Mendocino County Today: Wednesday, June 20, 2018

• AV Scholarships
• Czar Disappeared
• Sexual Servitude
• Sergeant Espinosa
• Old Timer
• Donald Strauss
• MTA Ride
• Vineyard Crossing
• Little Dog
• FB Shelter
• Police Reports
• Detoxify GP
• Yesterday's Catch
• Anecdotal War
• Child Bins
• Political Correctness
• Kid Prison
• Declaring War
• NCO Award
• McGuire Condemnation
• DC Stehr

AV HIGH SCHOOL GRAD SCHOLARSHIPS 2018

Career Pathway Completers

Agriculture: Morgan Kobler, Hailee Peterson

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics: Alejandro Soto, Luis Lievanos, Angus Fraser

Culinary Arts: Daisy Delgado, Maya Kehl

Public Safety/Firefighting: Morgan Kobler

Music Production: Omar Mendoza, Gabriel Segura, Ernesto Macias, Alexis Madrigal, Angus Fraser, Christian Kuny

Visual and Digital Arts: Cozette Ellis, Maria Delgado, Angus Fraser, Ulises Garcia, Jorge Mejia, Priscilla Moreno, Lupita Perez, Gabriel Segura

California State Seal of Biliteracy: James Carlin, Cozette Ellis, Morgan Kobler, Omar Mendoza, Linda Mendoza

Scholarships ranging from $100-$5000

Anderson Valley Lion’s Club: Morgan Kobler, Marlen Ferreyra

Av Arts Association: Cozette Ellis

Yorkville Community Scholarship: Maria Delgado

Anderson Valley Chamber of Commerce: Ulises Garcia, Marlen Ferreyra

Cheri Fish Memorial Scholarship: Omar Mendoza, Ernesto Macias

California School Employees Association Scholarship: Gabriel Segura, Alejandro Soto

Philo Methodist Church: Marlen Ferreyra

Doyle Scholarship: Alejandro Soto

Independent Career Women Scholarhip: Marlen Ferreyra, Sydney Sanchez

Mendocino Forest Products Community Scholarship: Marlen Ferreyra

Alice Gowan Memorial Scholarship: Sydney Sanchez

Michael Shapiro Memorial Scholarship: James Carlin

Bessie Scott Scholarship: Cozette Ellis

Hammond Trust Emergency Service Scholarship: Morgan Kobler

Jesse Pittman Scholarships: Morgan Kobler, James Carlin

Pedro Mendoza Memorial Scholarship: Marlen Ferreyra

American Legion Scholarship: Cozette Ellis

AV Unity Club: Omar Mendoza, Guadalupe Perez

AV Unity Garden Club: Alejandro Soto

Arlene Colombini Scholarship: Marlen Ferreyra

Anderson Valley Teachers Association: Omar Mendoza

National FFA Scholarship: Morgan Kobler

Angus Fraser Gas Money for Nashville Dreams Scholarship: Angus Fraser

AV Education Foundation $1200-$2500: Alexis Madrigal, Maria Delgado, Linda Mendoza, Hailee Peterson, Sydney Sanchez, Ernesto Macias, Guadalupe Perez, Omar Mendoza, Morgan Kobler, Marlen Ferreyra, Cozette Ellis, James Carlin

Robert Mailer Anderson Scholarships:

“Boonville” ($1,000/yr First two years, $2,000/yr next two years, Total $6,000): Alexis Madrigal, Sydney Sanchez, Maria Delgado, Salvador Flores, Daisy Delgado, Vanessa Sanchez, Hailee Peterson, Jorge Medina, Luis Lievanos, Ulises Garcia, Guadalupe Perez, Gabriel Segura, Ernesto Macias, Alejandro Soto, Cristian Bucio

“Overland” ($3,000/yr, Total $12,000): Cozette Ellis, Morgan Kobler, Omar Mendoza, Maya Kehl, Marlen Ferreyra, Jorge David Mejia

“Dos Passos” ($5,000/year, Total $20,000): James Carlin

POT CZAR DISAPPEARS

(If you can hear this, Kelly, please call home. You’re among friends here.)

TUESDAY’S Board Of Supervisors Meeting opened with a question from Willits Weekly reporter Mike A’Dair; “I don't really have a comment, but I have a question. I am very interested to know the status of Kelly Overton. [Overton is Mendo’s recently hired, high-profile “pot czar,” aka Cannabis Program Manager working directly under CEO Carmel Angelo.] I have made many calls to county staff and also to you Mr. Hamburg and I have not heard an answer. So I would appreciate an answer. I would like to know what his status is. Is he still with the county? Or not?”

Board Chair Dan Hamburg’s only response was: "Thank you."

Later in the Meeting CEO Carmel Angelo briefly mentioned that there was some information about the pot permit program in her CEO report. (Track and Trace group meeting, Building requirements group working on FAQ sheet. State Requirements group identified top five issues (not listed). Overlay zoning group working with high-priced consultant. But nothing about permits, progress or status.) But no staff was available discuss it.

In the afternoon when the Board was discussing some other minor tweaks to the pot permit ordinance (which they decided not to do any of after an hour of pointless discussion), CEO Angelo reported that “there is no staff present for the item.” (Although there were pot program reps from County Counsel’s office, the Tax Collector's office, and the Planning Department.)

NOT EVEN A "It's a personnel matter."

MAYBE A'DAIR should call Alan 'The Kid' Flora over in Lake County where he landed after he suffered a similar unexplained disappearance from the CEO's office. Maybe Overton’s been exiled to the East.

ED NOTE: MIKE A’DAIR is a long-time reporter on local affairs, and a very good reporter at that. We’re insulted on his behalf that he’s treated so rudely by these five boors. The mute stare-back seems the new style among our leaders these days. Ask a legit question, get the silent stare back as your answer. Angelo, known to have a short fuse, probably flipped out on Overton, as she famously did with the similarly non-personed Flora, and he was gone. I wonder if he also got the armed march from the premises ala Diane Curry?

ONE TASTE — OR ELSE

Report alleges 'sexual servitude' at San Francisco-based 'orgasmic meditation' company

Former employees of OneTaste say the San Francisco-based wellness company encouraged them to spend thousands of dollars on orgasmic meditation classes and, in some cases, engage in sexual servitude, according to a report.

sfgate.com/bayarea/article/onetaste-orgasmic-meditation-sexual-daedone-nicole-13004804.php

ED NOTE: Of course, OneTaste owns and operates the former Shenoa Retreat Center outside of Philo.

DETECTIVE LUIS ESPINOZA has been promoted to Sergeant, and I just ran out and bought a new Celestron telescope to help keep focus on the Boonville basketball coach’s astronomical career with the Sheriff's Office, because when I came here in 2009 he was a ride-along with our newly arrived Resident Deputy Craig Walker, a designation that has subsequently been done away with (due to the stingy Board of Supervisors who have reserved all pay raises for their own sweet selves). His skyrocketing career could take him away from us, down to Sonoma County, for instance, where a patrol officer was recently listed as making more money ($300k+ in one year, thanks to overtime) than District Attorney JIll Ravitch! But Sgt. Espinoza tells us he’s not in it for the money — who said he’s all about community, and goodness what an asset he is to ours! No, he confesses, under duress, he doesn’t want to give up being a homicide detective, and putting killers away — but, hey, he says, it’s time to move on. True enough, and at risk of repeating myself, the man is motivated, talented, versatile and precise; and I wouldn’t be overly surprised if he didn’t run for sheriff next election. I, for one among many, would vote for him! (Bruce McEwen)

YOU'RE GETTING TO BE A VALLEY OLD TIMER IF…

• You remember when all local phone numbers were Twinbrook 5-31XX – with no area code.
• Your local phone line was a party line.
• You visited Hendy Grove before Hendy Woods State Park was established.
• You checked out books from the library in Indian Creek State Park.

— Marshall Newman

THE KAYAKER found dead Monday night near Van Damme Beach has been identified 65‑year‑old Donald Paul Strauss of Fort Bragg. Strauss, whose body was recovered by the Coast Guard, was said to be an experienced kayaker and familiar with that area of the Mendocino Coast.

UKIAH TO BOONVILLE Tuesday afternoon by MTA. The driver, approximately 80 years old, said, "You're a Senior presumably." I said he presumed correctly, and wanted to add that I was pleased to find someone older than me still on the job, but that might be stretching presumption a little too far. The ride to Boonville was $1.50. I got on at the Ukiah Library. It was hot on the street. It seems hot in Ukiah even in mid-winter. Maybe it's the desolation of the place, which is twice as bad in the heat. There were ten passengers, Me, a sedate gringa, a black man dressed for the heat like a Bedouin, 8 middle age Mexicans. We picked up the 11th passenger at WalMart. She was a difficult upload. A worn-looking woman of 50 or so, and half-to-three quarters cracked, she carried several bundles indicating she was homeless. She immediately kicked off a prolonged haggle with the driver about the fare to Point Arena I think. I considered paying it myself just to get on the road as the driver, undoubtedly accustomed to dealing with difficult persons on his daily run from Gualala to and from our lovely county seat, finally said, "You're either on or off." That's right. You're either on the bus or off the bus. I liked the old boy's clarity. Extracting change from several different bags she'd plunked down in the aisle, the Mexicans exchanged loco looks. The loco lady finally paid up and we were off. Almost. "Wait!" she shouted. "I've got to tie my bag down." The driver stopped the bus, got out, opened the back door while his star passenger secured one of her bags. The rest of the ride was uneventful.

YES OR NO, BUT SAY SO

Very soon the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors will be asked to weigh in on whether the Guillon developers group has a chance of building 123 homes at the north end of Ukiah in what is known as the Vineyard Crossing project.

Like most housing developments that are proposed in this county, there is a cadre of people hotly opposed to it on any number of grounds, including traffic, or zoning, or the design, or any number of other impacts.

In this case there is also the county’s own “inclusionary housing ordinance” which requires low cost homes be built alongside moderate or market priced homes. Guillon, after an initial public session on its project where it heard that building 123 cookie cutter single family homes, with no inclusionary housing, was not going to be acceptable, went back to the drawing boards.

It has now redesigned its project to include some lower cost town homes, and some single family homes on lots large enough to add an “accessory dwelling unit” commonly referred to as “granny units.” These are all the rage right now as California tries to get through a housing crisis of historical proportions.

Guillon has also come up with a down payment funding plan to help people pay for their homes.

Meanwhile Supervisor John McCowen has made a point of noting that since the county added an inclusionary housing ordinance to its books, not a single housing development has been built.

There’s no question this county needs housing. It needed housing desperately even before last October’s fires left so many people homeless.

We understand that people want visionary housing, alternative housing and environmentally pure housing. (And if that’s what we agree we want in this county then put it in writing and don’t wait for a developer to show up to make demands.)

Yes, this housing project isn’t going to serve low income people. But, there can be no argument that we have built far more low income and subsidized housing in this valley in the past 17 years than market rate housing. We have built 396 low income or subsidized apartments since 2001 in the valley and 166 single family homes in that time. The state of California says we have a need – from now until 2027 - for 1,620 more low income places to live and 2,220 moderate to market homes.

Mendocino College just finished a housing study that says we need 1,240 new homes just to relieve the housing crunch in the Ukiah valley that exists today.

All of this is to say that while the Guillon project may not be the perfect project to all people, it at least presents the possibility for some new housing here.

And they are still willing to work on making it more palatable to people who oppose it.

What Guillon is asking for now is for the supervisors to say, yes we like your concept, we are willing to work with you. Guillon should not have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on the next steps if the county doesn’t like the concept to begin with and knows that without traditional inclusionary housing built in, or because of the rezoning from ag to residential in the project, the board will reject it anyway.

We hope the county will say, yes, go ahead, we’re with you so far.

—K.C. Meadows, courtesy, the Ukiah Daily Journal

LITTLE DOG SAYS, “Just askin', but how come so many of these Rasta babes are hooked up with these grubby, vacant-eyed stoners? They say love is blind, but we're talking mass sight impairment all weekend here in Boonville!”

FROM COUNTY CEO CARMEL ANGELO: The Fort Bragg [animal] Shelter is almost at 100% completed. Facilities and IT have completed the necessary work. Staff is determining what equipment and supplies need to be purchased. It is anticipated that equipment will be moved and caging of animals will begin in the next month. A Shelter Supervisor was hired for the Fort Bragg Shelter and has been training at the Ukiah Shelter for the last three to four weeks. Recruitment closed on June 11, 2018, for two other positions and interviews will be held in the near future. Upon hiring, the new employees will receive approximately six to eight weeks of training at the Ukiah Shelter.

HEY! THAT'S MY BIKE!

On June 14, 2018 at approximately 1:00 p.m., Mendocino County Sheriff's Deputies contacted Joshua Bell, 37, of Fort Bragg, after he was observed riding a bicycle on the roadway in an unlawful manner in the 24000 block of North Highway 1 in Fort Bragg.

During that contact, Deputies were approached by another person about a theft report. The person laid claim to the bicycle and informed Deputies it had been recently stolen and reported to the Fort Bragg Police Department. After further investigation, Deputies confirmed the bicycle was stolen (estimated value of $2,000). Bell was subsequently arrested for possession of stolen property and booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he was held in lieu of $15,000 bail.

* * *

AGE HAS ITS PRIVILEGES

On June 16, 2018 at approximately 9:00 a.m., Mendocino County Sheriff's Deputies received a call for service regarding a theft at the Mobile Gas station and convenience store in Fort Bragg. After Deputies arrived at the location they contacted the reporting person who worked at the business. The employee informed Deputies he observed Rodney Tucker, 70, of Fort Bragg, enter the store and take merchandise without paying for it.

When the employee confronted Tucker about the stolen merchandise outside the store, Tucker attempted to strike the employee with a blunt object and made statements he would not pay for the merchandise. The employee retreated back inside the store in fear for his safety and summoned law enforcement. Deputies initiated a search for Tucker and located him in the 19000 block of North Highway 1 in Fort Bragg. Tucker was ultimately arrested for second degree robbery and booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he was to be held in lieu of $75,000 bail.

PS. Mr. Tucker was also arrested by the Fort Bragg Police back on Thursday, May 31st. He was booked on one misdemeanor trespassing charge, $5,000 bail, and released, Saturday, June 2nd at 9:22 am.)

* * *

TEENAGE DRUNK DRIVING RAMPAGE

On June 19, 2018, Officers of the Fort Bragg Police Department were notified of a hit-and-run vehicle collision which had just occurred in the 500 block of Oak Street. Officers were on scene within two minutes and were able to locate and identify the suspect vehicle and driver near the intersection of Oak Street and Harrison Street.

During the course of the investigation, Officers were able to determine that the 16 year old driver of the suspect vehicle was operating the vehicle without a valid license, and was operating the vehicle while intoxicated. A preliminary alcohol screening showed the juvenile driver as having a blood alcohol content of 0.09%. Through multiple witness statements, Officers determined that the suspect driver collided with a work truck belonging to Harrison Drywall Inc. which was parked in the 500 block of Oak Street. The suspect driver then attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended by arriving Officers.

The suspect driver in this incident was arrested on the above charges, booked and later released to his parents. The suspect driver and his parents may also face additional civil penalties related to the costs incurred by the City during this investigation.

(Fort Bragg Police Press Release)

* * *

HONOR THY FATHER AND MOTHER

On June 19, 2018 at approximately 10:54 AM, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies were detailed to the 17900 block of North Highway 1, Fort Bragg, to a reported incident of domestic violence. Sheriff’s Deputies arrived and learned a domestic argument had occurred.

The suspect, Kevin Turpin, 52, of Fort Bragg, engaged in a verbal argument with his 19 year old son regarding a skateboard. The son's mother interjected into the argument, triggering Turpin to throw a metal animal food dish at her. Turpin and his son began punching each other and the adult female again interjected, subsequently getting struck in the face several times by Turpin, causing minor injury. Turpin was placed under arrest for Felony Domestic Violence. Additionally, Turpin had two misdemeanor warrants for his arrest for traffic and probation violations. Turpin was transported to the Mendocino County Jail where he is being held in lieu of $35,000 bail.

DETOXIFY THE MILL SITE

ON JUNE 25, 2018 the Fort Bragg City Council will discuss the Preferred Processing for Coastal Development Permit for the Mill Pond Project: 1) Consolidation of the Coastal Development Permit with the Coastal Commission and Processing by the Coastal Commission; or 2) Local Processing of the CDP by the City of Fort Bragg Followed by Potential Appeal to the Coastal Commission. For further detail click here and scroll to item #7A.

* * *

June 11, 2018

Mr. Thomas P. Lanphar
Senior Environmental Scientist
Department of Toxic Substances Control
tom.lanphar@dtsc.ca.gov.

Dear Mr. Lanphar

We have prepared the following comments to clearly express our firm opposition to approval of the draft final Operable Unit E Feasibility Study prepared by Kennedy/Jenks Consultants for the former Georgia-Pacific (G-P) Wood Products Facility in Fort Bragg, California. We assert that the draft Feasibility Study, as submitted, is inadequate for the following reasons:

1. It is based upon an inadequate analysis of certain Contaminants of Concern that appears to ignore the true extent of contamination that would remain in situ if the preferred alternatives are implemented.
2. It fails to fully assess the risk of contaminants that, according to the selected preferred alternatives, would remain in situ.
3. It fails to consider other reasonable strategies that could effectively mitigate the continuing risk of future exposures.
4. The selected preferred alternative for the remediation of Pond 8 aquatic sediment is supported by incompletely defined and undocumented device(s) with no reliable evidence that such a strategy is feasible.
5. It fails to provide a complete analysis of selected preferred alternatives.
6. It fails to address Comment 56 from your review of the previous draft Feasibility Study, which required a separate analysis of contaminant levels in the eastern section of Pond 8 if, as proposed, the original pond is to be bifurcated by a barrier.
7. It inadequately addresses the risk of future contaminant release to the environment due to the effects of sea level rise.
8. As submitted, the preferred alternatives selected in this Feasibility Study ARE NOT acceptable to the public.

We will briefly address each of these objections and stand ready to discuss them in much greater detail if you desire clarification or further justification.

Objection 1. Inadequate analysis of Dioxin levels in Pond 8 aquatic sediment. 

A review of analytical data for Dioxin samples collected from Pond 8 aquatic sediment will reveal several critical deficiencies that prevent a true evaluation of the potential exposure risks posed by those contaminated soils. Many of the samples were collected at the most shallow depths (0-0.5 and 0.5-1.5 feet below sediment surface). Unfortunately, those few samples that were collected at greater depths often exhibited higher levels of Dioxin. Exceedingly few samples were collected at or near the bottom of the sediment deposits. Therefore, we have no reliable estimate of the true extent of Dioxin contamination in Pond 8. This incomplete data set negates our ability to accurately estimate the true threat to the environment and the exposed receptor organisms posed by residual Dioxin- contaminated sediments. This incomplete data set also potentially fails to identify existing “hot spots” of Dioxin-contaminated sediment. We find that this incomplete assessment of the true risks posed by residual Dioxin-contaminated sediments in Pond 8 fails to support the selected preferred alternative. Therefore, we suggest that the current Feasibility Study be sent back for revision.

Objection 2. Failure to fully assess the risk of contaminants left in situ. 

This objection specifically refers to the Dioxin-contaminated sediments and soils that would remain in the areas in and near Ponds 8 and 7. The previous objection addressed our concerns over the failure to adequately determine the levels of Dioxin in the contaminated substrate. However, risk is a factor of longevity as well as concentration. In your November 17, 2017, list of comments on the previous draft Feasibility Study, Comment 57 stated “The second to the last sentence in this section [Alternative 2 – Institutional Controls (Pond 8) page 7-12] states that the sediment COI [Contaminant of Concern, i.e., Dioxin] concentrations will continue to decline naturally through existing biological and geochemical processes. Please describe these processes and possible rates of attenuation.” We find that the current Feasibility Study fails to address your comments, particularly as they apply to the theoretical attenuation of Dioxin-contaminated aquatic sediments. No scientific justification is provided to support the assertion that Dioxin levels will be naturally attenuated. But more importantly, no reliable half-life estimate is offered. The question remains – how long will residual levels of Dioxin be present if the contaminated sediment, especially the “hot spots” are left in place? This information is vitally important to assess the risk of potential environmental exposure in the event of a future failure of the dam or earthen walls that would serve as a containment device in the selected preferred alternative. Therefore, we request that the current Feasibility Study be sent back for revision.

Objection 3. Failure to consider other reasonable alternatives. 

The current draft Feasibility Study alternatives for Pond 8 aquatic sediments poses two “all or nothing” choices: leave the (currently unknown) levels of contamination in place and impose administrative controls (this is the proposed selected preferred alternative), or dredge and remove all sediment (approximately 106,000 cubic yards). However, the selected preferred alternative also includes the installation of a barrier that would separate Pond 8 into western and eastern entities. According to existing analytical data, the western section of the pond has significantly lower contaminant levels, while the eastern section contains multiple documented “hot spots” that exceed recreational cleanup goals. We suggest that G-P consider another alternative for Pond 8 aquatic sediments – the removal of Dioxin-contaminated “hot spots” once the proposed barrier is installed. Therefore, we request that the current Feasibility Study be sent back for revision.

Objection 4. Selected preferred alternative dependent upon unsupported strategy. 

Unfortunately for the remediation solution in Objection 3, the current draft Feasibility Study fails to provide supporting documentation that its strategy of using a separation barrier to divide Pond 8 is itself feasible. Similarly, there is no concrete proposal for strengthening the existing dam or the beach berm to the extent that they will be able to adequately withstand the effects of sea level rise over the 100-year life span that is promised in the Feasibility Study. This is particularly troubling since that document also fails to address the residual Dioxin levels that can be expected during that period. Any containment strategy must be proven to be sufficient to prevent the potential release of contaminants into the adjacent ocean environment. The current draft Feasibility Study contains no such assurances. Therefore, we request that the current Feasibility Study be sent back for revision.

Objection 5. Incomplete analysis of selected preferred alternatives. 

Section 7 of the draft feasibility study addresses the “Development and Evaluation of Remedial Alternatives” for each of the areas in OU-E. The analysis of Alternative 4 – Excavation and Disposal for Pond 7 Aquatic Sediment (section 7.3.1.4) and Pond 8 Aquatic Sediment (section 7.5.1.4) include an estimate of the amount of carbon dioxide that would be generated during completion of each remedial action. That information is subsequently cited as a reason to lower the overall rating of that alternative. However, no such estimate of carbon dioxide generation is provided for the selected preferred alternative. Without that information, a thorough comparison of the alternatives is not possible. Additionally, the selected preferred alternative for Pond 8 aquatic sediment fails to provide any analysis of the impacts generated by the installation of a new dam to divide that pond into two sections. The installation of that infrastructure will result in the disturbance of uncharacterized sediment, will require the excavation and removal uncharacterized sediment, and will result in an undefined generation of additional carbon dioxide. A thorough analysis of the selected preferred alternative must address such impacts. Therefore, we request that the current Feasibility Study be sent back for revision.

Objection 6: Failure to address your comment concerning characterization of Pond 8. 

In your November 17, 2017 list of comments on the previous draft Feasibility Study, Comment 56 [ Section 3.1.2, Alternative 2 – Institutional Controls (Pond 8) Page 7-12] stated “ . . . This section describes planned modifications of the Mill Pond Dam that address requirements of the California Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD). The Mill Pond Dam will be modified to include separation of the pond into east and west sections, thus creating two separate containment structures. DTSC encourages Georgia-Pacific to evaluate these two sections separately in the Feasibility Study as each poses a different level of risk. The Pond 8 western section exhibits lower contamination and risk than the eastern section. Additional characterization sampling of Pond 8 would provide a more complete characterization of contaminants and risk.” As previously stated in this letter, the lack of a thorough assessment of Dioxin levels in Pond 8, especially in the more contaminated areas of the eastern section, prevents a complete assessment of the long-term risk posed by Dioxin contaminants that would be retained in that area per the proposed selected alternative. Similarly, it appears to negate the assertion that this newly created eastern pond would meet recreational standards for Dioxin. Therefore, we request that the current Feasibility Study be sent back for revision.

Objection 7. Failure to adequately address potential impact of sea level rise. 

We believe that after all the investigation and remediation that has been done on the former Georgia-Pacific Mill Site to date, the greatest threat of future environmental contamination is the contaminated soil and sediments that, according to the selected preferred alternatives of the draft Feasibility Study, will remain in Pond 8 and near the berm of Pond 7. Unfortunately, these are the areas that will be most vulnerable to the effects of rising sea levels. Similarly, the increasing strength and duration of storms, a troubling phenomenon that has been documented across the globe, will further threaten the stability of the proposed containment devices. Locally we have already witnessed the destruction of Georgia-Pacific’s former railway and haul road, infrastructure that had stood for decades, from such storm surge.

The draft Feasibility Study claims, without any documentation or other technical support, that undescribed improvements to the Pond 8 dam and the beach berm will provide effective protection of these areas for 100 years. As partial evidence for the “Long-Term Effectiveness and Performance” of these containment controls, the Feasibility Study states that “Major repairs [of the existing dam] have been relatively infrequent, on the order of 50 or more years between major maintenance activities.” That statement clearly demonstrates that the proposal fails to take into account the well-documented changes that will threaten existing coastal infrastructure in the next 100 years. Therefore, we request that the current Feasibility Study be sent back for revision.

Objection 8. Lack of public acceptance. 

From the beginning of this remediation project, the local public have consistently expressed their desire and their expectation that the former mill site would be cleaned, and that no significant contamination should remain. The Fort Bragg City Council has assured the public that they understood and concurred with this expectation. Much hard work has been performed to help meet that goal. The City of Fort Bragg and its people have been blessed with the opportunity to enjoy the remediated coastal trail. Tourists crowd the parking lots for a chance to visit those areas that are open to them. Unlike the early days after the mill closure when people were afraid to take their children in their cars onto the mill site to watch the annual fireworks display because of the toxins that were present, people now ride their bikes, walk the trails, enjoy picnics, walk their dogs, and bring their babies to enjoy the open coastline. The former mill site is now an asset to this community, a resource that we are proud of. In many ways it is the new face of Fort Bragg. However, the existence of Dioxin-contaminated ‘hot spots” will remain a perceived threat in the eyes of the public, a permanent symbol of betrayed trust, a veritable wart on the nose of that new face. For that reason, the retention of Dioxin-contaminated sediment and soil in excess of recreational levels is unacceptable to the citizens of Fort Bragg. Therefore, we request that the current Feasibility Study be sent back for revision.

We trust that DTSC’s final approval of the Feasibility Study will be based on the technical and scientific merits of that document. We thank you for your attention in this matter and want you to know that we truly appreciate all the work you have done to date to shepherd this project. Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding these comments.

Sincerely,

David Jensen
Teri Jo Barber
John Gallo
Leslie Kashiwada
Susan Kelley
Doug Kern
Bill Lemos
George Reinhardt
Sheila Semans

CATCH OF THE DAY, June 19, 2018

BRANDY BYRNE, Covelo. Disobeying a court order.

RUSTY EASTER, Fort Bragg. Probation revocation.

NOE ESPITIA, Lakeport/Ukiah. DUI with priors, suspended license, renting a vehicle to a person with interlock device restriction.

RANDALL GENSAW, Ukiah. Rape of unconscious or sleeping victim, probation revocation.

TIMOTHY GREGORY, Willits. Protective order violation.

BENJAMIN HOFF, Ukiah. Burglary, conspiracy.

LUIS MAGANA-ALVAREZ, Ukiah. Driving without license, unsatisfactory ID.

ANTHONY MCCOY JR., Ukiah. Probation revocation.

BRANDON SMITH, Willits. Probation revocation.

JERRY WALLS, San Antonio/Ukiah. DUI.

DOES THE BURNS/NOVICK DOCUMENTARY DESERVE AN EMMY?

by Doug Rawlings

By the time I reached Episode Four in this ten-episode film, I concluded it should not be touted as an Emmy Award winning documentary.

Episode Four “Resolve,” is the story of 1966, a year that the producers of this film have designated as the time when doubt began to worm its way into American troops. This doubt sows the breeding ground for what we now call “moral injury.”

The American soldier in Viet Nam begins to realize that his job of killing others, or supporting those who are carrying out the killing, is not divinely ordained. He is not in a just war. In fact, he is being used by others who have much more pedestrian motives — rank, saving face, gaining political favor, selling weapons.

This is three years before I even set foot in country, into a war much different than early 1966. In 1969, we trudged into that muck and mire as reluctant cynics. We were intent on surviving, not attaining some fanciful glorious victory over the demonic communists – but not so for the 173rd Airborne in the Central Highlands in mid-1966.

So, let’s assume that Burns and Novick et al are somewhat accurate in setting off 1966 as the “turning point” in our slow awakening to the truth. So what?

First off, this would have been a good point for the auteurs to work in the aforementioned concept of moral injury.

As that term begins to be thrown around in popular culture, losing any real meaning, it is important to note that it was intended to mean a slow, remorseful process of recognizing one’s complicity in what most religions call “evil,” combined with a soul-shaking sense of betrayal.

You realize that there is no excuse for your unwillingness or inability to stop human degradation as it unfolds before you as your deeply held moral codes wither away. And now you must accept the consequences of that debilitating malaise that worked its way into your head.

Some of us have deflected that responsibility by attacking the commanders and officers and politicians who told us to follow their orders. But that excuse wears thin over time. Even as the filmmakers worked for a decade on their enterprise, the proverbial chickens have come home to roost. The filmmakers do not overtly acknowledge this concept, but its presence begins to cast shadows on their narrative.

As I watched the faces of the soldiers caught up in the moment or moments that will change their lives forever, those acts of quick reflex to survive or to avenge the deaths of buddies, I cringed. Doug Peacock, a medic with the Green Berets for two tours, captures “the horror, the horror” of it all in his memoir WALKING IT OFF when he writes about the staggering realization that “everything is permitted.” You are nineteen, and you can end life, make life for another unbearable, and you can do it with virtual impunity. A person does not come back from that world unscathed.

At this juncture of the film, four episodes into a ten-episode saga, it is evident to me that we are not watching a true documentary film. In my eyes, documentation is rooted in facts and, if at all possible, immutable truths. The documentarian’s function is to get down to historical truths, to discover cause and effect, and to provide us with a trustworthy scaffolding on which to rebuild our memories as soundly as possible. No, we are watching instead a series of anecdotes, each one imbued with the earnestness of the teller. Who dares to question the grieving mother or disillusioned sister or duty-bound soldier? We are not being invited into a logical discussion of facts here — we are being asked to bear witness.

As a veteran of that war who has tried to bring to light its utter depravity and as a teacher, I oppose letting this visual extravaganza stand as a definitive historical record that students will turn to in their studies.

It is a cornucopia of anecdotes that gives us a glimpse of that war that I’m sure the Pentagon and the Koch brothers, who funded it, would approve of, but its priorities are misguided. The war was never “begun in good faith,” it was never just a “mistake,” it was, from the beginning and throughout, a morally depraved undertaking.

Three million soldiers from this country sent to Viet Nam did not “serve” — we were used. We were blood-sacrificed on the altar of greed and power along with millions of Vietnamese dead. And for what?

John Pilger, the Australian journalist and award-winning documentary filmmaker wrote, “The invasion of Vietnam was deliberate and calculated — as were policies and strategies that bordered on genocide and were designed to force millions of people to abandon their homes. Experimental weapons were used against civilians.”

Burns and Novick avoid those conclusions although thousands of Viet Nam veterans came to realize the soul-devastating truth during the war or soon after. A film that brings their words into the narrative would be a major step forward. This one is far from that.

This is not history we are watching. We are watching theater. And we who lived through that war, whether “in country” or not, must see ourselves as players on a stage. That exercise is not without merit, but let’s not confuse it with a “healing” historical account or an Emmy award-worthy documentary.

(Doug Rawlings retired six years ago after teaching writing composition for 33 years at high school and college levels. He was drafted in 1968 and was with the 7/15th artillery in the Central Highlands of Viet Nam from July 1969 to August 1970. Courtesy, CounterPunch.org.)

ON LINE COMMENT OF THE DAY

Political Correctness is basically being polite, rather than being violent or foul mouthed.

The extreme end of a void of political correctness is the jerry springer show guests.

The modern vernacular of political correctness is just a term for any criticism that does not does not agree with you. such as when Donald Trump would interject “that’s just political correct”. he has since replaced this with “fake news”. it’s basically just a dog whistle. The problem with PC is Ideological Correctness. Which is usually squabbling over gender/sexuality/ and occasionally ethnic issues that largely don’t impact most peoples day to day lives most of the time. To be fair, our nation must have very few problems if these issues take up so much time and attention from people.

“Look to the stars and away from my prisons for immigrant children!”

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO, EUGENE DEBS GAVE AN ANTI-WAR SPEECH THAT LANDED HIM IN PRISON

“The master class has always declared the wars. The subject class has always fought the battles,” Debs said. “The master class has had all to gain and nothing to lose, while the subject class has had nothing to gain and all to lose—especially their lives...They have always taught and trained you to believe it to be your patriotic duty to go to war and to have yourselves slaughtered at their command. But in all the history of the world you, the people, have never had a voice in declaring war, and strange as it certainly appears, no war by any nation in any age has ever been declared by the people.”

BIG AWARD FOR NCO!

Wonderful to read that North Coast Opportunities just got an award from the unctuous Mike McGuire for doing so terrific a job at whatever in the name of free money North Coast Opportunities does. If you ask the next hundred Ukiahans you meet to give three examples (or one) of a service provided by NCO you’ll go 0-for-100. Nobody knows what it does other than absorb government money and perform meaningless tasks at hundreds of desks in numerous buildings. NCO employs the otherwise unemployable. NCO provides jobs to loyal Democrats who loaf around and wait for the next load of grant money to be divvied up, along with, occasionally, a plaque and an award from little Mickey McGuire. (Tommy Wayne Kramer, Ukiah Daily Journal)

LITTLE MIKEY SAYS....

The Trump administration’s heartless and expanded policy of separating children from families arriving at the border is cruel, inhumane and indecent, even by Trump standards.

Tent cities for children. Children in cages and baby jails. Parents being deported without their children. It all sounds too horrific to be true. But it is true – and it must stop immediately.

I condemn President Donald Trump, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen in the strongest possible terms. They have created this nightmare, lie about it, and defend the indefensible.

It is true that we need comprehensive immigration reform – reform that has been blocked at every step of the way by the President. But the tragedy unfolding before us right now is a humanitarian crisis that must be stopped. These children cannot wait on congressional gridlock, partisan politics or the cynical gamesmanship of this President and his accomplices.

I will be working with members of the Senate in the coming days to put the entire weight of the State of California behind efforts to end this barbaric practice.

In the meantime, Mr. President, all it takes is one phone call from you to stop this madness: Do. It. Now.

CATCHING UP WITH CRAIG

Booked into Washington, D.C. DUO travel hostel until Sunday June 24th

Hello everyone,

Please know that I just toured the Franciscan Monastery in the Brookland section of Washington, D.C. It features a reproduction of Holy Land sites. Sat awhile inside of the main building in a side meditation/prayer room, (which I used to go to for solace during the fourteen previous times that I was active in the district). Indeed, as the Secret Service Police continue to move everybody from in front of the White House, all the way to the back of Lafayette Park, because The Donald is returning via helicopter from a round of golf, and therefore utmost security must be provided, I wonder just how irrelevant postmodern life is becoming in the United States of America. I have no idea whatsoever where I am going to go, and precisely what I am going to do, beyond my exit date of Sunday June 24th from the travel hostel. If you would like to be active with me in these weird, existential times, go ahead and reply to this email and tell me so. Anything right now would be better than continuing to send out an endless stream of email messages, because I don't want to be inactive and pointlessly living in postmodern America. How about we form a spiritually focused nomadic action group? I mean, we could ourselves be the most incredible ones doing the most incredible spiritual work. Why don't we collectively seize the moment?

Craig Louis Stehr

Email: craiglouisstehr@gmail.com