Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka

September 14, 2015

Lunch was raviolis, fried chicken, corn, garlic bread, our usual lovely salad bar, and berry cake.

"The Cartel"

Ziggy Ziegenfuss led us in the Pledge of allegiance, and Tom McMurray led our invocation.  We observed a moment of silence for Ron Nicholson (Valley of the Moon) who passed away recently.  Ron had been involved with our own Kim Bauriedel in our numerous projects with our Siberian Rotary clubs since 2001.  Tom also asked us to keep Steve Brodhag (SW Eureka) in our thoughts as he faces some health challenges.

Liana Simpson was our only visiting, well kind of visiting, Rotarian.

Andy, our exchange student from Taiwan, joined us.  He is doing well and getting use to Eureka High.  His first host family is Christian and Sally Hill. 

Klark Swan and Carly Robbins joined us from Lost Coast Rotaract.

Birthdays this week:  Jesse Klair, Ken Daer, and Matthew Owen

Anniversaries this week:  Phillip and Alana Nicklas, Dave and Patti Tyson, Corky and Annie Cornwell, Greg and Jenny Bowen, and Hawley and Laura Butterfield

Carol Rische also celebrated her 15 year Rotary Anniversary with our club.

Nancy Dean talked to us about our Sign Smith Fund grants which applications are due for soon. 

President Jay talked about District Governor nominations, and that our club was on the District Nominating committee this year.  If you are interested in pursuing the DG path please contact President Jay.

The Boys and Girls Club’s fundraiser is coming on September 26^th.  It will be held at the Elks Club starting at 5pm.  Both President Jay and Dennis Hunter have purchased tables and we are all encouraged to attend.

There is a District 5130 Lake County Fire Relief fun being set up.  More info will be coming soon on how to donate.

Linda Wise turned in her Red Badge for a much more appealing Blue Badge.  Way to go Linda!

President Jay then had Greg Williston on his feet to talk about what he does and his hobbies.  Greg is the Regional Manager for SHN Consulting Engineers and Geologists, which means he manages the project managers.  They work with small communities in Northern California.  They employ 100 folks, 50 of whom are at their Eureka location.  In his spare time Greg works on his house, does woodworking, and polishes fossilized sand dollars with a granite polisher.

Sean McLaughlin was on his feet next.  Sean is the Executive Director at Access Humboldt.  He manages the local benefits of our area cable franchise agreement with Suddenlink.  Access Humboldt is located on the Eureka High campus, has four public access cable channels, and plenty of equipment to help you edit video and content you would like to see on their public access channels.  Sean has long been a supporter of internet adoption efforts and enjoys reading on technology and associated regulations.  He moved to Humboldt from the great State of Hawaii.

Then it was time for a little non-gambling to benefit the County Science Fair.  George Owren won the Four Way Test coin, $10 went to John Winzler, and Greg Seiler missed picking the joker for $350, but received a cool four-way test paperweight.

Our program was from Rosemary Den Ouden.  She is the Director of the Humboldt Independent Physicians Association.  They help to manage health plans, improve health care delivery, and recruit physicians in Humboldt County.  98% of health care providers in Humboldt are members of their organization.

The title of her presentation was the Super Utilization Project.  The premise behind this project was to track and analyze members of our community that are disproportionately frequent users of emergency rooms in our county.  She noted that, as a nation, health care costs have risen 42% in the past 6 years.  Currently this averages about $8000 per year in medical costs per American.  Norway has an annual per capita expense of $4000 for health care related expenses.  The US life expectancy rate, when compared to other industrialized countries, is not commensurately higher as compared to what we are paying per capita. 

The top 1% of health care users are responsible for 20% of the dollars spent nationally on health care.  The top 5% of health care users are responsible for 50% of national health care expenses. 

This Super Utilizer tracking project worked to identify the most frequent users of our local emergency rooms in order to reduce ER utilization, and to understand why they were relying so heavily on the ER’s for their health care needs.  In a 6 month period some of the patients that they tracked had gone to the ER more than 80 times, and average of once every 2.25 days.  The study found that most of the Super Utilizers had a primary care physician.  The average Super Utilizer’s health care expenses, incurred on an annualized basis, were $28,000. 

The study found that assigning a care coordinator to frequent ER users was key in reducing the number of times they went to the ER.  Care coordinators primary role is to translate and clarify for the patient what their options were to achieve a better end result for their medical issues.  This also reduced annualized costs per participant. 

Lastly, she noted that mental health and substance abuse treatment is not available as they need to be in Humboldt County.  This lack of availability of treatment contributes greatly to ER overutilization.

Yours in Rotary Service,

Carlton Nielsen

Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka

August 10, 2015

Aloha Lunch Menu:  Salad bar, teriyaki chicken, sweet and sour pork, rice, vegetables, rolls, dessert.

Called to order by President Jay Bahner at 12:30pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jack MacDonald.  The Invocation was led by Craig Hansen.

Dennis Reinholtsen was our visitor from Fortuna Rotary.

Nancy Dean introduced Winship Middle School Interact Club visitors… Sheila- Principal, Leah- Advisor, Linley – Interact President (granddaughter of Jim Davis), and VP and Treasurer of the  Interact club were also there. 

Joan Davies introduced her daughter, Elizabeth Harper and Matthew Owen introduced Christina Giovanni.  President Jay introduced his guests, Roger and Bridget McCourt (today’s speakers).

Keith Crossley gave the Rotary Minute and noted that our Rotary International President sent an email out that for 1 year Nigeria has had no polio.  Tomorrow there will have been no polio in Africa.  Keith urged all Rotarians to step up and donate to end this disease.  $306 million is needed to reach the outlying areas of Pakistan, the last country at this time to have cases of polio.  The Bill and Linda Gates Foundation matches all Rotary donations 2 to 1.

This week’s birthdays include Past President and Past District Governor, Dave Dillon, Rick Littlefield, Gary Todoroff, Keith Crossley’s wife, Carole Crossley.  Anniversaries include Virginia Bass and Matthew Owen – 9 years, fined $15; Dave & Carol Dillon, Ken and Kay Stodder - 42 years, $42 fine; Greg and Laura Williston - 30 years, $30.

Gregg Gardiner presented President Jay with a Hanalei Bay T-shirt from the current President of the Hanalei Bay club in Kauai.  This is the club Past President Gardiner founded and was President of.

Bruce Emad and Hank Pierson took a backpacking trip with their mules to the top of a mountain.  In recognition of this momentous event they were asked to spin the wheel.  They both spun $15 which doubled to $30 if they didn’t answer the question correctly.  The Cartel’s question posed by Ken Stodder… What did Sir Isaac Newton invent? (The Cat Door.)  The mule-packing duo was unable to answer the question and somehow, due to the mathematical prowess of our President, ended up paying $60 each as a fine.

The Winship Interact Club was asked to step to the front of the room and were enthusiastically welcomed into the club, receiving their official banner.  Nancy Dean noted that this Interact club was made possible by Gregg and Kathy Gardiner who started the process.  She also noted that this club has already completed a number of projects.

Will Kay won a Rotary coin, $10 by Ray Wickle and Suzette from the Interact club drew from the deck of cards for a pot of $230 but received a Rotary paperweight.  Ken Stodder won a Happy Camper mug, which he claimed would make a great anniversary gift for his wife.

Roger and Bridget McCourt, our guest speakers, are the head of the Salvation Army in Eureka. They arrived in Eureka 4.5 weeks ago.  The Salvation Army was founded by itinerant pastor, William Booth in 1865.  He was known for working with the poor in East London.  He saw the original Salvation Army as a training ground to introduce people to God and how to attend church.  Today the Salvation Army is in 27 countries.  They preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and help people without discrimination.  They’ve been in Eureka since 1888.  They provide multiple services adult rehabilitation, veterans affairs, prison ministries, elderly services, combating human trafficking, missing persons, services for children, housing for homeless, helping when needed as with the fires that are currently happening here.  Roger served 400 – 500 meals last week at the Hayfork evacuation center.  

The Salvation Army in Eureka has a canteen truck (currently under repair) that was originally founded by the Eureka Rotary Clubs 20 years ago.  They provide 3,500 families with assistance each year, last year they provided 300 Thanksgiving boxes and 500 meals at Christmas, in addition to toys.  Bridget said that if you are looking for ways to support, they need volunteers to ring the bells at the red kettles at the holidays- that’s where 75% of their budget comes from.  About 20% of their clients are homeless locally.  They try to find ways to help people out of their situation, not just provide services.  The Salvation officers are all ordained pastors.  Bridget first joined the Salvation Army in 2000. A co-worker invited them to church and, after a little prodding, they finally went.  That night Roger went into a diabetic coronary and the pastor of the church showed up and stayed with he and his wife through the entire scary time.  When Roger’s job as an IT person ended due to a merger, the Salvation Army asked him to come work with their youth and then he gradually ended up where he is today.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:30pm.

Respectfully submitted, Alicia Cox

Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka

August 3, 2015

Lunch Menu: Salad bar, chicken nuggets, roast beef, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, dessert.

Called to order by President Jay Bahner at 12:30pm.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ken Stoddard. The invocation was led by Greg Williston.

Traveling Rotarians, Baron Manfred and Baroness Ingra were visiting from Washington.

Rick Littlefield introduced Stephen Prokop, Superintendent of Redwood National and State Parks (also our program today).  Steve Justus introduced Eric from Sweden who is married to Steve’s Finn “daughter”.  Gregg Gardiner introduced John McManus from the Serenity Inn, Kurt White General Manager of Bayshore Mall, and Gregg’s daughter Kate.  Jerry Reece introduced his son-in-law, Bill.  Pat Folkins introduced Rick’s wife and his grandson Eric. Dr. Kim Bauriedel introduced his wife Sile.  Christian Hill introduced his son Jack Hill.  Jay Reed introduced his daughter Evangelina.  Jason Eads introduced his mother Janet Eads, his wife Stacey and their daughters Hannah, Olivia and Helen.  Mindy Bussman introduced her best friend’s daughter, Kylie and her son, Nate who she rented for the bring your son or daughter to Rotary day. Carlton introduced his sons.

Kurt Barthel, Pat Folkins, David Hull’s wife Crystal and Steve Justus are all celebrating birthdays.  Steve noted that today is his youngest grandaughter’s 1^st birthday and insisted on being fined. After spinning $25 on the Rotary Wheel, President Jay turned that into a $50 fine by having Ken Stoddard ask a double or nothing question, “How many noses does a slug have?” (Slugs have a total of FOUR noses.) The Cartel gave Steve a thumbs down for having the incorrect answer and Steve increased the total fine to $150 in recognition of his granddaughter.

A special anniversary, Ken Stoddard celebrated his 43^rd year in Rotary on August 1^st.  Anniversaries included George and Gail Owren- 51 years, Pat and Sheila Folkins- 55 years, Craig and Lisa Hansen, Tom and Karin McMurray, Greg and Mary Sparks, and Susan and Brian Tissot. Pat Folkins volunteered to sing the Rotary wheel in honor of his 55^th anniversary and landed on the $15.  Double or nothing question… What is a group of bears called? (A group of bears is a SLOTH.)

Gonged for $30.

President Jay reminded everybody to wear a Hawaiian shirt next Monday.  In fact he reminded us 3 times during the meeting so it sounds like it would definitely be in your best interest to wear a Hawaiian shirt Monday. August 27^th is cook your own steak Coast Guard Night at the Elks Lodge.  President Jay still needs more people to sign up. 

PP Gregg Gardiner asked Jaison Chand, John McManus and Kurt White to come to the front of the room.  Gregg noted that Bayshore Mall was doing some remodeling last year and contacted him about possible groups that could use things like benches, trash cans, planters and a large playground structure.  Eureka City Schools and the Boys and Girl’s Club both received a number of items and Serenity Inn received the playground structure. 

John McManus is the Executive Director of the Drug and Rehabilitation Program at the Serenity Inn, which provides low-income transitional housing.  Before the donation of the playground structure the kids were playing in the parking lot when he first arrived.  He noted that for kids who have already gone through so much in their lives it’s nice to let them be kids.  As a thank you to Bayshore Mall, John gave Kurt White a beautiful framed thank you letter and provided the Rotary Club of Eureka with a photo of the kids playing on the new structure.  Jaison Chand headed up the construction of the playground and said that Del Biaggio and DCI Construction donated the help of a carpenter to assist and a number of the residents at Serenity Inn volunteered their time to make it happen. Serenity Inn is still in need of a commercial BBQ, benches and picnic tables if anybody knows of items that are available.  In honor of Kurt White’s donation PP Gardiner said that the Rotary Club of Eureka had made a substantial donation to the Rotary Foundation in his name. 

Elan Firpo was brought into the club by her sponsor, Jaison Chand.  PP Nancy Dean gave the PP address.

A Rotary coin was won by Jack MacDonald and Jason Eads.  Pat Folkins drew from the deck of cards for the joker and a pot of $210 but received a consolation egg timer instead.

Rick Littlefield introduced our guest speaker Stephen Prokop, Superintendent of Redwood National and State Parks as well as being Rick’s son’s boss.  Stephen has a BS in Marketing and came to Redwood National and State Parks in 2013.  His wife Christine is a nurse at Sutter Coast Hospital in Crescent City where they reside.

Stephen said that Redwood National and State Parks is one of the few partnerships between national and state parks in the United States.  The park runs from Orick to Crescent City.  It was formed in 1994 because visitors were confused about which part of the park was Federal vs State and because it helped with the overhead expenses as so many costs were being duplicated.  Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Redwoods State Park, Prairie Creek are all encompassed by the National Park.  It was originally established in 1968 and the economic impacts to Humboldt County are significant.  It is estimated that 79 million dollars is added to the economy each year from the parks and 700 jobs are created. 1.3 million visitors come each year and this is a low estimate.  Congress recently allotted 6 million to acquire 6 acres in Orick. which will make this park the largest old growth Redwood forest in the world. This new addition will include a $10 million dollar visitor center that will be built at the site of the old Orick Mill. This is intended to be a grand entrance to the park for visitors.  The Save the Redwood League is financing the entire visitor center and John Muir's grandson is slated to be the guest speaker at the grand opening ceremony in 2016. Congress has voted additional money to hire youth for the centennial event there will be Kayak tours, a reintroduction of the California Condor, etc.

Other noteworthy things at the park include the work they are doing with the Yurok Tribe at the mouth of the Klamath. The National Parks owns 1,200 acres there are they are working with the tribe to protect the culturally sensitive sites. The Park is also working with Cal Trans on the Last Chance Grade bypass. The committee is currently looking at 7 possible alternative routes. The Park has an active social network including Facebook, Instagram and YouTube that he encourages everybody to visit.  His priorities include improving the volunteer program, improving ADA access, and dealing with the sudden Oak Death disease, which has affected some Oak trees in the park.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:30pm.

Respectfully submitted, Alicia Cox

Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka

July 20, 2015

Lunch was a choice of Beef Hash or enchiladas, corn, ciabatta rolls, salad bar and brownies. 

Jerry Reece led us in the salute to the flag.  

Greg Pierson gave the invocation. We were asked to remember Cynthia Van Vleck, who passed away recently .  She had a long career in County Schools, and is the mother of Fred Van Vleck.

President Jay Bahner went straight to introducing our speaker District Attorney Maggie Flemming, who was on a tight schedule.  Flemming took over in January and started making improvements immediately.  She started looking at police reports in real time so that miscreants who were in custody weren’t released before their files were assessed.  She has instituted vertical integration so that cases aren’t handed off from person to person.  She reviews all trial assignments.  She currently has 716 open felony cases including 9 murder cases and 8 vehicular manslaughter cases.  She has a staff of 12 deputy district attorneys to assist her.  Their annual budget is 6,000,000. 1,400,000 is coming from Measure Z.  She has an “Early Resolution Court” where those who plead guilty get a discount on their sentences.  70% of all misdemeanors get pled out. 

After a few questions, we went to the drawing. Remember that guy who won $10 last week?  He won again and this time he got an hourglass with the Rotary Four Way Test on it and a chance to draw a card for the prize pot.  It was a four of clubs.  Next week he could become a Triple Crown Winner if his ticket is drawn for the four way test coin.  To place bets put cash in a self-stamped envelope and give it to Hank Ingham. 

We had a special presentation from John Driscoll, Congressman Jared Huffman’s representative.  

Steve Justus, Gregg Gardiner, Pat Folkins, and John McBeth received Certificates of Special Congressional Recognition for their involvement in Honor Flights.

Gregg Gardiner was detained for additional recognition.  The Rotary Club of Kauaii gave him a proclamation declaring Gregg Gardner Day  for his efforts on behalf of their power company. He spun the new Rotary Wheel of Fortune and was assessed a $200 fine.  Then he was given his past president’s badge and a Happy Camper Mug and sent packing. 

Keith Crossley gave the Rotary Minute.  Jerry Reece was asked to do a business craft talk.  He recently sold his McDonald’s stores and now he and his wife run a Cruise Planning Business. 

Steve Lafferty got a thank you note from the Senior Resource Center because the Rotary Small Grants committee gave them a $2000 grant.

August 3 is Bring your kids to Rotary Day.  Don’t drop them off and leave. 

August 27^th is Coast Guard Appreciation Cook Your Own Steak Night at the Elks Club.  By yourself a Steak for $20 and then contribute another $20 to buy some Coastie a steak.  Cocktails at 5pm and dinner at 6pm. 

As a parting thought, Jay reminded us that on this date Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon, all because in the show “The Honeymooners” Ralph Cramden made a fist and said “To the moon, Alice!” 

Submitted by Hank Ingham.

Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka 

July 13, 2015

Lunch: fried chicken, spaghetti with meatballs, macaroni salad, scalloped potatoes, garlic bread and salad bar.

This was Jay Bahner’s first meeting as President of Rotary. Before the meeting started, he asked everyone to step outside and greet the new “cartel,” which was composed of all the people who sat at what was formerly known as “The old folks’ table.”  They filed in accompanied by applause.  Apparently they have a vote, and can give thumbs up or thumbs down to things yet unspecified. 

After everybody re-seated themselves they all stood up as Jim Howard led us in the pledge of allegiance.  Bill McAuley gave the invocation. 

Among the visiting Rotarians was District Governor Erin Dunn.  She proceeded to the podium along with Jay’s wife Vonnel. Mrs. Bahner was awarded her Paul Harris Fellowship to a standing “o”.  Jay then cued Carlton to play a very touching 4 minute Japanese Insurance commercial (It had sub-titles) followed by a video from a news story by News Channel 3’s Brad Curtis. 

Carly Robbins was recognized for her efforts as the story detailed how she and fellow Lost Coast Interact members raised over $30,000 for Betty Chinn’s Homeless Center. 

Then Jay said we were going to get to know our own club members and what they do.  He asked Dan Heinen to give the first Business focused craft talk.  Dan is the Operations Manager of Express Employment Professionals and a scuba Diver.  He has a dive shop in Fairhaven.  Jay gave Dan a Happy Camper Mug at the conclusion of his talk.  Dan was overwhelmed and mugged for the camera.

President Jay reminded us of the Barbeque and potluck at his place 3pm Saturday July 18^th.  The whole family is invited, so bring your brats whether they be children or sausages.  Then it was time for the drawing. 

This year’s Spengler Howard raffle involves 3 prizes.  Jason Eads won a coin with the four-way test on it.  Hank Ingham won $10, a more deserving fellow you’ll never find. Sue Bosch drew for the $130 pot.  She pulled the 8 of spades. 

Jay Bahner then introduced our speaker- OPEN DOORS CLINIC CEO, Herman Spetzler – In  1977 he and his wife thought Eureka would be a good place to spend a few years. He knew he was joining an organization scraping for every dollar and pinching every penny, but the committed people who began Open Door Clinic in 1971 were convincing: there wasn't enough access to health care on the north coast and he could do something to change that.  Today they are the largest healthcare provider in Humboldt County.  They served 75,000 patients last year.  They have expanded dramatically with 560 employees.  Their biggest challenge is to attract health care professionals to their organization.  New doctors just out of school often are saddled with $300,000 in student loans.   They are not looking to open a practice because that is too risky.  They want the Kaiser Healthcare model.  Their staff is divided into “pods” of 10 people, a physician, nutritionist, and support staff.  They are working on a “Portal” so that patients can use the internet and not have to come into the office for routine issues.  Spetzler is looking to taper into retirement.  He would like to see a community resume exchange so that the partners of new physicians can find employment.  Open Door will even pay as much as $10,000 to relocate grandparents to Eureka for their employees so that childcare will be available. 

The meeting ended with a lei presented to Jay by Carlton, substituting for Gregg Gardiner who was “stuck in Hawaii “ and missed the meeting.

Submitted by $10 winner Hank Ingham

Burl 6/8/2015

Today’s meal: Swiss Chicken, Pork, scalloped potatoes, vegetable medley, garlic bread and coconut cake.  Christian Hill was substituting for President Gregg Gardiner.  He asked Ken Stodder, an ardent Boston Red Sox fan, to lead the pledge.  Matt Mesner gave the invocation.  Keith Crossley narrated the Rotary Minute.  This is Polio Plus’s 25^th Anniversary. Keith gave five reasons to continue the program. To prevent future outbreaks, because it’s treatable, it’s a good investment, saving millions in future medical costs, and because it sets the stage for the next Rotary Program.  

John Burger was wearing a DePaul Shirt because his son goes there.  No fine. 

Tom Schallert has a new granddaughter, Lillian Margaret.  He offered to start a Paul Harris Fellowship for her. 

Chuck Ellsworth was appointed to the Headwaters Fund Board but he missed the first meeting so he has nothing to report.  He did, however, narrate a slide show on the Lincoln Funeral Carriage that Blue Ox reproduced and shipped to Springfield Ill.  He had worked on the gold filigree and lettering.  During transport the dry heat of the South West caused the wood to shrink, cracking some of the castings.  They had to pull a series of 18 hour days to get it ready for the funeral celebration.  Chuck estimated that it cost a million dollars to build.  Body not included. 

Ray Wickel, who attends two meetings a year, drew the winning ticket and selected the joker from a 9 card deck, thus ending the suspense of who would win the $790. 

Matthew Owen introduced our speaker, Charlotte McDonald, executive director of Eureka Main Street.  They oversee Arts Alive, the 4^th of July Celebration, the Summer Concert Series, and the Crab Festival. This was the first year for the crab festival.  It had 1400 visitors who walked from Restaurant to Restaurant sampling crab themed appetizers in spite of the bad weather and lack of crabs.  They have big plans for the Fourth of July Fireworks.  It occurs on the same day as Arts Alive, so things should be hopping.  She also mentioned that they   had creative a Merchants Neighborhood watch program to address security concerns in Old Town.  One of her greatest accomplishments is the revitalization of Saturday Arts Alive.  Because of the support of the City of Eureka, the Eureka Chamber of Commerce, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau the once a month city wide art exhibition has become a tourist draw and has even received National Recognition.

Submitted by Hank Ingham

050415 Burl

Burl 5/4/2015

The Menu: Chicken in sauce or pork ribs, scalloped potatoes, garlic bread, and salad bar. Police Chief Andy Mills led us in the pledge.  Carlton Nielsen gave the invocation. President Gregg Gardiner recognized Neil Carnam, who had just returned from Nepal.  He was at the Mt. Everest base camp four days before the earthquake.  He said the trip was a lifelong dream and he felt very lucky to have survived it. He will give a brief travelogue next week before our program (Cal Fresh).  

Our Prez recognized Ziggy Ziggenfuss for a recent TV ad of him running the St. Joseph Hospital shuttle program.  Dave Wells finally got his Blue Badge. Then we had the drawing.  Greg Bowen won the bottle of wine and Jay Bahner, given a 1 out of 13 chance to win $740, drew the ten of hearts.  

Our program on the homeless problem included 8 different presenters so we got right to it. Supervisor Virginia Bass introduced the subject.  She said it’s important to distinguish between the homeless problem and the panhandling problem.  Many panhandlers have homes.  Some young families working low paying jobs are homeless.  The current estimate is that there are 600 homeless, half local and half transients.  50-60% have mental issues and 70-80% abuse drugs or alcohol.  She’s a member of CHIP, Creative Homeless Improvement Program.   The group meets every Thursday and includes business owners service providers and the Police Chief.  

The Police Chief then took his turn.  He’s for a compassionate solution, but is pressing to find a location for a more structured and hygienic homeless camp.  They hauled off 100 tons of trash and 800 shopping carts from “The Devil’s Playground”.  They made over 5000 arrests and relocated 1800 people to other cities.  Their mobile intervention services team swept the camp and found 16 guns.  They have been passing out flyers telling people not to give cash to the panhandlers.   

Phillip Crandall, Director of the Humboldt County Health and Human Services Department, spoke next.  They are planning to expand the MAC building over by Target adding 60 beds.  The homeless need housing, it turns out.  He passed out a sheet that debunked some of the myths about General Relief.  In spite of the general feeling that the number of homeless is increasing, the GR caseload is 183, down from 227 in 2014.  GR vouchers cannot be used for drugs cigarettes and alcohol.  DHHS doesn’t provide any funding though any of its programs to support people’s dogs or other pets. The average payment in California is $296 a month.  Humboldt County pays $303.  

Betty Chin was next. She operates the Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless foundation.  She feeds 450-500 people a day.  She’s found housing for 129 single men.  She has provided housing, transportation to schools, and other services She said we don’t see some of the neediest homeless because they hide in the bushes and never come out. 

Other speakers included Pamela Milsap EPD homeless liaison officer who noted that there are no drug or alcohol treatment programs for persons under 18.  Fox Olsen Arcata Homeless Advocate wanted a transitional housing program. She had an on the job training plan that would pay half the salary of an employee.  

Nezzie Wade represented Affordable Homeless housing Alternatives.  She co-managed micro housing.  

Finally Bryan Lee Hall of the Eureka Rescue Mission asked us what we thought when we saw a turtle on a fencepost.  “Someone put it there”.  The homeless need to change the way they think to become contributing members of the community and someone needs to give them hope and training.  Someone has to put them on that fencepost.  And how do you get off the fencepost? Stay tuned.

 Hank Ingham Burl Writer