It's never good.
◼ Year old EPIC lawsuit will prevent local hatchery from spawning fishes - John Chiv/Words Worth
People are upset - developing
Showing posts with label The cost of predatory lawsuits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The cost of predatory lawsuits. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 07, 2015
Friday, September 26, 2014
Eureka prayer lawsuit settled, city to pay $16K in attorney's fees
◼ City to cease endorsing mayor's breakfast
After nearly two years of hearings, a lawsuit over prayer breakfasts sponsored by Eureka city officials was settled Thursday, but plans are in motion to appeal a previous ruling made on invocations at city council meetings.◼ Clarification about the prayer lawsuit that was not clear from the Times-Standard article - John Chiv/Words Worth
Mike Newman: We did not settle on the invocation issue, we are free to continue our policy. What was settled was the matter about the Mayor involving City Personnel in a Prayer breakfast several years ago.◼ Is Peter Martin hurting for actual clients because he sure has a lot of free time to collect attorney fees on behalf of "causes" - John Chiv/Words Worth
Marian Brady: As is true with any unfounded claim or lawsuit against the City, the City has to make decisions about the costs to defend and the risk the claim poses. In this case, it was decided to pay Ms. Beaton a portion of her attorneys’ fees (no monetary damages were paid to her) and permit her to go forward with her appeal, without further cost to the City, to end the matter.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
EPIC gets a seat on the Planning Commission
Mark Lovelace proves, once again, the necessity of staying awake, engaged and vigilant.
◼ Lovelace Makes New Appointment to Planning Commission - Ryan Burns
...Whatever the reason, (Ralph) Faust, who was just reappointed to the Planning Commission’s Third District seat last year, chose to step down this week. Third District Supervisor Mark Lovelace chose as his replacement Noah Levy, an Arcata resident and program director for the SoHum nonprofit Sanctuary Forest.
Levy is also on the board of the nonprofit Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC)...
__________________
◼ Lovelace Makes New Appointment to Planning Commission - Ryan Burns
...Whatever the reason, (Ralph) Faust, who was just reappointed to the Planning Commission’s Third District seat last year, chose to step down this week. Third District Supervisor Mark Lovelace chose as his replacement Noah Levy, an Arcata resident and program director for the SoHum nonprofit Sanctuary Forest.
Levy is also on the board of the nonprofit Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC)...
Friday, December 20, 2013
Some things don't belong on the editorial page
They belong on the funny pages. Which really aren't so funny anymore, it seems.
◼ Lawyer: Don't like ADA? Propose something - Jason Singleton/My Word/The Times-Standard
One thing's clear, he's NOT sorry for extorting money from businesses. He justifies it in his own mind. He's not sorry for killing off businesses, he justifies that, too. He's not sorry that people lost their livelihoods. he's not sorry that now NO ONE can access those businesses. Not his little stooges, and not you or me.
He suggests that you propose something.
What do you propose? Who do you blame?
It is, after all, the 'law of the land.'
◼ Lawyer: Don't like ADA? Propose something - Jason Singleton/My Word/The Times-Standard
One thing's clear, he's NOT sorry for extorting money from businesses. He justifies it in his own mind. He's not sorry for killing off businesses, he justifies that, too. He's not sorry that people lost their livelihoods. he's not sorry that now NO ONE can access those businesses. Not his little stooges, and not you or me.
He suggests that you propose something.
What do you propose? Who do you blame?
It is, after all, the 'law of the land.'
Monday, December 16, 2013
Yes, Jason Singleton should rot in hell...
BUT.
He is no different than Baykeeper. EPIC. ERF, and ALL of the other predatory litigious orgs.
In fact, he MIGHT be slightly more honorable than they if you believe he, at least, does it on his own, without giant Foundation grant money.
But when it comes to being a despicable shakedown artist, making it rich using arcane bits of law, walking away with his 'go away' extortion money and breaking local business - there's no difference except for the fact that you like his targets and you've come to believe the org's targets deserve it.
...Funny, the Facebook discussions say 'something is being done about this" - which is laughable, because this has been going on for years, Clint Eastwood even testified before Congress detailing the abuses many, many, many years ago. But who dares stop these people? To do so implies you don't care about people with disabilities (not true), or the environment (not true), and on and on. These new-age con men have a license to steal, and they do so with abandon. They've learned how to milk the system, hijacking, bastardizing and twisting well-meaning laws to enrich themselves.
◼ Jason Singleton Strikes Again (5/8/08) - The Journal
◼ And again: ADA Beef Closes Barbecue Restaurant. Another Humboldt business has fallen victim to notorious attorney Jason Singleton’s lawsuit scheme, this time Arcata’s Porter Street Barbeque. - Mad River Union
◼ Piling On Jason Singleton - Andrew Goff/Lost Coast Outpost
He is no different than Baykeeper. EPIC. ERF, and ALL of the other predatory litigious orgs.
In fact, he MIGHT be slightly more honorable than they if you believe he, at least, does it on his own, without giant Foundation grant money.
But when it comes to being a despicable shakedown artist, making it rich using arcane bits of law, walking away with his 'go away' extortion money and breaking local business - there's no difference except for the fact that you like his targets and you've come to believe the org's targets deserve it.
...Funny, the Facebook discussions say 'something is being done about this" - which is laughable, because this has been going on for years, Clint Eastwood even testified before Congress detailing the abuses many, many, many years ago. But who dares stop these people? To do so implies you don't care about people with disabilities (not true), or the environment (not true), and on and on. These new-age con men have a license to steal, and they do so with abandon. They've learned how to milk the system, hijacking, bastardizing and twisting well-meaning laws to enrich themselves.
◼ Jason Singleton Strikes Again (5/8/08) - The Journal
◼ And again: ADA Beef Closes Barbecue Restaurant. Another Humboldt business has fallen victim to notorious attorney Jason Singleton’s lawsuit scheme, this time Arcata’s Porter Street Barbeque. - Mad River Union
◼ Piling On Jason Singleton - Andrew Goff/Lost Coast Outpost
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Well said.
◼ Those who can do, do; those who cannot sue - John Chiv/Words Worth
Eureka attorney Peter Martin finally revealed the true agenda behind the lawsuit filed against the City of Eureka and invocations by saying he hopes that his motion to dismiss Superior Court Judge Dale Reinholtsen will better his odds for a favorable ruling.
In a May 17 Times-Standard article, Martin was quoted as saying that he decided to request the dismissal of Reinholtsen because he feels that the judge is “on the right flank of the political bent.”
Kim Starr must be kicking herself for not thinking of this brilliant and objective strategy in Occupy Eureka’s lawsuit against the City. In the last 2 years, the mantra of those who only know how to blame and create drama has been: “If I don’t get my way and if my mud slinging does not work, I will just sue” has backfired both at the ballot and with the public. Nevertheless, they continue to employ the same tired tactics. It has hurt any legitimate cause and sincere people Martin and Starr claim to represent.... read the rest, at the link.
Eureka attorney Peter Martin finally revealed the true agenda behind the lawsuit filed against the City of Eureka and invocations by saying he hopes that his motion to dismiss Superior Court Judge Dale Reinholtsen will better his odds for a favorable ruling.
In a May 17 Times-Standard article, Martin was quoted as saying that he decided to request the dismissal of Reinholtsen because he feels that the judge is “on the right flank of the political bent.”
Kim Starr must be kicking herself for not thinking of this brilliant and objective strategy in Occupy Eureka’s lawsuit against the City. In the last 2 years, the mantra of those who only know how to blame and create drama has been: “If I don’t get my way and if my mud slinging does not work, I will just sue” has backfired both at the ballot and with the public. Nevertheless, they continue to employ the same tired tactics. It has hurt any legitimate cause and sincere people Martin and Starr claim to represent.... read the rest, at the link.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
But the amazingly greedy nature of this shakedown was clearly a bridge too far. And not only is the Amazon Defense Front coming up on the short end of the stick, but one of the American law firms engaging in this practice may wind up paying a hefty sum for their involvement.
◼ DC firm shaking down Chevron learns lesson about poking the bear - HotAir
There’s been a new, and some might say long overdue twist in the ongoing saga of Ecuador’s Chevron shakedown. We’ve been covering this story here since January of 2011 and it’s been a wild roller coaster ride. From the time the environmental groups involved were initially awarded a huge payday in a kangaroo court, we’ve seen blatant fraud uncovered on the part of the plaintiffs, “investors” in the lawsuit claiming they were defrauded, and the judge in the case admitting that he was bribed.
◼ Chevron seeks to sue Patton Boggs for fraud and deceit - Fortune
Since late 2010, Washington, D.C. law firm Patton Boggs has been poking a sleeping tiger. It has filed three peculiar federal lawsuits -- in its own name, not on behalf of any client -- against Chevron, the third-largest corporation in the United States. These cases have fared poorly; two were quickly dismissed, and a federal magistrate judge recommended tossing the third in March.
On Friday, the tiger awoke. Chevron (CVX) sought a federal judge's permission to bring counterclaims against the 455-lawyer firm for alleged fraud and deceit for its conduct in representing the Amazon Defense Front, which obtained a $19 billion environmental judgment against the oil giant in Lago Agrio, Ecuador, in February 2011. Chevron also seeks to charge the firm with "malicious prosecution" for having pursued its three lawsuits in bad faith. Chevron seeks to hold the law firm liable for any damages Chevron suffers from the Front's allegedly fraud-infested litigation, plus punitive and treble damages.
There’s been a new, and some might say long overdue twist in the ongoing saga of Ecuador’s Chevron shakedown. We’ve been covering this story here since January of 2011 and it’s been a wild roller coaster ride. From the time the environmental groups involved were initially awarded a huge payday in a kangaroo court, we’ve seen blatant fraud uncovered on the part of the plaintiffs, “investors” in the lawsuit claiming they were defrauded, and the judge in the case admitting that he was bribed.
◼ Chevron seeks to sue Patton Boggs for fraud and deceit - Fortune
Since late 2010, Washington, D.C. law firm Patton Boggs has been poking a sleeping tiger. It has filed three peculiar federal lawsuits -- in its own name, not on behalf of any client -- against Chevron, the third-largest corporation in the United States. These cases have fared poorly; two were quickly dismissed, and a federal magistrate judge recommended tossing the third in March.
On Friday, the tiger awoke. Chevron (CVX) sought a federal judge's permission to bring counterclaims against the 455-lawyer firm for alleged fraud and deceit for its conduct in representing the Amazon Defense Front, which obtained a $19 billion environmental judgment against the oil giant in Lago Agrio, Ecuador, in February 2011. Chevron also seeks to charge the firm with "malicious prosecution" for having pursued its three lawsuits in bad faith. Chevron seeks to hold the law firm liable for any damages Chevron suffers from the Front's allegedly fraud-infested litigation, plus punitive and treble damages.
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Richardson Grove activists threaten disruptions for potential project contractors; letters warn of 'a PR nightmare' for bidders
◼ Richardson Grove activists threaten disruptions for potential project contractors; letters warn of 'a PR nightmare' for bidders - TS
Richardson Grove Action Now member Kim Starr said companies should be aware of the risks associated with the project.
”Any involvement by your company will bring you public notoriety -- a PR nightmare,” the letter states. “We wish to warn you that no matter what Caltrans claims the project will cost, it will cost you MORE -- because the public does not want it.”
One letter recipient, who wished to remain anonymous fearing retaliation, said the Federal Bureau of Investigation recently contacted the company regarding the letter, investigating the group for possible eco-terrorism. The businessman, who said the letter was sent out to at least four other contractors, said the anticipation of disruption will mean a higher bid price for Caltrans to cover extra security or equipment damage -- essentially more cost for the state.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
EPIC Liars, tramps and thieves
◼ Major marijuana bust in Fieldbrook - TS
Law enforcement officers uncovered approximately $1.5 million worth of processed marijuana and about 300 marijuana plants at a residence on the 900 block of Rock Pit Road in Fieldbrook, officials announced Monday.
Officials from the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshals Service assisted the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration out of Santa Rosa in making the marijuana bust Thursday while serving a state search warrant as part of an ongoing investigation by the Santa Rosa DEA.
According to a press release by the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, authorities arrested two suspects -- James Edward Shelton, 38, and Amber Zo Jamieson, 28 -- on suspicion of cultivation and possession of marijuana for sale.
Five other individuals on the property were detained and questioned but no additional arrests were made, said Humboldt County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Wayne Hanson. According to Hanson, as the Santa Rosa DEA office builds its case, individuals will likely be brought in and indicted on federal charges.
”I imagine there are a lot of scared people out there right now,” Hanson said.
Authorities reported seizing 298 marijuana plants ranging in height from 1 to 5 feet inside the home and a nearby outbuilding. In addition, 10 extra-large duffel bags were found filled with 495 pounds of processed marijuana stored in vacuum-sealed, one-pound bags.
”I cannot remember ever finding that many one-pound bags of marijuana in one place,” said Hanson, who was on scene when the warrant was served....
Future arrests of individuals associated with the pair are expected.
◼ Fieldbrook pot bust is EPIC - The Mirror
EPIC’s Amber Jamieson was arrested yesterday in a multi-agency pot bust in Fieldbrook that yielded a smidge under 500 pounds of processed marijuana, neatly packaged for resale, with a street value estimated at $1.5 million.
Jamieson’s significant other, James Shelton, who was similarly arrested at the Fieldbrook residence, has a less direct connection to the litigious enviro org: Mr. Shelton–shocker alert–is a “glass-blowing artist” whose magical objets d’art are sold at EPIC’s gift shop.
Jamieson graduated from Humboldt State University with a degree in–wait for it–Natural Resources Economics. Despite the stupidity on full display now, she won an academic award at HSU and was photographed, possibly just for our amusement, standing next to a fellow award winner by the name of Soran “Rio” Anderson.
Yeah, I remember Soran, too, that was a funny story.
Friday, June 10, 2011
A "coalition of environmental groups"
◼ The usual suspects. Environmental coalition threatens North Coast Railroad Authority with lawsuit
A coalition of environmental groups has warned the North Coast Rail Authority that it will file a lawsuit if the agency certifies an environmental impact report for the reconstruction of a rail line that would operate between Lombard and Willits....
The predatory litigious orgs strike again.
A coalition of environmental groups has warned the North Coast Rail Authority that it will file a lawsuit if the agency certifies an environmental impact report for the reconstruction of a rail line that would operate between Lombard and Willits....
The predatory litigious orgs strike again.
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
The Mirror hits the bigtime
◼ Media Boogeyman: If Activists Scare You Away from Fish Oil, They Save the Fishes! Breitbart
...What might a real journalist do – one who wasn’t obviously biased towards Eco-Activists? For starters, take another look at who actually is named in the lawsuit: the largest producers of oil supplements. Why? Try to harm the biggest retailers and manufacturers and you harm the majority of the industry’s sales. Where’s the reporting on this angle? Non-existent.
How about the angle that only ten supplements were tested by the plaintiffs out of the hundreds on the market? Why hasn’t any reporter asked about the testing methods? What methods were used? What standards did they conform to?
Who exactly is the plaintiff – Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation? At least we have some intrepid bloggers who investigated exactly the kind of shady outfit Mateel is – one that makes profits from frivolous lawsuit settlements on the backs on the working people of America. As the Humboldt Mirror blog points out:
Mateel settled 39 lawsuits in 2008 for over $1.7 million….but it’s not just warning labels, product reformulations and excessive attorneys fees that Mateel is after. Through Prop. 65 lawsuit settlements, Mateel also pilfered … “other distributions” that was handed over to other environmental groups.
Oh, now the fact that the largest (read: deepest pockets) in the supplement industry got sued makes a little more sense, doesn’t it?
How’s that for real reporting?
Go back and look at all those articles you just Googled. Did any mainstream media outlet cover Mateel’s strategy? If you said “no”, then you win a pitchfork to help shove the PCB Boogeyman back in his closet.
The title is wrong, though - they don't save the fishes, they rake in the big bucks.
...What might a real journalist do – one who wasn’t obviously biased towards Eco-Activists? For starters, take another look at who actually is named in the lawsuit: the largest producers of oil supplements. Why? Try to harm the biggest retailers and manufacturers and you harm the majority of the industry’s sales. Where’s the reporting on this angle? Non-existent.
How about the angle that only ten supplements were tested by the plaintiffs out of the hundreds on the market? Why hasn’t any reporter asked about the testing methods? What methods were used? What standards did they conform to?
Who exactly is the plaintiff – Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation? At least we have some intrepid bloggers who investigated exactly the kind of shady outfit Mateel is – one that makes profits from frivolous lawsuit settlements on the backs on the working people of America. As the Humboldt Mirror blog points out:
Mateel settled 39 lawsuits in 2008 for over $1.7 million….but it’s not just warning labels, product reformulations and excessive attorneys fees that Mateel is after. Through Prop. 65 lawsuit settlements, Mateel also pilfered … “other distributions” that was handed over to other environmental groups.
Oh, now the fact that the largest (read: deepest pockets) in the supplement industry got sued makes a little more sense, doesn’t it?
How’s that for real reporting?
Go back and look at all those articles you just Googled. Did any mainstream media outlet cover Mateel’s strategy? If you said “no”, then you win a pitchfork to help shove the PCB Boogeyman back in his closet.
The title is wrong, though - they don't save the fishes, they rake in the big bucks.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Big money in Predatory Litigation
Hmmm. Pg. 1 In 2008... Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation, $1,775,300.00, Attorney's Fees and Costs...$1,060,000.00... if I am reading this right, they gave a shitload of money (other distribution) to ERF (Ecological Rights Foundation), that would be "Humboldt Paykeeper's" predatory litigious parent... Pg. 26-31 from 2000-2008..., you got a calculator, heraldo? Pg. 26 1/3/08...$10,000.00, 1/14/08...$20,000.00, 1/22/08...$15,000.00, 1/23/08...$15,000.00, 2/15/08...$20,000.00, 2/19/08...$20,000.00; Pg. 27 3/3/08...$20,000.00 (ERF and CATS), 3/3/08...$5,000.00, 3/3/08...$20,000.00, 3/26/08...$15,000.00.... and on and on and on it goes
Pg. 2 from 2000-2008... $14,166,687.00...280 settlements... Attorney's Fees and costs... $7,917,000.00
AND The "Ecological Rights Foundation" themselves another 38 settlements,,, $950,000, 750.00, roughly half of that in lawyers fees and costs...
That's just in one document re: Prop 65. More money to CATS, ◼ KFPA ($35,000.00 and $15,000.00 Fifty grand? Is that a radio station?What'd the radio station do for that?)
◼ California Proposition 65
Funny, As You Sow shows up here too...
ongoing, will add links
The Mirror picked it up:
◼ Proposition 65: How to exploit a good-intentioned law to divert money to shadowy, litigious environmental groups (Feb. 11, 2010)
With a legal loophole on their side, 2008 was a spectacularly profitable year for the Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation. Never heard of the Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation? That’s not surprising. Mateel is a quiet little operation based out of Eureka that targets big businesses whose corporate headquarters are mostly far away from California in places like Maryland, Illinois and Ohio. According to California’s Attorney General’s Office, which tracks Prop. 65 lawsuits, Mateel settled 39 lawsuits in 2008 for over $1.7 million. Kudos to local lawyer William Verick for representing Mateel and raking in a hefty $1.06 million in attorney fees — roughly 60 percent of the total money awarded in the settlements.
But it’s not just warning labels, product reformulations and excessive attorneys fees that Mateel is after. Through Prop. 65 lawsuit settlements, Mateel also pilfered a shit load of additional dollars through “other distributions” that was handed over to other environmental groups, left-leaning radio stations and other interesting folks. How much? Well, just a paltry $619,850 in 2008.
So, just where did all that extra cash go from the Prop. 65 bonanza payouts?
Pg. 2 from 2000-2008... $14,166,687.00...280 settlements... Attorney's Fees and costs... $7,917,000.00
AND The "Ecological Rights Foundation" themselves another 38 settlements,,, $950,000, 750.00, roughly half of that in lawyers fees and costs...
That's just in one document re: Prop 65. More money to CATS, ◼ KFPA ($35,000.00 and $15,000.00 Fifty grand? Is that a radio station?What'd the radio station do for that?)
◼ California Proposition 65
Funny, As You Sow shows up here too...
ongoing, will add links
The Mirror picked it up:
◼ Proposition 65: How to exploit a good-intentioned law to divert money to shadowy, litigious environmental groups (Feb. 11, 2010)
With a legal loophole on their side, 2008 was a spectacularly profitable year for the Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation. Never heard of the Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation? That’s not surprising. Mateel is a quiet little operation based out of Eureka that targets big businesses whose corporate headquarters are mostly far away from California in places like Maryland, Illinois and Ohio. According to California’s Attorney General’s Office, which tracks Prop. 65 lawsuits, Mateel settled 39 lawsuits in 2008 for over $1.7 million. Kudos to local lawyer William Verick for representing Mateel and raking in a hefty $1.06 million in attorney fees — roughly 60 percent of the total money awarded in the settlements.
But it’s not just warning labels, product reformulations and excessive attorneys fees that Mateel is after. Through Prop. 65 lawsuit settlements, Mateel also pilfered a shit load of additional dollars through “other distributions” that was handed over to other environmental groups, left-leaning radio stations and other interesting folks. How much? Well, just a paltry $619,850 in 2008.
So, just where did all that extra cash go from the Prop. 65 bonanza payouts?
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Will the job-killer lawyers stop the harbor?
It's good to see this topic FINALLY get some press. The predatory litigious orgs, the phony groups with Orwellian names, spawning new attack "projects," operating under the pretense of being a "grassroots" citizen effort when they are really extortion machines made up of teams of lawyers (Ecological Rights Foundation bragged that it has 17 lawyers on staff.) First reported here, and finally being recognized for what they are.
Will the job-killer lawyers stop the harbor? (not online)
Last week the board of harbor commissioners voted to proceed with the Humboldt Bay harbor plan developed by its consultants. This would begin with a modest break-bulk and short sea-haul terminal that also could accommodate occasional cruise ship stops. Later, if and when railroad service is available, the facility would expand to a container port. All of this would represent a boon of varying proportions to Humboldt County's economy.
We say "would" because there exists the possibility that one of a group of litigious no-growth lawyers may try to sue to stop harbor development. The Ecological Rights Foundation, its Baykeepers subsidiary, the Mateel Environmental Justice Center and the California Alternatives to Toxics make up a sort of federation. All have been plaintiffs in suits whose ostensible purpose has been to abate environmental pollution. On examining the cases, however, it is difficult to escape the conclusion that all of them have two objectives: 1.) getting settlements for large sums of money (which can fund additional legal attacks) and 2.) thwarting economic development. It adds up to killing jobs in Humboldt County's fragile economy.
The most recent example is the suit brought by Baykeepers/Ecological Rights Foundation against the past and present owners of Eureka's Balloon Track-- Union Pacific Railroad and CUE VI, respectively, and the North Coast Railroad Authority (NCRA)-- on the grounds that polluted water is emanating from the property into the bay. The property is already under a clean-up and abatement order, with which the owners are complying. One wonders, therefore, whether the real purpose of the suit is to discourage the owners from completing efforts to build the Marina Center.
The Ecological Rights Foundation and its confederates have a record of going after companies with deep pockets, and have charged them with having contaminated various sites. Among these have been Simpson, Sierra Pacific and Evergreen Pulp. Baykeepers, for its part, has consistently opposed any activity on the bay that would create new jobs and stimulate economic activity. They have opposed potential rail development, dredging of shipping lanes and the hiring by the harbor district of an experienced port expert to help it find users for a new port.
A modern harbor facility, developed with care in two stages as conditions warrant, is the one sure way Humboldt county can create a source of meaningful new jobs. This, is turn, can lead to increased family formations by yong people, home purchases, a reversal of the declining school population, improved retail sales and thsu the revenues that sustain our cities. Why, then, don't the lawsuit-happy lawyers of these supposed "environmental" groups stop attempting to prevent port development? The only answer we can think of is they desire a shrinking economy.
The Eureka Reporter Opinion page of the Times-Standard - Sunday, November 23, 2008
Peter Hannaford Editorial Page Editor
Related:
"Baykeeper" - LawsuitsRus
Incestous Activist groups
The "projects"
How much do they want?
In case you missed it...
Do as I say, not as I do
ERF donated more than $5,000 to the "Center for Ethics and Toxics"
ECOLOGICAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION (ERF)'S HUMBOLDT BAYKEEPER PROJECT...
Will the job-killer lawyers stop the harbor? (not online)
Last week the board of harbor commissioners voted to proceed with the Humboldt Bay harbor plan developed by its consultants. This would begin with a modest break-bulk and short sea-haul terminal that also could accommodate occasional cruise ship stops. Later, if and when railroad service is available, the facility would expand to a container port. All of this would represent a boon of varying proportions to Humboldt County's economy.
We say "would" because there exists the possibility that one of a group of litigious no-growth lawyers may try to sue to stop harbor development. The Ecological Rights Foundation, its Baykeepers subsidiary, the Mateel Environmental Justice Center and the California Alternatives to Toxics make up a sort of federation. All have been plaintiffs in suits whose ostensible purpose has been to abate environmental pollution. On examining the cases, however, it is difficult to escape the conclusion that all of them have two objectives: 1.) getting settlements for large sums of money (which can fund additional legal attacks) and 2.) thwarting economic development. It adds up to killing jobs in Humboldt County's fragile economy.
The most recent example is the suit brought by Baykeepers/Ecological Rights Foundation against the past and present owners of Eureka's Balloon Track-- Union Pacific Railroad and CUE VI, respectively, and the North Coast Railroad Authority (NCRA)-- on the grounds that polluted water is emanating from the property into the bay. The property is already under a clean-up and abatement order, with which the owners are complying. One wonders, therefore, whether the real purpose of the suit is to discourage the owners from completing efforts to build the Marina Center.
The Ecological Rights Foundation and its confederates have a record of going after companies with deep pockets, and have charged them with having contaminated various sites. Among these have been Simpson, Sierra Pacific and Evergreen Pulp. Baykeepers, for its part, has consistently opposed any activity on the bay that would create new jobs and stimulate economic activity. They have opposed potential rail development, dredging of shipping lanes and the hiring by the harbor district of an experienced port expert to help it find users for a new port.
A modern harbor facility, developed with care in two stages as conditions warrant, is the one sure way Humboldt county can create a source of meaningful new jobs. This, is turn, can lead to increased family formations by yong people, home purchases, a reversal of the declining school population, improved retail sales and thsu the revenues that sustain our cities. Why, then, don't the lawsuit-happy lawyers of these supposed "environmental" groups stop attempting to prevent port development? The only answer we can think of is they desire a shrinking economy.
The Eureka Reporter Opinion page of the Times-Standard - Sunday, November 23, 2008
Peter Hannaford Editorial Page Editor
Related:
"Baykeeper" - LawsuitsRus
Incestous Activist groups
The "projects"
How much do they want?
In case you missed it...
Do as I say, not as I do
ERF donated more than $5,000 to the "Center for Ethics and Toxics"
ECOLOGICAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION (ERF)'S HUMBOLDT BAYKEEPER PROJECT...
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Meant to post this last week
Last week's Journal story: Jason Singleton Strikes Again - A new rash of ADA lawsuits has businesses scraping to comply, and get by
A letter to the editor (ER) Blanket ADA laws treat small businesses unfairly
Related post:
Predatory litigants - bad for business - bad for communities
More info:
adaabuse.com/singleton
adacrisis.com
TS Arctic Circle closes due to ADA lawsuit
NCJ Access and Dollars (3/01)
A letter to the editor (ER) Blanket ADA laws treat small businesses unfairly
Related post:
Predatory litigants - bad for business - bad for communities
More info:
adaabuse.com/singleton
adacrisis.com
TS Arctic Circle closes due to ADA lawsuit
NCJ Access and Dollars (3/01)
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Horses on the beach
photos by/and courtesy of Angela BurgessDennis Mayo, beside a sign that closes an area he had enjoyed riding on for 50 years. Little River State Beach, right there by Moonstone Beach. This is near the trail that skirts around the backside of Clam/Little River Beach, along the frontage road. Closed for more than 4 years now.
An Equestrian's View - Finding Common Ground
☛ TS Work together to solve equestrian riding restrictions problem An Op-Ed by Uri Driscoll 11/23/08
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