Mailbox

Editor:Among the by-lines that I always look forward to: Garrison Keillor, Paul Krugman, Leonard Pitts, John Driscoll, Amy Stewart and Hank Sims. When will Hank Sims return? Chip Sharpe, Bayside Editor:With last week’s resignation of Hank Sims, the Journal lost not only a fine editor but Humboldt’s most astute political and cultural observer.  His Town […]

Editor: Did you hear about the Arcata police action to intimidate the gentleman outside the grounds of Arcata High? For a couple days Brian has stood quietly holding a sign that says, “High schools are a prison.” Oh, the humanity! Some apparently don’t like the truth. Twice the police had nothing better to do than […]

Editor: Reading Heidi Walters’ article of Jan. 20, “Southern Discomfort,” I was reminded that it’s not always easy for constituents to reach me. I’ve always recognized the difficulty in getting services, funding and attention to the southern part of the 2nd District, especially in the remote rural areas. I seize every possible opportunity to attend […]

Radio pain Editor: I am writing in response to the painful experience of the botched KSLG interview (Joel Mielke, Feb. 3). I have never seen someone so utterly destroy goodwill. It was amazing to hear someone disrespect not only his new boss and previous friend but alienate the entire community he plans to work in […]

Editor: Your statement that the “average proprietor” of a Humboldt business earned just over $21,000 and that, given what public employees earn, “no wonder the Tea Party has a local following” missed the mark. (“Boomerangers,” Feb. 3) First: It’s inaccurate to say that the “average proprietor” earns that. In this context, “average” suggests “typical.” While […]

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 […]

Editor: Of course the businesses and residents of Jacobs Avenue don’t want to pull up stakes and leave. (“Behind the Levee,” Jan. 27) Rising sea levels make their predicament all the more poignant because we’re all going to face “tough choices” in the foreseeable future. We’ve been in denial about the greenhouse effect on the […]

Editor: Your article on the Humboldt County Planning Commission was mostly on-point and well received (“Hot Seats,” Jan. 27). A few points need clarification, though. My comment was intended to convey that my priorities are to protect this region and our property rights and civil liberties. Had I not lost the cell connection, I would […]

Editor: I am outraged by the stupidity and use of Russian KGB tactics in relation to the Carlos Espinosa affair at Arcata High School (“Search & Suspend,” Jan. 20). To say they blew it big-time would be the understatement of the year. What should have been an excellent educational opportunity, like having his class explore […]

Editor: I love Dave Silverbrand. I respect his TV work, his compassion and his sense of humor, to be sure. I am surprised and rather taken aback however, at his linkage to the “Media Maven” article (Jan. 6) discussing the lack of local press noting the death of Captain Beefheart (“Mailbox,” Jan. 13). In his […]

Editor: Thank you for your cover story on the Arcata High junior (“Search & Suspend,” Jan. 20). It reminds me that things are not well at Arcata High and have not been for quite some time. My son, now 25 years, went there for his freshman and sophomore years. At the end of his sophomore […]

Editor: Hank Sims did a good job summarizing Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed 2011-2012 California budget last week in “Golden Boy.” I did not read Sims’ piece with the same “detached, ironic cool” in which Brown delivered this news to Californians and the legislators. I am particularity alarmed with a budget that has “slashed funding for […]