Saturday, June 30, 2007

Double dipping?

Yougofree.com is listed in the yellow pages (page 23 of the phonebook) under Attorneys with a cell phone (apparently) as his number. The really odd thing though is that he didn't list it under Schwartz, Jeffrey which would be the normal listing. No. He hid it. Listed it as Jeffrey, Schwartz. Under J instead of S.

Has he garnered any clients since that listing came out? Has he handled any of the cases? Dispensed any legal advice? Does he take private calls while on the public payroll? What does he do if his client is due to face the DA's office? Have there been any such cases? If there were, what kind of treatment did they receive? Were any charges dropped, any plea bargains made? Isn't there a conflict here? There certainly is the appearance of conflict.

Is he returning to private practice? Question is, will he get his yougofree.com domain name and website back?

* also listed conventionally in bayyellow.com phone book under Schwartz, Jeff 498-2781 under Attorneys, pg 19

Good goin' 2

Law enforcement agents contact sex offenders

Nearly 400 convicted sex offenders were contacted and 22 were arrested last week in a collaborative effort of more than a dozen law enforcement agencies to ensure the offenders were in compliance with registration requirements.

A news release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office stated funding from the State’s Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement grant funded the operation, which Sheriff Gary Philp said was the first proactive contact the agency has made with a large number of sex offenders.

“We are very pleased with the successful result of this operation...

The operation included local county and city agencies; two state departments; the Del Norte, Santa Clara and Lake counties’ Sheriff’s Offices; and the Yurok Department of Public Safety.

06-07 Grand Jury Report released

ER2006-07 Grand Jury Final Report released
ER Public agencies tried unsuccessfully to help fatally shot teen
ER Less-than-lethal force options leave grand jury less than impressed
ER Jury proposes hiring, funding truant officer for K-6 schools
ER Report recommends ordinance to require courthouse screening areas
ER Report: More questions unanswered than answered in county counsel settlement
ER Report: Harbor District's 'enterprises are operating at a loss,' possible violations
ER Accusations against Blue Lake chief of police referred to Superior Court
Grand Jury page

Friday, June 29, 2007

Something to think about

Bear in mind I am not saying "Teen Challenge" IS a cult. Just that the concerns raised deserve attention.

Do you know someone in a destructive cult?
Anyone could attack a group they disagree with by unfairly labeling it a destructive cult. How would you know whether it really were such a cult or not? Isn't there an objective method to evaluate groups for cultic tendencies? Yes. The following early warning signs can help you reasonably determine whether or not a group is likely to be a destructive cult, and if you should be concerned about a friend, coworker, or loved one being involved with it.

The main reason that the following destructive cult tactics are so damaging to both the individual and society is because they debilitate rationality and reduce empathy. Rationality and empathy are indispensable in making good personal and social decisions. History is littered with personal and social catastrophes where a lack of rationality and lack of empathy were its core causes.

Ask yourself if the following criteria apply to the group you are concerned about.

1. A destructive cult tends to be totalitarian in its control of its members' behavior. Cults are likely to dictate in great detail not only what members believe, but also what members wear and eat, when and where members work, sleep, and bathe, and how members think, speak, and conduct familial, marital, or sexual relationships.

2. A destructive cult tends to have an ethical double standard. Members are urged to be obedient to the cult, to carefully follow cult rules. They are also encouraged to be revealing and open in the group, confessing all to the leaders. On the other hand, outside the group they are encouraged to act unethically, manipulating outsiders or nonmembers, and either deceiving them or simply revealing very little about themselves or the group. In contrast to destructive cults, honorable groups teach members to abide by one set of ethics and act ethically and truthfully to all people in all situations.

3. A destructive cult has only two basic purposes: recruiting new members and fund-raising. Altruistic movements, established religions, and other honorable groups also recruit and raise funds. However, these actions are incidental to an honorable group's main purpose of improving the lives of its members and of humankind in general. Destructive cults may claim to make social contributions, but in actuality such claims are superficial and only serve as gestures or fronts for recruiting and fund-raising. A cult's real goal is to increase the prestige and often the wealth of the leader.

4. A destructive cult appears to be innovative and exclusive. The leader claims to be breaking with tradition, offering something novel, and instituting the ONLY viable system for change that will solve life's problems or the world's ills. But these claims are empty and only used to recruit members who are then surreptitiously subjected to mind control to inhibit their ability to examine the actual validity of the claims of the leader and the cult.

5. A destructive cult is authoritarian in its power structure. The leader is regarded as the supreme authority. He or she may delegate certain power to a few subordinates for the purpose of seeing that members adhere to the leader's wishes. There is no appeal outside his or her system to a greater system of justice. For example, if a schoolteacher feels unjustly treated by a principal, an appeal can be made to the superintendent. In a destructive cult, the leader claims to have the only and final ruling on all matters.

6. A destructive cult's leader is a self-appointed messianic person claiming to have a special mission in life. For example, leaders of flying saucer cults claim that beings from outer space have commissioned them to lead people away from Earth, so that only the leaders can save them from impending doom.

7. A destructive cult's leader centers the veneration of members upon himself or herself. Priests, rabbis, ministers, democratic leaders, and other leaders of genuinely altruistic movements focus the veneration of adherents on God or a set of ethical principles. Cult leaders, in contrast, keep the focus of love, devotion, and allegiance on themselves.

8. A destructive cult's leader tends to be determined, domineering, and charismatic. Such a leader effectively persuades followers to abandon or alter their families, friends, and careers to follow the cult. The leader then takes control over followers' possessions, money, time, and lives.

If you know someone who belongs to a group that demonstrates a significant number of these warning signs and you would like more information on how to deal with destructive cults or mind control, go to www.factnet.org.


Update:
Property buy falls through; Redwood Teen Challenge back to drawing board
Resident: Prove deal is 'dead' 7/17/07
Good arises from anger 7/19/07

INVESTIGATING TEEN CHALLENGE - Why Does Teen Challenge Need to Be Investigated?

Day 442

Good Goin'!

ER Drug task force reels in big fish

Three children were taken into protective custody and nine people were arrested following a drug bust Wednesday evening.

Wednesday’s bust was the culmination of a five-month investigation into a large-scale methamphetamine and cocaine distribution operation, said Special Agent Supervisor Jack Nelsen, commander of the Humboldt County Drug Task Force...

...Those arrested and alleged to be involved in the “high-scale” drug distribution were not just people one would see on the street, “dealing hand to hand,” in the community, Nelsen said.

These were “big-level” drug dealers dealing with “mid-level” dealers, Nelsen said.

“This would be the top of the food chain.”


TS Nine arrested in five-month-long drug investigation

Nearly $200,000 in drugs were seized and nine people arrested -- including the owner of a taco truck -- after a five-month-long, multi-agency investigation, Humboldt County Drug Task Force Agent Jack Nelsen announced Thursday.

Arrests were made at a number of locations Wednesday, including homes in McKinleyville and the taco truck at the intersection of Seventh and I streets in Arcata. Methamphetamine and cocaine were found at several sites. Eight adults and one teenager were arrested.

”As far as Humboldt County, this is the top of the food chain,” Nelsen said.


Update:
Drug bust defendants appear in court

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Couldn't plea bargain this one

Testimony began Wednesday in the drug trial of a German citizen.

"...Heiko Forster, 32 ... has been charged with possession of heroin for sale, possession of heroin, possession of cocaine base and possession of a hypodermic needle, Klein confirmed.

If found guilty of the charges, *Arnie) Klein said Forster could face a maximum of four years in prison, that the possible mid-term Forster could face is three years — the low-term being two years — and a judge could, potentially, sentence Forster to a minimum penalty of probation.

If Forster is sentenced to a prison term, Klein said Forster will be required to complete 50 percent of the time...

...“(Forster) is a citizen of Germany,” McCrone said, “so the problem with this case is that if he were to plead (to a plea agreement) in this case, he would be deported.

“Everyone else (arrested in the incident) has pleaded guilty (to something).”


Klein declined to comment on specifics of the case after court proceedings Wednesday.

“I’m doing my very best to make sure the defendant gets a fair and impartial trial in the courtroom and not in the press,” Klein said. “I feel very confident, in the evidence provided to the jury, that there will be a favorable result for the prosecution.


Well, that last part, that's somethin' at least.

Any reports on what "Everyone else (arrested in the incident) pled guilty to, and how much time THEY got?

Update:
Drug case in hands of jury
German citizen convicted of one charge

Leaving a legacy

Over the weekend, some friends remarked on the legacy Paul Gallegos is leaving. Mismanagement, plagiarism, excessive plea bargains, the failed PL suit, the loss of staff, the loss of grants, questions of corruption - and that's just for starters.

While some of his early mistakes - like the way he handled the drive-by shootings - can be blamed on inexperience, he's now had 4 and a half years, and his record has gone steadily downhill.

What's his legacy?

"In the interests of justice" wasn't it? updated

ER Original owner of Mad River dogs back in prison

Roberta “Kiki” Bugenig has been returned to a Madera County prison after corrections officials determined she violated the terms of her parole by allegedly beating a horse with a saw.

Who can forget the story - A series of stories about a horrific animal neglect case in Trinity County turned into a Humboldt County story when former neighbors of Kiki Bugenig's came forward saying they had sounded the alarm long before she moved her animals to Trinity County, and that there was videotaped evidence. It also turned out that District Attorney Paul Gallegos "declined" to press charges in the "interest of justice..."according to public records, charges against Bugenig requested by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office — including 122 alleged misdemeanor county code violations for failure to vaccinate and license her dogs, and one alleged felony violation for abuse of the horse — were never filed by the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office.

At that time "District Attorney Paul Gallegos said Monday that the first case, involving the 122 alleged misdemeanor violations, was received by his office June 15, 2004, and was rejected Oct. 26 of the same year.

“These were regulatory offenses, not neglect offenses,” Gallegos said, adding that the reason given in the file for rejection of the charges was “interests of justice.”

“There could have been issues of proof,” he said."

“We can do nothing unless we have sufficient evidence of an offense,” he said. “That’s it in a nutshell.”

Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Brenda Godsey said Tuesday that she could not speak to the evidentiary value of information provided to the DA’s Office, but could officially confirm that a videotape had been booked into evidence.


Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Investigative reports "demonstrate sheriff’s officials visited Bugenig’s former Bridgeville residence numerous times and ultimately recommended 123 charges against her for alleged animal-related offenses.

John and Stacy Malcolm (were) expected to be charged in Trinity County with multiple felony animal cruelty charges stemming from their treatment of the Bugenig animals. but "“If we had filed, based on the charges,” Gallegos said, “probably the best results — or the worst results from her perspective — would have been probation.”

ER "Dogs seemed fine" 8/18/2006
ER Defense attorney says John and Stacy Malcolm not to blame for abuse 8/18/200
ER Dogs' condition consistent with starvation, report states 8/20/2006
ER Death toll rises in Mad River dog deaths 8/22/2006
ER In the 'interests of justice'? 8/23/2006
ER Evidence mounts in animal abuse case 8/24/2006

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Could it happen here? w/update

Would you recognize a cult if you saw one?

How could you find fault with the People's Temple, it was a CHURCH, after all. It couldn't be bad. People who tried to get the word out met with this and other obstacles.

Many people questioning "Teen Challenge" are meeting with similar messages. But, as has been pointed out, there is alot to question here.

Larry Glass and the other City Council members already voted on the issue, so Larry may have been a little too late looking into the place, as detailed in today's Times Standard. Teen Challenge debate reveals a neighborhood in crisis

But, I think he is right - this bears further looking into. Really serious looking into.

There are some real questions about the methods used by the curiously named "Teen Challenge" - and not least among them are the cult aspects of their program.

Not being allowed to talk to family members for months, the breakdown of the individual, threats to convert or else - too many of the key cult warning signs are there, if you believe the testimonials at teenchallengeexposed.com.

A few examples: "...she felt like she was living in a prison camp, rather than a loving nurturing Christian environment. If they saw her looking out the window in her room at how pretty the sky looked that day, they accused her of "thinking about worldly things" and drilled her about what she was thinking as she looked out the window. They accused her of "plotting" to leave or run away. And even the slightest sign of objection to their methods brought on further "punishment" and admonishment."

"Teen Challenge is just like a “cult” operation, training its participants to perform tasks mindlessly without question for the staff authority. I had a bunk mate next to me that was pscytsophrenic and was constantly under pressure to be “prayed over” to be healed so he would not have to take his medication that helped to stop the voices."

"My 24 year old son was just granted a program change from Teen Challenge. I had to hire an attorney, as they do NOT believe in any other rehabs. (NOR do they believe in 12 step programs) Once they got wind that he had requested me to ask probation for a change, they told him "Pack your bags, I'm sending you to prison". How Christian of them, huh?

They primarily teach healing by Jesus Christ, pressure you to speak in tongues, pressure to recruit you to be "trained" by THEIR religious program (TCMI) to be a staff member. It is NOT a drug/alcohol rehab, as all they offer is hyper-religiosity to replace drug addiction. The residents and interns work and make them money. My observation from my son's ordeal is that if you don't succumb to the brain-washing, you will be ostracized and mentally tormented. Those that have a prison/jail sentence looming, (if you "fail" your program) empowers them. It is IMMORAL how they give probation "bad reports" for those that don't sign up for the "speaking in tongues", and these poor souls who suffer from addiction end up in prison. Residents are told that they need to be "broken" some more in jail, and that they will return.

I feel that Christians that donate and support Teen Challenge are not aware of the abuse that goes on. For those who can't sign up for their "truths", the retaliation is scary. Because the courts refer to this program for alternative sentencing, it is an issue that needs to be looked at very closely. I am appalled by the whole organization. I don't believe that some of the "nice" directors at the top of the food chain are completely oblivious to what is happening in there. When they hear untruths being spoken about a resident, instead of investigating the situation, I've seen them back up their staff and chastise the resident that is being abused. If you stick up for yourself, you will be severely punished. I never knew something like this could grow and exist in America. Teen Challenge had my son sign a waiver to give up all of his rights. Also the waiver stated that he could not sue them. Isn't THAT interesting? Now I understand and appreciate organizations that oppose faith-initiative money being handed over to these types of abusive cult"


There's more. And I'd say at the very least, Eureka should make very sure that anyone who comes to someone in a position of authority seeking help to get out (or to get someone out) should be taken very seriously, not brushed off and sent away and NOT returned to the facility. And, don't discount the people who are raising questions.

And that "open door policy" the City Council specified - that needs to include family members.

Times Standard articles on the Teen Challenge issue
Eureka Reporter articles on the Teen Challenge issue
teenchallengecult.blogspot.com
RickRoss on Teen Challenge
more...
Local discussion:
at Fred's...
...and more
at Eric's...
...and heraldo's

Update:
A law that suits or a lawsuit?
and a letter from a former participant. Again, don't automatically dismiss people who are trying to tell you something.
Former member talks about 'abusive ministry'
6/25/2007
Dear Editor,

The Eureka City Council refused to listen to the warnings from Sue Brandenburg and Wendy Brown about Teen Challenge. Therefore, Eureka residents will just have to find out the hard way what this abusive ministry is all about.

I completed the one-year Teen Challenge program at the Shafter and Riverside locations. Their main focus is on breaking the “student’s” will and making him or her feel so inferior that they cannot imagine life away from Teen Challenge.

Those who choose to leave are told that “seven times the demons of addiction” will be set upon them and they will burn in hell for all eternity. Sounds like a nice place, doesn’t it?

This is a ministry whose No. 1 purpose is to increase its assets,
because at Teen Challenge, Almighty God runs a distant second to the almighty dollar. If you become sick or injured and cannot make money for the ministry, you are unceremoniously dumped at the bus station, regardless of whether you have any money. The bottom line is that you are there to make money for that ministry. If you can’t, then you’re gone.

I’ll look forward to reading your online edition in the coming months because this should get quite interesting once the residents of Eureka realize just what they’ve allowed to exist in their town. Quite interesting, indeed.

Michael Kincheloe
Visalia

(Editor’s note: Concerning Kincheloe’s statement about Teen Challenge expelling people who cannot work because of injury or sickness, Redwood Teen Challenge Director Fred Lamberson III said Teen Challenge’s policy is that the organization will allow participants to take a rest and then determine whether the situation is an ongoing medical crisis and, if it is, then will that prevent the individual from continuing to be and work in the program.)
Copyright (C) 2005, The Eureka Reporter. All rights reserved.

More links:
If you know someone who belongs to a group that demonstrates a significant number of these warning signs and you would like more information on how to deal with destructive cults or mind control, go to www.factnet.org.
Warning signs of a destructive cult
INVESTIGATING TEEN CHALLENGE - Why Does Teen Challenge Need to Be Investigated?



Update:
Property buy falls through; Redwood Teen Challenge back to drawing board 7/14/07
Resident: Prove deal is 'dead' 7/17/07
Good arises from anger 7/19/07

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Day 436

The Moore shooting: 436 days and counting
The Times-Standard Editorial
Article Launched: 06/23/2007 04:28:50 AM PDT

Today is the 436th day since Cheri Lyn Moore was killed by a fusillade of police bullets. Was the death of the mentally-ill Eureka woman justifiable homicide, or a criminal act? That's up to the county district attorney, but despite pleas from almost everyone involved -- from the Eureka Police Department to the victim's family -- he says he just hasn't had time to get around to it.

District Attorney Gallegos, the time is now.

Gallegos has broad powers to decide whether to file criminal charges or not, or to send the case to the grand jury. The reason he hasn't done so, he told the Times-Standard this week, is the “bottleneck” in his office: “We're continually responding to new things. . . . The first imperative is to try cases that are currently open.”

The first reason is the Procrastinators' Lament -- there is always something new coming along, so unpleasant tasks can be pushed continually to the end of the line. What is that motto of successful executives: “Delegate, dump, or do”? Gallegos can't delegate or dump this decision -- he must do it himself, and the sooner the better.

He COULD delegate some of his other work. The DA was the lead prosecutor in a recent murder trial, and is taking the same role for an upcoming retrial that may last six months. Surely there are other competent litigators in the office who could help free the boss long enough to act on Moore?

As for the second reason for delay -- about open cases having priority: How much more “open” than an unresolved, high-profile shooting that occurred 14 months ago? It's a case that Police Chief Garr Nielsen calls “an open wound” for his department.
It's Day 436. How many more?

***
Indeed.

Applegate was sane.

This one's over... Jury verdict: convicted murderer was sane at time of crime
It's one for Gallegos - though I was wondering how it was going to turn out when he got the expert witness, the psychiatrist who examined Applegate. to testify in the defense's favor: Gallegos asked Soper if planning an alibi for the shootings ahead of time suggested Applegate could distinguish right from wrong.
Soper answered, “Yes.”
When Soper was asked if it was his opinion that, at the time of the shootings, Applegate was “not legally sane,” Soper also answered yes.


Maybe it's a typo.

Update:
Doctor gives view on sane verdict in Applegate case 8/20/07

Friday, June 22, 2007

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Yep. Meth.

ER - Standoff subject was on meth
The body of the 26-year-old Hoopa man who died in a fire that broke out during a standoff with law enforcement officials tested positive for methamphetamine and marijuana, said officials from the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office.
TS - Toxicology results released in Hoopa deaths

Surprise, surprise.

Chauncey Gardiner, I mean...

Paul Gallegos was on KINS Talk Shop again today. Too bad they don't have podcasts. Really strange. Without the spin doctors talking for him, he is really - well, just inane.

But, he's got his talking points and he's stickin' to 'em... his general priority: Public Safety is our job!...basically interpreted as, if it doesn't impact public safety it isn't his top priority... not sure how the Palco suit fits into that, since he elaborated on that meaning people getting beaten up and attacked and murdered and stuff... Then, his job is to take them (the Deputy DAs) "out of their comfort zone and into their zone of creativity." Meaning, don't let them handle the cases they specialize in, but take them out and put them where they are least effective. Oh, yes, that is to IMPROVE their skills and make them better able to cover for all the absences. OK.

Said he wasn't expecting a "significant increase in grants"... wonder why? It's the strangest thing.

Now what?

TS Ferndale council rejects Marsh's claim

12 years. Prison.

ER Man (Toomey) sentenced to 12 years in molestation case, must register as sex offender

Day 434?

TS D.A. says he won't be pressured on Moore case

...Gallegos declined to be specific on the record about what key questions need answering before he'll release the Moore report.

But, he said, they involve two main issues: The lack of a decision-making process from the top down -- particularly regarding the timing of the raid on Moore's apartment, and whether he or the grand jury should decide if the shooting rises to the level of a criminal act.

Gallegos said he needed to go beyond the investigators' reports on some points and talk personally to experts “so that my mind can be resolved one way or the other.

...Gallegos said the primary reason for the delay is the “bottleneck” in his office which he said has not allowed him time for analysis of -- and deep reflection upon -- his investigators' findings.”


He doesn't need to feel pressured. He needs to send this case to the Attorney General where impartial officials can make a just determination.

And, boy, Cheri Moore's son's new lawyer doesn't have a clue about what is going on here: W. Gordon Kaupp, an attorney for Moore's son, David Moore of Medford, Ore., he's not surprised Gallegos hasn't made a decision, saying the district attorney and police are “on the same team.”

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Any reporters invited?

Just wondering if any reporters will be attending Richard Salzman's Annual Pamplin Grove Retreat (yes, that is HIS invitation) (For out-of-towners who do not want to camp, there are motels 14 miles away, including a pet friendly Best Western... and Super 8... and even a few miles closer is a charming bed and breakfast, Riverbar Farm... If you are flying into the Arcata/Eureka airport and not renting a car, ask us to arrange transportation when you RSVP.)

The invitation is a bit tamer than previous years, where he said "Saving the planet may well begin by saving these dates: Saturday September 10 & Sunday, September 11 2005 "Retreat To The Future..." And don't forget the "Salzman Tribal Heart beat..."

Wonder if he will be conducting "Wellstone Training?" Or will they be discussing the "Big Money in "grassroots" organizations? Maybe he just puts politics aside for the weekend.

"Don't let others know I have contacted you."

"There was no violation." There WAS no violation," "There was NO violation." "We went out there, and there was no violation." "We have no case file on this because there was no violation."

Talking about Michael Fennell's assertion that Scott Riley is guilty of cutting down trees over a certain diameter, that's the gist of a string of emails regarding Scott Riley's proposed Planned Unit Development (PUD) in Manila - emails that reveal what looks like an increasingly exasperated staff responding to relentless pressure from Michael Fennell through County Supervisor John Woolley, asking that history be rewritten and a case file opened now.

Then, someone from Fennell's camp apparently brings in "new" photos, purporting to show concretely that Riley cut down a tree (or 8 as the case may be), and not just any tree, but one that was "oversize."

How many years ago was this now? And what do you go on - the official record, set at the time, that there was no violation - or this newly revisited "case." And, irregardless, what bearing does this really have on the proposed project?

These emails come as a result of Riley's public records act request for Woolley's correspondence relating to his project.

There's more, though - in one email to a Lumberjack reporter Woolley explains why he might have to recuse himself from voting on the project if he answers her questions...

Looks like, at the very least, he will have to recuse himself anyway, since another one has Woolley thanking Fennell for keeping him in the loop but admonishing him "...Please don't let others know I have contacted you. I have some ideas for getting some review of this...."

Sunday, June 17, 2007

The right thing to do

Last week in The Journal "...relatives of Cheri Lyn Moore had finally made good on their threat to sue the city and members of its police department..."
...District Attorney Paul Gallegos has still not made a decision on whether or not to prosecute members of the police department on criminal charges. "It's a mystery to me," (EPD Chief Garr) Nielsen said. "When we've made inquiries, we've not gotten a reasonable answer. After this much time, I find it very difficult to understand why that is."

In The Times Standard Moore wrongful death suit filed
”It's frustrating to me that we haven't had a decision by the district attorney yet,” Nielsen said. “It's been well over a year. It's like an open wound to us.”
...A woman answering phones at the District Attorney's Office said Gallegos was “out of the area” Thursday. He did not return phone calls seeking comment nor did other representatives of his office....


Gallegos should put an end to this. He has no business having anything to do with this case, given his handler's hideous politicization of the incident.

Not to mention the fact that he is apt to retaliate against EPD because EVERY SINGLE law enforcement association in the County endorsed Worth Dikeman.

He absolutely has to hand it over to the State Attorney General's Office. "At the end of the day" Paul, you know it is the right thing to do.

DAY 429

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Justice after all


Nifong disbarred
The Ethics Complaint Against D.A. Nifong

The North Carolina State Bar charged Nifong with lying to both the court and bar investigators and withholding critical DNA test results from the players' defense attorneys. (Read the complaint)

The committee, after deliberating for a little more than an hour, unanimously agreed with the bar on almost every charge -- including the most serious allegations -- that Nifong's actions involved "dishonesty, fraud, deceit and misrepresentation."

"It didn't click," (Nifong's Attorney Witt said as he tried to explain one of his client's errors. "His mind is just his mind. That's the way it works. It just didn't click."

I'm beginning to think that District Attorney should not be an elected position.

Bloggers on Nifong:

The Cost of the Lie: Duke, the Courts, and Hoaxes
by William L. Anderson

Says he received an email from someone who was a member of the Lacrosse Team at Duke University, a young man who had to watch the travesty suck three of his teammates and friends into North Carolina’s maw of injustice... an email that said that at the time, the estimated cost of defense to the three families is exceeding five million dollars. That is correct. Three families are having to shell out five million dollars in total to deal with the lies perpetuated by the State of North Carolina.

He says "...the outright lies and fraud have been exposed only because of the rise of the blogosphere. Professor K.C. Johnson of Brooklyn College has exposed official lie after official lie in his DURHAM-IN-WONDERLAND blog, while other bloggers, such as the crews at Liestoppers, Crystal Mess, John-in-Carolina, La Shawn Barber, Michael Gaynor, Friends of Duke University, (lots of links here) and Johnsville News.

hat tip: ΛΕΟΝΙΔΑΣ

Friday, June 15, 2007

Nifong Will Resign

Duke Prosecutor Says He Will Resign
By AARON BEARD National News from AP: Headlines
Friday, June 15, 2007 4:45 PM EDT

RALEIGH, N.C. - Facing the loss of his law license, a tearful Mike Nifong said Friday he will resign as district attorney, more than a year after he obtained rape indictments against three Duke University lacrosse players who were later declared innocent by state prosecutors.

"My community has suffered enough," Nifong said from the witness stand at his ethics trial on allegations that he violated rules of professional conduct in his handling of the case. (Read more)

Video:
Exonerated player takes the stand
Nifong takes the stand
Duke DA plans to quit

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Another plea deal

Arcata assault defendant accepts plea

Bradley Harold Mallett was sentenced on a plea agreement stemming from a 2006 assault that left a then-transient man severely injured.

Mallett, 25, of Manila, was sentenced Wednesday to a total of six years in state prison — a stipulated term per the plea agreement he accepted Tuesday: assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury with a special allegation that he did produce great bodily injury, said Humboldt County Deputy District Attorney Arnie Klein.

Mallett’s case stems a Feb. 19, 2006, incident after which Kirk M. Celis, then 48, was found severely beaten behind the Valley West shopping center in Arcata, suffering significant head trauma and injuries to his upper torso that resulted in a punctured lung...

...As part of Mallett’s plea agreement, McCrone said, the DA’s Office dismissed the attempted murder and second-degree robbery counts Mallett was initially charged with.

Also dismissed as part of the plea agreement was another special allegation pertaining to the assault charge — that Mallett inflicted great bodily injury to Celis that caused Celis to become comatose due to brain injury, or to suffer paralysis.



Why?

More:
Arcata Eye - Mallett gets six years in state prison

Strange

Jurors find Applegate guilty...BUT...

For count one, Applegate, 44, of Templeton, was found guilty of the second-degree murder of Joey Patrick Church, 34, and the jury found that he did so with a firearm.

For count two, the jury found Applegate guilty of the second-degree attempted murder of Ross Condemi, 48, and found that he did so with a firearm.


But, I don't understand the rationale on this one - With regard to count three, Applegate was found not guilty of the assault of Condemi with a firearm; the jury also determined that Applegate did not commit the special allegations associated with count three — that he used a .44-caliber pistol or that he inflicted great bodily injury.

Applegate’s case stems from a May 4, 2003, incident in which, testimony revealed, he entered Church’s Bridgeville home and ultimately shot Church, killing him, and shot Condemi, wounding him.

Humboldt County DA Paul Gallegos — the prosecutor in the Applegate case — was not present at Wednesday’s proceedings; Humboldt County Deputy DA Allan Dollison sat in for Gallegos.


Where was Paul?

(out of town?)

Related:
TS - Doctor gives view on sane verdict in Applegate case 8/20/07
ER - Closing arguments to wrap up in sanity phase of trial
ER - Insanity phase of trial begins
ER - Jurors find Applegate guilty
ER - First-degree murder off table
ER - Jury deadlocked in murder trial
ER - Jury begins deliberating in Bridgeville murder trial today 6/6/2007
ER - Bridgeville murder trial enters third week of testimony
ER - Murder trial continues with evidence technician's testimony
ER - Witness testifies about Bridgeville murder
ER - Sheriff's detective takes stand in murder trial
ER - Father of man accused of murder given immunity
ER - Testimony in murder trial reveals meth use, witness of handgun
ER - Acquaintances of man on trial for murder testify
ER - Surviving shooting victim takes stand in second day of murder trial
ER - Children of slain man take the stand in his murder trial
TS - Trial underway in '03 Bridgeville killing
ER - Jury selected for Applegate trial
TS - Jury selection under way in trial of suspect in 2003 homicide
ER - 2003 murder case goes to trial

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

WTF? First-degree murder off table

When jurors in the Thomas Arthur Applegate case finished deliberating for the day Tuesday, they were still hopelessly deadlocked — 11 to one — with regard to what degree of murder and attempted murder Applegate should be found guilty of.

However, when they resume deliberation this morning, they will not have to ponder on the first-degree option.

Humboldt County Superior Court Judge John T. Feeney announced in open court at about 12:15 p.m. Tuesday that the first-degree charges had been dismissed and that jurors are to no longer deliberate on that degree with regard to the murder and attempted murder counts.

After announcing the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office decision to drop the first-degree option, Feeney dismissed the jurors for the day but ordered them back today at 8:30 a.m. to resume their deliberation.

As the jurors walked out of the courtroom Tuesday afternoon, one had tears streaming down her face...

...When asked why he decided to drop the first-degree option on the murder and attempted murder charges, Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos said, “It was a calculated decision based upon the information we have.”
Read the rest

Motion for Factual Innocence

ER - Motion filed to find acquitted child endangerment defendant factually innocent
This is a good thing.

Update:
TS Ferndale council rejects Marsh's claim

Awwwww shucks, it's not THAT contaminated...

Pete Sterling-Nichols, program director for "Humboldt BayKeeper," which pushed the board to include Humboldt Bay in its list of impaired waters, said he will be eating oysters on the Plaza this year.

Oyster festivities will kick off on the Plaza at 10 a.m. and carry on to 6 p.m. Saturday.
What: 17th annual Oyster Festival
Where: Arcata Plaza
When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
TS - Oyster beer joins lineup for Arcata festival
ER - Oyster Festival kicks off Saturday

Other News w Toomey update

The Rollins case:
New date set for murder retrial
***
The Toomey case:
- Plea may add more time to accused child molester's sentence

He's going to plead to more than he would have gotten if he was convicted on the original charges?

Update to the Toomey case:
Resolution to sex case reached; defendant must register as sex offender for life

Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Timothy Cissna granted an amended complaint Tuesday against Jacob Charles Toomey.

The amended complaint — a resolution to the case agreed upon by both the prosecution and defense on Monday — lists 10 charges instead of the initial three Toomey, 28, of Redway, had been charged with.

The new complaint, read aloud in court, charges Toomey with one count of a lewd and lascivious act against a child, age 14 or 15, when the perpetrator is more than 10 years older, and nine counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor under 16, when the defendant is 21 or older.

Toomey pleaded guilty to the new charges in Cissna’s courtroom Tuesday.

The stipulated sentence, Cissna announced in court, consists of 12 years in prison.

Toomey will also have to register, for life, as a sex offender and pay restitution to the victim for all out-of-pocket expenses.

Such out-of-pocket expenses Cissna listed in court Tuesday include, but are not limited to, counseling, medical care and cost of delivery.


As long as he gets felony prison time, and not probation.

As I understand it - What he is charged with is known as a 'wobbler" meaning they can either be a misdemeanor or a felony. Unless he is sentenced to prison, even if he pleads to a felony, after he serves his sentence or probation, he lawfully petition the court to have his sentence reduced to a misdemeanor and then have it expunged, as if it never happened.

Correct me if I am wrong. It's complicated, and this stuff never gets explained, what these sentences really mean.

But, we'll find out more, I guess. Toomey will not be sentenced until June 20, by Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Christopher Wilson.

I'm curious what "cost of delivery" refers to. The obvious inference... geez.

other blog discussion: Well, if she was 14

Update 6/20/07:
ER Man sentenced to 12 years in molestation case, must register as sex offender
A Redway man will have to register as a sex offender for life as part of his sentence that was handed down Wednesday afternoon.

In addition to the lifetime sex registration, Jacob Charles Toomey, 28, was sentenced to 12 years in state prison Wednesday — the stipulated sentence per his plea agreement, confirmed Humboldt County Deputy District Attorney Jeffrey Schwartz.

What!? Deadlocked!?

Jury deadlocked in murder trial

"...about five jurors thought further instructions/clarification of the law might possibly help them decide upon a verdict." Wow.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Big Brother v Local Control

Sac Bee - Dan Walters: State looks to control land use
Do you want the State, (not the people in Eureka or Humboldt County,) to determine if we already have enough Wal Marts or houses? Do you want the State to decide if your house is too expensive—or that you need to build "affordable housing" instead? Do you want the state to decide if you can split your lot, or add a mother-in-law unit? Should the legislature become a zoning and planning commission? ((hat tip)

There wouldn't be any local discussion about Riley's subdivision, or Marina Center.

Where are the "local control" advocates now?

Oh. I forgot. This isn't about Palco, so who cares.

When will he make a decision?

"WHY IS IT that the District Attorney (Paul Gallegos) has yet to announce his decision on the Moore shooting? It's been 14 months! The EPD officers involved have a right to know as the DA hinted at prosecution. Is the DA intentionally attempting to impose some kind of emotional distress? To punish the officers, or EPD in general? The public has a right to know. Why is the DA sitting on this issue? Does he think it will go away?" (from anon 6:24, and many others),

Coincidentally, this article shows up on the Times Standard's Most Viewed list: Silence deafening as shooting anniversary nears

DAY 422

Sacred cows

If you think India is crazy with their sacred cow policy, you may find this comical.
Do these guys realize that trees are being cut to finish the Hammond Trail?

To: northcoastearthfirst@yahoogroups.com
From: "lowkeyhum"
Date: Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:05:01 -0000
Subject: [NCEF!] Tree goes Down

this morning in an early sneak attack, the leaning tree went down.
Nate, where were you?
*****

To: northcoastearthfirst@yahoogroups.com
From: "Shunka Wakan"
Date: Sat, 2 Jun 2007 13:40:57 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [NCEF!] EMERGENCY CALL TO ACTION! Sunday Morning, 5:00 a.m., near Founders Grove

EMERGENCY CALL TO ACTION!
Caltrans to Cut Leaning Oldgrowth Tree Near Founders Grove! Rally at Tree Sunday Morning! 5:00 AM!
Sunday morning Caltrans will shut down Highway 101 between 6 AM and 7 A.M. to fall the tree onto the highway. Accorrding to the Times Standard ... "Going south on 101 past the turnoff to Bull Creek and the intersection with the Avenue of the Giants to Founders Grove, just past the small overpass above the Avenue of the Giants and around a bend stands -- teeters -- the old-growth tree in question." Read Article Here from 12/24/06 with Caltrans stating that the tree poses no more danger than the other trees along the highway, and that it appears to be stable. If So..why Is Caltrans cutting this tree now? Rides Needed! Call 707 834 9561 NOW! to help and get more details!
May the Forest Be With You!

Saturday, June 09, 2007

More o' that "grassroots" charade

- from Salzman's listserve
"Wellstone training"

Is this what they use the recruits for?

RED TO BLUE
POLITICAL SKILLS TRAINING
TOOLS AND TACTICS FOR SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGNS
CITIZEN ACTIVISIM: GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY AND ORGANIZING
Hosted by: Take Back Red California & The CDP Rural Caucus

(a little research shows: TBRC, the CDP (California Democratic Party) Rural Caucus, and Project Bluebridge joined with SoCal Grassroots (www.socalgrassroots.org) ,,,all these great names!)

One thing's for sure, if you haven't figured out by now, there is no reason to donate money to Salzman, or to "Baykeeper." These guys have access to more money than you can possibly imagine.

Save your money - or donate it to something legitimate.

Friday, June 08, 2007

What's an "affordable" house?

Just for fun... Calculate how much house you (or your friends and family) can buy

In related news: Affordable homes built in Arcata - no word on the selling price, or the new buyer's incomes, or who foots the bill, but the homes were recently sold to low-income working households as part of The Humboldt Bay Housing Development Corp. (HBHDC’s) permanently affordable homeownership program, - purchased by working households on limited incomes with the help of the city of Arcata’s First Time Homebuyer program...

The three-bedroom/1.5-bathroom homes offer approximately 1,300 square feet of living space and are equipped with a 1-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system, solar hot water system, “SunTunnels” for natural lighting, Energy Star appliances and a personal computer.

In an effort to preserve the affordability of the homes, HBHDC, a private nonprofit organization, stated in the news release that it will retain ownership of the land and the homeowners have agreed that if they want to sell the home in the future, the home will be sold at an affordable price to another low-income household.

Happy homes
6/13/2007
 The Humboldt Bay Housing Development Corp. held a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of three new Community Land Trust homes located on Aloha Way in Arcata. The homes were recently sold to low-income working households as part of HBHDC’s permanently affordable homeownership program. The Community Land Trust keeps the homes affordable in two ways. First, while the homeowner owns the house, the land underneath is owned by the CLT and leased to the homeowner. Aside from keeping the home price down by removing the land from the speculative market, the land trust uses public dollars effectively because the public investment into the land rolls over from one household to the next; no further public dollars need be spent to provide the permanently affordable housing in the community. Second, in exchange for the opportunity to buy a home the buyer otherwise could not afford, the homeowner agrees that if and when they sell their home, they will sell it at an affordable price. Essentially, the homeowner agrees to take limited equity and leave the rest in the home so the next low-income family can afford the home. Pictured, left to right, are Beth Matsumoto, Susan Vandermeer, Jenny Vanella, Larry Detker, Arcata Mayor Harmony Groves, Orion and Bella Waters, Jake Smith, John Wooley, Dana Gregg and Alyson Hunter, all of whom participated in the event. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, property owner Jesse Kaono Wedemeyer, who named the street the homes are on, blessed the new homeowners with a Hawaiian song, “E ke hao,” translated in English as, “I honor you as a sacred spiritual being.” Daniel Solomon/The Eureka Reporter
Copyright (C) 2005, The Eureka Reporter. All rights reserved.

Thursday, June 07, 2007

BIG MONEY or grassroots?

New York Times Thursday June 7
ACTIVIST Summer jobs
Restore our Constitutional Protection
$5,500 - $8.500/summer
Work for grassroots campaigns on behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union
Stop Executive Abuse of Power
full time/career call Sam (212) 219-1502
******************************************

Huh? I don't know about you, but to me, grassroots means VOLUNTEER.

So who is (212) 219-1502?


It's not the ACLU. It's
Grass Roots Campaigns
53 W 36 St
Manhattan, NY 10018

******************************************
There's more:
Grass Roots Campaigns (local advertiser). Employment Placement Agencies, New York, NY 10018. (212) 219-1502 | 53 W 36th Ste 602 New York, NY 10018 ...

New York Office
Address:. 53 West 36 th Street, Suite 602. New York, NY 10018. Phone:. 212-219-1502, Ask for Alex. Email:. nycstreet@grassrootscampaigns.com ...
www.grassrootscampaigns.com/NYoffice.php - 39k - Cached - Similar pages

Summer Jobs to Take Back the White House: $5500-$8500/summer
Help put the country back on the right path! Call Steve at 212-219-1502. Compensation: $5500-$8500/summer; Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact ...
newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/npo/342585496.html - Jun 6, 2007 - Similar pages

Summer Jobs to Defend Civil Liberties: $5500-$8500/summer
The ACLU is fighting back against illegal laws allowing warantless wiretapping and torture. Call Stephanie at 212-219-1502 ...
newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/npo/344469819.html - Similar pages

Summer Jobs - Campaign to Help the Democrats Take Back the House ...
Call Rachel at 212-219-1502. How To Apply:. Please contact an office near you, or call our central office at ... Phone:, 212-219-1502. Email:, New York ...
test.summer.ahoy.com/do/details/5597 - 18k - Supplemental Result - Cached - Similar pages

Apply To Take The Police Officer Exam Today! Call 212-RECRUIT. NYPDrecruit.com ... Help the Dems take the White House Call Greg : 212-219-1502 ...
mv.qq212.com/ - 40k - Cached - Similar pages

Help the Dems take the White House Call Greg : 212-219-1502 · www.grassrootscampaigns.com

Grassroots Campaigns is hiring to work with MoveOn.org Political ...
To Apply: Email your resume to Diane: jobs@grassrootscampaigns.com or apply online at: http://www.grassrootscampaigns.com/. Grassroots Campaigns, Inc. runs ...
www.jobsthatareleft.com/?q=node/1110 - 12k - Cached - Similar pages

Upon receiving your resume you will be contacted with more information about the specifics of the
positions, and opportunities to interview.
seattle@grassrootscampaigns.com, denver@grassrootscampaigns.com, and on and on and on...We will also be on campus Monday December 11th ...
******************************************
So, who is grassrootscampaigns.com?

Grassroots Campaigns, Inc. is a national firm specializing in building grassroots support for progressive causes, political candidates, public interest campaigns, and non-profit organizations.

Winning campaigns in America now means finding new voters, new donors, new bases of support, and building long term movements for political power and political change. Grassroots Campaigns brings together an experienced team of organizers and campaign professionals to provide the progressive community with grassroots fundraising and organizing strategies that can help build a powerful and winning progressive majority in America.

We continue to partner with the DNC to run canvass operations, get more people engaged in the party, raise as much money as possible, and build on the successes of 2006. We’re continuing to work with MoveOn.org Political Action to run Operation Democracy, working with local progressives to make sure that Democrats step up and make changes on key issues.
*****************************************

So, they're a special interest group paying out all this money for pretend "grassroots" people and THEN -
they have the nerve to post this inspirational quote:

“The people of this country, not special interest big money, should be the source of all political power.”
U.S. Senator and grassroots organizer, Paul Wellstone


ACLU? grassrootscampaigns.com? DNC? MoveOn.Org?

Well, lucky for us, they are a CORPORATION, so under Measure T they should be prohibited from funding any local involvement, at least under their real name. How do all the little phony sub orgs (ngos) work under Measure T? Anyone cover that?

But, let's not kid ourselves, these people are really special interest lobbyists, at best, just called by another name. And Salzman? Why he was the one jumping up and down because the Recall Committee paid signature gatherers. They just didn't know how to play the shell game, to hide the money.

For those following the Manila/Riley project w/addition(s)

By request, the emails mentioned in previous post Which rules do you play by? transcribed (correspondence initiated May 14, AFTER the Planning Commission meeting) between John Woolley, Michael Fennell, and county staff): Question is how did it go from the harping on trees cut 2 years ago, for which no violation was found at the time) to the categorical statement that the Planning Commission will not approve a project, when the only thing the Planning Commission has said is that the project was continued to be heard at the next meeting (tonight).

As with all email trails read from bottom to top. Transcribed here as they appear.
pg 1 of 1
From: "Wheeler, Michael"
To: "Jesse Buffington"
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2007 8:46 AM
Subject: Riley

Per Kirk Girard: We need to meet with the applicant and, if he agrees, his agent, Jesse and design consultant, John Ash. The Planning Commission will not approve the project and neither will the Coastal commission. We need some alternative designs with fewer units and more attention to the wetlands and natural landforms. If he is willing to make the changes, a new notice could reflect the modified project.

Michael E. Wheeler
Senior Planner - County of Humboldt
Department of Community Development Services
(phone numbers)
(Note: this communication...)

Separate email - pg 1 of 4
From: "Wheeler, Michael"
To: "Jesse Buffington"
Sent: Thursday may 24, 2007 7:44 AM
Subject: FW: cut trees in Manila

---Original Message---
From: "Werner, Steve"
Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2007 16:22
To: "Wheeler, Michael; Hunter, Alyson"
Cc: Ruth, Carolyn; Girard, Kirk
Subject: RE: cut trees in Manila

Michael:

Per my discussion today with Carolyn if this did not describe the trees removed without a permit the notice is not adequate and renoticing with the revised descriptions will be needed.

Please alert the applicant and work with Yvette on the new noticing. We should contact the neighborhood parties who can let others know that this item will not be considered at the June 7 meeting.

Also Carolyn wants us to double check that the W&K wetland determination used the CCC standards for wetland identification (1 of three parameter test) not the COE standard.

Steve W.

---Original Message---
From: Wheeler, Michael
Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2007 2:18 PM
To: "Hunter, Alyson; Werner, Steve"
Subject: RE: cut trees in Manila

The project description as previously written and noticed includes a special permit for major vegetation removal.

---Original Message---
From: Hunter, Alyson
Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2007 12:12
To: Wheeler, Michael; Woolley, John; Werner, Steve; Conner, Jeff
Subject: RE: cut trees in Manila

Hi Guys -
I just talked to SW about this issue. Another neighbor just moments ago submitted photos for the subdivision hearing that fairly clearly show a violation. SW suggests that Michael pull the project from
pg 2 of 4
the next hearing, include the tree removal into the revised description and renotice accordingly.

I've been given permission to not be involved in this topic, as exciting as it is, and to have Michael take over all this tree stuff.

Thanks all -

Alyson Hunter, Senior Planner
Humboldt County Community Development Services
(phone and fax)

---Original Message---
From: Wheeler, Michael
Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2007 8:56 AM
To: Hunter, Alyson; Woolley, John
Subject: RE: cut trees in Manila

There is no active violation file on Mr. Riley's property at Planning. There is an historic one related to no trespassing signs which was resolved with removal of the signs. The file was closed for voluntary compliance. There is some mention of the tree removal in this file but there was no finding that it was a violation that constituted major vegetation removal. The issue was dropped when the violation file was closed.

---Original Message---
From: Hunter, Alyson
Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2007 08:20
To: Woolley, John
Cc: Wheeler, Michael
Subject: RE: cut trees in Manila

Hi John -
Jeff Conner's explanation below is accurate in my estimation. martha and I accompanied him onto the site quite some time ago and saw several stumps. We concluded at the time that the tree removal did not constitute Major Veg Removal per -313-64.1 of the Coastal zoning regs. If a violation is found to have occurred, the assigned planner for Riley's subdivision (Michael Wheeler (phone0 could fairly easily add supplemental to the existing staff report to address this situation.

Let me know if I can provide you with any more information.

Alyson (phone)

---Original Message---
From: Woolley, John
pg 3 of 4
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2007 4:21 PM
To: Young, Claude; Hunter, Alyson; Conner, Jeff
Subject: RE: cut trees in Manila

Michael Fennell has asked me to get an answer about this issue. Let me know what you have determined, or not. Thanks for the help, and all the other good work.

John

---Original Message---
From: Conner, Jeff
Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2007 9:41 AM
To: fennell (email)
Cc: Woolley, John; Hendry, Richard
Subject: RE: cut trees in Manila

Good Morning Michael Fennell:

The Code Enforcement Unit does not normally open cases without a referral from another County division, such as Planning or the Board of Supervisors. We have not received such a referral and I do not know whether anyone is preparing one at this time or not. I am sorry that i could not be of more assistance.

Jeff Conner
CEU Investigator

---Original Message---
From: fennell (email)
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 2:57:PM
To: Conner, Jeff
Cc: Woolley, John; Hendry, Richard
Subject: RE: cut trees in Manila

Jeff,
We are wondering if the code enforcement division is going to move forward on this tree cutting violation? Michael Fennell
---"Conner wrote:
> Good Morning Supervisor Woolley:
>
> I inspected the property in question (I believe the owner's last name
> is
> Riley) about 18-24 months ago with members of the Planning staff.
> There were numerous shore pine stumps on the parcel as well as piles
> of limbs and debris to be burned. If I remember correctly, some of
> the stumps were almost two feet in diameter, indicating that some if
>not all of the trees that had been cut were large enough to require
> the owner to obtain a Coastal Development Permit. I contacted the
> owner by phone and he claimed that the trees were all smaller than the
pg 4 of 4
> minimum size and that he cut the trunks up into firewood. I asked
> where the firewood was located, but the address he gave me was an abandoned house in Manila>
> I passed on the information I had obtained from the phone call
> to the Planning staff that was handling the matter. I have not heard anymore
> about it since then, except for what I have read in the newspaper.
> The Code Enforcement Unit has never had a case on this matter. I have
> a meeting with Brian Cox and Claude Young later this morning. I will
> bring this subject up at this meeting. If you have any questions, I
> will try to answer them, but there are people in the Planning Division
> who know much more about this development than I do.
>
> Jeff Conner
> CEU Investigator
> ---Original Message---
> From: Woolley, John
> Sent: Monday, May 14, 2007 9:44 AM
> To: Conner, Jeff
> Cc: Mike and Sharon Fennell
> Subject: cut trees in Manila
>
>
> Jeff, as you may know there is a proposed subdivision in Manila being
> developed. One part of the controversy srrounding the issue is the
> cutting of trees on the property. In discussing this with Michael
> Fennell, he would like some clarification re: the county's stance on
> this matter. I am copying him on this so the two of you could discuss
> the matter. Please let me know what you have determined from their
> concerns. Thanks.
>
> John
***
Related:
Mike Dronker's latest Coastal Currents podcast on the Manila project, Michael Fennell and Gordy Anderson respond to Scott Riley's statements about the development's footprint on the Samoa dunes.
Sort of related:
Wonder what David Cobb thinks about a real life example of building "green" right in his own backyard.
***
I'm told that:
Manila has 365 lots. Of those 356 are zoned 5,000 sq. ft. (or 0.114784 acre).
Only 9 are zoned 20,000 sq. ft. (or 0.459136 acre, almost half an acre).
Of those 9, three have been put into 5,000 sq. ft. lots (by variance?).
Fennell's property is supposedly one of those 'compromised' lots. (He requested and got a variance.)
See other posts under this label for the discussion relating to half acre zoning and variances - and if anyone has information to the contrary, or if these facts are wrong, fill me in.

6/11 TS - My Word by Ken Terpening - Why I oppose Manila development w/comments

I still don't get how these guys can sing the praises of bulldozing acres and acres of Clam Beach Dunes to eradicate European Beach Grass (politically correct), and scream that Riley's Dune Reconstruction is too horrific to allow. (politically incorrect? Or just obstructionist tactics.) Anyway, apparently the opposition to the project now has a lawyer.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

In other Plea Bargains:

Walin sentenced after accepting plea
A judge found sufficient evidence, following an April 3 preliminary hearing, to bind Walin over on being a felon in possession of a firearm, a sawed-off shotgun; being a felon in possession of ammunition; possession of a sawed-off shotgun; assault with a firearm; felon in possession of a short-barreled shotgun; and grand theft auto, with a special allegation that Walin did so with a sawed-off shotgun and another special allegation that Walin has a prior felony vehicle theft conviction.

“The defendant (pleaded) to (being) a felon in possession of ammunition, (being) a felon in possession of a weapon — a shotgun,” Dollison said, “and he admitted to having (served) three prior prison terms.


Duane Bowie Jr. accepts plea agreement Monday, is sentenced
The plea agreement — being a felon in possession of ammunition — was a stipulated agreement, meaning a prison term was already agreed upon by the defense and prosecution.

In return for Bowie pleading guilty to the offer, it was stated in court that one of the two charges and all the special allegations — which could have increased potential prison time — were dropped. They included felony assault with a deadly weapon (a metal bed rail) by means likely to cause great bodily injury and allegations of prior prison enhancements.


And, apparently, an offer on the table for Robert William Stepp Jr. - the charges and special allegations Tuesday from the two cases — consolidated in the new information/complaint filed by the District Attorney’s Office on Monday: kidnapping for the purpose of carjacking; personal use of a dangerous weapon; false imprisonment; use of a deadly/dangerous weapon, a knife; committing a crime while out of custody on bail or on his own recognizance; attempted second-degree robbery; brandishing a deadly weapon in an angry/threatening manner; and unlawful possession of controlled substance paraphernalia.

Would you rather see these guys going away for as long as possible?

Hoopa standoff ends in death


Hoopa standoff ends in death
Hoopa standoff ends with trailer in flames

Whaddya wanna bet Meth is involved?

Update(s):
TS - Hoopa man's mother says family kept from helping
ER - No firearm injuries found on Hoopa man
TS - Coroner: Stewart died of smoke inhalation

Yep. confirmed.
ER - Standoff subject was on meth 6/21/07

Maximium penalty for Garza?

Garza was charged with — and pleaded not guilty to — nine counts of felony sodomy with a person under 18, eight counts of felony unlawful sexual intercourse and two counts of oral copulation with a person under 18.

In a plea agreement he accepted in the end of April: one count of unlawful sex with a minor — commonly referred to as statutory rape — one count of unlawful oral sex with a minor and admission of a probation violation.

The "menace to society" got four years and four months in prison — with more than 386 days served

Monday, June 04, 2007

Dear Ms. Ackerman,

Regarding this article in Forbes magazine:
Hurwitz Hands Off At Maxxam

In a message dated 6/4/2007 11:43:21 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, aeb@inreach.com (aka Richard Salzman) writes:
(Ms. Ackerman could use to be better educated on the notion that the Headwaters' deal "settled the dispute" as to the logging of PL's remaining 200,000 acres. I spoke to her this morning and she said she would welcome any emails that would further her knowledge on this subject. Send them to: rackerman at forbes.net and while you are at it, please thank her for covering this story in the first place )

Thanks for the tip, Richard.

"Dear Ms. Ackerman,

Apparently you have been contacted by Richard Salzman regarding the Pacific Lumber Company/Maxxam.

Perhaps you should know a bit more about the illustrious Mr. Salzman - read the award winning cover story of the North Coast Journal titled "Web of Lies, Richard Salzman and other email phonies.".

Once you have an idea who you are hearing from..."

Whaddya think?

7/3/07 Never did hear back from her.

More hilarity!

After you read the letter to the editor in either the TS or the ER...
Give the DA assault rifles
Investigators with the DA's Office need to have assault rifles
Then, read this:
Yeap, Bigfoot hunters giving out advice on firearms to DAs. Only in Humboldt County would this not seem odd.

Weigh in - who wrote the letter to the editor? Compare the well-organized repetitive talking points in the letter to the way the guy really writes in the "Bigfoot sighting." Are they the same person?

hat tip to anon.R.mous