FANTASTIC!!! Yay Chris!

◼ Kerrigan (or "R. Trent" Salzman on his behalf) answered the question at LoCo.

When referring to my 2004 city council race, I mistakenly mentioned that Rex Bohn spent upwards of $150,000 to defeat me. I apologize for the error. In fact, only $85,000 was reported through his actual campaign committee. The remaining $65,000 that I referred to was from the Eureka Coalition for Jobs, an unknown special interest attack group. Unfortunately, we will never know the exact amount of money spent because, in violation of the law, they did not disclose who paid for the attack ads or how much was spent.

The language in my fundraising letter should have stated “Remember when Rex Bohn and his allies spent upwards of $150,000 to defeat me on the City Council and failed?” Thank you for the opportunity to set the record straight.

NOW - let's get down to brass tacks, Chris. Let's have Richard Salzman show that you mean what you say. Lead by example, ok... let's see the financial disclosures of your apparent campaign manager Richard Salzman's various 'special interest attack groups,' Start with the so-called "Alliance For Ethical Business."

Liberaljon seems to think it is still active. Is it? Where did the money come from, Chris/Richard? How was it spent? Who, if anyone, gave the woman the grand to pay for a hit piece on Roger Rodoniback in the day? Chris - since we're going to relive history - I am SO glad you brought this up.

Are you planning similar hit pieces in this election?

PS: We'll get to all Salzman's other groups, too, right, Chris?

You do condemn this, right, Chris, is that the takeaway from your response?

FLASHBACKS:
◼ "Balls to the wall! The original meetings for the recall were held at Bonnie's house. She was the driving force from day one. Bring her down now."
◼ The AEB's agenda

"5. Organize ourselves politically to accrue power, groom folks to run for offices. Database, outreach, etc.

6. Get rid of Tom Herman on the planning commission thanks to Rodoni, he has been central to all of PL's fraudulent activities and is therefore vulnerable to public outcry. This is a powerful position."

Yes. Let's finally have this discussion.
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There's more, of course.

But you can SURE see the same old battle is still being fought, can't you Chris?

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.

OK, LoCo Elections Is going to be a major time-suck for candidates

◼ LOCO ELECTIONS: It's a good idea, AND/BUT...

ONE: You're going to have to cut these people SOME slack. They are working, and campaigning. Their days are scheduled to the hilt Meetings, Meet&Greets, events, fundraisers (vital to their ability to compete), debate prep and debates, and the hastily gulped meal.

When they take the time, late at night, after all the stuff that has gone on for the day, they are sincerely trying to be responsive and answer all the questions.

Many of these questions are going to be asked in the debates, so in some respects it will help them with their debate prep - but you're going to have to exercise patience. You've just piled on one more thing to carry in the marathon that the next - what is it? 45/75 days? entails.

TWO: You are really going to HAVE TO require real names for submitted questions. In this country we have FREE SPEECH - it is about damn time people stopped hiding in the shadows when they exercise that right. This is an important election, and we deserve to know who is asking the question.

THREE: The comments section is going to be even worse, and completely unmanageable as it grows to the point that no same person can possibly read them all. I would drop the comments, honestly. If what you're looking for is answers to questions, that's a good thing, if you are expecting these candidates to somehow participate in the comments thread, that is going to be impossible for them to do. It's not even going to be possible for one of their volunteers to manage the comments section.
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QUESTIONS:

◼ HOMELESSNESS: What is your take on the homeless issues in our county, and what do you see as possible solutions? Is more incarceration a fix? (ASKED OF ALL FOUR CANDIDATES)

◼ Answered by: Allan Dollison
◼ Answered by: Maggie Fleming
◼ Answered by: Arnie Klein

◼ PART-TIME VERSUS FULL-TIME: Being that you have been working predominantly part-time throughout the years, how could you be ready to tackle the important issues on a full-time basis? (ASKED OF MAGGIE FLEMING)

◼ Answered by: Maggie Fleming

◼ CRIMINALS OR SICK?: It seems drug addicts are psychically addicted to substances, leaving less room for choice once the body becomes dependent upon it. Do you view drug addicts as criminals, or sick? And how does sentencing effect their opportunity to get better or lack thereof. (ASKED OF ARNIE KLEIN)

◼ link

◼ CPR: Have you accepted campaign contributions from Humboldt Citizens for Property Rights? (ASKED OF ALL FOUR CANDIDATES)

◼ link

◼ METH/HEROIN: Seeing how no one dares answer the most important question facing this county, maybe you will. Do you consider meth and heroin the single biggest problem facing the county? If so, what do you intend to do to stop this problem? (ASKED OF ARNIE KLEIN)

◼ link

◼ YOUR BAR RECORD: The California State Bar website states that you were sanctioned and suspended from the practice of law after stipulating to 16 counts of misconduct including lying to clients, stealing clients’ money, forging court documents, and other acts of moral turpitude.

Why do you think that you can be the chief law enforcement officer in the county when you have such a record of dishonesty, if not criminal behavior?

Also, the State Bar record notes that you are under the care of a psychiatrist. Is that still true? (ASKED OF ALLAN DOLLISON)

◼ link

◼ PLEA BARGAINS: The daily arrest logs indicate there are some names that appear over and over again. Understanding that plea bargains are often a way of avoiding jury trials but still a “victory” for both sides, will you, if elected, avoid that trap and take the felony cases of habitual offenders to trial to add to their strike list? In other words, will rap sheets mean anything to you as the DA? (ASKED OF ÉLAN FIRPO)

◼ link

◼ METH: What will you do to combat meth abuse in the county? (ASKED OF MAGGIE FLEMING)

◼ link

◼ EXPERIENCED DEPUTIES: When Terry Farmer was district attorney, the DA’s office had numerous experienced and dedicated deputy district attorneys. One of these attorneys, Allison Jackson, challenged our current DA in the last election and nearly won. Clearly she still desires to serve. If elected, will you actively try to rehire Allison Jackson? (ASKED OF MAGGIE FLEMING)

◼ link

◼ LEADERSHIP: Under Paul Gallegos, the assistant district attorney (ADA) was responsible for the nuts and bolts, day-to-day operation of the DA’s office. The ADA supervised the deputies, fielded countless questions and, perhaps most importantly, actively mentored the many new and inexperienced deputies.

On your campaign website you state, “I did not plan to seek a political office, but I am running because I know I have the qualifications, experience, work ethic, professionalism and managerial training to best serve Humboldt County.”

For many years, Wes Keat served valiantly as ADA. When he retired, did you apply for the ADA position? If not, why not? (ASKED OF MAGGIE FLEMING)

◼ link

__________________

Introducing LoCo Elections. YOU grill the candidates!

◼ Outpost Election Central! Your Election Season Just Got LoCO.

The Lost Coast Outpost hereby declares election season officially open in Humboldt County.

And with this declaration we introduce a special Outpost subsite: LoCOElections. Yes! LoCOElections has quite a few cool features, but mainly it serves as the place where you, the Lost Coast Outpost reader/contributor/citizen journalist/community member, put your questions directly to the candidates in all the major races facing Humboldt County.

And what’s more, the candidates will respond! Or at least some of them will. We haven’t yet floated this by absolutely everyone, but all the candidates we’ve contacted have been moderately to extremely enthusiastic about participating in this, a new experiment in Humboldt County electioneering. (Note to candidates: Drop me a line at hank@lostcoastoutpost.com or 786-5104 and I will set you up with login credentials).

◼ Check the LoCOElections main page, there. You’ll find, for the moment, a list of all candidates in major races.

- - questions bumped to new post.

It's an interesting concept in a WorldWideWrestling kind of way. You grill the candidates. We'll see how it works.