◼ Gary Lee Bullock trial reset for February 8 due to psychiatrist reports not being in - John Chiv/Words Worth
Trial confirmation and and a motion to continue the Gary Lee Bullock jury trial was scheduled for this afternoon at 4 p.m.
The People have not filed an opposition.
Mr. Kaleb Cockrum represents Bullock. Deputy District Attorney Stacey Eads was present for the People.
Only Dr. Ana Glezer submitted her report. Dr. Chamberlain has to yet meet with Bullock. The third expert excused himself.
Fr. Eric's twin sister was in court. She expressed her objections... More, HERE.
◼ Bullock Trial for Murder of Father Freed Postponed Until February - Ryan Burns/Lost Coast Outpost
Father Freed's sister urged the court to go ahead with the trial so her family could find peace.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Who Knew?
◼ There's a Dating Site Just for People Who Love Tiny Houses
◼ Big Turnout for Tiny Homes - Linda Stansberry/NCJ
◼ Big Turnout for Tiny Homes - Linda Stansberry/NCJ
The Jason Warren Trial - at long last
To be updated
◼ Jury Selection in Warren Case Reveals That Many Presume Guilt - Ryan Burns/Lost Coast Outpost Sept. 30, 2015
◼ Guilty until proven innocent? Potential juror mentions (Chiv's) post as TS article - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ ...jurors questioned for hardship in Warren jury trial - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ Jason Warren trial starts, to go full days, jury selection starts this afternoon - John Chiv/Words Worth Sep 28, 2015
◼ Jason Warren Trial Begins (September 28), Could Run Into First Week of December - Ryan Burns/Lost Coast Outpost
◼ Two Double-Murder Trials Begin - Thadeus Greenson/The Journal
◼ Jury Selection in Warren Case Reveals That Many Presume Guilt - Ryan Burns/Lost Coast Outpost Sept. 30, 2015
◼ Guilty until proven innocent? Potential juror mentions (Chiv's) post as TS article - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ ...jurors questioned for hardship in Warren jury trial - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ Jason Warren trial starts, to go full days, jury selection starts this afternoon - John Chiv/Words Worth Sep 28, 2015
◼ Jason Warren Trial Begins (September 28), Could Run Into First Week of December - Ryan Burns/Lost Coast Outpost
◼ Two Double-Murder Trials Begin - Thadeus Greenson/The Journal
For the first time in recent memory, the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office is in the process of simultaneously trying separate double-murder cases.
Prosecutors gave opening arguments Sept. 24 in the case against Jason Michael Arreaga, the 30-year-old Lucerne man with a violent past who stands accused of gunning down Harley Hammers and Angel Tully in front of a Fieldbrook home last fall. Then, four days later, special prosecutor Paul Sequeira began the process of selecting a jury to hear the case against Jason Anthony Warren, who is accused of murdering Dorothy Ulrich and Suzanne Seemann in 2012.
Jury selection may take awhile in the Warren case, which will see full days of trial testimony and is expected to stretch into December. Meanwhile, the Arreaga case, which is being handled by Deputy District Attorney Zach Curtis, is expected to conclude by early November.
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Warren Dodges again.
 |
| Times-Standard photo |
It's hard to tell what's going on, because, for one thing, there's a gag order in the case and no one is talking.
◼ Jason Warren has asked to be excused from the courtroom every time since Dorothy Ulrich's mother has been in court - John Chiv/Words Worth Sep 23, 2015
◼ Jason Warren jury trial estimated to last until mid December, thanksgiving week off, some full days - John Chiv/Words Worth Sep 23, 2015
Today, a trial confirmation hearing was scheduled for the Jason Warren case at 4 p.m. He was served with a copy of a document by the People in court today, before he left. Alternate Conflict Counsel's Mr. Glenn Brown is representing Warren in the Hoopa case where is charged with the homicide of Dorothy Ulrich.
If the case gets assigned Friday, it will start Monday in Courtroom 4. While the case has been assigned to Judge Timothy Cissna for trial, the decision if it will definitely start on September 28 depends on how trial assignment goes this Friday. As Judge Cissna explained, "there maybe other higher priority cases."
It all depends on courtroom availability....
Schedules, witness list and the gag order and freedom of the press was discussed this afternoon.
Time estimate including jury selection is 8 to 10 weeks. Trial is expected to be over by mid-December. The proposed schedule is Monday to Thursday from 8:30 to noon; Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:30 to 4 or 4:30 and every other Friday.
Due to court holidays, the trial will not be in session on October 12, November 11, November 26 and November 27....
The jury trial is scheduled for September 28 with a jury panel scheduled for September 29.
Mr. Kevin Robinson from the Public Defender's office is representing Warren in the Eureka case in which he is also charged with the death of Suzanne Seeman and attempted murder of severely injuring two other joggers who were with her. Mr. Robinson has not been present for the last three hearings since the case going to trial is the one in which (Alternate Conflict Counsel's Mr. Glenn Brown) is representing Warren.
Mr. Paul Sequeira, Assistant DA from Mendocino County, is a special prosecutor for this case. He asked Judge Cissna for specifics of the gag order which was issued before he took the case. Ms. Fleming also mentioned it was a general gag order and wanted some clarification. Both have received questions from the press. Judge Cissna responded with no comment. - DETAILS, and some humor, at the link.
◼ Warren murder trial expected to start next week - Will Houston/Times-Standard (image source)
After nearly three years of pretrial hearings, the double murder trial against Jason Anthony Warren, 31, is now likely to proceed into jury selection at the start of next week, according to Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Timothy P. Cissna during a Wednesday afternoon hearing.
While Cissna was officially assigned on Tuesday to hear the trial, the case must still be assigned out to a courtroom, which is set to occur Friday morning.
“I don’t know whether it will get assigned out or not,” Cissna told the attorneys in his courtroom. “... If it is assigned out, we should be ready to proceed on Monday.”
...The trial is estimated to last eight to 10 weeks, including jury selection, if it follows the schedule agreed upon by attorneys and Cissna. Cissna said this schedule would have the trial finished “well before Christmas.”
But due to factors such as the length of the witness list, past media coverage of the case, the length of the trial, and the fact that the trial would occur around the holiday season, Warren’s attorney Glenn Brown of the county Alternate Counsel’s Office said selecting jurors may take much longer than anticipated.
“It’s just an unknown at this point,” Brown said.
◼ Warren facing one trial for two murder charges - Paul Mann/Mad River Union/July 8, 2015
Public Defender Kevin S. Robinson lost his recent motion for separate proceedings in connection with Warren’s alleged beating death of Dorothy Evelyn Ulrich, 47, of Hoopa in the early morning of Sept. 27, 2013; and the alleged vehicular murder shortly thereafter of Humboldt State University geography instructor Suzanne Seemann, mother of two, on Old Arcata Road/Myrtle Avenue, Eureka.
Warren is accused of deliberately running down Seeman and her two jogging companions, Jessica Hunt and Terri Vroman-Little. He allegedly plowed into them in a silver 2005 Kia Spectra he is alleged to have stolen from Ulrich. Both Hunt and Vroman-Little were gravely injured but survived.
Warren is to be prosecuted on four counts, one for Ulrich and counts two, three and four for the other three victims.
Gallegos let him out on a Cruz Waiver, to 'get his affairs in order. That decision cost two people their lives.
Agony for the families: ◼ Family members of the victims in the Jason Warren request Judicial Council action after they learn no Judge has been assigned and there may be another postponement - John Chiv/Words Worth Aug 22, 2015
◼ At long last: Jason Warren trial has a Judge and jury panel to start Sept 29 - John Chiv/Words Worth Sep 17, 2015
◼ Jason Warren Asks to Leave Courtroom; Jury Selection For Murder Trial Set to Begin Sept. 29 - Ryan Burns/Lost Coast Outpost
◼ Attorneys discuss Warren case scheduling concerns - Will Houston, Eureka Times-Standard
◼ Jason Warren pretrial hearing continued due to court oopsie moment - John Chiv/Words Worth Sep 16, 2015
◼ Warren pretrial hearing continued to Thursday - Times-Standard Sep 16, 2015
◼ Judge unable to accept Warren murder case assignment - Times-Standard
◼ Warren case reassigned to new judge; trial pushed to Sept. 28 - Times-Standard
◼ Judge Marilyn Miles assigned to Warren murder case - Times-Standard
◼ Letter: Waiting for justice in Warren’s murder trial - Times-Standard
◼ Jason Warren jury trial status to be continued until tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. - John Chiv/Words Worth Sep 1, 2015
◼ Victim's family members not in court, neither was Jason Warren or his other attorney, Mr. Kevin Robinson. - John Chiv/Words Worth Aug 31, 2015
◼ District Attorney Maggie Fleming is prosecuting this case - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ Warren case written ruling on 995 motion to dismiss decision on April 9 - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ In Warren case oral arguments, Robinson goes off on wierd analogy of Malaysian aircraft - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ Assault on victim in Willow Creek aggravating victim's medical condition - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ Vincent Sanchez arrested in double murder homicide on Harris - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ A Capital Question: A May trial could bring the death penalty debate to the foreground in the DA race - Thadeus Greenson/The Journal
◼ Death Penalty in Warren case that may be dismissed but Tree gets a pass, what is Paul's thought process? - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ There were supposed to be oral arguments in the Jason Warren case today. - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ He is being held to answer on two counts of murder, two counts of attempted pre-meditated murder, and two special allegation charges for lying in wait and torture. If convicted he could receive the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. - KIEM (Video report, not embeddable)
◼ CHP to DA: Jogger’s Death Was Murder - Heidi Walters/The Journal
◼ CHP requesting murder, attempted murder, animal cruelty charges in hit-and-run deaths - From the CHP via Times Standard
◼ CHP Recommends Murder Charge In Seeman Death - Arcata Eye
◼ Who is Jason Anthony Warren? - Two Rivers Tribune
Bullock: More delays...
Imagine the good Father Freed could have done with all this time.
◼ Two psychaitrist evaluations still not in for Bullock, trial for October 13 depends on when that happens - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ Two psychaitrist evaluations still not in for Bullock, trial for October 13 depends on when that happens - John Chiv/Words Worth
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Monday, September 21, 2015
Arreaga Jury selection complete, opening statements scheduled in Fieldbrook double homicide case
UPDATE:
◼ Jury in Fieldbrook double homicide case second trial finds Arreaga not guilty on both counts - John Chiv/Words Worth 2/25/2016
◼ Jury selection complete, opening statements scheduled in Fieldbrook double homicide case - John Chiv/Words Worth
Opening arguments are scheduled for Thursday, September 24.
...There were some light hearted moments during jury selection. It's been a long process and Judge Marilyn Miles and Arreaga's attorney, Ms. Heidi Holmquist thanked the jury pool for their patience.
One such moment was an alternate juror responding to a question about what TV shows she watched. She mentioned NCIS and said it wasn't about crime but because she likes Mark Harmon....
(And THAT is why you should visit and bookmark Chiv's blog. You get the flavor of what happens in the courthouse. It's not boring.)
◼ Jury in Fieldbrook double homicide case second trial finds Arreaga not guilty on both counts - John Chiv/Words Worth 2/25/2016
◼ Jury selection complete, opening statements scheduled in Fieldbrook double homicide case - John Chiv/Words Worth
Opening arguments are scheduled for Thursday, September 24.
...There were some light hearted moments during jury selection. It's been a long process and Judge Marilyn Miles and Arreaga's attorney, Ms. Heidi Holmquist thanked the jury pool for their patience.
One such moment was an alternate juror responding to a question about what TV shows she watched. She mentioned NCIS and said it wasn't about crime but because she likes Mark Harmon....
(And THAT is why you should visit and bookmark Chiv's blog. You get the flavor of what happens in the courthouse. It's not boring.)
Sunday, September 20, 2015
UPDATED. And UPDATED again "In addition, we will start negative campaigning against your reelections bids..."
UPDATE: LoCo followup determines this letter is a FAKE, " — or at the very least unsanctioned by the union leadership."
◼ Fake Union Letter Threatens Supervisors: ‘We Are Coming For Your Jobs’; Author Unknown - LoCo
...Lovelace told the Outpost that when he received the email last week he assumed it was legitimate, as did 1st District Supervisor Rex Bohn, who said he’s been told personally by union members that they’re “coming after” his position on the board (a stance he considers ironic given that he comes from a blue-collar family with plenty of union members). When told that the local union rejects the email’s purported provenance, Bohn said he figures it probably came from one of their organizers.
Fourth District Supervisor Virginia Bass said that when she received the email she figured it likely didn’t come through the official channels of AFSCME Local 1684. “It’s unfortunate that that’s the way it’s signed,” she said. “It’s probably [from] somebody who has a lot of passion and just wasn’t thinking clearly when they hit ‘send.’”...
Bolinger said it’s not unheard of for non-union members to impersonate union reps. But regardless, he explained, no union communications are sent without authorization from the executive board or an official agent....
UPDATED AGAIN: THC responds: ◼ “It wasn’t us: AFSCME doth protest too much - THC
As you may recall, we wrote a piece just last night about a shocking letter sent to the County Supervisors from the AFSCME. In case you missed it, check it out here.
Now, in the absolute shit-storm of backlash they are receiving due to the sheer nastiness and idiocy of the letter, AFSCME has started back-pedaling like their paddle boat is going over the edge of Niagara Falls....
◼ No response from the mysterious email sender; the Union says they have no idea who the author is - John Chiv/Words Worth
This is an email sent out to the Supervisors today.
Dear Supervisors:
The AFSCME Union was made aware today of an online letter circulating on the Lost Coast Outpost and possibly other media blogs or outlets.
We would like to make it perfectly clear that this Union has not authorized this letter and has no idea who the author might be.
Any communications actually sanctioned by the Union will be signed appropriately. If you have any questions, please contact us at the Union office.
Joel Bollinger, Office Secretary
______________
Talk about nasty.
You may not know about a new blog in town. It's called The Humboldt Consequential (THC for short, haha). It's kind of Mirror-like, for those of you who were around for the Heraldo/Mirror blog wars.
The latest post there includes what is (purportedly) a VERY NASTY letter from a AFSCME, threatening our Board of Supervisors. WHO wrote this? (Salman likes to end his emails in solidarity, and he's certainly capable of that tone, but...WHO is it?) It's riddled with incoherent sentences, and typos, somebody's rant that wasn't ready for prime time?
◼ Humboldt Consequential's latest post exposes union strong arm tactics and intimidation - John Chiv/Words Worth
Like Chiv, I am going to post THC's post in its entirety. Normally, one does not do that, you excerpt and credit, but, you know, they're anonymous, so it's fair game. (Sorry, whoever you are, and THANKS for airing this.) This needs airing. The rest of their commentary is, of course, their opinions and numbers crunching... is their math accurate? Note that this is purportedly a Union threatening to use their Union dues to attack elected officials who aren't doing what they're told, INCLUDING elected officials who dared to endorse our Supervisors. Really, LoCo, this is right up your 'balance of power' alley... this is a naked power play, not a stitch hiding it.
Is it for real? Or is this taking a layer off The Onion?
_______________
◼ AFSCME threatens to hold Humboldt hostage; “Me too” screws the rest of us
Posted on September 20, 2015 by thehumboldtconsequence
THC fans, we’ve got something that you’ll get a really good laugh out of. We’ve been laughing for a few days about it, if only to keep ourselves from crying.
But it’s actually really bad news, at least for people that don’t like getting robbed. Your friendly local AFSCME (the union that represents public employees here in Humboldt) sent a letter to your very own Humboldt County Supervisors this past Wednesday. And it’s not just any letter.
No, it’s a shameful letter that illustrates just how self-centered, greedy, and nasty this organization really is. We’ve reproduced it in full for your reading pleasure/horror:
—–Original Message—–
From: AFSCME LOCAL HUMBOLDT COUNTY [afscmelocal1684@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2015 08:38 PM Pacific Standard Time
To: Bohn, Rex; Fennell, Estelle; Lovelace, Mark; Bass, Virginia; Sundberg, Ryan
Subject: We are coming for your jobs-
Mr. Lovelace excluded as he is pro working class and pro economy and pro America.
So AFSCME had another contract meeting last night. Great turnout. We have voted overwhelmingly to move forward to cast a strike vote if we don’t receive an acceptable contract. Have fun doing our jobs. But more interestingly, we will be starting exploratory committees to run active members and retired members for capture the offices you hold, as the trust fund baby crew holding office now does not understand the working class or America.
In addition, we will start negative campaigning against your reelections bids. So hopefully you have hidden all of your dirt. It will be exposed to the public in mass media campaigns, doorstep pamphlets, radio airings, press releases and TV commercials, to Betty Chinn center and Catholic Charities, to Redwood Empire Little League, to the neighborhood watch etc. We just got word we have the funding and backing of the broader AFSCME brotherhood as well as our local fund raising. Hope you like to fight.
It was also brought to our attention that Rex Bohn has the endorsements of our state assemblyperson and state senator, Mr Wood and Mr McGuire, who are Democrats, and we assumed are the allies of the working class of America. They have also been contacted with a similar message to opposition to there support of Rex Bohn’s reelection. Also included are statements made by Rex Bohn about not needing AFSCME votes, reported and documented facts about personal history, the fact he is a trust fund baby and does not understand the working class. We will also be sending members to Sacramento to let lobby and advise them that if they endorse Bohn, a stated independent, who but who really is an all out Tea Party Conservative, then they will also be campaigned against negatively by the local and by broader AFSCME when it is there time.
It’s time to play hard ball.
Bass and Sundberg will be the next focus.
Solidarity and Unity, AFSCME LOCAL 1684
Basically, we’ve got a bunch of whiny little f***s that think they should be paid even more than they are now – which, as we will get into, is far beyond what the regular Joe/Jane in Humboldt is earning. And the best part is that they do not give a shit that it is you and I, their neighbors and fellow Humboldt residents, whom they are demanding empty their pockets so that AFSCME members can profit.
We’ve delved into the cushy jobs that AFSCME members hold before, but let’s refresh you. Check out how much each County employee earned on average in 2013:
Pretty sweet deal, huh? Must be reaallly rough.
$43,177 in average wages, plus an additional $14,180 in retirement contributions and benefits. Not too shabby – especially when you consider that the average income for an entire household in Humboldt is $41,426 according to the most recent census info.
So, the AFSCME wants its members to earn even more than most families of four do. Don’t fail to notice that the cost, per Humboldt resident, to support their current compensation packages is nearly $1000. (Also note that cost is per county resident ; the burden of cost is much higher for tax-payers.) How excited will you be to pony up more of your hard-earned money to support these entitled ingrates getting paid nearly twice what you bring home?
It seems like the AFSCME is less Robin Hood, and more “robbing every ‘hood in Humboldt.” THC particularly loves how the slogans they paste all over town say “Me too,” as if these motherf***ers are the ones being left behind in Humboldt’s wage inequalities. Is that a sick joke? No, actually, they are dead serious.
The AFSCME has their heads too far up their asses to realize the irony of that slogan. You see, THC isn’t so much a fan of the “Me too” thinking as we are of the “What about the rest of us?” line of thought. As in, why can’t these idiots understand that demanding these higher wages threatens the very fabric of our already cash-strapped County? “Me too”means that when one person in employ of the public gets a raise, then everyone else does too. Can you think of a few people working for our government who sure as hell don’t deserve raises? THC can.
Do you know what percentage of workers the AFSCME represents compared to our population? About 1%. Which begs the question, who really is the 99% in Humboldt County? According to the AFSCME website, only about 11% of wage and salary workers are part of a union. So, again, who is desperate for fair compensation? Not the members of the AFSCME.
In case that compensation comparisons alone don’t show you the difference between how good they’ve got it compared to your average Joe, check out the non-financial benefits that AFSCME members get, according to their website:
Are you f***ing kidding? It sounds like a damn summer camp, not a job! The AFSCME is hoping that you and I are stupid enough to believe that “Me too” benefits you directly, instead of actually costing you and the County more for their sole benefit.
Quite frankly, with that kind of neighborly attitude, THC is of the opinion that that AFSCME members who whine that they don’t get paid as much as other union members in other areas can just pack up and GTFO of Humboldt. Newsflash, assholes: Nobody here gets paid as much as they would in other areas. Deal with it, or take yourselves elsewhere.
Now that we’ve got our financial and ethical objectives to the AFSCME’s bullshit out of the way, let’s take a look at the form that the offensive letter itself takes.
Let’s start off by saying, for crying out loud, that THC sincerely hopes that whoever wrote this letter was drunk as hell. Here at THC, we are by no-means grammar-nazis (proof-reading is sooo boring!). But we do think that a letter as poorly written as this is probably not the best representation an organization should put forward for their official communications. So, um, if they do get raises, maybe they should use the money to put themselves back through elementary school. Just sayin’.
In keeping with their decidedly childish level of literacy and coherence, the AFSCME resorts to school-yard bullying to threaten our Supervisors into acquiescence. It’s just plain nasty, and for all you AFSCME members out there – maybe you should demand that the organization leeching off your union dues should comport themselves with a little bit more respect.
On top of that, do these idiots really think that dragging Betty Chinn and the Catholic churches into the mix makes them seem like victims? These are charitable organizations that serve the truly under-privileged and destitute communities in Humboldt. How many AFSMCE members have to go to the soup-kitchen, we wonder?
Also of note, THC cannot think of a single time that Betty Chinn has endorsed any political candidate aside from Rex Bohn. That’s right, the recipient of the Presidential Citizens medal – the second-highest civilian award in the United States – from Barack Obama himself, feels that strongly about the good that Rex has done for our communities. Is she supposed to feel bad for people that enjoy ridiculously better lives than the people she helps? Not to mention that any wage increase given to County employees would take away funds that could potentially be used to help those same people. Give us a break.
And don’t get us started on the AFSCME’s mention of Redwood Empire Little League. Targeting little league kids? Keep your filthy, self-centered hands and politics away from our children, AFSCME. Seriously.
And perhaps our favorite part is that the AFSCME leaves Mark Lovelace out of their hate-filled message. Um, of course Lovelace supports raping the County’s coffers to meet your demands. Lovelace is done with this County – he doesn’t give two shits how much farther the policies he supports will drive us into the poor-house. Hopefully there’s enough room for the entire County at the Betty Chinn center, because that’s where this AFSCME bullshit could send us.
All in all, THC fans, we hope you are as outraged by this as we are. Don’t let the AFSCME hold the future of our County’s success hostage. In their case, “Me too” leaves out the rest of us. Next time you see them waving their signs in front of the court house, don’t honk your horn at them – roll down the window and show them your middle finger. That’s exactly what they’re doing to you.
Share this:
END THC POST
ADDED: (from the comments at THC, and THIS, I think represents the rank and file FAR more than that nasty threatening email)
September 20, 2015 at 8:18 PM Embarrassed says:
I am a 15 year county employee. By and large I enjoy my job and I believe that I do pretty good work for the people of Humboldt County. I also think that I have a very fair compensation and benefit package. I do earn more than the average county wage and I am grateful for it. To all those reading the letter from the AFCME Union representatives, Please be aware that neither the sentiment, the tone, and certainly not the grammar represents my own feelings or that of most county employees. Overwhelmingly we all work hard and appreciate what we have, we have simply been hijacked by vocal extremists. Please except my personal apology and that of many likeminded county workers.
◼ Fake Union Letter Threatens Supervisors: ‘We Are Coming For Your Jobs’; Author Unknown - LoCo
...Lovelace told the Outpost that when he received the email last week he assumed it was legitimate, as did 1st District Supervisor Rex Bohn, who said he’s been told personally by union members that they’re “coming after” his position on the board (a stance he considers ironic given that he comes from a blue-collar family with plenty of union members). When told that the local union rejects the email’s purported provenance, Bohn said he figures it probably came from one of their organizers.
Fourth District Supervisor Virginia Bass said that when she received the email she figured it likely didn’t come through the official channels of AFSCME Local 1684. “It’s unfortunate that that’s the way it’s signed,” she said. “It’s probably [from] somebody who has a lot of passion and just wasn’t thinking clearly when they hit ‘send.’”...
Bolinger said it’s not unheard of for non-union members to impersonate union reps. But regardless, he explained, no union communications are sent without authorization from the executive board or an official agent....
UPDATED AGAIN: THC responds: ◼ “It wasn’t us: AFSCME doth protest too much - THC
As you may recall, we wrote a piece just last night about a shocking letter sent to the County Supervisors from the AFSCME. In case you missed it, check it out here.
Now, in the absolute shit-storm of backlash they are receiving due to the sheer nastiness and idiocy of the letter, AFSCME has started back-pedaling like their paddle boat is going over the edge of Niagara Falls....
◼ No response from the mysterious email sender; the Union says they have no idea who the author is - John Chiv/Words Worth
This is an email sent out to the Supervisors today.
Dear Supervisors:
The AFSCME Union was made aware today of an online letter circulating on the Lost Coast Outpost and possibly other media blogs or outlets.
We would like to make it perfectly clear that this Union has not authorized this letter and has no idea who the author might be.
Any communications actually sanctioned by the Union will be signed appropriately. If you have any questions, please contact us at the Union office.
Joel Bollinger, Office Secretary
Talk about nasty.
You may not know about a new blog in town. It's called The Humboldt Consequential (THC for short, haha). It's kind of Mirror-like, for those of you who were around for the Heraldo/Mirror blog wars.
The latest post there includes what is (purportedly) a VERY NASTY letter from a AFSCME, threatening our Board of Supervisors. WHO wrote this? (Salman likes to end his emails in solidarity, and he's certainly capable of that tone, but...WHO is it?) It's riddled with incoherent sentences, and typos, somebody's rant that wasn't ready for prime time?
◼ Humboldt Consequential's latest post exposes union strong arm tactics and intimidation - John Chiv/Words Worth
Like Chiv, I am going to post THC's post in its entirety. Normally, one does not do that, you excerpt and credit, but, you know, they're anonymous, so it's fair game. (Sorry, whoever you are, and THANKS for airing this.) This needs airing. The rest of their commentary is, of course, their opinions and numbers crunching... is their math accurate? Note that this is purportedly a Union threatening to use their Union dues to attack elected officials who aren't doing what they're told, INCLUDING elected officials who dared to endorse our Supervisors. Really, LoCo, this is right up your 'balance of power' alley... this is a naked power play, not a stitch hiding it.
Is it for real? Or is this taking a layer off The Onion?
◼ AFSCME threatens to hold Humboldt hostage; “Me too” screws the rest of us
Posted on September 20, 2015 by thehumboldtconsequence
THC fans, we’ve got something that you’ll get a really good laugh out of. We’ve been laughing for a few days about it, if only to keep ourselves from crying.
But it’s actually really bad news, at least for people that don’t like getting robbed. Your friendly local AFSCME (the union that represents public employees here in Humboldt) sent a letter to your very own Humboldt County Supervisors this past Wednesday. And it’s not just any letter.
No, it’s a shameful letter that illustrates just how self-centered, greedy, and nasty this organization really is. We’ve reproduced it in full for your reading pleasure/horror:
—–Original Message—–
From: AFSCME LOCAL HUMBOLDT COUNTY [afscmelocal1684@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2015 08:38 PM Pacific Standard Time
To: Bohn, Rex; Fennell, Estelle; Lovelace, Mark; Bass, Virginia; Sundberg, Ryan
Subject: We are coming for your jobs-
Mr. Lovelace excluded as he is pro working class and pro economy and pro America.
So AFSCME had another contract meeting last night. Great turnout. We have voted overwhelmingly to move forward to cast a strike vote if we don’t receive an acceptable contract. Have fun doing our jobs. But more interestingly, we will be starting exploratory committees to run active members and retired members for capture the offices you hold, as the trust fund baby crew holding office now does not understand the working class or America.
In addition, we will start negative campaigning against your reelections bids. So hopefully you have hidden all of your dirt. It will be exposed to the public in mass media campaigns, doorstep pamphlets, radio airings, press releases and TV commercials, to Betty Chinn center and Catholic Charities, to Redwood Empire Little League, to the neighborhood watch etc. We just got word we have the funding and backing of the broader AFSCME brotherhood as well as our local fund raising. Hope you like to fight.
It was also brought to our attention that Rex Bohn has the endorsements of our state assemblyperson and state senator, Mr Wood and Mr McGuire, who are Democrats, and we assumed are the allies of the working class of America. They have also been contacted with a similar message to opposition to there support of Rex Bohn’s reelection. Also included are statements made by Rex Bohn about not needing AFSCME votes, reported and documented facts about personal history, the fact he is a trust fund baby and does not understand the working class. We will also be sending members to Sacramento to let lobby and advise them that if they endorse Bohn, a stated independent, who but who really is an all out Tea Party Conservative, then they will also be campaigned against negatively by the local and by broader AFSCME when it is there time.
It’s time to play hard ball.
Bass and Sundberg will be the next focus.
Solidarity and Unity, AFSCME LOCAL 1684
Basically, we’ve got a bunch of whiny little f***s that think they should be paid even more than they are now – which, as we will get into, is far beyond what the regular Joe/Jane in Humboldt is earning. And the best part is that they do not give a shit that it is you and I, their neighbors and fellow Humboldt residents, whom they are demanding empty their pockets so that AFSCME members can profit.
We’ve delved into the cushy jobs that AFSCME members hold before, but let’s refresh you. Check out how much each County employee earned on average in 2013:
$43,177 in average wages, plus an additional $14,180 in retirement contributions and benefits. Not too shabby – especially when you consider that the average income for an entire household in Humboldt is $41,426 according to the most recent census info.
So, the AFSCME wants its members to earn even more than most families of four do. Don’t fail to notice that the cost, per Humboldt resident, to support their current compensation packages is nearly $1000. (Also note that cost is per county resident ; the burden of cost is much higher for tax-payers.) How excited will you be to pony up more of your hard-earned money to support these entitled ingrates getting paid nearly twice what you bring home?
It seems like the AFSCME is less Robin Hood, and more “robbing every ‘hood in Humboldt.” THC particularly loves how the slogans they paste all over town say “Me too,” as if these motherf***ers are the ones being left behind in Humboldt’s wage inequalities. Is that a sick joke? No, actually, they are dead serious.
The AFSCME has their heads too far up their asses to realize the irony of that slogan. You see, THC isn’t so much a fan of the “Me too” thinking as we are of the “What about the rest of us?” line of thought. As in, why can’t these idiots understand that demanding these higher wages threatens the very fabric of our already cash-strapped County? “Me too”means that when one person in employ of the public gets a raise, then everyone else does too. Can you think of a few people working for our government who sure as hell don’t deserve raises? THC can.
Do you know what percentage of workers the AFSCME represents compared to our population? About 1%. Which begs the question, who really is the 99% in Humboldt County? According to the AFSCME website, only about 11% of wage and salary workers are part of a union. So, again, who is desperate for fair compensation? Not the members of the AFSCME.
In case that compensation comparisons alone don’t show you the difference between how good they’ve got it compared to your average Joe, check out the non-financial benefits that AFSCME members get, according to their website:
Are you f***ing kidding? It sounds like a damn summer camp, not a job! The AFSCME is hoping that you and I are stupid enough to believe that “Me too” benefits you directly, instead of actually costing you and the County more for their sole benefit.
Quite frankly, with that kind of neighborly attitude, THC is of the opinion that that AFSCME members who whine that they don’t get paid as much as other union members in other areas can just pack up and GTFO of Humboldt. Newsflash, assholes: Nobody here gets paid as much as they would in other areas. Deal with it, or take yourselves elsewhere.
Now that we’ve got our financial and ethical objectives to the AFSCME’s bullshit out of the way, let’s take a look at the form that the offensive letter itself takes.
Let’s start off by saying, for crying out loud, that THC sincerely hopes that whoever wrote this letter was drunk as hell. Here at THC, we are by no-means grammar-nazis (proof-reading is sooo boring!). But we do think that a letter as poorly written as this is probably not the best representation an organization should put forward for their official communications. So, um, if they do get raises, maybe they should use the money to put themselves back through elementary school. Just sayin’.
In keeping with their decidedly childish level of literacy and coherence, the AFSCME resorts to school-yard bullying to threaten our Supervisors into acquiescence. It’s just plain nasty, and for all you AFSCME members out there – maybe you should demand that the organization leeching off your union dues should comport themselves with a little bit more respect.
On top of that, do these idiots really think that dragging Betty Chinn and the Catholic churches into the mix makes them seem like victims? These are charitable organizations that serve the truly under-privileged and destitute communities in Humboldt. How many AFSMCE members have to go to the soup-kitchen, we wonder?
Also of note, THC cannot think of a single time that Betty Chinn has endorsed any political candidate aside from Rex Bohn. That’s right, the recipient of the Presidential Citizens medal – the second-highest civilian award in the United States – from Barack Obama himself, feels that strongly about the good that Rex has done for our communities. Is she supposed to feel bad for people that enjoy ridiculously better lives than the people she helps? Not to mention that any wage increase given to County employees would take away funds that could potentially be used to help those same people. Give us a break.
And don’t get us started on the AFSCME’s mention of Redwood Empire Little League. Targeting little league kids? Keep your filthy, self-centered hands and politics away from our children, AFSCME. Seriously.
And perhaps our favorite part is that the AFSCME leaves Mark Lovelace out of their hate-filled message. Um, of course Lovelace supports raping the County’s coffers to meet your demands. Lovelace is done with this County – he doesn’t give two shits how much farther the policies he supports will drive us into the poor-house. Hopefully there’s enough room for the entire County at the Betty Chinn center, because that’s where this AFSCME bullshit could send us.
All in all, THC fans, we hope you are as outraged by this as we are. Don’t let the AFSCME hold the future of our County’s success hostage. In their case, “Me too” leaves out the rest of us. Next time you see them waving their signs in front of the court house, don’t honk your horn at them – roll down the window and show them your middle finger. That’s exactly what they’re doing to you.
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END THC POST
ADDED: (from the comments at THC, and THIS, I think represents the rank and file FAR more than that nasty threatening email)
September 20, 2015 at 8:18 PM Embarrassed says:
I am a 15 year county employee. By and large I enjoy my job and I believe that I do pretty good work for the people of Humboldt County. I also think that I have a very fair compensation and benefit package. I do earn more than the average county wage and I am grateful for it. To all those reading the letter from the AFCME Union representatives, Please be aware that neither the sentiment, the tone, and certainly not the grammar represents my own feelings or that of most county employees. Overwhelmingly we all work hard and appreciate what we have, we have simply been hijacked by vocal extremists. Please except my personal apology and that of many likeminded county workers.
Friday, September 18, 2015
At long last...
Gallegos let him out on a Cruz Waiver, to 'get his affairs in order. That decision cost two people their lives.
Agony for the families: ◼ Family members of the victims in the Jason Warren request Judicial Council action after they learn no Judge has been assigned and there may be another postponement - John Chiv/Words Worth Aug 22, 2015
The man accused of murdering a Hoopa woman and running down three joggers, killing one, asked to be excused from court, "If it's something I don't have to be here for."
Nearly three years after he allegedly murdered a Hoopa woman, stole her vehicle and ran down three joggers, killing one, Jason Anthony Warren asked to leave the courtroom where a judge and three attorneys were set to discuss his upcoming trial, and victims of his alleged crimes sat patiently, hoping for justice....
◼ Attorneys discuss Warren case scheduling concerns - Will Houston, Eureka Times-Standard
◼ Warren pretrial hearing continued to Thursday - Times-Standard Sep 16, 2015
◼ Judge unable to accept Warren murder case assignment - Times-Standard
◼ Warren case reassigned to new judge; trial pushed to Sept. 28 - Times-Standard
◼ Judge Marilyn Miles assigned to Warren murder case - Times-Standard
◼ Letter: Waiting for justice in Warren’s murder trial - Times-Standard
Agony for the families: ◼ Family members of the victims in the Jason Warren request Judicial Council action after they learn no Judge has been assigned and there may be another postponement - John Chiv/Words Worth Aug 22, 2015
...The letter signed by Hank Seemann, Jessie Hunt and Terri-Vroman-Little dated August 21, 2015 was sent to Humboldt County Superior Court Interim CEO Mike Tozzi, DA Maggie Fleming, Holly Hensher, from Victim Witness, and two Judicial Council officers, Tani Cantil-Sakauye and Martin Hoshino.◼ At long last: Jason Warren trial has a Judge and jury panel to start Sept 29 - John Chiv/Words Worth Sep 17, 2015
It refers to the Jason Warren case and the current scheduled trial date of September 14, in the letter they state that "we understand that a Judge has not been assigned for this case and there is substantial risk for postponement of the trial until 2016 due to lack of an unavailable judge in Humboldt County."
They ask that all possible options be explored with the Judicial Council to secure an available judge from a neighboring county or a travelling judge.
They talk about the fact that the case has had numerous delays and the impact it has had on their families. The three year anniversary is coming up....
...Mr. Paul Sequeira, Assistant DA from Mendocino County appeared with District Attorney Maggie Fleming. He is trying the case.◼ Jason Warren Asks to Leave Courtroom; Jury Selection For Murder Trial Set to Begin Sept. 29 - Ryan Burns/Lost Coast Outpost
Trial estimate 8 to 10 weeks. Trial schedule to be decided. It maybe full days or the typical Humboldt schedule of 8:30 to noon with a couple of afternoons....
The man accused of murdering a Hoopa woman and running down three joggers, killing one, asked to be excused from court, "If it's something I don't have to be here for."
Nearly three years after he allegedly murdered a Hoopa woman, stole her vehicle and ran down three joggers, killing one, Jason Anthony Warren asked to leave the courtroom where a judge and three attorneys were set to discuss his upcoming trial, and victims of his alleged crimes sat patiently, hoping for justice....
◼ Attorneys discuss Warren case scheduling concerns - Will Houston, Eureka Times-Standard
...Warren, who will turn 31 on Sunday, is accused of the murder of Dorothy Ulrich in her Hoopa home during the pre-dawn hours of Sept. 27, 2012. He is then alleged to have stolen Ulrich’s car and, after reaching Arcata about 90 minutes later, intentionally hitting three runners and a dog who were together on Old Arcata Road. Humboldt State University geography lecturer Suzanne Seemann was killed by the impact.◼ Jason Warren pretrial hearing continued due to court oopsie moment - John Chiv/Words Worth Sep 16, 2015
Warren is also charged with Seemann’s murder as well of the attempted murders of the other two runners — Jessica Hunt and Terri Vroman-Little — who were seriously injured in the incident. Hunt’s dog was killed....
◼ Warren pretrial hearing continued to Thursday - Times-Standard Sep 16, 2015
◼ Judge unable to accept Warren murder case assignment - Times-Standard
◼ Warren case reassigned to new judge; trial pushed to Sept. 28 - Times-Standard
◼ Judge Marilyn Miles assigned to Warren murder case - Times-Standard
◼ Letter: Waiting for justice in Warren’s murder trial - Times-Standard
Thursday, September 10, 2015
More time...
◼ Next hearing for Gary Lee Bullock set for September 22 - John Chiv/Words Worth
PREVIOUSLY: Judge Feeney said, "I believe we are in a position to set a trial date." He said that in Chambers, "Counsel had discussed October 12 but since that is a court holiday, that the jury trial would be set for October 13 at 8:30 a.m." Pre-trial is(was) September 2 at 2 p.m. and Trial Confirmation is September 30 at 2 p.m.
PREVIOUSLY: Judge Feeney said, "I believe we are in a position to set a trial date." He said that in Chambers, "Counsel had discussed October 12 but since that is a court holiday, that the jury trial would be set for October 13 at 8:30 a.m." Pre-trial is(was) September 2 at 2 p.m. and Trial Confirmation is September 30 at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, September 09, 2015
DA Taps Outside Prosecutor for Warren Double Murder Trial
◼ The Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office is bringing in a special prosecutor to try the double-murder case of Jason Anthony Warren. - THADEUS GREENSON/NCJ
“Yes, we have an arrangement with Humboldt County to provide an experienced prosecutor — our most experienced prosecutor — to handle this case,” Geniella said, identifying the prosecutor as Mendocino County Assistant District Attorney Paul Sequeira. who will come to Humboldt with an accomplished resume, though one specked with controversy....(You finally seeing that, Thad? Wow.)
Because Fleming declined to comment even generally on the move, citing the gag order in the Warren case, it’s unclear why she’s made the decision to bring Sequeira in to handle the case. But on the campaign trail before taking office in January, Fleming spoke openly about what she perceived as a lack of prosecutorial experience in the office. The office also is — and long has been — facing a backlog of time-consuming homicide cases.
Well, where is she?
◼ Cryptic Hostage Note Left on Willow Creek Windshield Leads Cops to Grow Scene - LoCo
On 09-08-2015 at 12:20 p.m. Humboldt County Sheriff Office Deputies were dispatched to Trinity Automotive in Willow Creek for a suspicious note left on a vehicle. The note was written and signed by a female. The female indicated that her life was in danger and if she did not show up to pick up her car by Monday “To Call the Police!”
The note further indicated she may be being held against her will at an address off the 200 block of Panther Road, Willow Creek. When deputies responded to the address on Panther Road to conduct welfare check they discovered a commercial marijuana growing operation.
A Humboldt County Superior Court search warrant was obtained for the property. The female who left the note on the car was not located at the residence. Several people at the residence stated, she left a day ago on her own free will.
When deputies searched the residence and property they located 2-3 grams of methamphetamines, 160 lbs. of processed marijuana, 278 marijuana plants that were 4’ to 9’ in height. Four (4) firearms and $5,530 in cash.
Deputies arrested 44 year old, Kenneth Richard Ashe at the scene for possession of methamphetamine, cultivation and possession for sales of marijuana and for being armed in the commission of a felony. Ashe was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility in Eureka. Ashe’s bail was set at $75,000 dollars.
Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.
________________
So, where is she? WHO is she?
On 09-08-2015 at 12:20 p.m. Humboldt County Sheriff Office Deputies were dispatched to Trinity Automotive in Willow Creek for a suspicious note left on a vehicle. The note was written and signed by a female. The female indicated that her life was in danger and if she did not show up to pick up her car by Monday “To Call the Police!”
The note further indicated she may be being held against her will at an address off the 200 block of Panther Road, Willow Creek. When deputies responded to the address on Panther Road to conduct welfare check they discovered a commercial marijuana growing operation.
A Humboldt County Superior Court search warrant was obtained for the property. The female who left the note on the car was not located at the residence. Several people at the residence stated, she left a day ago on her own free will.
When deputies searched the residence and property they located 2-3 grams of methamphetamines, 160 lbs. of processed marijuana, 278 marijuana plants that were 4’ to 9’ in height. Four (4) firearms and $5,530 in cash.
Deputies arrested 44 year old, Kenneth Richard Ashe at the scene for possession of methamphetamine, cultivation and possession for sales of marijuana and for being armed in the commission of a felony. Ashe was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility in Eureka. Ashe’s bail was set at $75,000 dollars.
Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.
So, where is she? WHO is she?
Thursday, September 03, 2015
BAD NEWS: Judge Dale Reinholtsen Publicly Admonished For False Salary Records, Delayed Decisions
◼ The California Commission on Judicial Performance — a state agency charged with ”investigating complaints of judicial misconduct and judicial incapacity” — today issued a public admonishment of Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Dale Reinholtsen for failing to decide cases in a timely fashion, and for submitting false salary affidavits claiming that he had. - Hank Sims/Lost Coast Outpost
◼ Missing paperwork: Free and Afraid - NCJ
◼ Missing paperwork: Free and Afraid - NCJ
Tuesday, September 01, 2015
The machete wielding pizza delivery van robbery suspect finally gets some respect
Well, if you can call it that. His crimes earned him a nice high bail requirement.
◼ Bam! Judge Miles increases bail to $425,000 for carjacking, robbery and machete wielding suspect whose wife is kicked out of courtroom for breaking rules
◼ Bam! Judge Miles increases bail to $425,000 for carjacking, robbery and machete wielding suspect whose wife is kicked out of courtroom for breaking rules
What would a Kesselring court hearing be without the usual denial and drama.
"Progressive" City Council Members find out what happens when you don't do what you're told with updates
◼ OMG, you get called 'conservative.'
And what is "Redwood Progressive"?
You remember:
From: Redwood Progressive rs@richardsalzman.com
Date: XXXXXX X:XX:XX PM PDT
To: Redwood Progressive Subscriber
Subject: XXXXXX
Reply-To: " Redwood Progressive " rs@richardsalzman.com
""Redwood Progressive." That is one of Salzman's groups/listserves. AEB (Alliance For Ethical Business). Ourhumboldt.org, Redwood Progressive, Citizens for Real Economic Growth, SaveEurekaWaterfront.org, Behind the Redwood Curtain, and more. Like boiler room scammers. Orwellian names, really, for example, do you really think Citizens For REAL Economic Growth was ever about economic growth? No. It's always about destroying his target."
So, who is Tuluwat?
_______________
◼ Rallies and Protests at Eureka City Hall, County Courthouse This Afternoon - Hank Sims/Lost Coast Outpost
◼ Eureka Municipal Code to be discussed tomorrow night, is it legally enforceable? - John Chiv/Words Worth
UPDATE:
◼ After Hours of Debate, Eureka City Council Tables Controversial Ordinance Until January - John Ross Ferr/Lost Coast Outpost
Here’s an action alert from Redwood Progressive and AHHA:
And what is "Redwood Progressive"?
You remember:
From: Redwood Progressive rs@richardsalzman.com
Date: XXXXXX X:XX:XX PM PDT
To: Redwood Progressive Subscriber
Subject: XXXXXX
Reply-To: " Redwood Progressive " rs@richardsalzman.com
""Redwood Progressive." That is one of Salzman's groups/listserves. AEB (Alliance For Ethical Business). Ourhumboldt.org, Redwood Progressive, Citizens for Real Economic Growth, SaveEurekaWaterfront.org, Behind the Redwood Curtain, and more. Like boiler room scammers. Orwellian names, really, for example, do you really think Citizens For REAL Economic Growth was ever about economic growth? No. It's always about destroying his target."
So, who is Tuluwat?
◼ Rallies and Protests at Eureka City Hall, County Courthouse This Afternoon - Hank Sims/Lost Coast Outpost
◼ Eureka Municipal Code to be discussed tomorrow night, is it legally enforceable? - John Chiv/Words Worth
UPDATE:
◼ After Hours of Debate, Eureka City Council Tables Controversial Ordinance Until January - John Ross Ferr/Lost Coast Outpost
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