During the past couple of weeks, I have heard comments at various meetings regarding the need for more “disabled parking” throughout Eureka. It triggered more of a thought from a commentary I listened to on KINS Radio for more disabled parking in Old Town.
It is not more “disabled parking” that is needed, but less abuse of the “parking privilege” that is needed. One only needs to look closer and you see individuals jumping out of vehicles parked in the disabled parking that have no obvious need (Yes, we have good and bad days.). Disabled parking was originally started for those with mobility difficulties.
Instead of looking for additional parking for the disabled, why not address the need for more public transportation that provides a more convenient use in the Old Town area (throughout the community as a matter of fact)? Promote the addition of feeder routes to the larger system, as well as having the transit system provide more service during the hours of operation.
The addition of disabled parking in Old Town is not needed; but the addition of a transit system that is used and supported by the community is what is needed.
Showing posts with label humboldt county. Show all posts
Showing posts with label humboldt county. Show all posts
Monday, December 29, 2008
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Multiple Assistance Center Woes
http://www.times-standard.com/local/ci_7337690
RE-reading the article above, Ice pointed out the problem: "We have three organizations with different thoughts that do not want to lose their anonomity.
This especially applies to the Rescue Mission Ice operates. "When this project first started, there were differences between these organizations regarding funding and who should do what. It seems now, when one is about to go down, they give the impression of support, but yet are concerned about individual powers.
If they think about it, the 16 individuals will be going where for assistance? St. Vincent DePaul or Eureka Mission, or both. This is going to increase their problems. Who will pick up the slack in their budgets?
The Mac's future hinges on the RCAA being able to reorganize its budget. Here is another part of the problem, and this is going to be very difficult for them to overcome. For they can not only look at financial responsibility for the MAC as a single entity.
They must be able to look at the overall structure of RCAA. This may mean, Department heads wearing more than one hat of responsibility, as well as better time management towards the operation of new duties, as well as duties currently in possession of that need to be turned over to others.
No matter, RCAA and the MAC has to look outside of the box, as well as look within their own box to create new ways of doing things - Some of the new ways of business may be just doing what worked in the past and are currently working for others outside of the area.
Also, no matter how faith driven they are, in the present world money and resources are tight individually. Not working in following strong traditional structures will demonstrate more towards survival than standing on old ways of doing things (I am not saying forget your faith, but create an avenue for sharing your faith, as well as accomplishing common goals.).
As one, these organizations will not be self-supported; but as a combined effort, I believe they could stand stronger for future work needed.
RE-reading the article above, Ice pointed out the problem: "We have three organizations with different thoughts that do not want to lose their anonomity.
This especially applies to the Rescue Mission Ice operates. "When this project first started, there were differences between these organizations regarding funding and who should do what. It seems now, when one is about to go down, they give the impression of support, but yet are concerned about individual powers.
If they think about it, the 16 individuals will be going where for assistance? St. Vincent DePaul or Eureka Mission, or both. This is going to increase their problems. Who will pick up the slack in their budgets?
The Mac's future hinges on the RCAA being able to reorganize its budget. Here is another part of the problem, and this is going to be very difficult for them to overcome. For they can not only look at financial responsibility for the MAC as a single entity.
They must be able to look at the overall structure of RCAA. This may mean, Department heads wearing more than one hat of responsibility, as well as better time management towards the operation of new duties, as well as duties currently in possession of that need to be turned over to others.
No matter, RCAA and the MAC has to look outside of the box, as well as look within their own box to create new ways of doing things - Some of the new ways of business may be just doing what worked in the past and are currently working for others outside of the area.
Also, no matter how faith driven they are, in the present world money and resources are tight individually. Not working in following strong traditional structures will demonstrate more towards survival than standing on old ways of doing things (I am not saying forget your faith, but create an avenue for sharing your faith, as well as accomplishing common goals.).
As one, these organizations will not be self-supported; but as a combined effort, I believe they could stand stronger for future work needed.
More Homeland Security
Our County of Supervisors are spending $1.26 million for new security at the courthouse here in Eureka. Here is a bit on this:
http://www.times-standard.com/local/ci_7337625
More security to induce fear in Humboldt County, as well as throughout our Nation. What next?
We have $1.26 million dollars being spent on security, needed or not. The need is not even being questioned by our representatives, it is just being done because of good authority there is a possibility of danger, a low possibility, but it is there.
After the installation of these security systems, as individuals we will have our bags and bodies checked for possible weapons (Though Law Enforcement will still enter through a private entrance and still carry their weapons, providing access to a weapon to the one who really wants trouble - No win situation.). Of course, after going through the security gate, you will need to sign in, show proof of who you are, provide reason for visit, and maybe even be asked to leave something of value at the entrance.
All in the name of security, protecting us, the people from ourselves. Kind of like President Bush using the 9/11 incident as something that "may" happen again because he hasn't got an Attorney General.
I know I am really sounding out of it. But I was shopping earlier today and noticed something that gave me thought to maybe our future. An individual was asked for a picture ID to purchase alcohol.
We all are in agreement with this, but as the customer asked: "It is not obvious that I am old enough to purchase alcohol?" as he reached into his billfold for his ID.
The store cashier/clerk responded: "We must ask everyone for an ID. It is the store policy, it is the Law." as they pointed to the camera behind him.
Imagine a few years from now, not too long, new security measures throughout the local area and country require we all wear our ID's on our chest. We would need to have ID's with various colors to point out that we may or may not be of risk. On top of this, these ID's don't come from the Department of Motor Vehicles, but our new local Department of Homeland Security.
But this is not all, because after we have gotten these ID's, we will become registered as residents of this County. Meaning, we can still travel freely to visit other parts of the country, but we could not change our residence without re-registering at the County we are looking to move to, show proof of employment, or ability to care for oneself, etc. (This is how it is in China, only tied to the City.).
Oops, maybe I should not of shared this thought. Our local government might use it, instead of coming to a sensible idea that does not take away our individual dignity and so-called freedoms.
http://www.times-standard.com/local/ci_7337625
More security to induce fear in Humboldt County, as well as throughout our Nation. What next?
We have $1.26 million dollars being spent on security, needed or not. The need is not even being questioned by our representatives, it is just being done because of good authority there is a possibility of danger, a low possibility, but it is there.
After the installation of these security systems, as individuals we will have our bags and bodies checked for possible weapons (Though Law Enforcement will still enter through a private entrance and still carry their weapons, providing access to a weapon to the one who really wants trouble - No win situation.). Of course, after going through the security gate, you will need to sign in, show proof of who you are, provide reason for visit, and maybe even be asked to leave something of value at the entrance.
All in the name of security, protecting us, the people from ourselves. Kind of like President Bush using the 9/11 incident as something that "may" happen again because he hasn't got an Attorney General.
I know I am really sounding out of it. But I was shopping earlier today and noticed something that gave me thought to maybe our future. An individual was asked for a picture ID to purchase alcohol.
We all are in agreement with this, but as the customer asked: "It is not obvious that I am old enough to purchase alcohol?" as he reached into his billfold for his ID.
The store cashier/clerk responded: "We must ask everyone for an ID. It is the store policy, it is the Law." as they pointed to the camera behind him.
Imagine a few years from now, not too long, new security measures throughout the local area and country require we all wear our ID's on our chest. We would need to have ID's with various colors to point out that we may or may not be of risk. On top of this, these ID's don't come from the Department of Motor Vehicles, but our new local Department of Homeland Security.
But this is not all, because after we have gotten these ID's, we will become registered as residents of this County. Meaning, we can still travel freely to visit other parts of the country, but we could not change our residence without re-registering at the County we are looking to move to, show proof of employment, or ability to care for oneself, etc. (This is how it is in China, only tied to the City.).
Oops, maybe I should not of shared this thought. Our local government might use it, instead of coming to a sensible idea that does not take away our individual dignity and so-called freedoms.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Two Newspapers...
Here in Eureka, we have two newspapers, the Eureka Reporter and the Times Standard. The Eureka Reporter is published and distributed throughout Eureka free, though I believe you can have it delivered to your house for a fee. The Eureka Reporter is owned by the Arkley family and was started in 2003. The Eureka Reporter covers the Greater Eureka area and county news. It is independently and locally owned and features a local publisher/editor and writers. It has a daily publication in print and on the Web site, which is updated on a frequent basis throughout the week for articles of a timely nature.
As for the Times-Standard it has a much longer history and its distribution is throughout the county. it is now owned by a corporation that owns other papers and claims to servie the northcoast by covering local news because they’re a community newspaper — our community’s daily newspaper.
Well, be it true for either newspaper, I find the Eureka Reporter covers more local information/news and as for the Times-Standard local coverage is limited.
What are others thoughts?
http://www.times-standard.com/
http://www.eurekareporter.com/index.htm
As for the Times-Standard it has a much longer history and its distribution is throughout the county. it is now owned by a corporation that owns other papers and claims to servie the northcoast by covering local news because they’re a community newspaper — our community’s daily newspaper.
Well, be it true for either newspaper, I find the Eureka Reporter covers more local information/news and as for the Times-Standard local coverage is limited.
What are others thoughts?
http://www.times-standard.com/
http://www.eurekareporter.com/index.htm
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Need for Better Bus Stops
Social Service Transportation
Advisory Council of Humboldt County
427 F Street, Suite 220
Eureka, CA 95501
I am writing in regards to the access provided to the wheelchair user by the five new diesel-electric hybrid buses purchased and put into operation in May/June, 2007.
Recognizing the need for the buses and the future savings this provides the community of Humboldt County to its transit users, I feel they are very good investments. But, even though they have provided savings and eliminated the need for mechanized lifts for wheelchair passengers, they have developed poor access for the wheelchair user using manual chairs (Speaking with a couple others using power chairs, there also is some difficulty when first boarding.).
This difficulty appears at various designated bus stops. For at stops with little space for the bus to use the lift, the bus must pull away from the curb to allow the chair to have access. In doing this, the ramp is then at an unmanageable or difficult slope making it difficult to back on (I personally can not see how a person would board the bus at designated stops with no sidewalk or raised platform. Stops without sidewalks power chair users have difficulties because of the immediate incline of the ramp.).
I have also needed some assistance boarding the bus at a few stops. In all cases the driver has had no problem with this, but there has been a couple instances that the driver refused assistance.
The need for assistance would be eliminated if the bus could kneel lower, or the bus stops had appropriate space for loading chairs (There are stops that wheelchairs can not use independently.). There is a strong need to bring bus stops up to compatible use by individuals using manual wheelchairs and eliminate the need to having the drivers provide something as simple as a gentle pull onto the bus.
Charlie
Advisory Council of Humboldt County
427 F Street, Suite 220
Eureka, CA 95501
I am writing in regards to the access provided to the wheelchair user by the five new diesel-electric hybrid buses purchased and put into operation in May/June, 2007.
Recognizing the need for the buses and the future savings this provides the community of Humboldt County to its transit users, I feel they are very good investments. But, even though they have provided savings and eliminated the need for mechanized lifts for wheelchair passengers, they have developed poor access for the wheelchair user using manual chairs (Speaking with a couple others using power chairs, there also is some difficulty when first boarding.).
This difficulty appears at various designated bus stops. For at stops with little space for the bus to use the lift, the bus must pull away from the curb to allow the chair to have access. In doing this, the ramp is then at an unmanageable or difficult slope making it difficult to back on (I personally can not see how a person would board the bus at designated stops with no sidewalk or raised platform. Stops without sidewalks power chair users have difficulties because of the immediate incline of the ramp.).
I have also needed some assistance boarding the bus at a few stops. In all cases the driver has had no problem with this, but there has been a couple instances that the driver refused assistance.
The need for assistance would be eliminated if the bus could kneel lower, or the bus stops had appropriate space for loading chairs (There are stops that wheelchairs can not use independently.). There is a strong need to bring bus stops up to compatible use by individuals using manual wheelchairs and eliminate the need to having the drivers provide something as simple as a gentle pull onto the bus.
Charlie
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Humboldt County Supervisors Challenge PL Reorganization Plan
PACIFIC LUMBER FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY
Maxxam/PL Files Bankruptcy Reorganization Plan
PL has filed their plan of reorganization, seeking to sell the Marbled Murrelet Conservation Areas for the inflated price of $400 million, convert 21,800 acres for low-density development, sell the town of Scotia, and hold on to the remaining 181,000 acres. PL's plan tremendously overvalues these lands, sometimes by as much as 10 times the assumed value. PL had claimed that Maxxam would make a 'significant contribution' to the reorganization, but all that Maxxam offers is to forgive $40 million inter-company indebtedness (a claim by Maxxam against PL!) and to offer the company's real estate expertise, as well as shouldering some tax burden from future development. For more information on the Reorganization Plan click here.
Humboldt County Supervisors Challenge PL Reorganization Plan; Come Support them this Tuesday, Oct. 9th, 9 am
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors has responded to Maxxam’s plan to convert 21,800 acres of prime timberland into 160-acre “kingdoms” (Maxxam’s term) by taking a very brave and powerful stand. Referencing California Government Code Section 65858, Supervisors Bonnie Neely and Jill Geist have brought forward an “urgency ordinance” which would place a temporary moratorium on any residential dwelling units on lands zoned TPZ. This moratorium would give the Supervisors 45 days in which to hold a noticed hearing on the issue, with the ability to extend the moratorium for up to 22 months, 15 days.
This issue will be heard by the Board of Supervisors this Tuesday morning, October 9th, some time after 9:00 a.m. This is the most courageous stand the Supervisors can take; they will need broad public support to go forward.
To declare this “urgency,” the Supervisor’s will need a 4/5 vote. We need to make sure that all of the Supervisors understand exactly how urgent this situation is. This is the single most critical land use decision that has ever faced Humboldt County: If Maxxam gets their way, it would convert an area larger than all of Eureka, Arcata, and Fortuna combined, from timber into unaffordable estates; and would dramatically and permanently alter the very nature of Humboldt County’s character and economy.
At its core, this is simply a question of whether the people of Humboldt County, through their elected officials, should have a voice in deciding such a pivotal issue, or whether it should simply be left up to Maxxam to do whatever they wish with this land, public interest be damned. Lacking public intervention, Maxxam’s reorganization plan could be approved by the bankruptcy court far in advance of the General Plan’s approval. Once such a plan is approved, then the ability for PL to emerge from Chapter 11 would depend upon their ability to carry out this planned conversion, subdivision, and development. If the County’s zoning were to not allow what the Court has approved, PL would likely be plunged back into Chapter 11 for a second time (or “Chapter 22.”)
The best path for PL to emerge from bankruptcy is to ensure that the company’s reorganization is based on a rational, realistic, and feasible plan. Maxxam’s proposal is not such a plan. The County can play a truly critical role in sending a strong message to PL, Maxxam, the company’s Noteholders, and the bankruptcy judge: this proposed plan is simply not in the interest of the community, and will not be tolerated.
The County has perhaps one card to play in this entire process, and this is it. We need to build the strongest possible base of support for the Supervisors for their meeting this Tuesday morning. Please distribute this message far and wide, and urge as many people as possible to be there.
Click here to see background documents:
Board of Supervisor's Staff Report
Board of Supervisor's Proposed Ordinance
Link to the Humboldt County Supervisor's Agenda
(Thanks to Mark Lovelace for this information.)
Maxxam/PL Files Bankruptcy Reorganization Plan
PL has filed their plan of reorganization, seeking to sell the Marbled Murrelet Conservation Areas for the inflated price of $400 million, convert 21,800 acres for low-density development, sell the town of Scotia, and hold on to the remaining 181,000 acres. PL's plan tremendously overvalues these lands, sometimes by as much as 10 times the assumed value. PL had claimed that Maxxam would make a 'significant contribution' to the reorganization, but all that Maxxam offers is to forgive $40 million inter-company indebtedness (a claim by Maxxam against PL!) and to offer the company's real estate expertise, as well as shouldering some tax burden from future development. For more information on the Reorganization Plan click here.
Humboldt County Supervisors Challenge PL Reorganization Plan; Come Support them this Tuesday, Oct. 9th, 9 am
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors has responded to Maxxam’s plan to convert 21,800 acres of prime timberland into 160-acre “kingdoms” (Maxxam’s term) by taking a very brave and powerful stand. Referencing California Government Code Section 65858, Supervisors Bonnie Neely and Jill Geist have brought forward an “urgency ordinance” which would place a temporary moratorium on any residential dwelling units on lands zoned TPZ. This moratorium would give the Supervisors 45 days in which to hold a noticed hearing on the issue, with the ability to extend the moratorium for up to 22 months, 15 days.
This issue will be heard by the Board of Supervisors this Tuesday morning, October 9th, some time after 9:00 a.m. This is the most courageous stand the Supervisors can take; they will need broad public support to go forward.
To declare this “urgency,” the Supervisor’s will need a 4/5 vote. We need to make sure that all of the Supervisors understand exactly how urgent this situation is. This is the single most critical land use decision that has ever faced Humboldt County: If Maxxam gets their way, it would convert an area larger than all of Eureka, Arcata, and Fortuna combined, from timber into unaffordable estates; and would dramatically and permanently alter the very nature of Humboldt County’s character and economy.
At its core, this is simply a question of whether the people of Humboldt County, through their elected officials, should have a voice in deciding such a pivotal issue, or whether it should simply be left up to Maxxam to do whatever they wish with this land, public interest be damned. Lacking public intervention, Maxxam’s reorganization plan could be approved by the bankruptcy court far in advance of the General Plan’s approval. Once such a plan is approved, then the ability for PL to emerge from Chapter 11 would depend upon their ability to carry out this planned conversion, subdivision, and development. If the County’s zoning were to not allow what the Court has approved, PL would likely be plunged back into Chapter 11 for a second time (or “Chapter 22.”)
The best path for PL to emerge from bankruptcy is to ensure that the company’s reorganization is based on a rational, realistic, and feasible plan. Maxxam’s proposal is not such a plan. The County can play a truly critical role in sending a strong message to PL, Maxxam, the company’s Noteholders, and the bankruptcy judge: this proposed plan is simply not in the interest of the community, and will not be tolerated.
The County has perhaps one card to play in this entire process, and this is it. We need to build the strongest possible base of support for the Supervisors for their meeting this Tuesday morning. Please distribute this message far and wide, and urge as many people as possible to be there.
Click here to see background documents:
Board of Supervisor's Staff Report
Board of Supervisor's Proposed Ordinance
Link to the Humboldt County Supervisor's Agenda
(Thanks to Mark Lovelace for this information.)
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