R.I.P. Jimmy Smith

◼ Former Supervisor Jimmy Smith, A Great Man, Has Died - Hank Sims/Lost Coast Outpost

Watchdogs, representatives, oversight and videotape

Lots of questions posed - who's right and who's wrong? If anyone. Maybe Mark (Lovelace) is in the right here, Supervisors are elected to represent their Districts within the County, as well as to look out for the County as a whole....

◼ Public meeting enthusiast Kent Sawatzky asked 3rd District Supervisor Mark Lovelace to resign from the Oversight Board for stiffing the County and taxpayers and voting to benefit Arcata - John Chiv/Words Worth

◼ Here's a link to City Of Arcata's WATCH MEETINGS LIVE & ON DEMAND info page



(If I've clipped this right, Here's Kent Sawatzky addressing the Arcata City Council.

Mark's not gonna resign, so that's moot -

The political ping-pong ball

◼ Kerrigan’s largest donors were hardware store owner Bill Pierson, who gave his campaign committee $2,000 this period, and former pot doc/environmental activist Ken Miller, who gave $1,850.

No special interests at work here, nosireebob, uh uh, no way, no how.
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Both Kerrigan and LaTour are running because somebody is pissed off about the General Plan being re-examined.

Remember: As the General Plan was being wrapped up, the following passage was discovered, tucked into the County of Humboldt Climate Action Plan (CAPE) which is an Appendix U to the Draft EIR for our local General Plan Update, and may be included as a background document for the Energy Element of the General Plan:
"B. Family Planning

(Big Brother*) The County should support the notion that every woman and every couple should have the resources and the power to control their own reproductive lives. By ensuring that every child in the County is planned, the County will make significant progress toward solving unnecessary increases in local contributions to global warming impacts. The County Public Health Department should implement a program to address the potential of unplanned pregnancies which unnecessarily add to future population increases, which in turn add to further greenhouse gas emissions due to addition(al?) consumption.."

I submit that the people who are pissed off about the re-examination of the General Plan are either ignorant of this fact, or are worried that their other Easter Eggs will be discovered. And they want a chance to put it back in.

NOW - You can ask Ms. LaTour what she thinks about this. As a pastor, it will be very informative to hear what she thinks about government encouraging abortion, and acting like China. Ask Chris Kerrigan, too. Better yet - ask them what Bill Pierson thinks. And Ken Miller the pot doc.

But here's the real question - the General Plan is slated to be FINISHED by December, BEFORE either one would be seated if elected. IF they do get elected, are we to expect that the WHOLE damn process begins again? So they can reinsert that passage, or worse?

The Lovelace/Pierson/Faust/Miller/Kerrigan/LaTour camp created this game of political ping-pong. We should be glad someone stepped in to clean up the mess, and will pass it without crap like that added in there.

You have to laugh

Poor Chris Kerrigan had a happy life going, now he's immersed in a campaign in which Salzman lives vicariously, fighting his decade old battles through Chris.

And the latest letter defending Kerrigan against charges that he abandoned his City Council post to go out on his quixotic quest to be somebody in the John Edwards campaign...The writer argues that since City Council pays bupkis and Supervisor pays $81,585 a year for four years, that Chris was not so likely to run off given the money at stake.

This from a candidate who isn't supposed to be about the money.

Wonder if Sara the Dog wrote the letter for the guy. Don't laugh.

So, Chris... what is it?

I'm assuming you (or "we") signed this. It is voluntary, though.

◼ CODE OF FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES ELECTIONS CODE SECTION 20440-20444

20440. At the time an individual is issued his or her declaration of candidacy, nomination papers, or any other paper evidencing an intention to be a candidate for public office, the elections official shall give the individual a blank form of the code and a copy of this chapter. The elections official shall inform each candidate for public office that subscription to the code is voluntary.

In the case of a committee making an independent expenditure, as defined in Section 82031 of the Government Code, the Secretary of State shall provide a blank form and a copy of this chapter to the individual filing, in accordance with Title 9 (commencing with Section 81000) of the Government Code, an initial campaign statement on behalf of the committee.

The text of the code shall read, as follows:

There are basic principles of decency, honesty, and fair play which every candidate for public office in the State of California has a moral obligation to observe and uphold in order that, after vigorously contested but fairly conducted campaigns, our citizens may exercise their constitutional right to a free and untrammeled choice and the will of the people may be fully and clearly expressed on the issues.

THEREFORE:

(1) I SHALL CONDUCT my campaign openly and publicly, discussing the issues as I see them, presenting my record and policies with sincerity and frankness, and criticizing without fear or favor the record and policies of my opponents or political parties that merit this criticism.

(2) I SHALL NOT USE OR PERMIT the use of character defamation, whispering campaigns, libel, slander, or scurrilous attacks on any candidate or his or her personal or family life.

(3) I SHALL NOT USE OR PERMIT any appeal to negative prejudice based on a candidate's actual or perceived race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, age, sexual orientation, sex, including gender identity, or any other characteristic set forth in Section 12940 of the Government Code, or association with another person who has any of the actual or perceived characteristics set forth in Section 12940 of the Government Code.

(4) I SHALL NOT USE OR PERMIT any dishonest or unethical practice that tends to corrupt or undermine our American system of free elections, or that hampers or prevents the full and free expression of the will of the voters including acts intended to hinder or prevent any eligible person from registering to vote, enrolling to vote, or voting.

(5) I SHALL NOT coerce election help or campaign contributions for myself or for any other candidate from my employees.

(6) I SHALL IMMEDIATELY AND PUBLICLY REPUDIATE support deriving from any individual or group that resorts, on behalf of my candidacy or in opposition to that of my opponent, to the methods and tactics that I condemn. I shall accept responsibility to take firm action against any subordinate who violates any provision of this code or the laws governing elections.

(7) I SHALL DEFEND AND UPHOLD the right of every qualified American voter to full and equal participation in the electoral process.

I, the undersigned, candidate for election to public office in the State of California or treasurer or chairperson of a committee making any independent expenditures, hereby voluntarily endorse, subscribe to, and solemnly pledge myself to conduct my campaign in accordance with the above principles and practices."

_____________ __________________________________ Date Signature

20441. The Secretary of State shall print, or cause to be printed, blank forms of the code. The Secretary of State shall supply the forms to the elections officials in quantities and at times requested by the elections officials.

20442. The elections official shall accept, at all times prior to the election, all completed forms that are properly subscribed to by a candidate for public office and shall retain them for public inspection until 30 days after the election.

20443. Every code subscribed to by a candidate for public office pursuant to this chapter is a public record open for public inspection.

20444. In no event shall a candidate for public office be require to subscribe to or endorse the code.
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Of course you know it is meaningless. There are no teeth to it. You have a chance here. You can do the right thing. Or you can stay on your current path, with the current person who is causing you to have to answer this question. It's going to be interesting to see if you're made of the right stuff.

Keeping up with the questions at LoCo Elections

I have to admit, I can't. But here's an update:

◼ LoCOElections has questions, contact info and most recent press releases...

Most recent responses:

Sharon Latour on ◼ Dispensaries and growing regulations
Sharon Latour on ◼ Electricity tax
Sharon Latour on ◼ Do you think it's important to label GMO's?
Allan Dollison on ◼ Recidivism

Most recent questions:

◼ Eureka Waterfront Cafe Proposals (for Chris Kerrigan, Virginia Bass)
◼ 215 (for Chris Kerrigan)
◼ Death Penalty (for Allan Dollison, Arnie Klein, Elan Firpo, Maggie Fleming)
◼ McKinleyville expansion (for Ryan Sundberg, Sharon Latour)

Click on the candidate's name to go to LoCoElections and see all the questions each candidate has answered:

◼ Allan Dollison
7 questions answered.
12 questions asked.

◼ Arnie Klein
6 questions answered.
13 questions asked.

◼ Elan Firpo
5 questions answered.
15 questions asked.

◼ Maggie Fleming
7 questions answered.
16 questions asked.
Fourth District Supervisor

◼ Chris Kerrigan
2 questions answered.
11+1 questions asked.
◼ Yes. I tried it out: Claims in your fundraising letter

◼ Virginia Bass
0 questions answered.
9 questions asked.
Fifth District Supervisor

◼ Ryan Sundberg
0 questions answered.
9 questions asked.

◼ Sharon Latour
7 questions answered.
9 questions asked.
State Senate

◼ Mike McGuire
0 questions answered.
1 questions asked.
State Assembly

◼ Jim Wood
0 questions answered.
1 questions asked.
U.S. Congress

◼ Jared Huffman
0 questions answered.
2 questions asked.

THE SUPS 460s

◼ Campaign finance disclosure forms filed for Humboldt County supervisor races; experts say cost of local elections on the rise - Lorna Rodriguez/The Times-Standard

...In the county supervisor races for the 4th and 5th district, the four candidates have raised a total of $31,930 since the start of 2014, according to the most recently filed campaign finance forms....

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Yep. BIG Money, that.

The McKMAC meets Wednesday.

These meetings are open to the public and there is always time for public input.

◼ McKMAC To Discuss Sales Tax/Campaign Finance Reform - Mad River Union ◼ LIKE Mad River Union on FACEBOOK (Formerly McKinleyville Press & Arcata Eye)

The town’s county advisory committee will discuss increasing local law enforcement and campaign finance reform at its meeting Wednesday, March 26.

The McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee (McKMAC) meets at 5 p.m. at the Azalea Conference Center, located at the rear of McKinleyville Middle School at 2275 Central Ave.

The McKMAC has previously discussed the idea of having a sales tax increase, with proceeds to fund additional deputies and other public safety positions benefiting unincorporated McKinleyville,...
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So, if we have a McKMAC, advisory to the Board Of Sups, what's this MOC? McKinleyville Organizing Committee "Congregation-based Community Organizing" funded by grant money - to do what, exactly?

The Shove redux... UPDATED: Frustrations between Humboldt County Supervisors boil over; Lovelace apologizes for 'slap on the back' And, UPDATED AGAIN.

Developing

(Note: This post has evolved along with the story, including other blog posts and media reports. It will continue to be updated as things develop. At this time, I have no plans to open a new post on the topic. Check back for updates if you feel so inclined.)

◼ Or was it "The Push" - I forget.
◼ Maybe it was "Push Comes To Shove"

◼ But it became a very big deal - the HCDCC Subcommittee on Education and Communications Chairperson Greg Conners said the group’s hope is that the attorney general will investigate “and the appropriate action will be taken based upon facts that can be confirmed.”

Remember all that?

So....

My basic policy has always been - things have to be verifiable. And accurate. My general rule is three sources, or I won't post it.

I'm not the only one who's going to be asking questions, and it appears there are a number of people who can answer the questions at hand. Tomorrow's Monday. We'll see.

Basically, Humboldt County is a small town, and people talk to each other.

◼ CSAC "a conference of California county officials"

What's in question? A comment posted on at least two other blogs talking about an altercation (incident, may be a better word) - a physical altercation - between two Humboldt County Supervisors at CSAC, witnessed by at least one other Humboldt County Supervisor, and one Del Norte County Supervisor. Questions whether charges were filed, whether the Humboldt County DA would act.

That last part makes me laugh. Are you kidding?
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Developing
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◼ Incident witnessed at CSAC conference - John Chiv/Words Worth
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OK, so my stance on the Larry Glass thing was he should have accepted the apology, sucked it up and moved on, file a report if you like to get it on the record if you're really worried that there may be a repeat incident, but move on. But that's not what happened. So it will be interesting to see the how the cheerleaders in that 'push' respond here.

UPDATE:
◼ Frustrations between Humboldt County Supervisors boil over; Lovelace apologizes for 'slap on the back' - Thadeus Greenson/The Times-Standard

Third District Supervisor Mark Lovelace apologized Monday for letting his frustrations boil over at a California State Association of Counties meeting last week, leading to an incident that one Del Norte official called “disturbing” and “inappropriate.”

The incident occurred last Wednesday, during a meeting of the Coastal Counties Regional Association at CSAC's annual conference in San Jose, which was attended by four Humboldt County supervisors. During the meeting, the association -- which Lovelace has co-chaired for several years -- voted to appoint 4th District Supervisor Virginia Bass as its new co-chair.

Lovelace apparently felt frustrated and slighted at the appointment, and approached Bass and 1st District Supervisor Rex Bohn after the meeting, giving them what he described as a “perhaps an exaggerated, good-old-boy slap on the back.”

Reached Monday, Bass described the contact as “an extremely exaggerated slap on the back.”

She said she didn't really want to get into details, but the incident has been mischaracterized by local blogs.

”What you're reading on the blogs is an exaggeration,” she said. “Nobody hit the ground. Nobody shoved back. There was some frustration.”
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Local blogs? Not exactly. Local blogs responded to posted comments by removing them. Those who have comment moderation enabled declined to post them. I would posit that Hank at Lost Coast Outpost took it down because he considered it inflammatory and would likely look into the allegations. Only this one posted anything about it - and you'll note no exaggeration above. We're a very responsible bunch, us bloggers. And PART of being responsible INCLUDES posting stuff like this when it comes up. Like it or not. Frankly, that was just as true as all the newspapers reporting about "The Push" and about "The Speech" more recently.

Responsible. Case in point: ◼ Just little life reminders about violence. - Samoa Softball
And: ◼ Supervisor Incident Somewhat Clarified - Sohum Parlance II
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◼ What the Times-Standard article on CSAC incident did not include - John Chiv/Words Worth AN UPDATE
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◼ Good old boy slap on the back? No. - Allison Jackson/My Word/Times-Standard
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◼ Sympathies for Mark Lovelace - Bill Hassler/Letter-to-the-Editor/Times-Standard
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◼ Mark apologizes to Virginia and Rex - John Chiv/Words Worth 12/3

...In addition to his personal apology in private, Mark said that while trying to explain his frustrations, some of his remarks came across as justifying his actions. There is never any justification, he said, for such behavior. Mark added that in the last week he had seen his actions through the eyes of others.

He concluded by saying that he hoped both Virginia and Rex and the community would forgive him and he promised that "it won't happen again."

Rex was quiet. Virginia did respond. She said she appreciated the apology, especially to the community. She commented that kids are taught not to use violence and as role models and elected officials, "we are held to higher standards." She pointed out that if this behavior was by an employee, there would have been an investigation, perhaps even a dismissal. Virginia concluded her remarks by saying "that this was not the time to talk about it" but that she looked forward to a discussion perhaps in the future and suggested anger management to Mark.... More at the link
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Having thought about it: Since being elected, Mark has taken people off of commissions and boards. Like Charles Ollivier from the railroad board. Should Charles, or any of the others, have been angry at Mark? And if they were angry, which is understandable, even in Mark's own case, what would have happened if they had hit Mark? Or anyone else involved in the decision.

We know the response to the Dan Johnson speech/plagiarism issue. Calls for his head. From some of the same people - cough - SYLVIA DE ROOY - cough - who bend themselves into pretzels to excuse this one and declare it a 'right wing' thing. Excuse me?

I said in the beginning that what was especially interesting in this case was going to be watching those who screamed for the AG in Glass's case remain silent in this case - and so far, at least, that has been the case.
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◼ Humboldt County Supervisor Lovelace apologizes to Bass, Bohn: 'I promise you, it won't happen again' - Catherine Wong/The Times-Standard

Humboldt County 3rd District Supervisor Mark Lovelace apologized Tuesday at the Board of Supervisors meeting for the “slap on the back” he gave to supervisors Rex Bohn and Virginia Bass at the annual California State Association of Counties conference.

”Some of what I said was trying to explain my frustration, and I think that came across as trying to justify my actions, which I can't,” Lovelace said. “No matter what might have transpired beforehand, there is only one person that is responsible for my own actions, and that's me.”

...”All I can do is apologize and accept the consequences of my actions and hope that the two of you, the rest of you, and the community might forgive me for treating you both so disrespectfully and for seriously overstepping personal boundaries,” he said.

Bass, who represents the 4th District, responded by saying that she appreciates the apology, especially to the community. She noted that there would be an investigation -- and possibly a dismissal -- if a similar incident happened with county staff.

”We're elected, so we have different paths, so I think the apology is certainly along that path,” she said, adding “perhaps this isn't the time to talk about it, but I would be interested in further discussion in some anger management.”

About 300 brave rain for Sundberg kickoff

◼ Very impressive turnout. Law enforcement, tribal representation, government, business and community. What I liked was the family friendly atmosphere and as supporter Patty Clary summed it: Ryan does not always vote the way I want but the other side would say the same but that is good. - John Chiv/Words Worth

Interesting piece on HumCPR

◼ HumCPR Rising: How Lee Ulansey and his corporation moved from advocacy into county government - Ryan Burns/the Journal

Funny how there was never any teeth-gnashing about Lovelace's crew marching in lockstep - and, the push to make the BOS, in one day, with virtually no notice, and little public input, strip every property owner of their rights, collateral damage in the zeal to kill Palco.

And, btw - there's a comment at the Journal site by 'Rose' - a nasty comment directed at Steven Lewis. It's not me, but I bet I could tag who it is. And it's pretty childish to keep using my name.

What Mark hath wrought

What Mark Lovelace set in motion all those years ago has now come full circle - and irony of him now sitting on the Board of Supervisors to witness the fruit of his machinations - and for him to bemoan someone as being 'divisive' and 'having an agenda' is truly amazing to behold.

On that fateful day, with virtually no notice, the Board of Supervisors voted to strip every citizen's property rights. Egged on by Lovelace (the anti-Palco activist, not yet a Supervisor), and his astroturfing cadre of speakers, lined up with their 3-minute share of the talking points, lauding the Board for their 'courage' in trying to slam the door on Pacific Lumber Company yet again, the Board's decision had far reaching effects, and woke the mythical sleeping giant.

The end result - a coming together of a very diverse group of people, landowners, people who cared about their property rights. Southern Humboldters, old folks, hipsters, back-to-the-landers, builders, and more. Their vow? Never again. Recognition that vigilance is the price of freedom, and Lovelace's reign came to an end.

His vision was well on its way to taking over. Now, the nail is in its coffin.

I'd say "May It Rest In Peace" but that would be too kind.

Lee Ulansey emerged as an articulate, forceful, and determined spokesman, championing the rights of all the property owners in the county. He's now been through the fire, vilified at every turn by the "progressive" machine. Like anyone who stands against them, he's been accused of being paid for, being in collusion, and more. They've never known what to make of someone like him.

Congratulations, Lee. And, to the new Board who made the decision.

Give Faust a run for his money.

And, let's hope that what the Board did, way back in 2007, never happens again.

◼ Ulansey Appointed to Planning Commission - Northcoast Journal
◼ Ulansey Gets Supes’ Planning Commission Appointment, Immediately Delivers Lovelace Dis - Lost Coast Outpost
◼ Ulansey named planning commissioner - Times-Standard