- Thanks From The Wyants
- Bedrock On Baseball
- Honer Does Not Buy Local
- Stand & Deliver
- Pot Regulation, Mendo-Style
- In 25 Years: No State Of Israel
- Tom: The Defense
- Ambulance Volunteers Step Up
- Refugees & Yoga
- Campaign Extortion
- Substantive Only Please
- Lions Come Through For Fire Victims!
THANKS FROM THE WYANTS
Dear AV Community,
We would like to thank everyone for showering our family with so much kindness and support during the loss of our loved one, Rick Wyant. Even though our family has suffered a major blow, all of the thoughtful cards, beautiful flowers, phone calls, hugs, food and condolences have been so comforting during our time of grieving. Rick will be sorely missed and the overwhelming turnout at his memorial last Saturday spoke volumes as to how much he was loved.
Although there are far too many of you to mention, we would like to send out a special thank you to the following people: Steven & Terri Rhoades, Palma Toohey, Jed Adams, Justin & Belma Rhoades, Doreen Venturi, Renée Adair, Manny & JoAnne Mejia, Vince Ballew, Kevin & Jamie Bailey, Bobby & Cindi Simas, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Association, Dennis Long, Jerry & Terri Philbrick, Danny Kuny, Jerry Kuny, Nick & Megan Rhoades, Kelly Andersen, Jennifer Espinoza, Kerri Sanchez, Jim Snyder, Anne Bennett, Elizabeth Summers, Claire Walker, Gwyn Smith, Alice Bonner, Philip Thomas, Evette LaPaille, Guy & Sandy Pronsolino, Gary & Wanda Johnson, JR & Kati Johnson, Lance Villa, Ernie Pardini, Tony & Melanie Pardini, Gary Abbott, and David Knight. Thank you doesn’t quite seem to be enough but please know how much you are appreciated.
Also, a big thank you to our extended Wyant family near and far for pitching in whenever and wherever help was needed.
We feel truly blessed to belong to such a caring community.
With heartfelt thanks,
The Wyant Family
BEDROCK ON BASEBALL
AVA,
This is a letter I sent to Todd yesterday.
I didn't think it was polished or coherent enough to publish--even as a comment to his great article on the Giants and the Dodgers.
I hate what baseball has become: night games; American League games that routinely last over four hours--a double header at Yankee Stadium would usually be over in five or six hours! Stadia (?) that were built with little apartments so rich people can have sex if they wish during the game--this actually occurred and was televised in Toronto. The owners, like Charles Finley, becoming "stars." Brent Musburger and the "corporate announcers" with their damned ABC, CBS, or NBC labels. (I hate the Dodgers, but they have had the best baseball announcer in history for almost my entire life.)
But at one time, at one time baseball was an important part of my life. And the 1962 World Series, with my two favorite teams, and my favorite pitcher--who I had met in person one year earlier, was the zenith of my baseball life.
The nadir came in 1963. Misery, thy name is Koufax.
Louis Bedrock
Todd,
Elmora School 12 was the home to three of the world’s great religions. They were mutually exclusive and initiates of any one hated members of the other two with a passion.
I am of course speaking of the Yankee, Giant, and Dodger religions. I was somewhat of an exception. I was, and still am, a Yankee Fan. Because you are my friend, I will make no allusion to our 27 World Series championships, or to our victory over the wonderful Giant team in 1962 in the greatest world series ever played.
However, I loved the Giants. Their fans hated the Dodgers too. And their players were wonderful and had amazing names: Johnny Antonelli, Dusty Rhodes, Red Schoendienst, Whitey Lockman, and an outfielder named Willie Something who was second in skills only to Mickey Mantle.
When the Giants and Dodgers moved to another country in 1957, I was heartbroken. I used to listen to a sportscaster named Les Keider reconstruct Giant games from a city in South America called San Francisco.
I started watching Philly games to keep up my National League Jones. They were pretty boring, but had this big rookie pitcher who was a Dodger killer and who became my hero. His name was Jack Sanford.
When he was traded to the Giants, I lost all interest in the pathetic perennial loser Phillies, and the Giants, who had this kid from another Latin American country named Juan Marichal, became my national league team—despite that treacherous, evil son of a whore owner of theirs, Horace Stoneham.
When the Yankees won that 1962 series, it was a bittersweet victory. My favorite pitcher in baseball pitched heroically against one of the greatest lineups in baseball—and lost 1-0. I refer, of course, to Jack Sanford. I forget how Marichal did, but believe he also acquitted himself well in the series.
1963 was the worst year of my life. It was somewhat redeemed when Marichal nearly took off Johnny Roseboro’s head with a baseball bat. I really hated the Dodgers: especially Maury Wills.
I met Jack Sanford at Forbes Field in 1961. After a great night of Dodgers vs Pirates, the Giants came to Forbes Field.
Dodger game: Pitching mismatch of the century—Pirate rookie Earl Francis vs. Sandy Fucking Koufax. What a fastball that sonofabitch had—it jumped up and in just before it crossed the strike zone. Un-fucking-hittable. But Pirates win with a rally in the bottom of the eight fueled by hits by a guy named Roberto Clemente and the kid pitcher Francis: Final score 3-1.
Before the game with the Giants the following night, Clemente takes the pen out of my shirt pocket to sign an autograph for an old lady fan, and a newspaper photographer takes a photo of the three of us. No, I do not still have the photo. Damn.
A groundskeeper for the Pirates fetches Jack Sanford. He talks to me for ten minutes with his huge hand on my shoulder. He signs my hat and scorecard. Don’t have them either. Real nice man. Your mention of him in last week’s article brings back a lot of great memories.
I did not mind the Giants winning three World Series at all. Wish at least one had come against the goddamned Red Sox who are only slightly less evil than the goddamned Dodgers.
Be well, Todd.
Louis Bedrock
Roselle, New Jersey
HONER DOES NOT BUY LOCAL
Editor,
I read with interest your article about the Mendocino Historical Review Board's Historic Preservation Award that was given to Tom Honer for his solar panel installation at Harvest at Mendosa's. One important fact that was left out is Mr. Honer went out of county to hire a solar contractor. Mendocino Solar, who did such a great job on my system and pay their employees well, is more than capable. So much for shopping local huh Tom?
Don Cruser
Mendocino
STAND & DELIVER
Mr. Anderson,
I am so pleased that Betsy Cawn and I were able to come together. If it wasn’t for her reading my comments in the AVA she would have never sought me out like she did. I’ve been disconnected from the Lake County community and government since 2001. Even though I owned a house in Lake County, most my energy and efforts have been focused on Mendocino and Del Norte Counties, hoping my work would creep into Lake someday. I signed an agreement with Lake County in 2001 that I would never seek employment with the county again. I filed a sexual discrimination claim with the EEOC and they were found culpable. I was one of 3 male mental health specialists working there at that time. They were assigning all the dangerous cases to men with no additional compensation. I had experience at working in inpatient mental health facilities and level 14 group homes where I received Professional Assault Response Training (PART). I was more physically superior than most the women so I could pretty much take care of myself, but I was not entirely happy with being forced to be the hero all the time. You wouldn’t believe the crap I was being sent out to. Everyone got paid the same though. The men got all the dirty roads and women got all the paved neighborhoods where it was safe. I was going into places where I wouldn’t even gone into when I was drinking and using drugs, these were some bad places. As an result of my claim, I got the County to stop sending specialists out alone, and they started giving women more specialized training in self defense as well. Unfortunately according to my sources, they have reverted back to their old ways. I hope no one gets hurt.
Betsy Cawn’s energy has rejuvenated me, she has even offered me the opportunity to speak on her radio show. I now plan on going to Lake County Board of Supervisors meetings and speaking out. Supervisor’s Farrington, Brown, and Smith are not going to be happy with that, they hate my guts. We spent 3 days together in my termination hearing. As a result of my EEOC actions, a woman brought a grievance against me claiming that I intentionally knocked her to the floor one day. Several month’s earlier I was called to the reception counter and was told that I was being asked to rush to the Courthouse concerning a conservatorship hearing. I had forgotten about the hearing and knew the judge was going to be mad. I rushed around the corner and ran smack dab into this female worker from another office. I hit her hard and knocked her flat to the ground. I was sorry but felt she was wrong side of the road anyway, working in a office with halls you never walk out of your lane. Several women gathered around her and helped her to her feet and I apologized and scurried off on my way. Only after I filed my EEOC claim did this lady file her grievance. At my termination hearing two or three women testified they saw the incident and that they too felt physically threatened by me. I argued motive, but the Board wouldn’t hear it. I didn’t even know this person. My office mate, a 4’6’’ Pilipino woman who was a licensed therapist testified in my behalf. The two of us had been sharing a small office for months. She told the board that I was a big teddy bear and that I didn’t scare her at the least.
Here’s my problem, I have long hair, a beard, tattoos, and weigh 260 pounds. Any day that it isn’t raining I ride my Harley to work. I guess I do look dangerous. I’ve been seen with Hell’s Angels and attended several Hell’s Angels funerals and anniversary parties. I even grew up with a former member who attended my brother’s funeral. The rumors spread among both Lake and Mendocino counties. Even though I do not belong to any group, church or association, rumors were still spread. I even quit paying dues to the National Social Workers Association, I am such an independent. I was a biker long before I was a social worker, and my appearance has helped me deal with my clients more effectively. I’ve never had a client file a grievance or complain about me. After they get through the shock of who was knocking at their door they quickly acknowledged that I was pretty much a nice guy who really understood and wanted to help them. A few may have straightened up just by the sight of me, but who knows? I’m definitely not your typical government type. My appearance works for me out in the field and keeps me safe, but does not do me well in the office. I am loud and opinionated, I don’t look civilized I guess, even in a suit and tie. It’s like putting lipstick on a pig. My appearance effects my credibility and I’m always left out of the decision making and planning process, no reindeer games for me. It doesn’t matter if I’m the most qualified and/or experienced person in the room, administration and management and others don’t respect me. I don’t look like one of your typical nice guys. Who in the world would want an employee who looked like me?
When AJ Barrett and Bryan Lowery, each barely 5 foot tall, testified that they felt physically threatened by me at my State Personnel Board hearing, the Administrative Judge took one look at me and found me guilty, there went my job.
When Bryan Lowery, Stacey Cryer, and Carmel Angelo testified in Mendocino County Superior Court that they were afraid of me, there went my career. Now I am unemployable with that workplace violence restraining order on my record. They are mean spirited people and will stoop to the lowest level possible to destroy anyone who gets in their way.
Up until this mess, I had passed every employment background check ever needed to work with families and children. I was once even an adoptions worker. I even used to work in the schools. One time I was assigned to be a classroom social worker in Jaime Escalante’s math program after he moved to Sacramento and became a special advisor for the Governor. We worked with some pretty tough kids at that academy. If anyone has ever seen the movie “Stand and Deliver” starring James Almost, they would know who Jamie was, James Olmos played him perfectly. What a great man and I am proud to have worked with him. Over the years I have rescued hundreds of children from abusive homes or made lives better for them in their own. All the way back to when I was a outreach crisis worker for the Mendocino County Youth Project in 1993. As I pledged to Angelo, Cryer, and Lowery, “I will never give up and I will do everything legally possible to clear my name,” and that means in Lake County as well. I refuse to be a victim.
By the way, a few years later after I knocked that poor lady down in the hallway at Lake County Mental Health, I ran into her again at a local convenience store. This time it wasn’t physical. She walked up to me and started crying. She said she wanted to apologize for what she had done to me. She said that her female supervisor and co-workers talked her into to filing the grievance against me. She said that she was new at the department and just wanted to fit in. Then she went on to tell me what they did to her. It should be noted, that there was never even a police report filed of the incident and I was extremely shocked when they terminated me for it. My position was civil service so the State did not hear my case, just the Board of Supervisors.
I should have never demanded that they pay me hazard pay or assign cases fair and equitably. Anyway, they got rid of that asshole James Marmon.
Publish this if you want, especially if you think it’s of public concern. I actually think that I am needed in both Lake and Mendocino Counties and that I can still contribute to both communities in some capacity.
James Marmon, MSW, (aka, Mr. Negative)
Lake County
POT REGULATION, MENDO-STYLE
Editor:
On Friday, September 11, 2015, the California State Legislation passed the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act. This Act delineates three regulatory agencies as responsible for regulation. The Department of Food and Agriculture will regulate Cultivators; the Bureau of Marijuana Regulation (which is new) will regulate Distributors, Dispensaries and Transport; and the Department of Public Health will regulate Manufacturers and Certified Testing Laboratories. These agencies will issue licenses.
Once Governor Brown signs this, it goes into effect. This means that regulation of cultivation, an important factor in Mendocino which is a producer county, will come under the Department of Agriculture. Most farmers have wanted the move from “Nuisance” to Agriculture for a long time.
An important part of the Act is that it leaves many of the legal issues up to the local jurisdiction. Decision making will rest with the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. It is they who may issue or deny a permit to cultivate medical marijuana and delineate the number of plants cultivated. The Act provides for “canopy” regulations of square feet, a change from the 25 per parcel currently in effect. All of the eight categories allow for more than 25 plants with Type 1, the smallest “specialty outdoor” with no artificial lighting and less than 5,000 square feet as the only Type to include the number, which is 50 mature plants.
We urge the Mendocino Board of Supervisors to support the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act and authorize the Mendocino County Agriculture Department as the regulatory entity for marijuana cultivation adhering to the system of Types of Cultivation delineated by the state legislature.
We also urge the Mendocino Board of Supervisors to respect and work with the existing cannabis farmers and organizations. There are currently several umbrella organizations that have been endorsed by farmers, dispensaries and other stakeholders in our county. The creation of a Mendocino Cannabis Advisory Committee would help to guarantee protection for the citizens who represent different aspects of the overall cannabis community. The BOS and the MCAC together would bring true representation for our county.
Respectfully submitted, Mary Pat Palmer, MA, RH
The Philo School of Herbal Energetics
Philo
IN 25 YEARS: NO STATE OF ISRAEL
Dear Editor:
Recently Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in 25 years there will be no State of Israel. I do not know what he had in mind when he made the statement but I agree that there will also not be a State of Israel twenty five years from now. My reason is because of demographics. I should mention Israel does a very comprehensive census every year. There has been a decline in Jews due to the higher birthrate of Arabs. Since the six year war their has been a significant drop in Jews as a percentage of the population. The most current figures I have seen shows Jews at 75%, Arabs at 20% and 5 % which were Christians, Druzes and other non-Jewish groups. In addition, when you include the occupied lands Arabs now outnumber Jews. Further immigration by of large numbers of Jews is doubtful and there is emigration because of economic conditions. .It is doubtful Israel can maintain their apartheid policy under these conditions. There will a greater Palestine State controlled by the Arabs. I should say my comments should be tempered by the effects of climate change.. Who knows in 25 years what changes have occurred in the area due to warming of the earth? There may be a long drought and very high temperatures which results in a significant depopulation of the area.
In peace and love,
Jim Updegraff
Sacramento
TOM: THE DEFENSE
To the Editor:
Recently the Ukiah Daily Journal published an unsigned editorial that apparently represents the opinion of the paper, in which it denounced Supervisor Tom Woodhouse for talking with County workers about their jobs and conditions. The editorial referenced Supervisor Carrie Brown’s reprimand of Supervisor Woodhouse.
First let me say that my experience is that Supervisor Woodhouse is a kind, intelligent and honorable person. He has often been seen, and more often not been seen, as he quietly helped improve the grounds of local schools with his own labor or by supervising work crews of offenders in cleaning and repairing public facilities.
I have often seen him early in the morning before most people are out and about, weeding and cleaning public sidewalks, parking areas and parks. He never does it for recognition, in fact does not seem to want any recognition for his good deeds.
Tom has worked for many years behind the scenes to improve and fundraise for local schools and the library. Once again, never wanting public recognition for his contribution. He’s simply a very decent person who tries to understand what’s needed then contributes to make this community a better place for all of us. If everyone followed his example our children and communities would be much better off.
I found the Ukiah Daily Journal’s editorial offensive, insulting and in the worst possible taste. There were unsavory personal attacks made that had nothing to do with Supervisor Brown’s concerns. I must add here that Supervisor Brown’s critique should have been handled with more discretion. Certainly, personal attacks are not appropriate.
I believe Tom was honestly and with the best of intentions, trying to understand some of the well-known morale and performance problems that plague County workers, and have yet to be effectively addressed. That situation is legitimately his and the other Supervisors concern in their role of oversight to determine if the CEO is being effective in that area. As a taxpayer and citizen I too want to know the causes of on-going morale and performance issues with County workers so we can see improvement. If you don’t ask, you can’t know.
If Tom’s methods were inappropriate that should be pointed out privately. Hopefully, as a society we have moved past public shaming and character assassination as attempts to improve job performance. Any public employee with less than a year on the job would have been given more respect and discretion. Obviously, everyone here has more to learn to do a better job.
Self-improvement is a never ending process for each of us. Hopefully it can unfold in an atmosphere of due respect.
Bill Barksdale
Willits
AMBULANCE VOLUNTEERS STEP UP
Letter to the editor:
Last weekend was the Mendocino County Fair; it was fairly busy in terms of local emergency response calls. There were roughly 3-4 emergencies each day of the event, almost all were related to the fair. This is compared to a more usual dispatch frequency of maybe 1-2 per week. I'd like to put out a big "Thank You" to all EMS involved, including Anderson Valley Fire Dept, CalFire, Medstar, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Dept., but especially the Anderson Valley Ambulance Volunteers.
The Anderson Valley Ambulance volunteers take on the responsibility of maintaining a local basic life support ambulance, 24/7 service, all of it unpaid. They commit to a significant amount of prerequisite and ongoing training, and cover regular shifts in 12 hour blocks. Most take a shift per week, but many commit to more than this to help fill staffing shortfalls. Running 2 calls per shift on Fair weekend was a definite test of their resolve to trade both festivity and sleep to assist their neighbors.
When you see an AV Ambulance volunteer, make sure to say 'Thank You!' for their excellent and ongoing service to the community.
Additionally, we always need more people ready and willing to step in and help maintain this essential local service in our valley. If this may be you or somebody you know, please consider this an invitation to contact us with your interest and/or questions.
Now is a great time to sign up; we will be facilitating an EMT class in Boonville beginning January 2016 and ending in May 2016. For more information on the EMT class please contact Martha Hyde at 895-3795. Our manager, Clay Eubank, may also be reached at 895-3123.
Sincerely,
Aaron Martin, Assistant Manager
Anderson Valley Ambulance, Boonville
REFUGEES & YOGA
Editor,
As I sit here on the island of Lesvos in Greece, and I look out across the straits of the Aegean Sea towards Turkey, I reflect on this unprecedented mass migration of human beings leaving their war torn homelands. The white dots on the blue water are Greek fishing boats. The orange spots are the refugees in black rubber boats with orange lifevests on.
Who are all these people pouring into Greece? It depends on who you are talking to. Some have the opinion that they are all war refugees; the Syrians, Afghanis, Iraqis, Pakistanis, Algerians, and Somalis. Some say it is only the majority of those that come, the Syrians, that are the "real" war refugees. That the others are 'economic refugees' and taking advantage of the situation. I suppose the common denominator between all of these peoples and countries is politics and greed, (who controls what), in which the United States has played a significant role. Climate change, environmental degradation, and over population are part of the equation.
Who is to say what the difference is between one person and another looking for peace? Looking for a better life? Looking for a way to work and raise a family? As I watch this unfold, I am struck by both the dark side of human nature, and the beauty.
I came here to do Yoga in a program, not to work with refugees. In fact, I really have had no experience ever, with refugees. When I saw my first boat land (on my way to yoga?!) I was shocked. They were so happy. Throwing their lifejackets in the air, yelling, scrambling up the beach. I started to cry, right there, for them. For what they have lost, for what they face. But they are all smiles. They made it. To Greece, to Europe.
I came here to do yoga and I find that the practice is finding another form. I learn how to be in conversation and not fall into despair. I learn how to be present and meet the moment. The conversation between the Greeks, the foreigners, the tourists, and the volunteers, is almost always about the "refugees." We talk about the tragedy of these people leaving everything they love. The desperation, the grief. The hope they have to find a better life. We talk about the atrocity of the Turkish (and Greek?) mafia, charging exorbitant prices to cross the water in flimsy overpacked boats, in unsafe conditions, and lives lost (mostly children). We talk about Greece, still reeling from economic crisis, having to bear the lion’s share of this mass immigration, without having the infrastructure or resources to do so. When 60 people fall out of a collapsed boat, and a fishing boat goes to save them all, the fisherman will not be compensated. When the businesses lose the tourism, there is no recourse. The thousands of deflated rubber boats and the tens of thousands of lifejackets and even more thousands of plastic bottles, this burden is all on the Greek land and people
And then, from the depths of this chaos, there is the heart of human nature. People, normal people, helping each other where they can. First, the donations that come pouring in. In this town of Molyvos, hit hard by the refugees, the money is used to buy food and water. Volunteers, organizations, tourists, Greeks, fishermen, jump into help. When the boats come, we are there to help the elderly and the children off the boat. We are there to distribute food and water. We are there with clothes and hats to help with the harsh sun. We are there to transport those who need into town. We (mostly what I did) are there to pick up the trash and debris from so many people (up to 1500 people a day). We are there to administer medical needs (a team of doctors came from France). But mostly, we are there to assure people; to answer questions, to hold their babies, to comfort those who arrive in tears, to hug them and share a smile. We all take a lot of pictures of each other (everyone has a phone!).
When we express kindness, we touch our hearts as a gesture. When they express kindness or gratitude, they touch their hearts. Yesterday, I saw a Syrian woman take off her ring and give it to a Finnish woman who was picking up trash. The Finnish woman shook her head, 'please no, you keep it'. The Syrian woman insisted, and touched her heart with both of her hands.
The smiles as much as the tears are part of this experience for all of us.
The grief as much as the gratitude.
Right now, there are thousands, waiting. Waiting for a bus (funded by donations only) or walking the 78 kilometers to the capital, then waiting again to get a ferry to Athens. Waiting in the heat and the rain. No shelter. They say there are 4 million still trying to get into Europe. And winter is coming. This is for all of us to look at. 1 month ago, I did not understand what a refugee was. Now I share my insights.
How does it feel to be here? It makes me realize the fragility of human life, and the impermanence of it all. Like the California fires, one day you have a home (or a Harbin), the next day you don't.
It makes me realize the value of caring for each other.
In spite of the surreal quality of the combination of Yoga and Refugees, it was perfect. A loving kind practice, cultivating the ground of caring for self, and then carrying that out, as an action, as a smile, as a prayer.
If you wish to help, send your good wishes, a prayer. That they may someday find a home. That they may find peace. Perhaps, best of all, that they could go home someday to a life without war.
If you wish to give directly to the refugees, to help in a small but very significant way, send $.
Send $25. Send what you can. Your money will go directly to food, transport and water in the town of Molyvos, where the refugees are pouring in. Tim is the accountant for donations for the town of Molyvos. Your $25 or whatever donation will make a difference. If all of us contribute $25, we will have a sizable contribution.
I can be reached at kibrenn@yahoo.com if you have any questions/thoughts.
My love to you all.
Kira Brennan
Tim Smith info: US Dollar PayPal acct is kosmosfilms@gmail.com
Personal check payable to Timothy Smith, 38 rue Catherine Segurane, 06300 Nice, France
If possible let him know your contribution: Smithtimothyjay@gmail.com
For more info on the refugee situation: www.timothyjaysmith.com
Or an updated blog from a local Erik Kempson in Eftalou, Lesvos
CAMPAIGN EXTORTION
Editor,
What is extortion? The dictionary explains that extortion is blackmail or threats of reprisals or coercion. In simpler words if you don’t pony up campaign contributions you don’t get any of the things your lobbyists are asking you to pass that will benefit you. So businesses, unions and other big organizations give big dough to both sides and elections keep getting more costly. When anyone gives money they expect something for their money. Even if it’s charitable. It makes them feel good.
We are probably the only country in the world that starts campaigning the say after an election. In England they start campaigning one month before the election, and they ban paid political ads. What we have now is a soap opera. And what’s wrong this soap opera is the enormous sums of money each candidate has to spend. So that they all owe their souls to all the contributors. It’s heads I win, tails I lose. It’s completely out of control. $50 maximum for any business, union or individual. $50 will not influence anyone.
On top of all this the subjects that are big now most likely will be different next September and October. For example, two new government laws are being passed. One would hold financial advisors responsible for their advice which means they will be listened to because they have some degree from a college who has professors who are experts in financial planning. One has to wonder if financial professors are so financially smart why are they working for wages instead of being rich? Another government bureaucracy. On top of all this is Jerry Brown giving financial advice with the huge unfunded pension debt and growing.
The other bill in the works is Governor Brown signing a bill for equal pay for females doing the same job. What’s wrong with this is that it is against the very principle of our Country in that each person man or woman gets ahead to the best extent of their talent and the pay they receive is the gauge. We are all different. Mother nature or God made everybody look different. Some very similar, but a little different. Why not equal pay for all quarterbacks in football? They all do the same thing. Even moreso, how about Centers in football? Their job is even more equal. How come they’re all men? And some get three times more than others. How come most food servers are women? Could it be that they are better than men in that job? How about the way it is now? Pay the best for the best.
Emil Rossi
Boonville
SUBSTANTIVE ONLY PLEASE
Editor,
Responding to Tim Bray’s recent comment: “Does Sako just have an algorithm that automatically spits out the same tirade against the same people, whenever someone replies to the previous one? Maybe he subscribes to the theory that ‘a lie repeated often enough becomes truth.’ Either that, or he’s just become a tedious kook.”
I don’t know who you are Tim Bray, but let me respond for my part.
Sheila is correct in that I was not aware I needed to supply the names of the three men who were removed from the air by the Program Director while she and another female programmer were kept on because of their friendship, but who had violated the Safe Harbor policy KZYX maintains. I was not aware I had the opportunity to detail my complaint.
Some of the complaints were passed off by the FCC to be handled by other entities, for example, the EEOC. That does not mean a victory for the station. It only means other entities are better prepared to address the complaints and the complaints are out of the purview of the FCC. It does NOT mean the complaints do not have merit.
If you Tim, feel that everything is wonderful, then how do you explain that few new people have stepped forward from the community to become members of CAB and PAC? If you feel that all is terrific, how do you explain and reverse the trend of membership falling off, underwriting tanking and dollars falling off? Why is it the same small cluster of people nominate and elect themselves to the Board without the membership being a part of the process. Tim, how do you explain this to those of us reading this article?
Maybe you don’t agree with the method of those of us who have tried to bring these facts to the attention of the community which gives the money, but it doesn’t negate the facts.
On another note, you have attacked a Board Member who has been isolated and ostracized by the GM and current Board for bringing the many, many internal failings of this station to the public’s attention. It’s easy to attack others on the comfort of your home computer. You have reported nothing substantive, while Mr. Sakowicz and others have reported facts witnessed firsthand.
On October 7, several KZYX members will conduct a review of the infamous John Coate financial reporting. An attorney will be present. Coate resigned the day after receiving the letter about the members inspection. Remember, as a staff person, Coate is/was not legally responsible for the station’s financial status/practices. The Board Members are. Do you blame Mr. Sakowicz for wanting to know what he is legally responsible for especially after the concerted and orchestrated effort by Coate and select Board Members to keep the knowledge of the total financial picture out of his reach?
Mr. Sakowicz has a financial background and career. He does forensic accounting. Don’t you think he would recognize issues that were off if given the chance?
Tim, wouldn’t you want to know what you are legally responsible for in a case such as this? If not, you’re a dullard and a fool.
BTW, one of the features Mr. Sakowicz requested in writing his FCC objection was that the license not be renewed until John Coate was removed. Funny how that came to pass, Tim. Coate is gone and the license is renewed.
Attacking people for how they report information is separate from the information itself.
If you should write to attack me for writing my response, or for just having concerns, it won’t change the facts that have already been identified and presented to you and the public who donate.
Dear Public, Pay attention to where and how your money is spent, not just by KZYX Board Members, but by all non-profits.
M Kathryn Massey,
KZYX, Members for Change
Mendocino
LIONS COME THROUGH FOR FIRE VICTIMS!
Dear Editor,
The Anderson Valley Lions would like to thank this year’s Fair attendees who patronized our beer both and generously filled our tip bucket for the Middletown and Cobb Lions Clubs to the tune of nearly $900!
We would also like to thank Eagle Distributing, Jim, Jody and the rest of the crew at the fair including the ice guys.
The proceeds from the Fair go to scholarships and other educational projects at our local schools, clinics and allowed us to boost the Valley Fire donation to $1500.
Bill Harper, AV Lions
Philo
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