The Gleeful Resister
(Feb. 10, 2011) Editor:
Thank you for reprinting the piece on John Ross in your last issue (“Can’t win for losing,” Feb. 3). John was a friend to many at the NEC (Northcoast Environmental Center) in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s and a frequent contributor to the Econews. He walked his talk and also knew how to make being an activist fun. John was easy to spot around town in his worn-out maroon down jacket held together by duct tape. I saw him at the NEC sometimes and the first thing he would say is, “So what have you been doing,” and it was not a rhetorical greeting; he really wanted to know.
Ed Abbey said, “Resist much, obey little.” That’s what John did. I didn’t know him well but he was always friendly and inspiring and full of ideas. In the Spring of 1982 there was a big rally up on the South Fork Smith River at a place called Big Flat. There were many activists there, determined to stop the connection of the GO (Gasquet-Orleans) Road that the Forest Service wanted to build to facilitate logging in the area. It would have crossed through sacred Yurok territory and scarred a section of the proposed Siskiyou Wilderness. Earth First! founding members Dave Foreman and Mike Roselle were there, fresh from lying in front of bulldozers in New Mexico, to advise and connect with North Coast enviros. And there was John Ross, speaking to the crowd, waving his arms around, happily willing to organize with glee and intensity.
John was one of those who seemed, on every occasion, to put “the cause” above his personal life. I feel lucky to have known him.
Sam Camp, Big Bar
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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.
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.
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ONE Comments
Comment / By Gary Graham Hughes / Today, 8:51 p.m.
His loss will be felt all across this great continent.