Candidate for
Trustee; Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District; Division 5

The Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District was formed to ". . . operate effectively in developing the harbors and ports facilities, and developing and protecting the natural resources of the area" and is funded from property taxes on every piece of property in Humboldt County and taxpayers should have a voice in the District's fiscal policy.  Commissioners are elected to represent constituents in each of five divisions. I realize that most people are unaware and perhaps unconcerned about the Harbor District, but what goes on in the Harbor really does affect all of us. We only have one chance every four years to make changes on the board.  

I am running for election to the Fifth District, opposing a 12 year incumbent because I believe changes in the attitude of the board toward many issues is necessary, and the board is dedicated to the status quo.  The Harbor deepening dredging, objectively, could be viewed as premature.  Without a connecting railroad, there is little to attract shipping and, as we all know, restoration of rail service to Humboldt may never happen.  In fact, the shipping tariffs the Harbor District established to create revenue to repay the loan for the Harbor deepening project has driven some shipping off, and we are left with a net loss of jobs.

Everyone is for jobs, but the current board hasn't succeeded in creating any jobs.   The Harbor was dredged at a cost of $17 million, the ships didn't come and the jobs were shipped out. Some commissioners on the board seem to have a single purpose:  creating work for dock workers and little else, expressing disdain for such things as development of ecotourism.  The County and the Cities are developing plans and strategies that will be the primary bases for creating jobs. Everyone is concerned about creation of new sustainable jobs, but not all those jobs will depend on shipping.

Most of the board appear to have little concern about deficit spending, as most neither acknowledge the current deficit of $838,000 nor do they offer any explanation or plan to diminish the deficit or increase revenues, preferring the political ploy of avoiding a major issue and hope that the public will not be informed or concerned.

I am running against the Fifth District incumbent because we have a difference of opinion - he thinks he has done a good job and I don't.  

• I will support creation of good, sustainable jobs, not just dock workers.

• I will support recreation and conservation projects.

• I have a strong management and audit background and I know how to fix the financial mess my opponent helped create.

• I promise to always treat members of the public with respect and courtesy.

• The Harbor District's plans and activities should have full, public disclosure and public hearings on issues that have major impacts on the community such as the Calpine LNG proposal and developing the bay as a container port must be held.

• I have a strong interest in conservation, preservation and restoration of natural resources. It is clear that the board does not have a single member who has a balanced approach to recreation and conservation.

• The Harbor affects all of us in Humboldt County.