How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
News
my only weapon is my pen
and the frame of mind I’m in …
Poet, from There’s A Riot Goin’ On
Sylvester Stewart, circa, 1971
Actually, there’s still a riot goin’ on in my CyberSoulMan head regarding an incident that happened to me in small claims court here in Lake County a few years back. I’ll get to that shortly.
I’d like to go back even further though, in an attempt to illustrate part of the formative childhood of T. Watts, back when the brainwash was new.
I was a CyberSoulChild, living in San Francisco, city of my birth. I actually cannot remember not having a television. One of my favorite TV shows was entitled “Captain Fortune.” It was, obviously, a children’s show, full of fantasy, magic and the like.
One of the cool things Mr. Captain Fortune could do was have one of his young charges take a crayon to an easel and mark it up all crazy and then actually redraw the mass into anything the little tyke or tykes desired. It was like, total subliminal domination of my 5-year-old mind. This cat could make something out of nothing. Pure alchemy. My mini psyche shouted, “Eureka!”
Several years later, I had a similar experience in my eighth grade math class. It was taught by a young whiz kid with a southern accent named Mr. Williams. He was a genteel, handsome type, natty dresser, really popular with the students and, I imagine, females in general.
Mr. Williams, through a series of seemingly algebraic formulaic smoke-and-mirrored sleight of hand, proved to the class that 1 + 1 = 3. There. It had happened again. I had been shown by someone that I had a modicum of faith in, that the impossible was occasionally possible. Mr. Williams, bless his heart, did undo his fraudulent math lesson to illustrate to our teenaged sensibilities that people can be made to believe anything.
Here folks, is where the bloggy gets foggy. I’m easing toward my tale from the cryptic courtroom now.
You see, I was a Lake County landlord a few seasons back. I learned that there are some very fraudulent renters out there. These are people who make a living at renting for free. They’ll show up like the all-American family. They have maybe one or two vehicles and a couple of children. They will be slightly short of the total move-in costs to secure the rental of your property and have a less-than-stellar credit report as well.
They’ll give you a story that will tug at your heart. You agree to rent them your property. They pay the rent fine for a couple of months. Then suddenly they can’t pay the rent because they are separated. The wife and children are gone and the husband has a sad story. This goes on for close to three months.
Then their former landlords make contact with you, the current landlord. You compare notes. It’s a ruse. You discover they scammed more than one former landlord the same way. You might even catch your tenants at Kmart acting very unseparated, spending your mortgage money. The husband refuses to vacate your property.
You explore your legal options. In my case I decided to use a legal reference handbook for landlords taking their tenants to court. I file all the papers, to evict the tenant(s) and sue for back rent and property damage.
On the day of court reckoning, I walk in the courtroom dressed like a lawyer. You know, sport coat, tie, slacks, shined shoes. I spy a popular Lake County doctor in the courtroom dressed for business as well. We acknowledge each other and wait for the judge.
Lot on the plate of some of these judges. Makes them a little late sometimes. One pleasantry about the proceedings is that the court stenographer is my neighbor.
His Honor finally saunters in and we do the “All rise.” He calls the doctor’s case and quickly finds for the doctor. The doctor is able to hear the nature of my case before he leaves the courtroom. His Honor calls my case. At some point during the proceedings His Honor scowls at me like I’m a menace there to do harm to the defendant, who looks like he slept in his clothes.
Rather than give you the blow by blow, let me just suffice to say that after presenting my case and finally getting the sheriff to give my tenant the boot, His Honor asked me where I got my legal advice. When I told him the title of the legal handbook he angrily told me that I was misinformed, that I was not eligible for the two and a half months back rent and all I could be awarded was a $200 cleaning fee.
Hey, wait a minute, I’m thinking. This is some negative alchemy. This judge is trying to convince me that I’m wrong, when I know I’m right. All my i’s are dotted and my t’s are crossed. This is bad mojo. The impossibly unfair has the shady scale of justice on its scanty side.
But wait, there’s more proof. I ask my neighbor the stenographer what she made of the court action. She said something to the effect of, “I don’t know what came over the judge. I’ve never seen him act like that before. He acted like you did something to him.”
I bumped into the doctor a few days later. He too, was surprised that I didn’t get the verdict I was seeking.
I’ve gotten out of the land lording business. Nothing lasts forever. Not even unrighteous judges who ignore scandalous behavior. Me? I’ve got bigger fish to fry. Maybe next I’ll write about Rush Limbaugh’s pain pill connection. Papa’s got a brand new bag!
Keep prayin’, keep thinkin’ those kind thoughts.
T. Watts is a writer, radio host and music critic. Visit his Web site at www.teewatts.biz.
{mos_sb_discuss:2}
State Sen. Patricia Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa) sharply criticized the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) on Jan. 29 for failing to take emergency steps to prevent salmon fisheries from collapsing. Her critique was issued after the DFG failed to place new restrictions on a gold mining practice that threatens the state's imperiled salmon populations.
Wiggins, who chairs the legislature's Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture, also said she is considering new legislation to limit the use of "suction dredge" gold mining, which involves the use of large dredges to vacuum rock and sand from rivers and creek beds, killing fish. Coho salmon, in particular, are at great risk from this practice, according to Wiggins' office.
Wiggins led a group of legislators in writing a letter to DFG officials in support of a petition from environmental organizations and the Karuk Indian Tribe, whose lands include portions of the Klamath River, asking DFG to restrict suction dredge mining along the Klamath. Her office said the department has thus far refused, and officials there have yet to begin a court-ordered review of the situation.
“California's once-thriving salmon populations have plummeted to the point that they face extinction unless we take immediate action,” Wiggins said. She added that it will take courage and bold action on all our parts to bring the fisheries back to healthy levels.
Jordan Traverso, a DFG spokesperson, said the agency had no comment in response to Wiggins' statements.
However, DFG sent a letter on Feb. 2 to the leaders of the Karuk Tribe and several environmental groups, in which the agency explained that the petition for emergency action failed to provide
“substantial evidence that the magnitude of the potential harm caused by suction dredge mining to the state's fisheries is so great that an emergency exists” under the Administrative Procedure Act.
Last year, commercial fishermen were told to stop fishing for ocean salmon, and it is expected they will be told to do so again this year, according to Wiggins' office.
“Even though this puts tremendous pressure on them, their families and their local economies, they understand the need to regenerate the stock,” she said. “However, a small group of recreational miners are allowed to continue suction dredge mining on the streams that serve as nurseries for spawning salmon. It is more than unfair to ask an entire industry to make sacrifices while these other activities continue.”
Wiggins said the lack of appropriate action is one factor contributing to high rates of unemployment in the fishing industry, and that "it's time for our government to step up. If the Department of Fish and Game is unwilling to place the burden of rebuilding fisheries fairly upon all users, I will continue to take legislative action to get government to do its job."
Accordingly, Wiggins says she is considering re-introducing a measure that would put a temporary halt on suction dredge mining until DFG completes its court-ordered mandate to fix long-term regulations.
{mos_sb_discuss:3}
Just this week, residents around Lake County began receiving letters from a company going by the name “Property Tax Reassessment.”
“We just got our first indication of that thing this afternoon when the phone started ringing,” Jim Campbell, Lake County's chief deputy assessor, said on Friday.
Property Tax Reassessment, which the letter says is based in Los Angeles, is not a government agency or even a recognized company, said Campbell.
“It's just strictly a scam,” he said.
Campbell said the letters began spreading around Southern California recently and have since spread north.
Press reports from around the state are warning communities to ignore the letters. In San Luis Obispo County the county assessor reportedly is planning to forward the letters to the county counsel and district attorney.
Online consumer watchdog groups also are warning that the letter is a scam.
The letters look real enough, listing the property owners' specific assessment values – which Campbell said to have been drawn from county records, which are public.
An example letter Lake County News obtained estimated how much property tax savings the property owner could realize if they paid $179 for reassessment services before Feb. 26. After that date, a $30 late fee is added.
“Upon receipt of your service fee, Property Tax Reassessment will thoroughly review your individual property value. If, after our review, it is determined you do not qualify for a reduction, your service fee will be immediately refunded,” the letter states.
Campbell said the services which the letter offers to property owners are done by the Lake County Assessor's Office – for free.
He said the letter has incorrect dates for the reassessment process, which already has passed for this fiscal year.
“It's just strictly a scam,” said Campbell, who called the effort to take funds from property owners through this kind of misinformation “totally immoral.”
Property Tax Reassessment has no listed physical address; in the letter it directors property owners to send checks to P.O. Box 25519 in Los Angeles, an address which at one time was reported to have belonged to ISU Insurance Services, whose Web site lists no connection with Property Tax Reassessment.
Likewise, the letter lists a phone number, 888-879-4259, which does not show up in any phone listings or reverse searches.
When Lake County News called the number, a female answered and said it was not the number for the company.
You can, however, pick up the phone and call the assessor's office at 263-2302, which Campbell urges property owners to do if they have any questions.
The bottom line, said Campbell, is that the services offered in the letter are “totally unnecessary,” and no one should pay the fees.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
{mos_sb_discuss:2}
LAKEPORT – Lake County Animal Care and Control officials are investigating the case of an older horse found emaciated and suffering from various health problems earlier this week.
Bill Davidson, Animal Care and Control's deputy director, said the agency received an anonymous complaint on Wednesday about the 25-year-old white Arabian gelding.
He said officers responded to the property where the horse was being kept near Lower Lake and found him significantly underweight. Other horses also were on the property but weren't in similar shape.
An examination by veterinarian Dr. Jeff Smith of Middletown confirmed that the horse was about 150 pounds under normal weight, was borderline anemic and suffering from dental disease, said Davidson.
The horse, which is being kept at the shelter on Helbush, is now on medications to address his various health problems, said Davidson. “We're basically doing everything we can.”
Davidson said they have high hopes for the horse, whose prognosis appears positive. “He's feisty. He's alive, he's good.”
For an elderly fellow, the horse has a lot of kick left in him, said Davidson, which is why they think he'll make it.
“We're going to monitor it for a minimum of several weeks,” said Davidson.
The horse isn't out of the woods yet, said Davidson. “We certainly have high hopes for it, though.”
The case is being investigated as a neglect case, he said. Davidson added that he anticipates the case being forwarded to the District Attorney's Office for prosecution.
Davidson said his office always has horse cases. “They don't always end up in impoundment.”
They're also not yet seeing the spike in horse surrenders due to the economy that have been noted in other areas, said Davidson.
“We are anticipating it for spring and summer,” he said.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
{mos_sb_discuss:2}
JE Dunn Construction Co. of Sacramento said the construction officially was completed on Thursday.
Soon to be completed is the construction of an adjacent four-star luxury hotel, slated to be finished this month.
JE Dunn served as construction manager for the $30 million casino and hotel project, which the company reported was brought in ahead of schedule and under budget.
The groundbreaking for the project was held in October 2007, as Lake County News has reported.
Twin Pine Hotel and Casino is owned by the Middletown Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians. The Architect is Group West Companies PLLC of Seattle. KPFF Consulting Engineers served as the structural and civil engineering firm.
The 52,220 square foot casino is fabricated from structural steel with an exterior of cedar shake siding and log timbers. Casino construction was completed within a 10-month time frame.
The casino has expanded areas for gaming, including slot machines and table games; it also contains a restaurant, kitchen, bar, shops, a wine tasting room and administrative areas.
The casino’s rustic high-end interiors and finishes have the ambiance of a vintage winery. The bar area features brick walls and brick barrel vaulted ceilings. Other amenities include hand-blown chandeliers with grape bunch clusters, large wood timbers and a water wheel.
The three-story wood and cedar shake hotel houses 60 rooms, including several large suites. The 43,000 square foot hotel features luxury finishes, with hand-crafted cherry millwork throughout, as well as granite counters for all the tabletops and cabinets. The rooms have coffered ceilings and wood beams.
JE Dunn was selected for the project because of its extensive experience in building hotels and casinos, including Bear River Casino in Humboldt County, as well as numerous gaming facilities throughout the US.
“It has been an exciting project,” said Sarah Dohmeyer, senior project manager for JE Dunn. “The Tribe was wonderful to work with. They are pleased because we completed the casino within a 10-month time frame and several weeks ahead of schedule.”
Middletown Rancheria, which established Twin Pine Casino in November 1994, entered into an alliance with the Mohegan Tribe and Nation of Connecticut to build the new casino and hotel, according to an October 2007 report from the tribe.
The Mohegan Tribe owns and operates Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, said to be the world's largest and most successful casino destination, and Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Pennsylvania.
{mos_sb_discuss:2}
SACRAMENTO – Braving a February rainstorm, Indian activists from around California gathered on the steps of the State Capitol Building on Thursday to seek the help of legislators, the state's citizens and each other in fighting what they believe is an attack on Indian communities that's coming from the inside.
The “Tribal corruption is not traditional” event, sponsored by United Native Americans Inc. and the American Indian Rights and Resources Organization (AIRRO), featured numerous speakers who addressed a large crowd for more than an hour and a half, beginning at noon.
Common themes emerged during the day – tribal governments violating civil rights, including attacking free speech; the rising tide of disenrollments that is taking place around California and the nation; and a call to state legislators and Congress to find a remedy.
Quanah Brightman of United Native Americans Inc. faulted tribal leaders for abandoning their responsibilities to communities, and only taking care of themselves.
“We should not tolerate this in our communities,” he said. “We should not tolerate this at all.”
Nice resident Wanda Quitiquit, an AIRRO member who along with three dozen family members received a disenrollment resolution from Robinson Rancheria in November, warned that the practice of kicking members out of tribes could eventually lead to extinction of native tribes.
“Today we are raising our voices as a wake up call,” said Quitiquit.
The disenrollments of more than 50 members of Robinson Rancheria are leading to other problems, including a young woman being beaten and several evictions of disenrolled families, Quitiquit said.
John Gomez Jr., who in 2004 was disenrolled by the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, said the tribal leaders responsible for pushing members out have forgotten what it's like to be Indian, because they're not helping each other.
He estimated 2,500 California Indians have been disenrolled and hundreds more denied benefits.
Gomez said there's hope. “There are a lot of people in Indian Country who are standing up to this oppression.”
But if the oppression and disenrollment continues, Gomez said it will consume Indian Country.
California is ground zero for the problem, said Gomez.
While tribal leaders have all of the resources at their disposal, including millions of dollars, Gomez said the opposition has people.
It's the responsibility of Indians to come together to fight the destructive forces in their communities, he said.
“This is not the Indian way,” said Gomez. “It's a desecration to our heritage, it's a desecration to our culture.”
Norman “Wounded Knee” DeOcampo, a Miwok from Vallejo, recalled his support of Proposition 5 in 1998, the ballot measure that legalized gambling in California.
DeOcampo said the hope that he originally had for tribal gaming hasn't transformed into a reality of care and benefit for all Indian people.
But he recounted that his mother used to tell him, “You only lose when you give up.”
So, despite being disenrolled from his tribe, DeOcampo said he's continuing to fight for reform in Indian Country on behalf of his ancestors and the generations to come.
Lois Lockhart, disenrolled from the Pinoleville tribe in Mendocino County, cited tribal law in addressing the actions of tribal governments that choose to remove members from their rolls.
“It is against the law to take away our civil rights,” said Lockhart, a former tribal administrator at Sherwood Valley Rancheria, where she was able to reclaim membership after losing her status at Pinoleville.
She said the Pomo people have a saying – do good, and good comes back to you. In the same way, bad actions end in a bad response.
Lockhart was in grade school when her tribe was terminated, or dissolved. In the 1970s, her tribe would be restored, and then she later faced Pinoleville's disenrollment action.
She urged people to learn more about tribal law to arm themselves in fighting injustice.
Lockhart said there is so much that native elders sacrificed for their descendants to be here today.
In contrast, she said, “This new breed of Indians – I don't know who they are or where they came from.”
Clayton Duncan, a member of Robinson Rancheria in Nice, accused the Bureau of Indian Affairs of backing corrupt tribal leadership around the state.
“BIA, you're in charge,” he said. “You need to step up to the plate and listen to the majority of people.”
Carla Foreman-Maslin, president of AIRRO, was disenrolled along with more than 70 members of her family from the Redding Rancheria, where her late father, Bob Foreman, had been the first tribal chair.
For Foreman-Maslin, the fact that her father didn't see justice before his death is a source of great sorrow.
“This is a shameful time for us,” she said.
But as long as Indians are alive and breathing, they can fight disenrollments, she said.
She read a message from friends in the Oneida Nation of New York, where tribal members also have seen forms of oppression, including 14 families having their homes bulldozed.
EJ Crandell – who was elected Robinson Rancheria's chair last June, after which the election was decertified following a complaint lodged by sitting Tribal Chair Tracey Avila – said some tribal leaders just want to keep the status quo.
At the same time, other tribal members are afraid to speak up, for fear they'll be pushed out of the tribe, he said.
Crandell urged everyone to keep fighting the fight.
Mark Anquoe, a Kiowa who originally came from Oklahoma and now lives in San Francisco, works with the American Indian Movement (AIM).
“That enrollment roll is not what makes you Indian,” said Anquoe.
After the United States is long gone, Indians will remain, Anqoue said.
“We're all gonna get through it,” he said. “We're gonna stick together because that's what real Indians do.”
Brightman, who celebrated the birth of his new baby daughter the night before, said after the rally that taking the concerns to the state Legislature is the first step in presenting the issues to higher levels of the US government, including Congress.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
{mos_sb_discuss:2}
