Academic achievement, logging sportsmen honored
Humboldt Sentinel
5/20/09
By Paul Mann
ARCATA -- Humboldt State University’s Department of Forestry and Wildland Resources awarded more than $33,000 in scholarships at its recent 11th annual spring banquet, which drew approximately 100 people, including students, faculty and scholarship donors.
Twenty-two students received scholarships from the department and supporting organizations. Jonathan Karp, 3.95 GPA, received the Academic Excellence Award for graduating forestry students. Logan Peterson, GPA 3.95, was named Most Outstanding Student in Wildland Soils and Fletcher Nelson, GPA 3.67, was honored as Most Outstanding Student in Rangeland Resources. Carrie Capra received the Professional Promise Award in Forestry.
Donors Joan Pierson, Jerry Partain and Jim Brown announced student scholarships bearing their names. Lisa Perry, College of Natural Resources and Sciences recruiter, reprised two scholarships on behalf of the Redwood Region Logging Conference (RRLC) that were conferred in mid-March on Jesse Bode and Brent Saulsbury.
Cindi Petrusha awarded the North Coast Chapter of Women in Timber scholarship to Sally Gay.
Perry presented RRLC plaques to Justin Kostick, HSU Logging Sports Team coach, and Jarrod Follmar, HSU Logging Sports Team president, for organizing the Association of Western Forestry Clubs 71st Logging Sports Conclave. It was held in conjunction with the omnibus RRLC gathering in mid-March at Redwood Fairgrounds.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Bipartisan Measures Crushed By State Voters
Bipartisan Measures Crushed By State Voters
Constitutional Convention, recalls against Governor and Legislature proposed
Humboldt Sentinel
5/20/09
By Charles Douglas
EUREKA -- As polls and pundits widely expected, the bulk of the budget-related ballot initiatives -- crafted by a deeply unpopular Governor and an equally scorned Legislature -- were soundly defeated by California voters yesterday, ending a campaign marked by voter disgust and dismal turnout.
With election night final results posted in all jurisdictions, every single proposition was crushed by landslide margins of 25 points ore more; only Proposition 1F, which was widely regarded as a ‘sweetener’ initiative with little practical budget effect, won with nearly 74% in favor. From now on, state lawmakers will be unable to raise their own salaries, or those of other elected officials, during deficit years.
"Tonight we have heard from the voters and I respect the will of the people who are frustrated with the dysfunction in our budget system," Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger stated in a prepared release after election results were in yesterday. “We must move forward from this point to begin to address our fiscal crisis with constructive solutions."
Yet the slate of measures were billed by both the Republican Governor and the Democrat-dominated legislature as constructive and bipartisan, weren’t they?
The numbers tell the tale: Prop. 1A, to create a budget stabilization fund, defeated 34-66; Prop. 1B, to shift around education funding, defeated 37-63; Prop. 1C, to extract more revenue from the state lottery, defeated 35-65; Prop. 1D, to de-fund the First Five child health care programs, defeated 34-66; Prop. 1E, to de-fund mental health care programs, also defeated 34-66.
“Voters saw through these two propositions, despite efforts to dress them up as pain-free or even beneficial,” stated Dave Fratello, campaign manager for No on Prop. 1D & 1E, in a post-election release. “Both 1D and 1E sought to cut programs that the voters themselves demanded. Once they realized that, voters forcefully rejected them.”
“Clearly,” Fratello added, “voters do not want to try to balance the budget on the backs of children and the mentally ill.”
Even with these landslide figures, the real landslide was the level of voter apathy. Voter turnout reached a record low for the decade, with only 23% turning out statewide. Only in tiny Sierra County did a scant majority (53.6%) go to the polls; in the deserts of Imperial County, voter turnout barely broke 15%.
Humboldt County voters also stayed home in numbers not seen since the district elections in November 2001, just after the 9/11 attacks; in all, 28% of Humboldters turned out, according to figures released by Clerk/Recorder Carolyn Crnich.
Community leaders outside of Sacramento circles pointed to the rejection of these measures across all party lines as proof positive that the state’s political class has lost touch with reality.
"Democrats and Republicans are offering no fundamental fixes. There are billions of dollars in savings if we employ single payer universal healthcare, decriminalize pot and hemp, reform the prison industry and convert to green technologies. Until they are willing to do that, these 'leaders' cannot be taken seriously," said Tom Bolema, a Sonoma County Council member.
The Courage Campaign (couragecampaign.org), a multipartisan alliance of California progressives, is calling for popular action to fill the credibility void in the state Capitol with proposals to wipe out the supermajority budget requirement, to re-index taxes towards the wealthy, and to call a state Constitutional Convention. Although this might lead to yet another slate of ballot measures, Courage Campaign chair Rick Jacobs seems to think the initiative process may the only way to achieve reforms to the initiative process itself.
“The Courage Campaign trusts the people of this state to convene a convention and effectively hit the “reset” button for state government -- to clean the slate and start over,” he said. “California’s best days are ahead. We have the most diverse population of any state in the country. We have plenty of wealth, plenty of smart, hard-working people, and plenty of resources to meet the challenges that face us. If we trust the people to engage California’s problems, we can build a bright and prosperous future for our progressive state.”
Populist-minded conservatives are also looking for a shock to the sclerotic political system, in the form of mass recall elections launched against both the Governor and legislators, regardless of whether a ‘D’ or an ‘R’ appears after their name. Total Recall 2009 (totalrecall2009.com) has already started to collect recall signatures against Schwarzenegger, and backers are encouraging community organizers to file similar petitions against their representatives in the Assembly and State Senate.
They will need approximately 1.1 million valid signatures collected and submitted over the next five months -- which would like result in yet another special election for California voters.
Constitutional Convention, recalls against Governor and Legislature proposed
Humboldt Sentinel
5/20/09
By Charles Douglas
EUREKA -- As polls and pundits widely expected, the bulk of the budget-related ballot initiatives -- crafted by a deeply unpopular Governor and an equally scorned Legislature -- were soundly defeated by California voters yesterday, ending a campaign marked by voter disgust and dismal turnout.
With election night final results posted in all jurisdictions, every single proposition was crushed by landslide margins of 25 points ore more; only Proposition 1F, which was widely regarded as a ‘sweetener’ initiative with little practical budget effect, won with nearly 74% in favor. From now on, state lawmakers will be unable to raise their own salaries, or those of other elected officials, during deficit years.
"Tonight we have heard from the voters and I respect the will of the people who are frustrated with the dysfunction in our budget system," Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger stated in a prepared release after election results were in yesterday. “We must move forward from this point to begin to address our fiscal crisis with constructive solutions."
Yet the slate of measures were billed by both the Republican Governor and the Democrat-dominated legislature as constructive and bipartisan, weren’t they?
The numbers tell the tale: Prop. 1A, to create a budget stabilization fund, defeated 34-66; Prop. 1B, to shift around education funding, defeated 37-63; Prop. 1C, to extract more revenue from the state lottery, defeated 35-65; Prop. 1D, to de-fund the First Five child health care programs, defeated 34-66; Prop. 1E, to de-fund mental health care programs, also defeated 34-66.
“Voters saw through these two propositions, despite efforts to dress them up as pain-free or even beneficial,” stated Dave Fratello, campaign manager for No on Prop. 1D & 1E, in a post-election release. “Both 1D and 1E sought to cut programs that the voters themselves demanded. Once they realized that, voters forcefully rejected them.”
“Clearly,” Fratello added, “voters do not want to try to balance the budget on the backs of children and the mentally ill.”
Even with these landslide figures, the real landslide was the level of voter apathy. Voter turnout reached a record low for the decade, with only 23% turning out statewide. Only in tiny Sierra County did a scant majority (53.6%) go to the polls; in the deserts of Imperial County, voter turnout barely broke 15%.
Humboldt County voters also stayed home in numbers not seen since the district elections in November 2001, just after the 9/11 attacks; in all, 28% of Humboldters turned out, according to figures released by Clerk/Recorder Carolyn Crnich.
Community leaders outside of Sacramento circles pointed to the rejection of these measures across all party lines as proof positive that the state’s political class has lost touch with reality.
"Democrats and Republicans are offering no fundamental fixes. There are billions of dollars in savings if we employ single payer universal healthcare, decriminalize pot and hemp, reform the prison industry and convert to green technologies. Until they are willing to do that, these 'leaders' cannot be taken seriously," said Tom Bolema, a Sonoma County Council member.
The Courage Campaign (couragecampaign.org), a multipartisan alliance of California progressives, is calling for popular action to fill the credibility void in the state Capitol with proposals to wipe out the supermajority budget requirement, to re-index taxes towards the wealthy, and to call a state Constitutional Convention. Although this might lead to yet another slate of ballot measures, Courage Campaign chair Rick Jacobs seems to think the initiative process may the only way to achieve reforms to the initiative process itself.
“The Courage Campaign trusts the people of this state to convene a convention and effectively hit the “reset” button for state government -- to clean the slate and start over,” he said. “California’s best days are ahead. We have the most diverse population of any state in the country. We have plenty of wealth, plenty of smart, hard-working people, and plenty of resources to meet the challenges that face us. If we trust the people to engage California’s problems, we can build a bright and prosperous future for our progressive state.”
Populist-minded conservatives are also looking for a shock to the sclerotic political system, in the form of mass recall elections launched against both the Governor and legislators, regardless of whether a ‘D’ or an ‘R’ appears after their name. Total Recall 2009 (totalrecall2009.com) has already started to collect recall signatures against Schwarzenegger, and backers are encouraging community organizers to file similar petitions against their representatives in the Assembly and State Senate.
They will need approximately 1.1 million valid signatures collected and submitted over the next five months -- which would like result in yet another special election for California voters.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
May Brings Focus On Underage Drinking
High school and college graduations focus of police attention
Humboldt Sentinel
5/6/09
By Sentinel Staff
SACRAMENTO -- The California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) has joined the National Liquor Law Enforcement Association (NLLEA) in its effort to get communities across the country to participate in Operation Save a Teen during the month of May, 2009.
In 2007, 188 persons under the age of 21 were killed in alcohol-related crashes that occurred in California.
In the month of May, NLLEA officers will focus on underage drinking enforcement with a goal to save one teen at a time, one incident at a time and one day or night at a time. In each of the 50 United States, it is illegal for persons under the age of 21 to use alcohol and it is illegal for persons to provide or furnish alcohol to persons under the age of 21.
ABC Director Steve Hardy says ABC investigators will be working throughout California to enforce the law and hopefully prevent alcohol-related tragedies.
“May is a month when families should be celebrating landmark events such as high school and college graduations and a wide variety of outdoor community events,” Hardy said. “Everyone needs to work together to keep those events from being marred by alcohol-related tragedies. We are committed to enforcing the law, creating safer communities and saving the lives of teens in our communities.”
For more information about this effort and about the National Liquor Law Enforcement Association, go to the website at www.nllea.org. If your agency is not a member of the NLLEA but would like to participate in this national effort, please contact Elizabeth Mattfeld, Executive Director at (240) 483-8922, or at bmattfeld@nllea.org.
ABC is a department of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, which is under the direction of Secretary Dale Bonner, a member of the Governor’s Cabinet.
Humboldt Sentinel
5/6/09
By Sentinel Staff
SACRAMENTO -- The California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) has joined the National Liquor Law Enforcement Association (NLLEA) in its effort to get communities across the country to participate in Operation Save a Teen during the month of May, 2009.
In 2007, 188 persons under the age of 21 were killed in alcohol-related crashes that occurred in California.
In the month of May, NLLEA officers will focus on underage drinking enforcement with a goal to save one teen at a time, one incident at a time and one day or night at a time. In each of the 50 United States, it is illegal for persons under the age of 21 to use alcohol and it is illegal for persons to provide or furnish alcohol to persons under the age of 21.
ABC Director Steve Hardy says ABC investigators will be working throughout California to enforce the law and hopefully prevent alcohol-related tragedies.
“May is a month when families should be celebrating landmark events such as high school and college graduations and a wide variety of outdoor community events,” Hardy said. “Everyone needs to work together to keep those events from being marred by alcohol-related tragedies. We are committed to enforcing the law, creating safer communities and saving the lives of teens in our communities.”
For more information about this effort and about the National Liquor Law Enforcement Association, go to the website at www.nllea.org. If your agency is not a member of the NLLEA but would like to participate in this national effort, please contact Elizabeth Mattfeld, Executive Director at (240) 483-8922, or at bmattfeld@nllea.org.
ABC is a department of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, which is under the direction of Secretary Dale Bonner, a member of the Governor’s Cabinet.
UPD Reports On-Campus Sexual Battery
Two men sought in early morning groping incident
Humboldt Sentinel
5/6/09
By Sentinel Staff
ARCATA -- Humboldt State police officers are searching for two men who reportedly groped an 18-year-old woman near one of the dorms early Wednesday, May 6.
The men are described as a white man and a black man in their early 20’s, both about 5’10” to 6’ tall and wearing dark shirts and blue jeans. The white man was wearing white athletic shoes.
The alleged groping happened near the gate connecting Granite Avenue to the Arcata Community Forest, but police said there are no indications the men were campers. They may have been students, but the woman didn’t recognize them.
The woman was walking alone back to her Creekview Hill Residence Hall at about 1:15 a.m. after attending a social gathering at a Canyon Residence Hall. As she paused at the base of Creekview Hill, she was grabbed suddenly by the two male suspects. One held her while the other allegedly groped her through her clothing, which constitutes misdemeanor sexual battery. No weapons were brandished or seen.
University Police Chief Thomas Dewey said his department has made the assault its top investigative priority and is continuing to seek information to help identify and prosecute the suspects.
“Although the crime itself was over in seconds, the impact on the (victim) and other students is incalculable,” Dewey said. “It is an extremely important crime to solve.”
A “Crime Alert” flyer with safety tips to avoid personal risk has been distributed around campus. All members of the campus community are advised to walk with a friend or in groups at night. Anyone who observes suspicious behavior can call UPD at (707) 826-5555 on one of the campus’ blue light phones.
Anyone with information about the case is also urged to contact UPD, either by phone, or by e-mail at hsupd@humboldt.edu. Anonymous information is accepted.
Humboldt Sentinel
5/6/09
By Sentinel Staff
ARCATA -- Humboldt State police officers are searching for two men who reportedly groped an 18-year-old woman near one of the dorms early Wednesday, May 6.
The men are described as a white man and a black man in their early 20’s, both about 5’10” to 6’ tall and wearing dark shirts and blue jeans. The white man was wearing white athletic shoes.
The alleged groping happened near the gate connecting Granite Avenue to the Arcata Community Forest, but police said there are no indications the men were campers. They may have been students, but the woman didn’t recognize them.
The woman was walking alone back to her Creekview Hill Residence Hall at about 1:15 a.m. after attending a social gathering at a Canyon Residence Hall. As she paused at the base of Creekview Hill, she was grabbed suddenly by the two male suspects. One held her while the other allegedly groped her through her clothing, which constitutes misdemeanor sexual battery. No weapons were brandished or seen.
University Police Chief Thomas Dewey said his department has made the assault its top investigative priority and is continuing to seek information to help identify and prosecute the suspects.
“Although the crime itself was over in seconds, the impact on the (victim) and other students is incalculable,” Dewey said. “It is an extremely important crime to solve.”
A “Crime Alert” flyer with safety tips to avoid personal risk has been distributed around campus. All members of the campus community are advised to walk with a friend or in groups at night. Anyone who observes suspicious behavior can call UPD at (707) 826-5555 on one of the campus’ blue light phones.
Anyone with information about the case is also urged to contact UPD, either by phone, or by e-mail at hsupd@humboldt.edu. Anonymous information is accepted.
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