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Listen to what they're telling you
Author: Bit
Date: 01-14-2008 - 12:58
Listen to what they're telling you
Times-Standard
Article Launched: 01/13/2008 09:08:25 AM PST
http://www.times-standard.com/opinion/ci_7959201
The community split over the future of Humboldt Bay took a higher profile last week as citizens appeared before both the North Coast Railroad Authority and the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District commissioners.
Members of the public vociferously made their case that the focus of these two agencies should be about more than creating a container port and reopening the old North Coast rail line. They feel that environmental, tourism and recreational issues -- including a bike/walk trail along the unused rail line along the bay from Eureka to Arcata, or an attraction such as an aquarium at the Samoa Peninsula's Redwood Dock -- should be on the table.
While some in attendance supported a collaborative approach -- such as Marcus Brown of the Timber Heritage Association, which wants to build a rail-oriented museum -- there was little obvious movement toward a finding common ground.
Ignoring the public mood is a risky gambit for both governmental bodies. The rail authority, which is depending upon state grants in their long-odds goal to reopen the line from Novato to Eureka, is facing strong opposition at the southern end, including a lawsuit. Rising resistance in Humboldt County does not send apositive message to those in Sacramento holding the purse strings -- especially during a budget crisis.
Meanwhile, the recent harbor commissioner election -- where a leading port/rail supporter was swept out of office and another one barely fought off his opponent -- may foretell that a continued 3-2 response to concerns from such a large constituency will have even greater consequences for commissioners who come up for re-election next.
The harbor district even has the Coastal Commission irked because it seems to be ignoring an environmental no-brainer: Finding some other place to dump bay dredging spoils than the beach at Samoa.
These public servants should listen to what the people are telling them while they still can.
Times-Standard
Article Launched: 01/13/2008 09:08:25 AM PST
http://www.times-standard.com/opinion/ci_7959201
The community split over the future of Humboldt Bay took a higher profile last week as citizens appeared before both the North Coast Railroad Authority and the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District commissioners.
Members of the public vociferously made their case that the focus of these two agencies should be about more than creating a container port and reopening the old North Coast rail line. They feel that environmental, tourism and recreational issues -- including a bike/walk trail along the unused rail line along the bay from Eureka to Arcata, or an attraction such as an aquarium at the Samoa Peninsula's Redwood Dock -- should be on the table.
While some in attendance supported a collaborative approach -- such as Marcus Brown of the Timber Heritage Association, which wants to build a rail-oriented museum -- there was little obvious movement toward a finding common ground.
Ignoring the public mood is a risky gambit for both governmental bodies. The rail authority, which is depending upon state grants in their long-odds goal to reopen the line from Novato to Eureka, is facing strong opposition at the southern end, including a lawsuit. Rising resistance in Humboldt County does not send apositive message to those in Sacramento holding the purse strings -- especially during a budget crisis.
Meanwhile, the recent harbor commissioner election -- where a leading port/rail supporter was swept out of office and another one barely fought off his opponent -- may foretell that a continued 3-2 response to concerns from such a large constituency will have even greater consequences for commissioners who come up for re-election next.
The harbor district even has the Coastal Commission irked because it seems to be ignoring an environmental no-brainer: Finding some other place to dump bay dredging spoils than the beach at Samoa.
These public servants should listen to what the people are telling them while they still can.
| Subject | Written By | Date/Time (PST) |
|---|---|---|
 Listen to what they're telling you |
Bit | 01-14-2008 - 12:58 |
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Re: Listen to what they're telling you
|
Alfred Doten | 01-15-2008 - 09:32 |
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Re: Listen to what they're telling you
|
Bill C | 01-15-2008 - 10:23 |
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Patty Berg for the trail
|
bit | 01-15-2008 - 17:20 |