A new organizing project!

Press release from California Cannabis Voice Humboldt:

California Cannabis Voice Humboldt (CCVH) announced the immediate hiring of political consultant and community organizer, Richard Marks, as it becomes clear state Senate Bill 1262 will not protect the rural cannabis community. CCVH is a newly formed political action committee dedicated to the preservation of the cannabis cultivation community and patient access to medical cannabis statewide.

Marks’ job is to organize legitimate cannabis growers in Humboldt County into a powerful unified voice and create sustainable and fair cultivation regulations. Marks understands the current positive financial impact of the industry on the County and the potential devastating effects bad regulations will mean to the future.

“We will give the growers comfort through a public process to arrive at sensible regulatory reform embracing environmental sustainability and providing relief from indiscriminate enforcement actions.” Marks said. “I’m excited for the prospect of legitimizing growers in Humboldt County.”

Marks is a lifetime organizer. He currently serves as the Humboldt Domestic Violence Services treasurer, the Mad River Softball Association president, and the North Coast Rail Authority director. He is president of the Humboldt Bay Recreation and Conservation District Board of Commissioners and the former director of the Samoa Peninsula Fire District. He spent 28 years as a heavy equipment operator for a local pulp mill where he was president of the Local 49 union representing workers, and he was a successful union organizer for the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers.

As a political consultant, Marks successfully consulted the successful campaigns of four district supervisors, including most recently Virginia Bass’s campaign for 4th District Supervisor. Marks also consulted several local city council and school board candidates.

Marks is a lifelong resident of the North Coast, has been married for over 35 years to his wife Robin, and has two adult sons.

Time for Humboldt County MJ business to "Grow Up." And Organize!

The time is right for the Marijuana growers in Humboldt County to "Grow Up" and come forward and legitimize. If my sources are correct there might be up to 4 Billion dollars a year of commerce produced by the "Emerald Triangle," that being Humboldt County. Branding? Happened organically through the years. What the county needs is the Tax generation that could produce up to 100 million dollars a year! We need to be on the forefront of creating a county ordinance that will give responsible growers the safety of "outing" themselves to allow the taxation and environmental compliance needed to have public by in.

Right now Humboldt County Marijuana laws are governed by "Hysteria" and not "Reality." There needs to be consistent rules that are not based on criminal or punitive behavior. There need to be a shift in judgement. Instead of looking at Marijuana farmers as comparable to Goat Farmers and placing them in the position as the "Goat" instead of the "Farmers" the MJ farmer has been demonized and ostracized as the lower tier participant in the economic scale.

The present process that allows the Humboldt Sheriffs Department to "take" money and land in the name of "noncompliance" without giving people the chance or opportunity for compliance is an unequal process that is not unlike Prohibition.

To have growers in a "volunteer compliance" status regulated by the Humboldt County Sheriffs and Humboldt County Supervisors has the potential to help off set many fiscal issues for the county. That alone should be motivation.

Here is a conundrum: If all of the Napa County Supervisors were asked if the NAPA valley wine were the best in their area, do you think they would all agree? Of course.

If all of the Humboldt County Supervisors were asked which marijuana was the best in the open market, what would they say?  Humboldt Grass hopefully! The stigma needs to go away!

More information coming soon!

Home Run series at Arcata!

Yes. I, the Softball King, will be entering so you might want to think twice about challenging my awesomeness. Seriously though, this should be fun and bring people out. I know it will be competitive.

That Time of the Year to revisit King Richard!

Please allow me to introduce myself. I’m Richard Marks the best friging softball player you’ve ever met.

Just ask the opposing teams in the 2 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.

I just spent three hours out in Samoa hitting batting practice. Line drives, big flies, opposite field shots. I can do it all. Some kids were staring and pointing at me in awe. I can’t blame them. They’ve probably never seen a late 50’s man wearing Oakley Blades and batting gloves who can hit dribblers like me. Especially not with shorts this tight.

This season, I’m making sure we sweep all 2 leagues. Especially the Men’s Composite League at Arcata. We were two outs and 5 wins away from winning that baby last year and now I can taste it. 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 Big Pete’s Pizza 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 to get my hands on one of those $350 Miken Ultra II bat for a little extra power. It may cost me a week’s retirement pension, but screw it, when I start cranking 200-foot pop ups it will be worth it. And wood bat? My dribbler to third is something to witness!   

This year I’m focused. I practiced like a son of a bitch in the winter at Samoa Field with Les Charter and I got the call to play catcher. That’s right, the main show baby. Only the best play behind the plate. I have to be sharp, so no more beer during the games. I’m going to wait until after the game to starting pounding cold ones and I’m still going to drink you under the table.

My initials might as well be M-V-P. That stands for Most Valuable Player for all you non-softball players. The League starts next week. I may take the week before off to prepare.

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

Election over. Thank goodness. Campaigns are hard.

The Bass campaign is over and all that is left is picking up the loose ends of a close fought victory. Bass signs are keeping my Marks signs company at my garage until next time. The Kerrigan campaign did a great job and came up just 2 weeks of campaigning short. Kudos for their hard work. Chris was probably the only person in the 4th District that could match up with Virginia's name recognition. So, again, hats off.

Sharon Latour had the best looking signs this election in my opinion. But she was running against a powerhouse in Ryan Sundberg.

I was as shocked as many others were that Maggie Fleming hit the over 50%. Nice positive campaign and many volunteers helping her along the way.

To the many volunteers that helped in the Virginia Bass campaign, my sincere gratitude. Without the over 20 door knockers and probably 40 some odd phone bankers, this campaign would have not been successful.

Kerrigan campaign collects union dollars and spends at Winco? WOW! Union conundrum!

Kind of hypocritical that the Chris Kerrigan campaign has excepted $500 from the United Food and Commercial Workers local 5 and $1,000 from the Central Labor Council of Humboldt and Del Norte Counties and decided to spend that money for a fund raiser at WINCO.

 

Ironic that Virginia Bass pretty much exclusively shops Safeway on Harris. A Union shop. Who are the hypocrites here? 

 

Yes. This is true. Don't ask me, ask Chris. He will not deny.

 

Click on forms to read.

 

Election 2014 worst mailer finalist.

I am sorry, but this was a total waste of money for the Jim Wood for Assembly campaign. The message was weak, it was visually blah, font wrong, timing awkward (right between Absentee and Poll Voter timed) and just very amateur. I expect more from a big time legislature campaign.

THAT’S WAY AWESOME - THAT’S LEADERSHIP

(Leo Sears requested that print his Letter to Editor in it's entirety. No problem Leo. Virginia is my choice too!)

“There’s a big difference between running for office and actually governing,” Judy Hodgson wrote two years ago in reference to Supervisor Virginia Bass. As one of the many “giving kudos to Bass for chairing an emotional discussion, keeping everyone civil, and for finding a solution – a way forward,”  she concluded: “That’s leadership.”

Or as the MTV generation might say: she was way awesome at walking the walk, not just talking the talk.

What impressed everyone that day was, I’m sure, first developed and honed by her father’s example and tutelage and, upon his death, by stepping into his shoes. Virginia is, in many ways, her father O. H. Bass’ daughter, because hard work and a dedication to community minded service seems almost inbred in both of them.

O. H. went into the restaurant business in the late 40’s, culminating in the opening of O. H. Townhouse in 1966. Famous for its prime rib and onion rings, its restaurant and lounge seated 200 with a regular staff of 25, and seated  250 more on its banquet room. This is where Virginia began her waitress career at 15.

The waitressing continued through high school and college where she graduated from HSU with an Honors degree in Business Administration in 1986. This is the same year her father died and the responsibility of managing the business grossing a million plus fell on her shoulders. She managed O. H. s for the next 31 years and became recognized as a statewide leader in the industry.

But being her father’s daughter doesn’t stop with the restaurant. In addition to supporting most every community endeavor, O. H. found time to serve as a county supervisor – the seat now held by his daughter. Virginia was elected twice to the Eureka City Council, then as Mayor and as a County Supervisor where she is up for reelection.

Eureka Mayor Frank Jager is one of those with kudos for Virginia. “I was a Councilman when she was Mayor,” he said, “and I always admired her talents at conducting our meetings. She had a rather unique ability to keep everyone civil and moving toward solutions no matter how passionately issues might be pulling them in different directions.”  

Everyone going to O. H.’s would see Virginia, with plates stacked along her arms or perhaps balancing a tray over her head, taking orders, chatting with everyone – a waitress extraordinaire. What they would not see was the Virginia that was also responsible for all the 101 thing big and small that make a day to day operation run smoothly, as well as the responsibility of hiring, firing, training, payroll, bookkeeping, personnel issues, on and on - managing a successful small business is almost without respite.

“I made a living fishing,” said retired Supervisor Jimmy Smith, “and I have a deep respect for those who’ve experienced making a living through hard work and running a business.”

“My district adjoined hers” he went on to say, “and we always acted as a team in representing the people of Eureka. That sort of teamwork started when she first became a Councilwoman. She’s always worked toward cooperative efforts to serve the public – as Councilwoman, Mayor and Supervisor; it was always a pleasure working with her.”

If you ask Jimmy’s replacement Rex Bohn about who represents what part of Eureka, he will tell you that “you get a twofer” because he and Virginia work as a team – just as she did with Jimmy.

By any definition - that’s leadership.

We have a Hot Dog Wiener (Winner)! Tie between DJ's and Toni's. On to Taco Salad.

The first stop for the Steve and Richard critic team was Pachanga Mexican resturant. It is across the street from Burger King on 5th.

1. The Taco Salad itself-Steve had the ground beef and I had the chicken. Very good at the top. As you got further down just so so. But there was no tell tale wet soaked bowl at the bottom so that was a plus. Rating: 3.75 out of 5

2. Ambiance-It was very nice. We had window seat and it was a comfortable setting. Rating: 4 out of 5

3. Extras- They have chips with hot salsa and a cabbage based dip. Not a big fan. We ran out of chips and they promised to bring more. Didn't happen. Need to maybe serve little sour cream with those chips. We did have a couple of Poppers for apetizers that were really good.  Rating: 2.5 out of 5

4. Parking-Lots of parking and easy access: 4 out of 5

Overall rating 3.5 out of 5

Next is Rita's!

Election musings.

Robin and I vote by mail. I fought the change over to absentee around 20 years ago publicly. I took issue with Linsay McWilliams whom arbitrarily (I felt) closed our very successful Polling precinct at Peninsula Elementary School. He said we were under 250 (We were at about 240 at the time) voters and that didn't justify continuing the poll. We had one of the largest % turnouts back then because of the social aspect and Samoa was a mill town. But there had been some issues with the polling workers and I thought this was just a way out of handling it. Now I have gotten used to voting at home and having discussion with Robin over issues. We agreed mostly.

A few observations:

If "Progressives" or "Liberals" really want campaign spending limits, why do they support the very candidates that refuse to agree to "Volunteer Campaign Spending Limits?" I am speaking of Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom of course. And the lefties keep carrying on!

Best campaign statements:

Roy Allmond, Republican for Secretary of State, "...with firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, I pledge to you my Life, my Fortune, and my sacred Honor!"

Alex Padilla, Democrat for Secretary of State, "That's why he is visiting all 58 California counties to meet with voters......." Now wait just a second. Do you really think Alex is going to Del Norte or Modoc counties. Or even Humboldt for heavens sake.

David Evans, Republican for Controller, "Most qualified for Controller." Nuff said David!

Jonathan Jaech, Libertarian for Attorney General, "End civil asset forfeiture."

One rule of thumb about campaign statements that differ on local elections and state elections, if you don't have a campaign statement for a local election it is the kiss of death. But at the state level the heavies don't fill one out. It would show weakness that is beneath them. Thus none from Jerry or Gavin. They have too much money in their war chests to worry!

Samoa Beach Clean-Up Meeting!

Jennifer Savage shared some information.

 

Monday, May 12

1:30 p.m.

Woodley Island Meeting Room

We all know that illegal dumping and litter are significant problems in Humboldt County. Humboldt Surfrider and the Northcoast Environmental Center have been focusing on the Samoa peninsula in particular as a place to implement change through beach cleanups, the Adopt-A-Beach program and by supporting the dedication of the PacOut Green Team.

The PacOut Green team (sponsored by Pacific Outfitters) spends one hour every Saturday cleaning up the beach, highway, bay and surrounding areas (with the occasional foray into Eureka). We'd like to help ensure they have supplies and a way to dispose of the trash without incurring fees. 

We'd also like to address the larger issues of people dumping on the spit by working with the proper agencies on notification, enforcement and cleanup.

We're hoping to involve businesses/agencies/other organizations in stewardship of the peninsula through the Adopt-A-Beach program and/or sponsored cleanups.

By the end of the day, I'd love to have a clear idea regarding the following:

Who wants to help take care of the beaches?

What should a person do when witnessing or discovering illegal dumping?

What businesses would want to sponsor the PacOut team and/or other beach cleanups (through Adopt-A-Beach, etc.)?

Are any business, landowners, etc., interested in supporting an educational campaign?

What other ideas do people have as far as preventing dumping, littering, etc.?

 

So let the Softball Insanity begin!

The first  general meeting for the 2014 Summer League for Mad River Softball Association is upon us! May 19th in the Arts and Craft room at the Arcata Community Center at 6pm. You have 2 weeks to find a team representative to be there!

 

League fees are due by June 4th at the Arts and Kraft room and are $335 for Team Sponsor and $50 per player for 12 players minimum or $935. Each additional player over 12 is $25 per player.

League will start on Monday June 9th at 6:20pm. League alignment determined by amount of teams. Eight teams minimum needed for metal bat. All other leagues wood bat.

Please pass on this information to any of your softball buddies! Contact Richard Marks at 707-445-3432 or  Samoafog@aol.com. Check out Mad River Softball Association.