Goodness and mercy (UPDATES)

◼ A Morning Emergency in the Palco Marsh - Linda Stansberry/North Coast Journal

Kim Bergel is doing something to help.

A whole lot of people are trying.

And now Devil's Playground is being cleaned up - again:

◼ Fires Break Out, Things Explode as Palco Marsh Evictions Begin - LoCo is UPDATING

UPDATE, 10:43 a.m.: Interview with Betty Chinn

Tireless homeless advocate Betty Chinn tells the Outpost‘s Andrew Goff that she was very worried about this morning’s operations, but after spending time on the scene she feels “hugely relieved.” The Eureka Police Department, she said, is handling things “really, really well.”

As for the availability of housing, Chinn said that there are enough beds for everyone who wants to go. “I love this community,” she said. (Audio interview at LoCo)

◼ Some Transition Into Shipping Containers, Others Prepare for Conflict Hours Before Palco Marsh Exodus - LoCo

◼ Setting of the scene and the human face of the Palco Marsh evictions this morning, not through words but photos - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ So far, no issues at the Palco Marsh, except for a handful of protestors; one from Arcata yelling, "What is your capacity,officer?" - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ Are there people at the Marsh discouraging others from moving out? If so, who and why? If people felt safe, I could get answers - John Chiv/Words Worth
◼ "Where specifically in the record is there evidence of this contention?"; Judge White asked Peter Martin and the plaintiffs - John Chiv/Words Worth

Marian Brady reports: The new shelter at 3rd and Commercial is ready for tenants. Betty is here greeting people who have registered.

At least 21 individuals made the transition to the new shelters yesterday according to Betty. I hope more choose to move their belongings and live at the new site. The city is also storing belongings so that the displaced campers can stay at the other designated sleeping sites knowing their stuff will be safely locked up until they are ready to claim it again. At the Commercial St. site, people with dogs are welcomed and a kennel area provided for the day; animals stay with their owners at night in their rooms. As a friend said, this transition facility offers a Chance for a Choice.

Peter Martin's prayer lawsuit denied review by CA Supreme Court

◼ Clarification about the prayer lawsuit that was not clear from the Times-Standard article - John Chiv/Words Worth

The Appellate court dismissed and ruled against Carole Beaton and her lawyer Peter Martin in their appeal of Judge Watson's decision to uphold and allow invocations before City Council meetings.

Eureka City Frank Jager said, "We won this one."

◼ Carole Beaton prayer lawsuit denied review by CA Supreme Cour - John Chiv/Words Worth

"Progressive" City Council Members find out what happens when you don't do what you're told with updates

◼ OMG, you get called 'conservative.'

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

"It would seem that if you were running for City Council you might want to divulge that you filed a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy petition, just a little over 2 years ago...." UPDATED

◼ Is a Bankruptcy filing by a Eureka City Council candidate relevant information? - John Chiv/Words Worth

Kim Bergel and her husband filed bankruptcy in July of 2012 and listed $222,514 in unsecured creditors along with $233,794 in secured and priority creditors for a total of $524,248.

◼ Bankrupt? You too can pay off $524,248 with just $51,720 - John Chiv/Words Worth
__________________
Soooo........

Here we are. In a year when almost every item on the ballot is asking for MORE money. Which means the budget is Issue #1.

So. This is sad. And yet it is very relevant. Because you're asking for a position that will oversee public funds, and which arguably will make decisions, or pass ordinances which will involve punishing people who don't pay their bills or follow rules.

I've spoken to John, who is working without a scanner, and he has transcribed the documents listed amounts.

And, on another note, I sit here shaking my head, thinking - what if?

What if this were the 'other side'? You'd be seeing interactive charts, complete with analysis, and comments threads with 1,000 denunciations.

__________________
J. Eric Bergel Responds: It's interesting to note Mr. Chiv's obvious bias as evidenced by the fact that he didn't brother to report on Mike Newman's 2004 Chapter 7 (non-repayment) bankruptcy. I'd be curious to know if his pre-economic meltdown bankruptcy was a result of a nearly fatal accident as ours was. I'd also be interested in ascertaining whether or not he made an effort comparable to our nearly four years doing everything within our power to avoid bankruptcy.

We deeply regret the damage we caused to local business as a result of our misfortune. We only exercised our right to protection under the law as an absolute last resort after exhausting all other avenues. Then, against the advice of our attorney, we filed a repayment plan (chapter 13) rather than walking away from our debt (chapter 7) as we were legally entitled to do.

The unfortunate reality is that after all the damage caused by thirty years of trickle down, voodoo economics and deregulation which resulted in the latest devastating economic melt down, financial success can no longer be relied upon as an accurate gauge to measure a person’s intelligence, aptitude, work ethic or character. Because the playing field is no longer level, it makes it very difficult for working class people to achieve or even maintain the American dream.

I understand campaigning for political office often turns to blood sport, especially when a candidate is seriously threatened, but I really do believe in the golden rule as well as the adage that those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Perhaps it could be modified in this case to state, those who have soiled there own reputation should not sling mud.

What can you say but, "WOW!"

◼ A Councilman's 'Dying Declaration' - Thadeus Greenson/The Journal

In what appears to be a sworn declaration signed less than a month before he died, former Eureka City Councilman Lance Madsen claims Eureka City Attorney Cyndy Day-Wilson lied to him and tried to get another city hall employee to do the same in an effort to cover up her allegedly distributing a confidential and explosive memo to city employees.

The declaration and an accompanying six-page investigative report, both of which Madsen apparently made a top priority during the last months of his battle with lung disease, were delivered by certified mail to the city on June 5 by Daniel Cooper, Madsen’s probate attorney. Together, the documents shed new light on an apparently toxic environment in city hall and a rift on the city council. And they raise serious questions about Day-Wilson’s honesty, ethics and job performance....

and that's just the lead in....

◼ Dying councilman's inquiry raises questions at Eureka City Hall - Lorna Rodriguez and Will Houston/Times-Standard