Letters (May 16, 2018)

• Biff!
• Bam!
• Skyhawk For Fifth District Supervisor
• CPB Investigates KZYX
• Ted Williams For Supervisor
• Too Much Pain
• Art’s The Only Qualified Candidate
• Skyhawk… Oops, Oh Never Mind
• The Metrics Of Bullshit

BIFF!

Dear Editor:

In her candidate statement for Mendocino County Superintendent of Schools, Michelle Hutchins touts her experience as superintendent of two rural school districts. She neglects to mention that she received votes of no confidence from BOTH of them! In May of 2013 the teachers, classified staff, and the school board in Hayfork, CA cast her out with a vote of no confidence. This year the Anderson Valley Teachers Association and the Classified School Employee Association rewarded her “experience” with a 90% vote of no confidence. Contrary to your assertion in last week’s AVA that she has “personality differences with the key ladies” at the elementary school, Ms Hutchins has managed to offend virtually the whole staff including teachers of both genders, teachers’ aides, custodians, and more. She has also offended parents.

In her April 25^th letter to the AVA, Ms Hutchins states her number one priority is “to create a trustful, respectful and collaborative working environment for every employee.” Nice words! However, in her three years as superintendent of the AVUSD, she has failed miserably. 

Ms Hutchins claims the complaints against her filed with the school board are “vague”. Careful reading of the letter to the school board shows it loaded with specifics: the doubling of administrative costs during her tenure, hiring outside services to perform superintendent duties, lack of “people skills”, permanently damaged relationships with various staff members, a dramatic change of school climate (low morale), disregarding input after it is sought, turmoil in the Special Education Department, unsafe situations for students, poor judgment, and the loss of valuable staff and staffed positions.

More specific complaints against Ms Hutchins can be found in an Anderson Valley parents’ petition on social media: 1) Using expensive outside consultants and little or no parental input, she replaced the freshly cooked meals of the food program with packaged foods. 2) Parents invited to a “Town Hall Meeting” to discuss their school related concerns were greeted by paid consultants. 3) Concerns presented to her by parents were routinely ignored. 4) Ms Hutchins’ alleged altercation with the former elementary principal in the district office was embarrassing (and costly to the district in terms of money and the loss of her services). 6) She communicated poorly with parents concerning a gun on campus. 7) She blames staff for problems. 8) Now, on social media she questions the honesty of the two union presidents.

Does Ms Hutchins REALLY want the intricate details of each complaint made public? She says she faces her errors so she can “learn and grow”. Her three years in Anderson Valley prove otherwise.

Voters, don’t be fooled! Fine words and intentions are not enough. Being a woman is not enough. Local Democrats erred by endorsing her before learning the facts. Her performance shows she is NOT qualified to be County Superintendent of Schools!

Valerie Smith

Retired Anderson Valley Teacher

Philo

Ed Reply: Mrs. Hutchins may not want "the intricate details of each complaint made public," but I do. Of the complaints you've listed here Ms. Smith, and nothing personal intended old pal back forty years or so, the only specifically valid beef you've cited is the food service debacle, for which Mrs. Hutchins has apologized over and over again. If you and the rest of the lynch mob hauled your case over the hill to DA Eyster and demanded prosecution, Eyster would laugh you out of his office. There's nothing here except personal animosity for Mrs. Hutchins, whose professional life, thanks to the pure viciousness of the howling claque we saw in action Wednesday night, thanks to FaceBook, this personality-based animosity will follow Mrs. Hutchins around forever. I think it's all terribly sad, and very, very unfair to the entire community, such as it is anymore. PS. Please name a single elected County Superintendent of Schools over the past fifty years who was not either a laughable dunce or a stone crook. The election of Mrs. Hutchins would be a major step forward for this office and for the educationally captive children of Mendocino County.

BAM!

Dear Editor,

Your biased and ill-informed article “Silent Assassins” only serves to fan the emotional flames in the debate over the fate of Anderson Valley schools and superintendent Michelle Hutchins. Your decades-long disdain of public education in general, and of Anderson Valley Unified in particular, has blinded you to what is happening in your community. You seem to have gotten all your “facts” from the superintendent while claiming that the school personnel are incommunicado. As in all organizations certain information is confidential, but as a group, teachers are willing to debate all sides of the issues. You state “lawyers and staff are the tail wagging the school district dog.” I wonder if Ms Hutchins isn’t the tail wagging the editors’ dog!

Saying that teachers “bludgeon” co-workers into submission and want Ms Hutchins living out of a “shopping cart” is dramatic nonsense. No one wants to ruin her life; teachers and staff want to enjoy coming to work each day. Her “original sin” is that she lacks the character for the job. Ms Hutchins is a top down administrator who expects unquestioning compliance with her agenda. In addition, she lacks the necessary social skills to truly collaborate with others. For instance, unilaterally inviting her supporters to a private staff meeting does not show an intention to collaborate. Her quick temper is legend. A superintendent’s job is to lead not to rule.

Having to correct your divergence from the facts is annoying. For example, “personality differences with key ladies” at the elementary school is not the issue. At the board meeting you said yet again it was only an elementary school problem! No, Bruce, the Vote of No Confidence was 90% of the ENTIRE district teaching and classified staff. And… and Ms Hutchins repeatedly misrepresents the meaning of the vote as bearing only two signatures. In democracy balloting is secret and union presidents certify their members’ votes. Under Ms. Hutchins, teachers and classified staff are afraid of intimidation or retaliation. I have experienced both personally.

It is a matter of public record that Ms. Hutchins has cost our district unnecessary expense. A principal had to be paid off after an altercation with her. You chose to believe the superintendent’s story. Having seen Ms. Hutchins in action personally, my money is on the other horse. Precious dollars have also been spent on numerous consultants doing what Ms. Hutchins is well paid to do. And according to staff who have studied the numbers, administrative costs have doubled. 

In a district with previously little turnover, the last three years have seen many valuable employees leave: I know personally that a revered and talented teacher retired nine years early; we lost the services of our speech and language therapist and now rely on a computer program to serve our students; the Special Education department has been a virtual revolving door of employees; and a twenty-year veteran cafeteria director quit. Many others have told me they wish they could teach somewhere else. What is the common denominator? The toxic school climate created by our superintendent.

Let’s address the list of accomplishments put out by Ms Hutchins. Contrary to what she implies, she does not control salaries and benefits or teacher workdays. These are negotiated items fought for by the unions and approved by the school board. Some of her other “accomplishments” are merely following state laws and established practices, such as coordinating safety procedures and updating employee contracts. 

Your ‘female posse’ comments are insulting. Anderson Valley staff of both genders collaborated productively for decades with female administrators. Ever since Ms. Hutchins has been with us, Anderson Valley staff and parents have been complaining about her management style to the school board. Our current tragedy stems from the fact that no one thoroughly checked Ms Hutchins resume with her previous school district before hiring her. She had a Vote of No Confidence there as well. With so much ill will on both sides, it’s probably time to cut our losses. 

When she needs to, Ms. Hutchins presents herself as smart and well spoken. She has some loyal friends, and, as she lists in her accomplishments, she has a gift for putting on parties. Now that she has chosen to become a candidate for public office, her statements and her character deserve further scrutiny. And her misrepresentations and half-truths need to be exposed. As much as we would all benefit from having women at all levels of government, I oppose Ms Hutchins for County Superintendent of Schools because she lacks the character and the resume the office deserves.

Valerie Smith

Retired Anderson Valley Teacher

Philo

Ed reply: This all blew up and became public without any notice to the wider community which, incidentally, hasn't been a community in any true sense of the term for years. I don't have strong feelings about Ms. Hutchins one way or the other, but I think she's been unfairly vilified in the most insultingly vague fashion, as was on full nasty display the other night as one termagant after another got up and teed off on her. One woman said she'd witnessed "bullying" without, apparently, doing or saying anything about it. Another said she feared "retaliation," another felt "intimidated." It was all feelings, no facts, and the only high school staffer who spoke, spoke highly of the superintendent. I don't feel disdain for the local schools. I've been critical of their management, critical about low standards, etc., but my criticisms are echoed by lots of people. The nut of the current prob is that for years prior to Ms. Hutchins the schools have lacked clear lines of authority, the tail has indeed wagged the dog. Any person occupying the superintendent's chair who tries to make changes will instantly run afoul of The Blob, an entrenched group of teachers and ancillary staff who are certain to resist anybody who doesn't tell them what a great job they're doing and how wonderful they are on a personal level. (County gov runs on the same indulgent fuel.) As I said the other night at the meeting maybe the school board should simply abolish the boss job to let the schools run themselves as they did for years prior to Ms. Hutchins. No one's been in charge of local schools since Jim Johnson, and I can still hear the howls and whines he elicited from The Blob. And I still don't accept that 90 percent figure. Names, please! 

PS. You say that I “chose to believe the superintendent’s story.” As a matter of fact, that version of events came to us directly from principal Reddick, who visited our office to complain about it and to explain why she called the cops. (Who didn't bother to take a report because, obviously, it amounted to nothing.) According to Reddick, Hutchins was lecturing her about something when Reddick got tired of being lectured to and got up to leave. Hutchins then got up herself and blocked the door, ordering Reddick to “sit your ass down and listen to me.” Reddick didn’t want to sit her ass or any other part of her anatomy down so she ducked under the Superintendent’s arm and left. A few minutes later she called the cops and reported an “assault” and “false imprisonment.” Again, this is what Reddick told us, backed up by a copy of an email she sent to the school board to complain about it. Which then soon morphed into the threat of a lawsuit, which the District's lawyers, that fount of unerringly bad advice, recommended be settled, with a cool $60 grand paid out to Ms. Reddick, a veteran victim given her history, for her pain and suffering. And Ms. Reddick left town without Ms. Hutchins blocking her way.

SKYHAWK FOR FIFTH DISTRICT SUPERVISOR

Dear Editor

We have a few good candidates for 5th District Supervisor to choose from, and that’s a good thing. This election is a bit contentious, even among like-minded people. I trust we can hold different opinions and be respectful of those differences; it’s the democratic process.

To watch 5th District and other county office candidates, go to mendocinotv.com <http://mendocinotv.com/> for archive filming of forums that have taken place throughout the county.

And for heavens sake, let’s declare a moratorium on taking down candidate signs; Chris has lost many and I’m sure other candidates have lost some as well.

I support Chris Skyhawk for 5th District Supervisor because:

He has a long track record of environmental defense; a real commitment. He supports Measure V (Hack & Squirt) and has been involved over the years in many actions to defend our forests and ocean. I think Chris will be proactive on environmental protection.

He shines as an effective communicator; a coalition and community builder. These traits will benefit us in the context of both the board and the community.

His professional work is with youth and families, offering him a unique sensitivity to the needs of the people in his district.

He has a grasp on issues of corporate rule and how we in Mendocino County are effected by the current power structure; he brings public banks and charter county concepts to the table.

The 5th District covers both inland and coast, the only district to do so. Currently 4 of the 5 Supervisors are from inland. I believe a coast representative for the 5th District is needed to balance representation. Roderick and Rodier both live inland. I’ve know Chris about 25 years. I’ve always found him generous with his time and talent, sincere, and intelligent. He served on his local fire board and works in youth sports. Chris is engaged in his community. So when he said he was running for Supervisor I jumped on his wagon. I’m proud of the integrity and commitment he has demonstrated during this campaign process.

Lynda McClure

Boonville

CPB INVESTIGATES KZYX

Anderson Valley Advertiser: 

Two attorneys from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) made field calls to KZYX in Philo to audit our public radio station on April 17 and 18, 2018. This was a very expensive procedure, since they are headquartered in Washington, DC, precipitated by my account of improprieties by the station management, which I observed as a member of the KZYX Board of Directors. Just before returning home, they interviewed me for an hour and a half in a private conference room at the Fort Bragg Public Library. During my interview, they asked that I treat our discussion as confidential until the process is complete, so I won’t go into any details at this time. Within the next month or so, they will make a recommendation to the CPB Board of Directors, and, once the CPB Board makes a decision, it will be posted online, sometime in the next two to five months.

They were non-committal about what the precise outcome might be, but did mention that, at the very least, current management would have to take a course in how to properly and ethically run our CPB affiliate. Since we are the recipient of hundreds of thousands of CPB dollars per year, they have the authority to sanction the station and demand changes in substandard operating procedures. They emphasized that the misconduct must directly involve the CPB and/or CPB funds, which, in my opinion, is not a difficult hurdle to overcome.

For a more detailed explanation of information on CPB’s Office Of Inspector General audit process, please visit https://www.cpb.org/files/oig/reports/Information_on_CPBs_Office_of_Inspector_General_Audit_Process_February_2016.pdf 

This document reveals that the CPB has great discretion involving financial matters which it funds, which is virtually all expenditures of our station. Although, in my opinion, they also have the power to demand a return to transparency and a democratic process by withholding funds if our station doesn’t comply, the CPB policy (and perhaps OIG law) apparently precludes them from doing so, if for no other reason than they lack the work force that would be needed to police and monitor all the stations in their vast network.

So, in the best case scenario, we will be able to update and strengthen equipment that will allow vast areas in the county with little or no reception to listen to the station. Also, showering personal friends with made-up jobs via secret hirings, as well as many other wasteful excesses, will no longer be allowed. However, if we want a transparent and democratically run public radio, we will still have to do that ourselves. Of course, if the CPB finds that KZYX has “questioned costs” and “unsupported costs” that result in “a recommendation that funds be put to better use,” this can lead to replacing the current, allegedly criminally negligent KZYX Board of Directors with a newly elected Board that will truly represent the interests of the residents of our county. Then, and only then, we will have a very valuable resource that is accessible to all.

Larry Minson 

Willits

TED WILLIAMS FOR SUPERVISOR

Dear Editor 

Ted Williams is the best person to be county supervisor from the 5th District. 

He is a modest, humble and successful business owner in software and hardware development. Living in a fire prone part of our county Ted has volunteered as firefighter for over 10 years and as a local Fire Chief for 7 years. 

Having grown up in a rural (Class K) home built by his parents, Ted inherently understands the need for, and has the skills to effectively help our county to provide safe low-cost housing. He believes the right to shelter is a fundamental human right. 

Ted, and many other voters, worked relentlessly to achieve success for Measure V to end the dangerous hack and squirt practice of poisoning the hardwood trees in our forests. 

As someone who’s regularly followed the actions and inertia of our Board of Supervisors since 1975, and has known Ted since 2003, I find him to be a careful and respectful listener. He does not avoid questions, nor reply with unrelated points. He will respectfully respond directly to what he is asked. If further information would help clarify or advance the issue Ted will locate it and share it. 

Given that leadership is about getting results and a vote for Ted Williams is a vote for meaningful leadership here in Mendocino County. 

Barry Vogel, Attorney, Counselor and Mediator 

Radio Curious Host and Producer. Ukiah

TOO MUCH PAIN

Dearest Editor:

I am writing because a friend of mine asked me for my help in putting a letter out there to tell her side of the story concerning a precarious situation which happened here in February of this year. My name is Eric Lincoln. The friend who asked me for my help is Melissa Britton:

* * *

"My name is Melissa Britton. I am Neechi [Negie] Fallis’s mother. Since there have been so many wrong stories going around here in Covelo about what people think might have happened to Khadijah Rose Britton, I want to say what I know to be true.

“For about three and a half years Neechi and I supported, clothed and fed Khadijah. She is a part of my family. Khadijah also took good care of Neechi’s children, my grandkids. I love my son Neechi. His three children are my world. So, when Khadijah came into our lives three and a half years ago with all of her help and just being there it was like a blessing for me. The main reason I am talking now is that I am tired of being cussed at. I'm tired of being chased. I'm tired of being harassed. And I am especially sick and tired of people calling my four kids very unfair and very hateful names.

“Why is there so much pain here on this reservation?

“Like I always say, I wouldn't give my shoes to my worst enemy to wear to go through the same hurt, the same pain, the same ridicule that my family and I have been put through. I do care. My kids care. My grandchildren care. So I'm just speaking the truth with an honest heart. That is what makes a good person. All those people who are being judgmental towards my family without a just cause are only adding fuel to their own fire. They are not in a position to judge anyone. Like Tupac said, Only God can judge me. 

“God is my judge. I am tired. I have no family but my kids and my few grandchildren. Sure, pain is with us also.

“I love my son Neechi Fallis IV. Innocent until proven guilty.”

Melissa Britton

(Submitted by Eric Lincoln for Melissa Britton)

Covelo

ART’S THE ONLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATE

Editor:

We need a Gualalan in Ukiah. County government is Ukiah-focused and seems predatory in its taxing and department policies. They seem to be desperate for money. Like hearing a spoiled child crying for a bigger allowance, we have to ask the question, "What are you doing with the money we gave you?"

A department head recently addressed the Board of Supervisors to justify the Planning department wanting $8013 for a use permit for Gualala’s emergency helicopter pad at Redwood Coast Medical Services. He said he had to give his people a raise this year which put a strain on his department budget. Redwood Coast Medical Services wants to reclassify the 30-year-old helicopter pad as a state licensed heliport with minor modifications such as a lighted windsock. So the County seizes the opportunity to call it "development."

Most County departments are over-budget. Money is moved around to hide overruns and poor performance. They hire unqualified managers who lack the credentials for higher positions. Management compensation often exceeds qualifications and span of responsibility. It all needs a thorough review.

Mental health service providers are under-credentialed, unlicensed, and undertrained. Without qualified licensed personnel you get people "playing doctor." Measure B is supposed to help us expand and create an effective mental health program. People in charge have no clue where to start. The Measure B committee wants to hire consultants to conduct a "needs assessment." Wow.

And what about our roads? Ukiah comes first. The list goes on.

Most of the candidates for Fifth District Supervisor are likable, but they are inexperienced. If we split the coastal vote we get a supervisor who represents Ukiah and the "Country Club." We must get solidly behind one candidate. Arthur Juhl in Gualala. He's the only qualified candidate, as other local reporters have noted, who really knows what's going on.

George Provencher

Gualala

SKYHAWK… OOPS, OH NEVER MIND

Dear Editor,

When I learned our US Congressional Representative Jared Huffman had endorsed local 5th District Mendocino County Supervisor candidate Chris Skyhawk, I wrote him an email in protest. Never in my 38 years living here and being deeply involved in local politics had a US Representative endorsed a candidate in a local county non-partisan race.

Representative Huffman responded in a timely and candid way. I submit his response to my query in full thusly (Emphasis added): “Lee, Several of my trusted friends and longtime Dems are supporting Chris, including Rachel Binah who encouraged me to meet with him and consider an endorsement. I was not aware the Club had endorsed another candidate. I wish I had the benefit of that information before I made the decision last week — it probably would have convinced me to stay neutral in the race. But Chris strikes me as an exceptional candidate, and while I have nothing against any of the others, I stand by my endorsement. I do apologize for the lack of communication though.”

Sincerely, JH”

The upshot is that had Representative Huffman known the Mendocino Coast Democratic Club had already endorsed Ted Williams for 5th District Supervisor, he would have remained neutral.

Thus, his is a non-endorsement endorsement.

And rightfully so.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lee Edmundson

Mendocino

THE METRICS OF BULLSHIT

Editor;

Empty Words and Empty Guns

Jerry Philbrick’s letter in last weeks paper is a marvel of poetic license and poor gunmanship.

He has an already dead guy watching his wife and daughters being abused. He quite wrongly assumes showing a pistol will save lives as if thugs and criminals weren’t armed as well.

“Think how many lives an empty gun could save from criminals and bad people.” Only a complete fool would pull out an empty gun in a life or death situation. An empty gun is worse than useless.

How long we’ve all had to listen to these brainwashed NRA types ranting and raving about Liberals taking their guns away, too long. Ted Kennedy and Obama and on and on and on are coming for your guns! Stock up on ammo, they’ll be here any day now! This silly mantra is about as likely as a virgin birth or the Second Coming.

The theory that our inept government is afraid of some supposed dangerous citizen militia is absurd. Remember Ruby Ridge, Pine Ridge, and Waco? All of us and all of our firearms pose no threat whatever to the military or the militarized agencies of law enforcement. It’s unfortunate that the gun culture is dominated by the self serving, self aggrandizing, delusional paranoid propaganda of the NRA.

Somehow it continually escapes the notice of these wanna-be defenders of liberty that America has already been subdued, robbed and put on the road to ruin. Pacification has been very successful thanks to the modern tools of mind control. Nonstop propaganda from government, Pentagon, Hollywood and Madison Ave have after 70 years of relentless bashing, created a nation of docile servile conformists.

The persistent phantasies of all too many gun owner extremists bear no resemblance to reality any more than any and all religious fanaticism does. Mob hysteria has never created a better world or lasting revolution.

If the gun nuts are so concerned about protecting themselves and their loved ones perhaps they should shoot their TVs and the hate spewing radios. Perhaps they should concern themselves with self development through education and good nutrition. Maybe a look outside their little club of racist, bigoted, sexist white slobs would lead to a less violent and sick society. But of course this is going too far for a nation of scapegoating cowards who’ve been led to elevate ignorance to the level of virtue.

Keep your guns loaded or locked away and remember that fear is the ultimate biological weapon.

Ross Dendy

Elk

PS. Space X My Ass! In last week’s AVA Ted Williams made a statement about Space X that shows a very shallow if not down right star struck understanding of the truth about the carpet bagger Elon Musk. 

And I quote "There are circumstances where private industry can outperform public agencies Space X is a great example” And who do suppose rendered all the public agencies inept and corrupt? 

Elon Musk is a charlatan and a public treasury thief. Tesla is a green wash elitist cult of where the batteries come from deniers are narcissist hoodwinked fools. Elon’s in the same degenerate club as Trump! 

Calling Space X a private industry when it and Tesla wouldn’t even exist without massive subsidies from tax payers, is misleading at best. And what’s so great about some meaningless space travel phantasy while the human race continues to show no respect for it’s own home. I hope Elon and a bunch of his billionaire asshole friends do blast off for Mars, and never return. 

If Musk is an innovator then I suppose that Chevy was “the heart beat of America”. Someone had better call a priest. 

So Ted. Show me one area in modern history where the rabid disease of privatization has done anything but socialize all the cost and risk all the while privatizing the profits, best of luck with that!