Notes from the Hustings
(May 6, 2010) High Flyers
It was a particularly warm yet partly cloudy Saturday morning at Murray Field outside Eureka. A variety of single-prop planes spread across the tarmac. If there was an award for unique fundraising events, this one would certainly make the list. The $25-per-plate gathering attracted friends of Mike Hislop, chief investigator for the District Attorney’s Office and candidate for Sheriff, some of whom flew in from Fortuna, among other places, because that was the gimmick — fly in and have some breakfast.
Hislop didn’t fly in, but he stores his Cessna in one of nearby hangars. He said he loves to take the plane out, like for day trips to Shelter Cove and Hayfork for lunch. He calls it “going out for a $100 hamburger,” considering fuel costs.
Smooth landings?
“My landings,” Hislop smiled, “always.”
There was talk at the fly-in about shattered confidence in the Sheriff’s Department in the rural areas, an overblown meth problem feeding the crime machine and the need to find creative ways to bring in money, particularly in the form of grants.
Hislop is quite passionate when he talks about what he sees as the problems facing the Sheriff’s Office. A contentious point, particularly in the debate circuit, revolves around the department spending beyond its means, particularly in the area of overtime pay. Hislop read from a sheet printed out from the County Auditor’s office, breaking down each position in the HCSO along with wages earned. He pointed out occurrences of overtime, essentially an open wound in the HCSO budget. He blamed it on lack of oversight.
“I don’t think people are watching the store,” Hislop said of overtime expenses. (Hislop’s opponent, Undersheriff Mike Downey, maintains that Hislop misunderstands the paperwork, and that the overages — which he characterizes as minor — are standard practice.)
→ 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 →
0 Comments