A Sunday World Of Good Post

WHY DO THEY LOVE US?
ht: KT at The Scratching Post

Tree farms and bankruptcy court

Alot has been made of the recent $603 million dollar bid dropped out of the blue by Texas billionaire Andy Beal, whose proposal is being taken seriously in the bankruptcy court.

You do have to laugh, though, when you realize the guy making the bid and claiming he had timberland holdings in Estonia, only has 48 acres...

"...Under questioning, (Jacob) Cherner (representing the business interest of Texas billionaire Andy Beal,) admitted Beal hadn’t performed much analysis on actually running the “tree farm” he intended to purchase, including researching timber harvest levels, timber marketing and securing a timber workforce.

Cherner told the court that Beal did have timberland holdings in the northern European country of Estonia.

According to federal financial 10-K405 forms, that property is 48 acres of timber lands Beal purchased in 1995 for $25,178."
PALCO bankruptcy on hold - Eureka Reporter 4/12/08

Google: andy beal estonia

Related:
TS Palco case rests without resolution 4/12/08
TS Attorneys, experts brawl over timber value 4/11/08
ER PALCO confirmation hearings enters third day 4/10/08
TS Mendocino Redwood on the stand in Palco case 4/10/08
TS Palco parties launch opening salvo 4/9/08
ER Attorneys for Mendocino Redwood Company start testimony to resolve PALCO bankruptcy 4/8/08
ER Schwarzenegger backs MRC plan for PALCO reorganization 4/5/08
TS Judge orders Palco, creditors to mediation 10/24/07
TS Mendocino Redwood floats Palco plan in Eureka 3/19/08
Those are just some of the articles on this subject, locally.

Just wondering if that point was noted in one of Lovelace's team member's live-blog accounts.

Gundersen prelim continued - UPDATED

UPDATED:

◼ Former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen has been cleared of all major charges first filed against him in 2008. - Arcata Eye MARCH 2012

****

Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen's preliminary hearing on 19 charges, including allegations of spousal rape, was continued again today.

Gundersen's attorney Russell Clanton said the defense just received a videotaped interview with a material witness from the District Attorney's Office on Thursday, and was consequently unable to adequately prepare for the preliminary hearing scheduled to start this morning... from the TS, breaking news

TS Gundersen preliminary hearing continued 4/12/08

(for the fourth time?) ”We're in a position where we're just not able to go forward in a way that is fair to Mr. Gundersen,” Russell Clanton, Gundersen's attorney, told the court.

ER Gundersen hearing moved ahead for third time 4/12/08

(Gundersen's attorney Russell) Clanton did comment on District Attorney Paul Gallegos’ offer of immunity to Gundersen’s wife.

“It’s a tough position they put her in,” he said.

UPDATED:

◼ Former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen has been cleared of all major charges first filed against him in 2008. - Arcata Eye MARCH 2012

****

More to the story - UPDATED

UPDATED:

◼ Former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen has been cleared of all major charges first filed against him in 2008. - Arcata Eye MARCH 2012

****

Gundersen's wife gets immunity

Statements made by Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen's wife during the District Attorney's Office investigation into allegations against her husband won't be used against her.

A court order filed April 7 states that the District Attorney's Office entered into an agreement of “use immunity” with Gundersen's wife, who the police chief stands accused of raping.

”It is hereby agreed by and between the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office and (Jane Doe), that statements made by (Jane Doe) to the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office as part of their investigation into the above case, and any information directly or indirectly derived from those statements shall not be used against her in any criminal case,” the order states....

...f Gundersen's wife is indeed still a hostile witness, and another immunity agreement is reached, that may make things more difficult for the defense, according to University of California Hastings College of Law professor David Levine....

The real question, Levine said, is why Gundersen's wife would feel the need for immunity.

Here's another question - Based on this statement, Gundersen's wife's attorney, Patrik Griego, and Clanton were not immediately available for comment Thursday. it appears Gundersen's wife is represented by Patrik Griego, who has been at Blue Lake City Council meetings working for the legal defense fund of the Police Officers Research Association of California -- or PORAC -- Is he representing her as PORAC? Or as an individual?

Related coverage, with links

UPDATED:

◼ Former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen has been cleared of all major charges first filed against him in 2008. - Arcata Eye MARCH 2012

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Blue Lake decides - UPDATED

UPDATED:

◼ Former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen has been cleared of all major charges first filed against him in 2008. - Arcata Eye MARCH 2012

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Blue Lake ends Gundersen's employment

The Blue Lake City Council decided Tuesday night in closed session that the city will end the police chief's employment effective May 5th. read the rest

Related coverage, with links

UPDATED:

◼ Former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen has been cleared of all major charges first filed against him in 2008. - Arcata Eye MARCH 2012

****

New blog in town

The new blog in town deals with EPD issues from an unusual perspective. It will be interesting to see how it evolves. Comments are moderated. Some are saying they are heavily moderated. I recommend you open it up and allow real discussion to occur. But welcome to the blogsphere, http://abovethelaweureka.blogspot.com/

Related:
TS Council to review chief's contract 4/4/08
TS Closer look at chief's new contract 4/5/08
Police anger at chief surfaces 4/5/08

In a special meeting called to review Eureka Police Chief Garr Nielsen's contract Friday, the city council largely heard two very different stories -- one from members of the public and another from police department employees.
After a more than hour-long public comment period that saw nearly three dozen people come to the podium, the council voted unanimously -- with Councilwoman Polly Endert absent -- to approve Nielsen's revised contract, with each member individually voicing support for the chief.

TS After complaints about the chief, EPD looks to working together in the future 4/9/08
TS Turning anger into a positive vision 4/13/08

Just to clarify, this one is about Eureka's Chief, not Blue Lake's. For those from outside the area, it can get confusing. They're starting to wonder if there's any sanity up here. The answer is yes, but politics here is a blood sport.

Tuesday's BOS meeting

ER Residents speak out on code enforcement 4/9/08

The controversy stemmed from a number of residents who say that county code enforcers are collaborating with law enforcement and using building code inspections to obtain access to private property and go after marijuana growers.

Among the other issues raised by residents was a lack of oversight for the inspection procedures, concerns about safety and private property rights, as well as difficulties and costs associated with acquiring permits and complexities in the county’s planning process.

The matter was presented to the board by the Civil Liberties Monitoring Project, and followed a Garberville meeting Friday with county officials and law enforcement that drew in hundreds of residents.

NCJ Revolutions Won and Lost This Week's Dandy
TS Code Enforcement Unit inspections temporarily suspended 4/9/08

Ed Smith, who described himself as a retired Foreign Service officer and lawyer by training, said at least five properties in the area were “invaded” by a Code Enforcement Unit officer, which included visits from armed deputies. The only warrant they had, Smith said, was for the property above him.

TS SoHum Code Enforcement issues come to supes 4/7/08
TS County officials to face heat on code actions 4/3/08
TS Garberville meeting Friday on rural code enforcement 4/1/08

Eric's posts with pics,
Pics from Friday's meeting,
Some shots of Friday's public meeting

You'll need to read this to understand alot of the testimony
Codes, Damned Codes - A clash of values could spell the end for a 'hippy-rigged' community in Trinidad
Civil Liberties Monitoring Project (Thanks to Eric for the CLMP link)

The Governor was in town today

TS scoop Read the transcripts from Schwarzenegger's Eureka visit
Pretty cool to have transcripts! Exact quotes.
Articles in both papers today -

Photo: Tyson Ritter, Eureka Reporter
ER Eureka is latest stop on Governor's Statewide Tour
TS Schwarzenegger talks budget in Eureka

Wow!

Humboldt "Baykeeper" has a STAFF ATTORNEY!

Michelle Smith, Staff Attorney
707.268.0665
michelle AT humboldtbaykeeper.org

Moneykeeping must be paying off.

Somebody didn't get the memo...

Uhhh, Larry Evans and Mark Lovelace don't have, repeat, DON'T HAVE a plan

But the slick mailer arrived in mailboxes yesterday is designed to bamboozle the public and set the stage for an Al Gore-like squeal about the public's will being denied in order to continue the attacks on whichever of the entities who DO have plans in front of the bankruptcy court, Hurwitz or no Hurwitz. The villain will just change faces. That's one way to look at this.

The other is that Lovelace/Miller/Evans/et al continue trying to find a backdoor way to acquire Palco lands. Mark didn't put in all that time working on the Community Forest for nothing. He knew the endgame was coming, and that was just on-the-job-training. And this is a nice little political plug just at a time when - surprise, surprise - Mark is running for Supervisor. Or is it President of the Send Us Your Money Coalition?

What's more - The Governor of California and Congressman Thompson have come out in support of Mendocino Redwood plan - in fact, it looks like everyone is supporting the Mendocino Redwood Plan.

Even EPIC cares more about the employees of Pacific Lumber than Lovelace does. despite his crocodile tears some months ago.

The Eureka Reporter's coverage: Schwarzenegger backs MRC plan for PALCO reorganization (TS is in the link above)

The Mirror has it along with some interesting tidbits - like the GreatRedwood website was registered a few days before the mailer came out - on April Fool's day, no less.

If ever you needed proof of the organizational shell game these guys play, and how it is the same little group of players, this is a very clear example.

What's this?

From the ludicrous Cobbpiece in the Times Standard today come this one interesting tidbit... If you would like more information, or want some help learning how you can help protect your community, contact Jon Zaglin of the Healthy Humboldt Coalition...

Well that would explain Mark's speaking as an "individual" this week.

Meanwhile, the Humboldt Watershed Council's blog is embracing Lovelace's givemesomemoneypleasegranteze-speak.

And... Ahhh, the joys of Google: [DUHC Announce] News & Events - Personnel Changes at Democracy ...
...But in a well-timed twist of fate, Jon Zaglin came to Humboldt as an intern for DUHC right as Hannah was getting ready to go. The fit felt right for more than just the internship so within a week Jon agreed to join our Steering Committee. 10/10/07 He's Cobb's intern?

He was getting room and board? Right? *Call for interns! We have so much going on that we've decided to offer summer and fall internships to students from outside the area who want to learn all about community organizing. We'll offer valuable tools and knowledge to a new community organizer. The internship includes room and board. Know someone who would be interested? Send them our way!... And thanks to Maggy and Charlie Herbelin for hosting one of our fall interns. If you would be interested in hosting a DUHC intern for a 3 month stint, please do be in touch.

They had to beg for housing for one of their interns - Can you help Democracy Unlimited by donating a room in your house for Jon (Beslow) to live in?

Our interns are paid a $500 stipend for their three months here so unfortunately Jon will not be able to pay you rent, and he will need to share food with you and your household. We've dug deep and determined that given the last minute circumstance, and the real value that we think Jon will bring to our organization and our community, we can offer his host family $100/month for September, October and November to help pay for food or other costs if this is needed. This was not originally budgeted, and not something we were able to provide to our summer intern host.

Salmon Forever 501(c)(3)

Gifts, grants and contributions received
2006 - $10,059.00
2005 - $23,075.00
2004 - $20,676.00
2003 - $54,355.00
2002 - $32,348.00
2001 - $34,967.00
2000 - $32,202.00
1999 - $55,322.00

Part III, Line 1 - During the year, has the organization attempted to influence national, state or local legislation, including any attempt to influence public opinion on a legislative matter or referendum? If "Yes," enter the total expenses paid or incurred in connection with the lobbying activities $___N/A____

Part IV, Line 11a - An organization that normally receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or from the general public Section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (Also complete Support Schedule in Part IV-A)

more t/k

Arraignment continued a third time

URGENT ALERT! This case was TOSSED by the Judge - never made it to trial.
☛ ER http://eurekareporter.com/article/080826-judge-throws-out-douglas-zanotti-case
Feeney said the indictments the grand jury handed down to Douglas and Zanotti in December 2007 weren’t supported by probable cause. Insufficient evidence regarding the former leaders’ alleged failure to oversee other law enforcement was also presented to the grand jury, Feeney said, and instructions given on “exigent circumstances” were inadequate.
The grand jury should have also been instructed on justifiable homicide by law enforcement officials, Feeney said.
***
Original post: ER No charges for Douglas and Zanotti
Zanotti’s attorney, William Rapoport of Redwood City, requested the arraignment be continued because the defense has not received 105 exhibits of evidence — including pictures, Zanotti’s testimony at the County Coroner’s inquest and questions jurors inquired of witnesses who testified.

“We’re entitled to know what the grand jury wanted to get from those witnesses,” Bragg said.

At the prior arraignment date on Feb. 22, Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos stipulated that he would have copies of the exhibits made — which are court property — and provided to the defense.

That was over a month ago, and they still haven’t been received, Bragg said.

Gallegos said that he expects the exhibits will be provided by the end of the week. “They’re going to get everything,” he said. Read the rest

TS Officers' arraignment postponed once again

In asking for the continuance, Zanotti's attorney, William Rapoport, said the defense has received 15 of the 151 grand jury exhibits.

”I have been continuously trying to get from (District Attorney Paul) Gallegos the discovery, which includes but is not limited to the exhibits from the grand jury,” Rapoport told the court, adding that the exhibits were necessary for the defense to prepare its post-arraignment motions.

Gallegos said his office had the bulk of the grand jury exhibits prepared to turn over to the defense.

”Certainly, they are entitled to all the discovery, and we will give it to them,” Gallegos said....

In court, after assuring the defense he would provide the exhibits and the discovery in a timely matter, Gallegos asked the court to proceed with the arraignment. Feeney declined, and instead granted the continuance. After the arraignment, Gallegos said he wants the case to move forward.

”I'd like to get going,” he said. “We've accommodated them, we've accommodated them and we've accommodated them. I think it's time to get them arraigned, but I guess that will happen on the 22nd.”

Bragg took issue with his comments.

”He has not accommodated us -- we have not gotten the exhibits,” Bragg said. “The only reason we have asked for a continuance is that the District Attorney's Office has failed to get us those exhibits. This was not a defense-generated request for a continuance.”... Read the rest

That word again, certainly...

Related coverage Links to articles, letters and Op-Eds

Not sure what to make of it

But today, in a discussion about the County General Plan at the Board of Supervisor's meeting, Mark Lovelace stood up to speak, and announced himself as "Mark Lovelace, speaking as an individual."

Not as "Humboldt Watershed Council." Not as "Healthy Humboldt."

So, what's changed?

Day 721