Mendocino County Today: Thursday, February 20, 2014

• California Drought Relief
• Redwoods Caught in Crossfire
• Constipated Airwaves
• KZYX Dialogue
• Frisco High Rises
• Art in Ukiah
• Drought Tip of the Day
• Police Reports

GOV. JERRY BROWN on Wednesday is expected to propose spending nearly $700 million to provide immediate help for communities coping with California's drought. Neither the governor's office nor the legislative leaders released details, but it is assumed to involve using existing voter-approved bond money for a variety of immediate needs. Willits, the Willits suburb of Brooktrails and Redwood Valley are the three Mendocino County communities at the top of the Urgent list. A news conference is scheduled in the afternoon to discuss details of the plan, which has not been released. It is expected to expand on a proposal originally sought by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg. Steinberg and Assembly Speaker John Perez, both Democrats, will attend, according to an announcement from the governor's office. A spokesman for Perez, John Vigna, told The Associated Press that the total cost would be roughly $680 million, but the plan does not attempt to address long-term solutions for California's water supply or delivery system. “This is not going to solve the drought crisis,” Vigna said. “It's essentially a package to address immediate effects of the drought.” Neither the governor's office nor the legislative leaders released details.

THE CITY OF UKIAH has been hassling the Ukiah Daily Journal about the three vintage redwood trees in front of the Journal's office at 590 S. School Street. Taking a not-so-wild guess here, the dispute, at bottom, is petty retaliation on the City's end. Two members of the present City Council, and City manager Jane Chambers, have been unhappy with the paper's criticism of their job performances — unhappy for a long time. That criticism comes from the paper's editor, KC Meadows, who often points out the City's blunders, and does it in a way that is irrefutable.

So, here comes the City with a sudden claim that the old redwoods present a potential liability, a claim that ignores that same argument could be applied to a thousand trees throughout the town. Life is an ongoing liabilty, you could say, but it's obvious the Journal is being singled out.

Both sides have agreed that one of the three trees is beyond saving. It has to go. It's surprising that the three redwoods have done as well as they have in the inland heat, far from the sustaining fogs of the Mendocino Coast. Valued as timber, the trio are worth quite a bit. Valued as a family bequest made in a time Ukihans still cared about what their town looked like, it's an insult to the County's historical memory that a small group of tax-paid savages can get their tax-paid lawyer to pop up with a liability claim on the obscure chance that someone could be injured if a tree fell down.

NOT BRAGGING HERE, but a measure of the precariousness of free speech in “progressive” Mendocino County so often comes down to the arguments being made in Boonville's beloved community newspaper. The KZYX controversy ought to be fought out on KZYX's constipated airwaves, but that can't happen because, well, it can't happen. And it doesn't seem to occur to the authors of all these Moonie-like tributes to station manager Coate's leadership that there wouldn't be such intense dissatisfaction with the station if Coate-Aigner were capable managers. Put massively insecure people in charge of something like a media entity and, well, Welcome to Hassle Land.

PAUL & BETH, A DIALOGUE

Re: The KZYX's board letter to Members

No one put me up to posting the Board's letter. So many people were talking about it so I went to the website, read it, copied it and posted it - because I thought people would be interested.

There is no conspiracy except in your own minds.

Let's get on with the work of making KZYX better and that has little to do with the Board or even less with the management but with the listeners and the programmers.

Let's stopping playing the old blame game, get down to real issues and get on with it.

This isn't the 1990's or KPFA; you lost that battle then, so why re-fight it when all you can do is hurt the very institution you claim to support.

Paul Lambert

* * *

Paul: This is really about how much you sucked as the News Department.

And how awful it is that a semi-monthly hour of that rare animal, local public affairs speak is still allotted to you (and yet another boring, middle age plump guy) when there are no young adults, no one of Latino heritage, no one from the Indian community doing public affairs or news on KZYX/Z. Dan Roberts' work with successive groups of high school students shows how successful inclusion can be. I'd love to hear a program hosted by the former cons Sheriff Allman is seeking opportunities for, who have been shipped back here and left to thrive on their own.

The chief criteria for a show at KZYX/Z now is loyalty. Not talent. Not charisma. Not inclusion. Not interesting

I'm not sure two people compose a conspiracy, but I'll take your word you exercised your own initiative in posting the Board letter—manifesto—whatever.

The fact remains, the chair of the Board of KZYX/Z is elusive. And really, as a programmer you suck. And really, as programmers Richard Miller and Doug McKenty AND Johanna Shultz (remember her) were arbitrarily removed from the airwaves, and have followings that still miss them. You are just not steeped enough. This isn't KPFA. And I know you don't get it.

Beth Bosk

FRISCO HIGH RISES. (An on-line reader writes): I was a field engineer there during the construction of 101 California St. and many lessor skyscrapers (always loved that word) constructed ca. 1976 to 1986. 101 Calif's foundation was about 1500 200 foot concrete piles sunk in bay mud and topped with 6 foot of concrete. No bedrock. Think toothpicks in jello. The building was designed to settle 2” into the mud when completed. It settled 1 7/8.” The ground level steel columns are 2 foot thick tapering in size as the reach the 48th floor. Column welds, independently inspected, every 2 floors. Every floor was designed to be an earthquake resistant steel and concrete diaphragm. Although I have some doubts about the piles in mud the rest of the structure was impressive to a young engineer.

Then there's the marble fascia. Huge sheets of beautiful Italian marble 2 inches thick in 4' x 8' slabs. Heavy. Thousands of them. Each held on by a pair of little 1” thick steel clips that were epoxied and screwed on on site. Glue and little screws. I can really imagine these connectors failing in a quake and plummeting to the street in a hail of one ton stone missiles. Never mind the floor to ceiling glass windows.

Have a nice day.

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK, UKIAH, CALIFORNIA. March 7th from 5-8pm. Enjoy one or all of the First Friday venues — art, music and refreshments

• Art Center Ukiah. “Small Works.” Community exhibit of small works of art in a variety of media 201 S. State Street Ukiah, 707 462-1400

• Corner Gallery. “Adele Pruitt and Students” with Lee Rossacick, Patsy Chadwick, Polly Palecek, Kathleen Gordon-Burke, Bev Rae, Irene McFarland, and Hettie Amade. 201 S. State Street, Ukiah, 707 462-1400. www.artcenterukiah.org

Adele Pruitt

• Grace Hudson Museum And Sun House. “Nature's Beloved Son: Rediscovering John Muir’s Botanical Legacy” is on display until March 16, 2014. an exhibition of digitally enhanced high-resolution images of Muir's wide-ranging plant specimens, along with pages and drawings from Muir's nature journals. An illustrated lecture by author and naturalist Kate Marianchild on March 16. 431 South Main, Ukiah, 707 467-283 www.gracehudsonmuseum.org

• Kit Elliott Gallery. “New Early Spring Photos” by Molly Huddleston. 116 South State, Ukiah, 707 468-1600

• Manzanita. “In like a Lion, out like a Lamb.” The Hope of Spring in our mixed media show for March. 270 N. Pine Street on March 7th 5-8pm

• T.A.P.S , The Arts & Performance Studio. “Mendocino Film Festival’s premiere in Ukiah.” Meet the staff and volunteers who bring quality independent films, documentaries, foreign films, and animation to Mendocino County. Festival of Ukiah features a showing of “Bidder 70” at the Space Theater on March 29th. Learn about the history of film festivals in Mendocino County and enjoy refreshments. 203 S. State Street Ukiah, 5 pm – 8 pm

• Ukiah Valley Artist Cooperative Gallery. “Sisters” Rose and Ruth Easterbrook—ceramics, paintings, jewelry, drawings, photography Music by Kim Monroe Sisters: Similar roots, divergent ways of thinking and making art. Mendocino County born and raised in the Ukiah area, Ruth and Rose share a childhood's worth of adventures, and a passion for making art. This intimate window-show of their work at the Ukiah Co-op Gallery in the Pear Tree Plaza March 1st- 30th will feature a selection of their work. 518 E. Perkins, (next to Rod’s Shoes), in the Pear Tree Center, 463-0610. Open Thursday-Saturday 11am to 5 pm

‘Cache Creek’

DROUGHT TIP OF THE DAY

What you can do to stay healthy, conserve water and thrive when it is dry? Today’s tip is: Do not drink from streams or other sources of untreated, unfiltered water. Assume that all open bodies of water in Mendocino County may be contaminated with giardia, a harmful bacteria. All drinking water needs to be safe and clean even in a time of scarcity. Clean drinking water is not the place to cut back on water usage. (This is a message of the Mendocino County Health And Human Services Agency.)

POLICE CALLS AS OF WEDNESDAY MORNING

Welfare Check On Dog — A caller in the 600 block of South State Street reported at 3:15 a.m. Feb. 11 that a man was going to take his dog down to the tracks and kill it, and requested that an officer check on the animal.

Check Fraud Arrest — An employee at Wells Fargo on South State Street reported at 4:12 p.m. Feb. 11 that a person in the lobby had just tried to pass a fraudulent check with a forged signature. Police arrested a 27-year-old Ukiah man on suspicion of forgery, burglary and possessing stolen property.

Shots Heard — A caller in the 800 block of Cindee Drive reported at 7:40 p.m. Feb. 11 hearing three or four shots. Police didn't find the source.

Burglary — A caller on Cherry Street reported at 3:45 p.m. Feb. 12 that a storage unit had been burglarized. Police took a report.

Fake Bill — A caller in the 1200 block of Airport Park Boulevard reported at 9:52 a.m. Thursday seeing a counterfeit $100 bill.

Aggressive Dogs — A caller in the 600 block of Tahoe Court reported at 6 p.m. Thursday that two large, aggressive dogs were in the caller's backyard. The dogs were gone when police arrived.

Fight — A caller in the 200 block of Clara Avenue reported at 6:56 p.m. Thursday a physical fight involving teenagers and dogs.

Dog Chasing Deer — A caller in the 900 block of Low Gap Road reported at 8:29 a.m. Friday reported that a large pitbull was chasing deer. Police checked the area and didn't find it.

Mail Theft — A caller on Betty Street reported at 9:02 a.m. Friday that she had video of someone taking her mail out of her mail box and asked for extra patrol between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m.

Mail Tampered With — A caller in the 1100 block of West Standley Street reported at 12 p.m. Friday that someone tampered with her mail and requested extra patrol in the area.

DUI Arrest — Police stopped Matthew Rupe, no age or residence given, in the 200 block of Mason Street at 2:05 a.m. Saturday on suspicion of driving under the influence. He was cited and released.

Open Mailboxes — A caller in the 200 block of Cherry Street reported at 6:09 a.m. Saturday that four mailboxes were open and two people were walking toward State Street, but didn't know if any mail was taken. Police checked the area and didn't find them.

Pair Opening Mailboxes — A caller in the 800 block of Helen Avenue reported at 7:01 a.m. Saturday that a man and woman were opening mailboxes. Police arrested a Schanna M. Safarion, 29, of Ukiah, on suspicion of receiving stolen property, possessing burglary tools, conspiracy, possessing methamphetamine, giving false identification to an officer and violating her probation terms, and Cody A. Huber, 26, of Ukiah, on suspicion of receiving stolen property, possessing burglary tools, conspiracy, being under the influence of a controlled substance and possessing drug paraphernalia.

Threatened With Axe — A caller at Babcock Lane and Talmage Road reported at 3:48 p.m. Saturday that a man threatened him/her with an axe. Police arrested a 72-year-old Ukiah man for making threats.

THE FOLLOWING WERE COMPILED FROM REPORTS PREPARED BY THE UKIAH POLICE DEPARTMENT REGARDING CALLS HANDLED BY THE FORT BRAGG POLICE DEPARTMENT.

Man With Gun — A caller at a business in the 100 block of South Main Street reported at 1:45 p.m. Feb. 12 that a man came into the store the day before with a gun. An officer safety alert was issued.

Mail Theft — A caller in the 300 block of East Cypress Street reported at 10:38 a.m. Thursday that mail had been stolen from a mailbox.

Theft From Vehicle — A caller in the 400 block of South Harrison Street reported at 9:48 a.m. Friday that an unlocked vehicle had been vandalized and burglarized.

DUI Arrest — Police stopped Scott Douglas, 62, of For Bragg, in the 600 block of East Fir Street at 7:56 p.m. Saturday and arrested him on suspicion of driving under the influence. He was booked at the Mendocino County Jail in Ukiah.

SHERIFF'S REPORTS

The following were compiled from reports prepared by the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office:

DUI, Marijuana Transport — Donnie E. Miller, 58, of Potter Valley, was arrested at 12:51 a.m. Friday on suspicion of driving under the influence, possessing marijuana for sale, transporting marijuana for sale, possessing methamphetamine and being under the influence of a controlled substance, and booked at the county jail under $25,000 bail. The California Highway Patrol arrested him.

DUI — George J. Mendoza, 41, of Willits, was arrested at 4:10 a.m. Saturday on suspicion of driving under the influence and driving with a blood-alcohol level greater than the legal limit, and booked at the county jail under $5,000 bail. The CHP arrested him.

DUI With Priors — Adolfo Garcia Cisneros, 27, of Ukiah, was arrested at 8:14 a.m. Saturday on suspicion of driving under the influence with prior convictions and driving with a suspended license, and booked at the county jail. The CHP arrested him.

DUI — Dewayne I. Arnold, 18, of Upper Lake, was arrested at 9:36 a.m. Saturday on suspicion of driving under the influence and driving with a blood-alcohol level greater than the legal limit, and booked at the county jail under $5,000 bail. The CHP arrested him.

DUI With Priors — Maureen D. McVoy, 60, of Moss Beach, was arrested at 11:38 a.m. Saturday on suspicion of driving under the influence and driving under the influence with prior convictions, and booked at the county jail. The CHP arrested her.

DUI — Charles W. Schlapkohl, 43, of Ukiah, was arrested at 12 p.m. Saturday on suspicion of driving under the influence within 10 years of a prior felony conviction, possessing drug paraphernalia, driving with a suspended license and violating his probation terms, and booked at the county jail under $92,500 bail. The MCSO arrested him.