Arkley v. Humboldt
In a letter dated Jan. 28, 2008, Deputy County Counsel Carolyn Ruth insisted that County Planner Anita Punla, who had been assigned to the case, “is acting with due diligence and good faith to process these applications as quickly as she can given her existing workload.”
Arkley wasn’t convinced. Letters from his side got combative almost immediately, threatening legal action as far back as July 31, 2007 — just a month after the applications had been filed — and at regular intervals thereafter. When County Counsel allegedly failed to show up at a meeting with county staff in October of last year, Security National VP of Real Estate Randy Gans shot off a letter to Community Development Services Director Kirk Girard, saying, “the lack of professional courtesy and disregard for the applicant’s time and money is inexcusable.”
Interim County Counsel Wendy Chaitin suggested that there’s more to the case than this exchange of bitter communiqués reveals. “There are factual issues in addition to legal issues,” she said cryptically. All the dirty details would no doubt be revealed in a court case, but Chaitin aims to keep that from happening.
“I am very hopeful that something can be worked out short of litigation with the parties,” she said last week. “The parties are actively speaking [and] trying to resolve the matter.” Having recently sidestepped another court battle by pulling the plug on the Eureka Reporter, Arkley may be just as eager to avoid litigation.
→ post a comment
on the cover
Railroad!
Proposed lines ‘set rich blood a-tingling’ in early 1900s
Some Other Proposed North Coast Railroads
Choo-choo Fantasies
Exposing this east-west rail nonsense
seven-o-heaven
Undeterred Will
Will chides Andrew for lack of attention to detail and makes plans for his inevitable victory.
Recent news story
May 17
Safe Solar Watching
May 10
Trees, Please
The beauty police keep a sharp eye on Caltrans as it studies ways to make Broadway safer
May 3
Super Pay
For super work, say the county's five supervisors
Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
More →
TWO Comments
Comment / By hojo / Nov. 28, 2008, 3:59 p.m.
Leave arkley alone, yes hes a rich bastard. but he is the only one building anything in humboldt and theres alot of folks who would jump for joy if given the chance to build some homes and create some jobs in humboldt! The county needs to alow property owners to do what they want with there land!
Comment / By kitty litter / Dec. 20, 2008, 4:10 p.m.
I have just been through the process of zoning and land issues in regards to my property with the Humboldt County Supervisors, Planning Commission and Anita Punla. I appreciated the thoroughness, the time, the courtesy and professionalism of all parties involved in regards to my project. They are doing a superior job and helping to keep a beautiful part of the country open and green and adhering to the rules and regulations of the County. It is my hope that developers are not allowed to gain financially at the expense of open space. Once again, thank you to Humboldt County Supervisors, Planning Commission and Anita Punla and staff for doing a wonderful job.