"That boy’s finger does not need to be on the button."

A remark by Representative Geoff Davis in reference to Obama. He has since apologized.

I think campaign fatigue is setting in, and that can be very dangerous in an age where anything you say as a candidate will find its way onto Youtube.

Ed Denson’s questions for Estelle (or anyone else)

In response to the ER article I missed in which Estelle criticizes Roger for job loss, Ed asks the following questions:

Eric, if you post the original article about Estelle challenging Roger on jobs please put this there.

The quotes are from the Eureka Reporter article, not the candidates.

Meanwhile Estelle has attacked Roger because in the years he has been supervisor the number of timber jobs has dropped in the 10 years he has been in office from 658 to 385, and the timber job losses in the 2nd district have been higher than the other districts. She “would change” that, and prepare the second district for jobs which were not resource dependent. She would diversity into techonology jobs in infuse capital using the Headwaters money.

Clif proposes “creating a business environment that will both attract and support living wage jobs.” striking “a balance” between “light industry”. resource based jobs “in sustainable numbers”, and “new businesses”

Any one who has been to a meeting about the future of Humboldt’s economy in the past 15 years could say what Clif and Estelle have said, since everyone knew the timber and fishing would run out, especially as they were being conducted.

So, here are some questions for the challengers:

1. Is part of the Supervisor’s work bringing jobs to his/her district? Should the Supervisor be held responsible for declining jobs in the district?

2. What has Roger done, or not done, in the past 10 years that has materially affected the number of jobs in the 2nd district.

3. The timber jobs declined because PL collapsed after the Headwaters Forest was bought by the government. Was that Roger’s fault? Didn’t we consevationists want PL to cut employment to sustainable levels? What could have been done to preserve those jobs, and PL, the employer, without overcutting the forests?

4. What actual steps do you propose taking to bring new jobs to the district? Are there employers you would approach? Are there things the county Board could do to make employers more likely to come here?

5. If you are going to solve the problem by “getting a grant”, where are you going to get it, how much, and what will you do with it? How do you know that there is any way at all to bring employers to Humboldt county with its poor transportation and communications? What light industry would do well here.

4. Are you aware of the past reports regarding the future of the county’s economy, and the recommendations made in those reports? If so, do you agree with them?

I realize there are not going to be any substantive answers to these questions from the challengers (and probably not from Roger either) but without answers all the talk is just talk. Show us the beef (or tofu)

By the way, I’m informed there’s a debate scheduled for next Monday. I’ll post the details when I have them.

Addendum: Rose echoes Ed’s questions and adds some.

It should be pointed out that timber as an industry is in fact in trouble pretty much everywhere, even with the tariff exceptions to the free trade agreements. I’ll once again refer to my first post in the thread. Timber will probably never be what it was. It would be nice if Roger talked to Arnold about some conversion funds.

Clif filled the River Lodge last night

The place was packed. It was a great mix of people, including a dozen or so from Sohum. Lot’s of gray haired volunteers, which is what a campaign needs particularly in Fortuna. All of the dinner seats were taken, and many tickets were purchased by people who couldn’t show (I was told that about 150 tickets had been sold ahead of time). He’s definitely struck a chord in the northern portion of the district.

The music (including Clif’s mandolin) was a lot of fun. The country and Celtic sounds of Falling Rock and Good Company were a lot of fun (including the latter’s ballad about Charles Hurwitz), but we had a real treat with the Berel Alexander Ensemble. I didn’t realize that Berel is Bernie, Sal and Naomi’s son. They performed some very innovative renditions of classic songs. Not many garage bands out there employ an acoustic base and classical violin. Sal and Naomi were beaming with pride throughout the performance, and they actually drew the younger kids over to dance.

When we arrived my son told me “this is going to be boring, it’s just grown-ups here.” But more kids did show up and fortunately the old stage provided plenty of room for them to romp until the music drew my daughter and some of them down.

The food provided by Dorris and Daughters catering was fantastic, particularly the artichoke au gratin. Also the smoked salmon mousse appetizer was memorable.

It was a real upper of an event. Come September, I hope more Sohum folk join us in a similar celebration before the final lap.