Candidate Info and Choices
Someone posted a comment somewhere in one of the past posts wondering how we could go on talking about elections without mentioning the League of Women Voters' Smarvoter page. We'll, most regulars here know I've mentioned it before if only to remark that few candidates ever use it. That still seems to be the case today with none of the candidates in the two races on my ballot having provided any information on themselves to Smartvoter.
But, some info is starting to emerge in the College of the Redwoods Trustee election. Two candidates have statements about themselves in the local papers today.
Richard Dorn had his info published as a letter to the editor to the Eureka Reporter. Is it just me or does his letter come off as kind of tacky self- promotion? Not that he shouldn't strut his stuff, being a candidate. I just thought it might come off better if he'd had someone else sign the letter and send it in for him.
Either that, or it might have been good in a candidate statement opposite the other candidate's statements, but I thought it came off tacky as a letter to the editor all by itself.
I would have missed candidate Dick Twiddy's My Word column this morning if I hadn't remembered to check out the Times- Standard web site, this being the second day in a row the T-S skipped delivery to my house.
I was thinking about voting for Twiddy but I wonder about him being in Louisiana all the time? It seems every time I hear something from, or about him, he's back in Louisiana helping with hurricane recovery efforts. Would he ever show up for the trustee meetings?
Will the third candidate in that race, Cole Machado, send something in to the papers with information on himself? We'll be watching and waiting. I'm still not sure who I'll be voting for in this one.
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Lucky for me, the Harbor Commission race doesn't appear on my ballot this time around. Naturally, this one seems to have degenerated into a left vs. right wing thing, at least according to David Cobb. Along the lines of Jake Pickering style, Dave starts off by equating the candidates he opposes with George Bush. Wow.Still, the lines do seem to be drawn left vs. right with at least two local left wing bloggers endorsing Higgins and Quilez. If I were voting in that race I might just be petty enough to vote for whoever the lefties oppose, but I'm not. Besides, I'm not all that happy with the status quo in regards the Harbor Commission, anyway.
I think if the Harbor Commission race was on my ballot, I'd likely stand aside and not vote at all in that one.
posted by Fred Mangels @ 8:20 AM
42 comments
42 Comments:
Vote for Roy Curless and Charles they want to make something of the bay and not shut it down
Over the last 16 years Curless and Charles they have been in office shipping has dropped by 2/3. Time for some new ideas to move Humboldt Bay forward.
Move it forward = no work, no hard work, shut down the workers and bring in the players and put in a walking trail and slurp, no guzzle, at the public trough to pay for it all.
One side is able to walk and chew gum at the same time, and one is not and Fred, you're right, its left versus right. Can't imagine you sitting that one out, you work hard.
IMHO
"shut down the workers"
what workers?
"Can't imagine you sitting that one out, you work hard.".
Again, my district in the Harbor Commission isn't up for grabs this time around so it's not on my ballot.
I'm not too happy with some things I hear coming out of the harbor commission, like some commissioners support for the NCRA, or paying two harbor pilots almost $150k each just for one ship that frequents Humboldt Bay each month, but they do seem business oriented. Not that business is the only thing that should be considered in regards Humboldt Bay.
While Quillez and Higgins give me the impression of being part of the sell- trinkets- to- tourist camp, they might not as anti- business as some of their supporters seem to be. And I don't mind the idea of some fresh points of view being on the commission.
the common line and just so everyone is clear "moving forward" or anything along those lines is LS rememer Kerigan the absolutely done nothing for Eureka candidate was moving Eureka forward kinda scary
"Moving Forward" didn't make that up. It is a common theme when running against long term (16 years in this case) incumbents.
LS didn't make that up is what I meant to say.
Comparing them to Bush isn't fair. This is actually more of a left Vs. left election. Ask Charles and Pat about any other issue and they will usually agree. Left leaning Democrats... the both of them!
I refuse to take a position in this race since I'm pro-rail, but very skeptical about port development. Both Charles and Pat are good people. I don't know a lot about the other three. Good thing I don't have to vote in either of those races.
Shane, we're all "pro-rail". Just that some folks like Pat are willing to talk realistically about it. Charles is the NCRA's own worst enemy. By making up and promoting giant port fantasy he has single handedly alienated virtually all of the environmental community of the north and south and brought on a significant lawsuit by Novato. This is not the sign of a good leader at any level and is why there is a real need for change.
You need to also look seriously at Ollivier's accomplishments in his 16 years on the commission.
Not much there.
"By making up and promoting giant port fantasy he has single handedly alienated virtually all of the environmental community of the north and south and brought on a significant lawsuit by Novato."
I don't entirely disagree with you. Charles and I are at fairly different places on environmental issues. But I'm not convinced that we should turn the tracks into a trail - that's my main beef with Pat.
I have differences with Charles on a number of issues. I was simply saying that I don't think it's fair to make this out to be right vs. left, which is kind of what David Cobb did, at least to some degree. There are environmental and economic issues, but they aren't necessarily right/left issues.
I don't feel like I know enough to take sides in the race. I was just commenting on the nature of the the debate that is currently taking place in our community.
Shane,
How does making a trail not get in the way of a train later?
I mean...
How does making a trail now get in the way of a train later?
I want some kind of a trail. Most people I talk to want a trail. That's not the problem. The concern is, once it's there, nobody is going to want to get rid of it to get the rail running again. A trail is an investment for the community. It shouldn't be a temporary thing.
I'm still not convinced that the trail couldn't be put somewhere else. Maybe somebody could make that case to me. I'm certainly trying to keep an open mind on this issue, but for now, I'm suspicious of proposals to put a trail where the tracks are.
I don't want to lose the rail forever. I certainly don't think it's going to happen as soon and as easily as Charles claims. But I want to leave the possibilities open. Putting a trail where the rail belongs doesn't strike me as intelligent planning.
Shane,
If you have been keeping up with this issue you would know that there is a rail/trail plan developed by HCAOG, so you can have both (assuming you have the money). That option is $32 million (or more) is unlikely to be funded as there is no viable train to operate. To put in a trail today is about $5 million. The only way a train will come here is when our nation is under great stress due to some "peak oil" situation. Under those conditions we would then move the trail or do rail/trail, as no trail advocate would possibly disagree with the need. It is bad planning to let the right of way (which is 40 to 50' wide) be lost due to neglect. In the end it could be the trail that actually saves the rail.
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The Harbor commission incumbents have had many years to construct a rail/port plan and attract the investment necessary to implement it. It hasn't happened, not even a plan that shows a positive return on investment. So they're left with a "build it and they will come" faith based strategy which the public(taxpayers, philanthropists, and Government officials) isn't willing to fund.
When people talk about "peak oil" as the basis for use of the right of way, they're deeply into lala land. But if "peak oil" as envisioned by the apocalyptic crowd ever did materialize, the hwy 101 right of way would be a much better choice for a rail transportation system, as it passes the populated locales.
Personally, if I were a railroad nut, I'd be hoping for a terrorist attack on the Oakland port. That event would likely result in funding of the railroad as a matter of national security. Unfortunately, that aligns railroad advocacy with disloyalty.
Its time for Harbor leaders with other ideas if these publicly owned assets are to provide a public benefit in our lifetimes.
I wouldn't vote for Pat Higgins for dog catcher. This is the man who acted like HCDCC's on-site thug when this Democrat challenged HCDCC's chairman Riggs to come clean about his and Local Solutions relationship to the HCDCC. Seriously, Pat followed me through the back hall of the HCDCC when I used the restroom there. He was making sure I didn't take any unauthorized peek at Local Solutions' office in the same building I think.
The guy's not anyone to put your trust in democracy in unless Progressive Brown-shirts are your style.
Heraldo and eric and Progs will push ANY Prog candidate regardless of ethics as long as they spout anti-Arkley, anti-cop, anti-Humbolod Bay development, anti-Palco, anti-this, anti-that, Prog retrogressive party line. Their recommendations are politically motivated so if you want more Prog lawsuits and community conflict without end, by all means, elect more Progs to public office.
Man Stephen - you are right on about Higgins. I have spoken to him at events and he just isn't right in the head.
Stephen, we were having an interesting discussion here. Too bad you couldn't be constructive. You could disagree with Higgins and try to make some points about the issues at hand, instead of just trying to drag people through the dirt.
It's just like the times people try to have debates about U.S. policy toward Israel and the Palestinians. There are valid points to be made on both sides, and then you swoop in and destroy the conversation with your anti-semitic holocaust minimizing garbage.
It's not helpful to anyone.
Shane, you've already shown yourself to be a dedicated camp follower of whatever ideology and whoever you think will bolster your political career.
Now you're in cahoots with HCDCC and Progs so of course you support the Prog slate of candidates no matter who they are. You now also spout the Prog smears of those who oppose Prog candidates regardless of what those candidates have demonstrated ethically in action are, like Pat Higgins demonstrated for me personally, no secondhand slander here but reporting Pat's actual behavior in a "Democratic" setting.
Evidently, my incident with Pat is not out of the norm for him from what other's have posted here and elsewhere. In short, if you value democratic principles, I would urge you not to vote for this man no matter how much biological science he throws at the public.
Shane, you can vote for Pat but I think you'd vote for any Prog candidate now because you've become another shill for the corrupt System, for the watered-down Cold War Left-Right status quo system in place. Now you're even willing to sell out Palestinians to local Zionists to keep your position politically correct in local Prog circles.
I know my Palestinian support is right on and you know it too but you're willing to cave into local Zionist pressure on Progressives to keep silent about Israeli injustice and Israel's responsibility for the one of the world's worst as well as longest crime against humanity--the invasion and 60 year occupation of Palestine.
I'm not running for office and I can tell the truth. You're one of the Prog Gang now and are stuck with having to talk out of both sides of your mouth like other Progs afraid of the Zionist character assassination attack that inevitably follows those with the guts to speak the truth.
Shane, you ever see the movie of the man who embodied the Code of the West who's name you bear? Think he'd rat out the sod-busters to the cattlemen with their hired guns coming in and taking their land?
Higgins is brilliant compared to the two of you.I had higher hopes for Shane.
For some here, their point of view always reverts to a particular issue or pet peeve. Often, it involves reinvigorating a long standing dispute that has nothing to do with the subject at hand.
They've gone from Harbor District election to the Middle East in one fell swoop, pausing briefly to recall some past slight or insult. So it's back to the "culture wars" which some people love to fight. Thats the real basis of unproductive conflict in the community, the people who have a scarred earth philosophy and would martyr us all to their cause.
Our nation's founders warned about the danger of "factions" to a democracy. These uncompromising Humboldters are the present embodiment of those warnings. Be wary of and avoid them and their counsel.
Which "uncompromising Humboldters" are you talking about?
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Um... Stephen... I'm not supporting Pat, nor am I supporting Carlos. Did you even read what I wrote? I explicitly said that I'm sitting this one out - not supporting anybody - because I have mixed feelings on rail issues. If you had bothered to read what I wrote you might have realized that much of the basis for your criticisms of me is simply incorrect.
And I wasn't criticizing you for your Palestinian support. My intent wasn't even to bring up the Middle East issue. I was pointing out how you always destroy democratic discussions with mud slinging, revisionist history, personal attacks, etc. Your attack on my non-existent support for Higgins' campaign is just one more example of this.
And Anon 11:58 - what kind of high hopes did you have for me? I'm just trying to engage in a dialog about rails and trails. I'm a community member with concerns and I want to talk to other community members with concerns, and maybe they'll change my mind and maybe they won't. What's wrong with that?
"I'm not supporting Pat, nor am I supporting Carlos. Did you even read what I wrote?"
"Both Charles and Pat are good people."
Your words, Shane. HCDCC endorses Pat and can't Carlos because he's supposedly a registered Republican but Progs endorse him 'cause he's pro-anti-harbor expansion like them.
These to are your words, Shane,
"There are valid points to be made on both sides, and then you swoop in and destroy the conversation with your anti-semitic holocaust minimizing garbage."
You try to paint yourself in respectably you just don't show yourself as you "swoop in and destroy the conversation" with your kow-towing to the local Zionist Prog promoters--after you're Commie misstep, can't be seen not being one of the Gang whatever they espouse..in this case blatant anti-Palestinian racist bigotry and total disregard for human rights abuse when it comes to Palestinians.
"anti-semitic garbage", Shane? When real live Semitic peoples both here in Humboldt County and in Israel and in the OPT count me as one who stands up for them? Huh, Shane? How about that bit of truth? And don't you really need to do some independent research yourself about the origins of Zionism and the people who got most all of Europe and America to make innocent Palestinians pay for their European crimes against Jews?
Where's Chomsky on your bookshelf, Shane?
There is no doubt that Israel is imperialist and apartheid in character. My problem is not with criticism of Israel, but rather with your extremist views on this and other issues. Everything you write about the Middle East sounds like it's from the Institute for Historical Review.
And yes, I said that both Charles and Pat are good people. I like them both. That wasn't an endorsement for either. It had nothing to do with a political agenda. I take issue with your depiction of Pat, just as I take issue with David Cobb's attempt to make this a Right/Left debate.
I prefer that people stick to the issues of rails, trails, conservation, port development, etc. What we have here are a couple of well intentioned left-leaning Democrats with differing views on the future of Humboldt Bay.
Back off, Steve. Shane is taking a middle of the road approach to this
issue, as I see it. You're making yourself looking like an extremist.
Not that there's anything necessarily wrong with that"
I would remind you that extremism in defense of liberty is no
vice...moderation in the pursuit of justice, no virtue... B. Goldwater
I think Shane is taking the middle road, maybe toward freedom, in this
issue. Who knows? Stop playing black vs. white.
Fred, read Shane's words that I quoted and then tell me again he's taking the "middle of the road" approach. I gave my opinion of Pat based on personal experience of the man and I would not vote for anyone who acted as he did when I was trying to get a word in edgewise at the HCDCC meetings controlled by the kangaroo court of democratic procedures that disallowed democratic representation at the HCDCC meetings under the control of Riggs (Salzman) and Local Solution.
Shane doesn't seem to have any problems with democracy being railroaded for political agendas but I do and if I can't speak my honest opinion here, Fred, I won't do so on your blog.
Well then Stevie, sniffle sniffle, take your ball and go home. Sounds like your version of Democracy is that anyone who hears your "honest opinion" and then disagrees with you, is being undemocratic. NOT
I'm sorry but if any of you critics would bother to actually read the comments I responded to, you would see that I am defending myself from more slander accusations and I'm tired of doing it.
I know what I experienced at the HCDCC meetings and I know another prominent intelligent Democrat who saw what I saw happening there and agreed with me, so no, I don't need to take flak from more pols who don't give a rat's ass about democracy when it comes to critics of their undemocratic actions or in Shane's case, their willingness to promote candidates who, like themselves, seem quite willing to break democratic rules since in their eyes the means justify the end result.
Stephen-Riggs stepped down, as did Higgins from the HCDCC. Milt Boyd is now chair and there are many new faces on the Committee. If you share the same core Democratic values as many of people on the Committee, try again. I assure you no one will chase you out the door.
Or just shut up already.
Amen, 11:56
Fred all the big words Cobb throws around is just a smoke screen to hide what a simpleton he is. If it weren't for talking points about Bush he gets from far,far,far,far,far,far,left web sites he'd be playing with his own shit on the side of a freeway off ramp. Fred you are 10 times,no,100 times,no, 1000 times his intellect. I never though the founders of the Green Party were anti-American. It is very sad that they have fallen victum to a Cobb up their arse.
I'm a Democrat. Not a Green. When HCDCC represents mainstream working families in Humboldt County and not those whose incomes derive from the State or from college students or from pot directly or indirectly, then you will see me at HCDCC meetings. Until I can see evidence of this happening which I cannot as your campaign recommendations are still more or less identical to Green Party recommendations, I don't see any need to participate as a Democrat until my Democratic Party represents local Democrats and not the loud and very active but still very much of a minority of Greens, enviros, and Progressives.
To be a working class union supporting democrat in Humboldt one needs to be at the local republican table.
6:49pm-A smidgen of truth to that.
"I assure you no one will chase you out the door."
With luck they won't let him in.
If you're not part of the Prog gang and don't agree with the Prog anti-everything free enterprise political agenda, it's true, you aren't welcome at HCDCC.
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