LA Times story on Pulp Mill. (Condensed) Thanks Greg!

What was once the bustling Evergreen Pulp mill is today a forlorn factory of smokestacks and tan buildings clustered quietly beside the still, gray waters of the Arcata harbor near Eureka, Calif.

Entrepreneur Bob Simpson bought the closed facility in February with the hopes of reopening it as an environmentally friendly toilet paper plant. He planned to spend $400 million rehabbing the factory and rehiring 215 workers who lost their jobs when the old pulp mill shut down in October 2008.

The project stalled after Simpson failed to make his way through the red tape required to access federal stimulus money, billions of which was aimed at promoting energy efficiency and clean technology. Simpson said the government missed out on an opportunity to create so-called green jobs in an economically devastated area of California.

"Our president . . . stated we need to stimulate our economy with green jobs," he said. "Well, here we are, we're ready to go."

In Arcata, half the workers at the Evergreen Pulp Mill have yet to find work since the plant's Chinese owners closed the facility. Simpson bought it in February with the idea of turning it into the first chlorine-free, dioxin-free toilet paper mill in North America.

He says it was the kind of shovel-ready project the government said it was seeking. He had a business plan and support and was ready to begin, as soon as he found a $400-million loan.

Rep. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) wrote a letter to the Energy Department on behalf of the company, Freshwater Tissue Co. Civic and environmental leaders, including Gregg Gold, the chairman of the North Group of the Sierra Club's Redwood Chapter, and Art Harwood, the executive director of the Redwood Forest Foundation, stumped for the project as well.

But Simpson failed to submit the nonrefundable $50,000 fee required to apply for a stimulus loan. He said it was because he couldn't get anyone at the Energy Department to clarify whether his project would qualify since it didn't fit neatly into established categories such as wind power or solar energy.

Some of Evergreen's former workers, such as Homer Purcell, are now leaving California to find jobs. Purcell, 58, his wife and his 40-year-old son all lost their jobs when the mill went under.

Purcell found a job as a boiler operator in Reno and now commutes back and forth as he tries to sell his house in Eureka. His new job pays less than half the $100,000 he made as a supervisor at the mill.

"I would have thought the process would have left us something for renewable resources," he said about the stimulus bill.

alana.semuels@latimes.com

A story of Natural Lite. Happy Turkeyday!

I usually have some "Natty" lite in the fridge. The commercials have been constant lately about this almost "Near Beer" with sports. They glamorize "Natterday" (Saturday) with all the fun types. I had run out of the stuff this weekend and was going to the store and asked Robin if we needed anything. She didn't mention beer. Later that Sunday I was stalking the fridge for cold beverages. No beer! Robin looks at me innocently and says, "Must be Noneday!" Luckily she has over 30 years seniority or I would have to replace her.

Have a great Turkeyday!

Patty Berg running for California Insurance Commissioner.

Patty was on the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle today about her running against Michela Alioto-Pier.

Patty will have a tough time surviving the June 8th Primary election. Fellow Democrats running for the position are: Dave Jones, 50th District Assemblyman Hector De La Torre and San Francisco Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier as her opponents.

Dave Jones is a 2 term Assemblyman from the 9th District. (Sacramento area.) This dude raised nearly a million for his last campaign. Wow. Back in the mid 90's the litmus to run for an assembly seat was $100,000.

De La Torre seems to be the front runner and is from a highly populated Los Angeles area and has raised hundreds of thousands in his past elections.

Michela's campaign is being managed by Ace Smith, a powerful political consultant that ran Hillary Clinton's California campaign for President.

It will be interesting to see who will be running Berg's campaign and how she will fair against these candidates from huge metropolitan areas.

Best Salad Bars in Eureka Redux. Back to my Blog roots!

Time to get back to what this blog does best. Analysing places to eat. I know I am probably not the best on the all subjects green to eat, but there are usually things that go with each salad bar to make them palatable. Here is my top ten list for Eureka Salad Bars:

10. KFC Broadway- Not a real good set up and their dressing just yucky.

9. Oriental Buffett- Uh, just who even touches the salad with all the other stuff they have. But it is available.

8. Marie Calender's- Not too bad, just seems that something is not there. Or maybe I just have too much soup!

7. Co-Op- I would give this one a much higher rating if it weren't for the grazers who pick and eat out of the trough! Have some class! (Says the guy who eats anything.)

6. Big Louie's- Price is right and everything is always clean. Harold and his crew do good stuff for the community and I have had many a pizza from here. If it is Saturday, you will most likely see Robin, Ron, Laureen and I watching some sporting event and keeping up with life events.

5. Hometown Buffet- The salad bar is just there to put a base for the main grubfest. I take my sister Mary there once a week, so many have witnessed me there. I am a huge fan. Been to many all over the west coast while traveling. Pretty consistent.

4. Angelo's Pizza- Everyone goes to Angelo's for pizza with pzazz, but they do have an intense salad bar with many goodies. And good people making the place go.

3. Sea Grill- I love their presentation and their choices. Some may think of them as expensive foo-foo, but have the salad and fish and chips and you will be pleasantly surprised at the reasonable price.

2. Babetta's- Great consolidated choices. But can you put anything green on your plate with that awesome macaroni and cheese they have there! And Bab's and Sabrina are great host's! If you have not had their lunch, take a loved one and enjoy!

1. Sizzler- Always clean and consistent and chicken wings are a good addition. Karen's crew is always positive and down home.

Veterans day. Go hug a vet!

Or at least keep them in mind. I have a picture on my wall of my father standing with this platoon in front of the Schofield Barracks just before the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor while he was stationed there. James Edward Marks became a major in the army and also served in Korea. So I was an Army brat. My three older brothers served in Korea and Vietnam. (My brother Roy recently died from war related issues.) I did not enlist and went to college after high school. The Vietnam war left me with a bad impression from what I witnessed from Roy. I was never questioned about this by any of my family.

Thanks to all!

I would like to thank everyone in the 4th Division that participated in this election. It is a right that should not be taken for granted. Thank you, Dennis Hunter, for 20 years of service as the 4th Division Commissioner.

I especially want to thank Matt Owen, my relentless campaign manager, and all of the walkers and phone bankers for this election; Virginia Bass, Frank Jager, Chris Holmquist, Charlene Cutler-Ploss, Richard Mostranski, Elizabeth Farnsworth, Mary Marks, Mike Newman, Sal Tabarez, Ron denHeyer, Perry Price, Julie Timmons, Susan Brinton, Marianne Hassler, Bob Borck and Hollie Klingel.

I would also like to thank the following organizations that endorsed the Marks for Harbor Commissioner 2009 campaign; the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee, Humboldt County Central Labor Council, Humboldt and Del Norte Building Trades, Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers Local 49, United Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 751, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 551, American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees 1684, Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 290, Operating Engineers Local 3 and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union local 14.

And foremost I would like to thank my ever patient wife, Robin, for putting up with me.

To my constituents in the 4th Division, I have honorable intentions and will serve you to the best of my abilities.

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.

Check out the Marks TV ad!

Freshwater Tissue. RIP.

When the rally for the pulp mill was canceled, I was holding out hope that it found funding. Instead, this is the end of the line. Sad day for good paying jobs.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2009

Green Manufacturing Mill Unable to Obtain Federal Stimulus Funds, Closes Permanently

Freshwater Tissue would have created nearly 3,000 green jobs for economically devastated Northern California

Humboldt County, CA- Freshwater Tissue, California’s last pulp mill and the only chlorine-free/dioxin-free mill in the United States plans to permanently close. The current owners of the Samoa, CA pulp mill were unable to obtain federal stimulus funds to convert the Samoa mill into an integrated tissue plant. The plant would have served as an exemplary model of responsible and environmentally sound American manufacturing.

In spite of the Samoa mill’s status as the only chlorine-free/dioxin-free pulp mill in the United States, the mill has struggled since the mid 1990’s to compete with foreign competition. When the new owners acquired the Samoa mill in February of 2009, their vision was to make the mill competitive by manufacturing consumer-ready, eco-friendly, chlorine-free toilet tissue. The vision included consuming by-products of the Redwood forest, such as tanoak trees, which are a valueless, disease-stricken hardwood tree species that at present is an extreme fire hazard to the Redwood region. The company’s vision had broad support from environmental advocacy groups, educators, foresters, community leaders and labor unions. Unfortunately, the banking industry collapsed, and both federal and state lawmakers, including Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA), were unable to help fund a shovel ready, job creating, and renewable stimulus project. As a result, 425 direct and 2,500 indirect green jobs have been lost permanently for California’s North Coast region.

Rick Hind, Legislative Director of Greenpeace said of the closure, “It’s outrageous that the federal government, which just offered $55 million for experimental ‘clean coal’ technologies, could not find a penny for a proven chlorine-free pulp mill and the green jobs it would support.”

Labor union leaders have also expressed their profound disappointment. Greg Pallesen, Vice President of The Association of Western Pulp & Paper Workers remarked that, “The closure of the Samoa, California mill is a prime example of failed U.S. financial and trade policies, which continue to be the main cause of massive job losses in the U.S. At the same time as the “green” Samoa manufacturing site is closed forever, large polluting mills in China and elsewhere are being brought online in order to supply U.S. consumers. The end result destroys working families here at home while increasing pollution worldwide. Shame on our politicians who do nothing but talk about “green” job creation. This facility is closed forever, and the families and communities in Northern California will suffer for years to come.”

Gregg Gold, Sierra Chapter President, spoke on behalf of the North Group and Redwood chapters representing over 10,000 members. “Of local importance is the fact that the Samoa mill would have provided a viable market for Tanoak trees, which the timber industry treats as an undesirable weed. At present, Tanoak trees are eradicated by spraying them with chemicals to halt their growth or kill them. This process tends to make Tanoak quite flammable, which endangers the entire forest including the Redwoods where Tanoak is most prevalent. In sum, we believe Mr. Simpson’s vision had the potential to transform an entire industry, and are sorry to see his vision disappear.”

“I left Samoa in 1996 after eliminating the use of chlorine at the pulp mill,” said Bob Simpson, President of Freshwater Tissue Company. “I returned to Samoa in 2009 with a vision of converting the Nation’s only chlorine-free pulp mill into an integrated tissue mill, and providing sustainable jobs for a green economy. In a normal economic climate, such a plant would have easily found funding by green tech investors. The current financial crisis made this nearly impossible so we turned to President Obama’s green stimulus plan for support. We had hoped that our Federal and State lawmakers would help us obtain Federal stimulus funding which was designed precisely for green manufacturing projects that are sustainable and create living-wage American jobs. I am extremely disappointed and saddened by the lack of support we received from our Congressional representatives. Humboldt County needed these jobs and America needed this green technology.”

Wes Chesbro inspects Humboldt Domestic Violence Service Safe House.

Wes came by the Humboldt Domestic Violence Services (HDVS) office this afternoon to check out the safe house that replaced the one that burned down a few years ago. He assured HDVS staff he is doing all he can to make possible that Schwarzenegger signs a bill to partly restore funding for Domestic Violence Services all over the state. It is great to have a positive advocate for the victims of domestic violence. Wes has been to all the other 1st District counties to see other programs and will be on the forefront for this cause. I think everyone is on the same page when it comes to this subject. And across all political parties. This subject transcends partisan politics. Most families have experienced domestic violence. Most don't like to talk about it though.

Delores Weatherbee turns 80!

My buddy Doug's mom celebrates her 80th birthday tomorrow. There is a gathering of family and friends at the Samoa Women's Club Saturday the 17th of October at 2pm. If you happen to be in the area stop by and say hi! Delores has been a resident of Samoa for nearly all her life. She has witnessed many changes.

If you see this sign blowing in the wind. Sorry!

Last nights winds may have caused havoc on some of my signs. And, of course, my opponents. Hopefully this won't cause too much of an inconvenience to all. If one of my signs has disappeared in your yard, please e-mail me and I will do what I can.

HCDCC vs. SFDCC. Willie Brown and Arnold at Demo event!

The Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee had a huge showing at the last general meeting with candidates from every party showing up to stump their issues. Moany of the top ranked elected officials were present to witness the HCDCC endorsement process. When it comes to county central committees, I would say our HCDCC is very active when compared to other counties with comparable populations.

But read this excerpt from Willie Brown's experience in emceeing a San Francisco Democratic Central Committee event. Maybe we should invite Willie as a guest for the next Democrat of the Year (DOTY):

By now, I'm sure you've all seen or heard about the cell phone video of our state Assemblyman Tom Ammiano yelling out for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to "kiss my gay ass."

And as usual when something this bad happens, everyone is pointing the finger at me.

Yes, I was the emcee at the Democratic Central Committee event. And yes, I did invite Arnold to say a few words.

But the truth is, the first I knew about Arnold's presence was when committee Chairman Aaron Peskin leaned over and said, "Hey, your buddy is coming in through the door."

"You gotta be kidding me," I said. "What would the governor be doing here?"

Beats me, Peskin said, but you should introduce him.

I did, and with that, Ammiano became the Democrats' version of Rep. Joe "You Lie" Wilson, leading the chorus of boos before he and his buddies walked out.

To be honest, by that point you couldn't tell who was walking in, who was walking out or much else, because people had been drinking since 5 in the afternoon.

After the dinner I went to the bar and I got a tap on the shoulder.

It was Arnold, insisting that I join him. He was completely unfazed by what had happened. The only reference he made was to ask me jokingly, "Hey, what are you doing with all those crazies?"

"Picking up stuff for my column," I replied.