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Posts published by “Jim Shields”

Regulate Short-Term Vacation Rentals?

What do you think of the idea of Mendocino County restricting and/or regulating so-called short-term rentals (STRs), rented mostly by vacationing tourists? What about the right of property owners to rent housing units? As most…

Corruption and the PUC

Redistricting Finalized At their special meeting on Thursday, Nov. 18, the Board of Supervisors unanimously put the final wrap on adjusting voting district populations and boundaries as required by federal law. Since summer a five-member…

When It Rains, It Really Pours

Let me throw some numbers at you. Exactly a week ago last Sunday, Laytonville’s precipitation for the rain year starting July 1 was 2.33 inches. By the end of the day, 7.95 inches of rain…

Pot Growers Start Using Wind Machines

Many folks have contacted me regarding the situation involving the noise generated the past week by frost-protection fans operated by Henry’s Original at their 101 Ranch site. The complaints were about a turbine frost fan…

Looking for Answers

In response to my recent column on the continuing chaos of marijuana cultivation in this county, a number of folks sent along their thoughts on possible solutions. Kirk Vodopals had this to say: “Good luck…

Supes Rescind Expansion Ordinance

At their Sept. 14 meeting, Supervisors Dan Gjerde, Ted Williams, Glenn McGourty, and Mo Mulheren, all of whom have steadfastly supported the Weed Expansion Ordinance, joined with Third District Supe John Haschack and rescinded it,…

Water Hauling Urgency & Vax Rights

The topic on most folk’s minds was front-and-center at last Tuesday’s (August 31) Board of Supervisors meeting where they unanimously approved two agenda items dealing with this monumental drought.  Overall, I think they probably did…

Pot & Pork Barrel

All-time records are being set now in weed plantings everywhere in this county. This insane response to the Supervisors’ Cannabis Expansion Ordinance is occurring after a finding earlier this year by the North Coast Regional…

Fire, Water & Broken Pot Rules

There’s hardly a person in Mendocino County who is not aware of the fact that marijuana cultivation is totally out of control. There are four people however, Supervisors Gjerde, Williams, McGourty, and Mulheren who think…

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