Rotary Club of Eureka, California

Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka
May 14, 2012

Pledge and Invocation

President pro tem Hank Ingham, surrounded by reporters, asked John Burger to lead the pledge. Then Bruce Rupp led the invocation expressing gratitude for the nice weather and, without wincing, the political process in which we are about to engage. 

Raffle

Winners were Ziggy Ziegenfuss and one other person whom I did not recognize.

Exchange Student

In spite of being youthful and beautiful, exchange student Tonje Sarum had nothing to report about any recent adventures or travels.

Student Guests

Tess Armstrong and Joshua Ulansey from Eureka High School.

 

Visiting Rotarians 

Liana Simpson from Old Town and Melinda Ciarabellini from Southwest.

 

Guests of Rotarians

Shannon Falk Carlsen with Boy Scouts came with Susie Smelser; Asa Shively from Edward Jones. Keith Crossley brought his wife Carol, Bruce Rupp’s his wife Marilyn, and Dick Storre his wife Debbie. Matt Owen introduced Mike Jones, and Dan Heinen brought Mike Newman--both members of Eureka City Council.

Announcements

John Bradley mentioned Backpack for Kids Buddy Night tickets will be sold today as the last chance. The fundraiser will be held at Cher-ae Heights Casino Sunday night at 6:30 pm. Donations are still needed; if you can donate an item to be auctioned please talk to Jeff Leonard.

 

Our next club board meeting is May 30^th.

 

Jay Reed just earned his blue badge and is to be congratulated.

Anyone not wearing a shirt put $5 on the table, said Hank Ingham. Steve Beckman asked not to be recognized, so Hank said, “I don’t know you.”

Chuck Ellsworth was accused by Pres pro tem Hank of various things, some of them profane or silly, but finally admitted that he did go to Texas to run a race with Jim Hoff. That will be $145, Chuck.

Roy Frostenson was accused of nefarious heroic deeds like bagging a buck with a Ford F-150.  But it turns out that he did go to South Africa—that’ll be $145.

Stacy Lane, “Where have you been?” asked Hank. She responded, San Francisco, San Diego and back. Hank recognized her for the heck of it in spite of her meager itinerary.

Dan Heinen was perhaps going 80 mph in a parking lot, or raising artificial flowers, but actually went to a place that begins with ‘C’ and no one could pronounce or spell.

Ziggy Ziegenfuss got accused of being the following: bartender at Elks Club, honor flight attendee and soon to be Rotary moderator. Guilty on all three counts.

Anniversaries

Ted and Anne Loring (5/2), Steve Beckman and Ellie Lee (5/5), Dale and Jeannemarie Warmuth (5/5), Kurt and Linda Barthel (5/10), Lane and Susan Strope (5/15), Cindy and John Cree (5/17), Gregg and Beth Foster (5/20), Ryan and Jamie Fray (5/25), 

Birthdays

Susie Smelser and Will Kay (5/1), John Winzler (5/5), Chuck Edwards (5/7), John Ash and David Kuta (5/9), Dale Warmath (5/11), John Bartholomew (5/19), Robert Prior (5/22), Dan Price and Carlton Nielsen (5/15), Joe Mark (5/17), Craig Hansen (5/18), Larona Farnum (5/28)

Program

Beth Matsumoto from The League of Women Voters served as moderator and introduced the candidates. First she asked them to make opening statements.

Brief opening statements:

Click here to watch the video of today's forum.

(Candidate web sites can be access by clicking on their name below)

Cheryl Seidner thanked the League and Rotary for hosting this event. She was born and raised in the First District, went to school in Loleta, and has lived here ever since (except for 3 years). Her roots go deep here. As supervisor she would look to people who live here and wants to hear their ideas to get direction.

Rex Bohn thanked Rotary and The League of Women Voters. He is running because he wants to take his community commitment a step further. While supervisors can’t create jobs, they can open the door to business and create good laws regulating building and zoning. Rex loves the County of Humboldt.

Annette Demodena said service is the key to the way she lives her life. Since leaving teaching she has volunteered for numerous positions including many boards and the Grand Jury. She says she understands the concept of service, she also understands the need for jobs, transportation, etc.

Question #1: Name one piece of legislation that the County Supervisors have done that has benefited the county.

Annette: The General Plan.

Cheryl Seidner says, So many things, but the supervisors must listen to the people of the community. Prosperity is fabulous, but we need to listen to the people.

Rex Bohn said they have managed the headwaters fund well. He also approved the laying of the redundant fiber optics cable.  Committing land to the oyster industry has benefited us, and this little niche industry is a great usage of our bay. 

Question #2: Please share your thoughts and plans for economic development and environmental protection.

Rex Bohn Those can go hand in hand says Rex. He gave several examples of companies that are doing a good job at doing both. The County needs to develop a what can we do for you, rather than, what can we do to hold you back, attitude.

Annette Hates to agree with Rex, but there can be a balance between economic development and environmental protection. Our harbor needs to be improved. We need to protect the land and use it responsibly.

Cheryl: streamline our regulations and put them in one place. Talk to one another and communicate better with each other. Education is important. University and City College need to reeducate people who want to go back to another job. Environment and economy go hand in hand. 

Question #3: The County planning and building process including the staffing and budget--how would you regulate these?

Cheryl: Communication is key. Sometimes the county planners are at odds with each other and sending mixed messages. We need to come together to plan better and communicate better.

Rex: the board of supervisors will address this tomorrow. In other counties the supervisors actually look forward to doing business with you and, finally, talk to the people who do business here; they might have the answers.

Annette: Planners need to give service to those who are the customers; there must be a review system.  Board of supers is working on a division of duties. Planning Dept. needs to be smaller, headed by new persons.

Question #4 Who are your largest financial supporters? 

Rex has had over 900 people contribute to his campaign, including a lady who gave him a dollar. He said the Sheriff gave something like $5,000. Jack Rieke of Ace Hardware is also a large supporter. And finally, I have envelopes if anyone wants to donate to my campaign.

Cheryl: her treasurer deals with all the money that comes in and she sees little of it. Most of the donations are between $5 and $1,000.  Humboldt County Employees gave her $1500. Grassroots and putting people first. This is about you and not about me. 

Annette agreed. Her highest contributor gave $1,000 dollars. It’s about you and not about me.

Question #5: What specific programs would you advocate to bring jobs here?

Annette: Harbor revitalization. Harbor must be used; do a feasibility railroad study. We need to build an east and west railroad. Harbor then could take the grain to Asia cheaper.

Rex: there are a lot of employers in our room. Schooling and training are important. If you have a trade work force that is good, industries will come. Also throw in the pre-permitted property on top of that will attract businesses. They will come because this is a great place to be.

Cheryl: our bay is under utilized. Make it so the youth can stay here. It’s great to come back home after going away to school. Streamline regulations. Can’t depend on retail. Rely upon ourselves for the solutions.

Question #6: Please address your experience in private sector, public sector and governmental agencies.

Cheryl: Tribal chair of Wiyot Tribe, Humboldt County Schools office, Indian Action Council, worked at HSU for 28 years in he educational opportunity program. Helped them fill out applications, homesickness, whatever they needed.

Annette: Taught for 28 years. Ran a small business. Worked at Arthur Johnson’s.

Rex: has been at it since 9 years old sorting bottles for his dad’s store and collecting baseball cards. Has worked in agriculture, owned a small restaurant in Eureka, bar and restaurant. Worked for small family owned businesses, and then at the Pulp Mill.  Can hit on both sides of the plate.

Question #7 If selected what is your approach to Occupy Humboldt Group?

Annette: I believe in free speech. So, no problem with them being there. But it became a problem in taking away the rights of others. Action had to be taken. I know the supervisors will study it and do what is right.

Cheryl: speech is very important. Not a good thing to stop free speech. That was not a good way to go about it. If they feel disenfranchised they can’t voice their opinion. The beginning of Occupy started with teachers and professors.... others moved in.

Rex: I don’t think our forefathers planned on having people camp at the county seat, or defecating on nearby property. So today they can’t sleep on county land, but now they sleep on Cal Trans property, which means the sidewalk. They are adversely affecting those going to work. We need to fix it.

Question: #8: What is the biggest strength of your opponent? And which would you vote for if not yourself?

Rex: I have two very nice ladies who are running against me. But, if I had to vote to for one or the other, I might not vote at all.

Annette: Rex has name recognition and Cheryl is a dear friend, and a good soul. I’d vote for Cheryl. But, of course, I will vote for me.

Cheryl: I’ve been sitting with these two individuals for 4-5 weeks and we chat and hug and rap on each other. We all have good strengths. Each one thinks highly of their strengths and themselves. Rex, you need to vote. I registered at 21 years and will vote.

Question #9; What can be done to help small businesses in Humboldt?

Cheryl: Listening to them; buy local. When I shop 99% of my vegetables from Farmer’s Markets. We need to streamline the regulations. While we cannot eliminate them, we need smaller government. Put people first, or things get out of hand. Work with businesses that are here and make them viable.

Rex: I was raised with a small business. So many government regulations are aimed at 24-25 employees. We should shift regulations to the amount of net income rather than number of employees. Talk to small businesses and find out what they do well.

Annette: give them a labor force that is adequate to their needs. Prosperity 2012 assesses the training that they need. New jobs require better training and education, more certificates. Look at regulations and they are crippling. The amount that is needed to put out in money for a new business damages job creation.

Question #10: What issues or challenges do you identify as being specific to the first district? And list solutions.

Annette: It is too early to prescribe solutions. We have diversity of enterprise: dairies, city workers, oysters, and farmers.  We need roads; we need to make sure ht Redwood Highway works for our good. We need to work together.

Cheryl: We have a big community from mountain and hills to pavement of Eureka. Three rivers than must be kept clean. Other enterprises are illegal: the marijuana growers are banking our streams. That part that hurts the environment must be regulated even though they have 215 cards.

Rex: Eel River Potter Valley diversion would be terrible. Wind farm Shell oil energy wind farm proposals. 20-year-old units on top of the ridge are old and cumbersome and need to be re thought.

Question # 11: Should the community financially support another airline into Humboldt County?

Rex: If you live on the south side of Humboldt it is only 4 and a half hours to drive to the Bay Area. No, we should not subsidize a bankrupt airport. As a company, we bought a $25,000 credit card for Delta and did not get to use it.

Annette: I’m not sure; we would have to look at that. It is not the business community’s responsibility to do that. I’d like to see more statistical work being done to show what those airlines can do for us. Rather than what we do for them. Let’ look closer at what they give us.

Cheryl: I think about the Shell Wind Farms in Ferndale; we are giving our taxpayer money away
for a foreign company. WWII we brought pilots here and it’s hard to get in and out of here, I know. I have to see more statistics and more reports. Again, it is going to take us all.

Question #12: What is your feeling about the Richardson Grover diversion?

Annette: We need to see it through; I want to see it done.

Cheryl: Realignment is a good idea. We need to bring things in and get things out. There are lots of things going further than Humboldt County. My Dad was a faller; he fell the big redwood trees. I would like to not see those trees go.

Rex: for the safety of the kids who ride school buses and it only effects about 8 trees, none of them old growth.  People today are having to reload trucks in Oakland and it costs 800 to 900 dollars per load.

Closing statements:

Cheryl: Thank you for your time. Think about it and choose wisely. I am endorsed by Wes Chesbro and Patti Berg. My door will always be open; it will not be closed.

Annette: One thing I have seen is the concept of we and they. It has to stop. Create unity, whether with development plan. Not my agenda vs. your agenda. I offer a new voice and a new vision. I ask for your vote because together it works for all of us.

Rex: I decided I was going to run four years ago. Observing what is going on. I know people all across the county; I can bring people together. I met with Longshoremen and they endorse me.  We can ship out of here, not just logs going out unfinished. I am running for the kids, so that they can stay here if they want to stay.

Respectfully Submitted,

Dan Price