Pot talk, e-waste

For those of you who missed it, here’s a link to the KSLG-hosted blogger round table on the Humboldt/Mendocino marijuana culture.  Thanks to Kym — whose deep knowledge on the subject can be heard on the show — for the heads-up.

Speaking of radio (and blogs), don’t miss the opportunity this weekend to offload your e-waste for free at the Redwood Acres Fairgrounds.  Tom on KGOE has some tips on what to bring (TVs, computers, VCRs, DVD players, cell phones) and what not to bring (regular old non e-waste).  Radio KHUM says don’t bother bringing old microwaves or electric garden tools — the nice people offering this free service don’t want it.

Arkley puts stamp on HSU

Eureka businessman Rob Arkley followed up his recent KHSU interview with another stop on campus.  Humboldt State University is the latest recipient of a charitable Arkley gift: Behold the Security National Reserve Section for indoor sporting events.

This 7-minute interview sheds new light on old issues while raising still more questions.

Longtime readers will be happy to know that the historic building Arkley tore down in Baton Rouge and replaced with a sprawling modern McMansion isn’t for personal use.  Nope, Arkley tells JB Mathers that Humboldt County is the greatest place in the world to live and that he has “no plans to go anywhere, we love this area.”

But the strangest statement came during Akley’s pep talk for students.  “You don’t have to go to work for a huge corporation out of the area,” he said.  Especially, perhaps, since he’s bringing the huge outside corporations here to Humboldt County and creating a special place for them right on the bay.

Looking for a job?  Arkley offers this: “Never overlook our company,” he said.  “We’re hiring.”

FREEZE vs. CUT: The hot debate

Contentions over a split vote by the Eureka City Council to make a deal with a public safety officer for early retirement was still bubbling a day after the meeting.

The city is looking to save money, and the unnamed officer is one of three city workers requesting early retirement.  The city will provide 2 years of health insurance as part of the deal, but save money on an already-strapped budget.

Councilpersons Larry Glass and Linda Atkins opposed the move by calling it a “cut” to public safety.  The rest of the council, Mayor Virginia Bass, and City Manager Dave Tyson called it a funding freeze.

But Glass told Channel 3 News “it’s definitely a cut.”

“Once you freeze these positions, they’re gone,” he said.  The city is “cutting public safety when we promised the public that we wouldn’t do that.”

Councilman Jeff Leonard told Channel 3 “the accusations” that the decision amounts to a “cut” are false.  “We’re not going to hold them hostage and make them work for another two years,” Leonard said of the three employees.

Glass said the issue is “being spun” by the council.

Eureka Police Chief Garr Nielson said the department is currently down 3 officers, and loss of this officer will up the number to 4.  This time last year he was down 8.

It was suggested (by someone whose name this blogger failed to note — the chief?) that the officer may have reason to retire early, but the personal details couldn’t be discussed.

Councilman Frank Jager, a former cop, supported the move despite campaign promises to fill public safety positions in Eureka.

“Public safety needs to be a priority,” Jager wrote on the smartvoter website.  “Eureka should have fully staffed police and fire departments.”

The council will decide the fate of the monies in June.  We shall* see if they cut the cash or refill the position.

Down the rabbit hole

*Or maybe we won’t.  Glass said he was surprised to learn a “cut is not a cut” after learning earlier in the meeting that “‘shall’ doesn’t mean ‘shall,’” despite being written in the municipal code.

That discussion unfolded during a report about the crack in the Apostolic Chruch and the start of construction on the controversial Henderson Center cell tower before permits were issued.  The full report on that story will be forthcoming.  Keep it tuned to the Herald.

DIEBOLD: Just call me Wal-Mart

You’ve heard of the man behind the curtain.  Now try the big box behind the voting box.

An investigation into address listings for Dieblod — the brand synonymous with untrustworthy voting software — found a series of Wal-Marts rather than corporate offices.

[W]hen the addresses of offices listed under Diebold in the White Pages were visited, the addresses turned out to belong to either a Wal-Mart, a Sam’s Club, or no building at all. In the end, 16 of the 18 Diebold offices in Utah listed in the White Pages were false listings…

Utah got suckered by Premier Election Solutions — the same Diebold subsidiary that fouls Humboldt County elections.

California Secretary of State Debra Bowen will present findings and hear from the public at a March 17 meeting focused on whether to boot the flawed software from the Golden State.

New smoking ban in Eureka

Following the smashing success of the smoking ban on Eureka’s boardwalk, the City Council approved an additional ordinance to ban smoking in designated recreation areas.

The city will post No Smoking signs and anticipates the ordinance will be “self-regulating.”

The ban passed 4-1 with Councilman Frank Jager casting the lone “no” vote.  “I guess it’s the libertarian in me that thinks government is over stepping its bounds” by banning smoking outside.  Jager said he thinks smoking is a “disgusting habit,” and supports any ban of indoor smoking, but couldn’t support this ban.

Councilman Larry Glass acknowledged the success of the boardwalk ban and had a message for his detractors:  “For all the people who call me a nazi for supporting this, I have a nice little chuckle every time I walk down the boardwalk and you’re not there blowing smoke in my face.”

Rock on, non-smokers.

APOSTOLIC CHURCH: Your crack is showing

The Henderson Center cell tower controversy shot back in the news last week after a crack appeared on the church building.

The “stair step” crack alarmed already adverse neighbors who worry about site stability for the planned tower.  Longtime residents believe the church sits on former landfill.

The City of Eureka cited the Apostolic Church for public nuisance and inadequate foundation on February 11.  The City also issued a Stop Work Order to Verizon on February 13th.

Church neighbors have adamantly opposed the tower since the plan became public.  Some 80 households within 1000 feet of the site have signed petitions against the tower.  The neighbors are reportedly threatening to file individual suits in Small Claims Court against the church for being a nuisance landlord.

City Councilman Mike Jones openly sided with Verizon against the neighbors last year when he voted against a 45-day moratorium on towers in the city.  Soon after he attended a cell tower court hearing on the arm of Verizon’s lawyers.

And he thinks voters will elect him for mayor?

KLAMATH UPDATE: No delay for dam owner

Below is a press release from the Northcoast Environmental Center

SACRAMENTO — California will not allow PacifiCorp to delay the state’s processing of the company’s federal clean water permit application for its Klamath River dams, and will move forward with creation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR), according to a memorandum issued over the weekend by the California State Water Resources Control Board.

Corruption at the Creamery?

• CEO Ghilarducci resigns!
• Funny financials to be investigated!
• Screwy stocks suspected!

T-S: Humboldt Creamery starts investigation after CEO’s abrupt resignation

CCC survives budget axe

Good news:

The California Conservation Corps has survived the state budget crisis.

The budget package approved by the state Legislature early Thursday restored the popular agency to its normal funding levels, corps spokesman Jimmy Camp said. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to sign the budget into law today.

Schwarzenegger’s initial budget proposal called for the entire agency to be eliminated in order to shave $17 million from the $40 billion shortfall. In previous budget crises, proposals had been made to eliminate various CCC camps, including one in San Luis Obispo, but this is the first time the whole agency was on the chopping block.

More.

A room of one’s own

The Humboldt County Planning commission continued its town hall-style meeting format on the issue of housing for low and very low income people.

“If you don’t have a place to call home, you can’t accomplish anything,” said a director from Arcata House.  “They just want a room,” she said.  “They don’t need a big place.”

Commissioner Scott Kelly questioned how the county can ensure low income housing stays low without creating a slum.

Sungnome Madrone, Director of Natural Resources Services, said Inclusionary Zoning (IZ)–  which mixes low income housing with digs higher on the tax bracket — is a way of mixing the economic classes.  “Let’s not kid ourselves,” He said.  “It’s a wonderful thing.”