Ed Voice
Member since Oct 2, 2008
Latest Review
Recent Comments
Re: “Trump Administration Food Stamp Cuts Will Hit 3,600 in Humboldt”
What will happen to the contracts Humboldt DHHS has with its Calfresh Outreach program/partnership and that money?
https://drive.google.com/open?id=16vMKsONW…
Re: “Mateel, High Times Create Partnership to Save Reggae on the River”
It would be interesting to know who will be re-applying for the Humboldt County conditional use permit (CUP) for Reggae on the River (ROTR); since the previous 5 year CUP (2013-2017) for ROTR expired in 2017. And will the Mateel still claim ROTR is a 501c3/tax exempt fundraiser, i.e. the income from ROTR is only used for the Mateel's tax exempt & non-profit community programs; now given the fact they have sold the festival to a for-profit festival producer/promoter?
Over the years, ROTR has been given a rubber stamp of approval by the Planning Commission and a pass from all the environmental organizations; claiming ROTR is serving the 'greater good' of Southern Humboldt, thus allowing the Mateel to bypass water quality and public health concerns and mitigations; allowing wastewater (44,000 gallons) generated during ROTR to be discharged into leachfields onsite and the river bar. This practice increases the e-coli level in the South Fork Eel River by more than 3 times only during and after the event.
So does the 'greater good' of Southern Humboldt now include High Times Media?
The South Fork Eel River is a protected state & federal Wild & Scenic River, with listed threatened and endangered species of steelhead, coho and chinook salmon. What about their 'greater good'?
Can High Times Media have a festival without affecting the South Fork Eel, its water quality or wildlife habitat!
Re: “Mateel Talks Bankruptcy”
Here's what the Mateel Community Center posted on their website. "We are making progress by creating a business plan". Now that you are in approx $750k in debt, now you want to create a "business plan". Does this "business plan" only consist of posting a GoFundMe account? According to your exempt organizations tax returns and audits, since 2014, you generate over $2.7 Million in gross receipts and you just now thought "creating a business plan" would come in handy?
http://mateel.org/current-mateel-news/
Garth vs Goliath crowdfund: $40,000 goal
Greetings all, the Mateel Community Center would like to report that we have tightened our belt and made large cuts to our monthly/annual operating costs. We are making progress by creating a business plan with a bare bones budget to move us into a space where our creditors can be paid. Part of this strategy may require taking a loan against the building to resolve the most pressing debt this is an option we are exploring, and would require a vote from the membership. In spite of this forward progress we have made, we received a blow in the form of a lien that will be filed on behalf of the Sysco corporation. This lien is being filed against not only the Mateel, but its president, Garth Epling. As a signer of goods, Garth signed a lease contract in 2014. Included in this contract was a promissory note that enables this corporate goliath to hold an individual personally liable for Mateel debt. Our efforts up to this point to negotiate a reasonable payment plan with Sysco have been flatly denied. This will negatively affect the Mateel but worst of all, a pillar of our community, lifelong volunteer and overall great guy is now on the hook personally for $40,198.77 of Mateel debt (assets and accounts at risk). This lien is one of the large stumbling blocks we face in securing financing as banks will not lend on property that has been encumbered by a lien. For now, we have cobbled together emergency funds to stave off the lien and avoid even more costly legal fees, we are starting a crowd-based donation fund to pay these lenders back. All money collected will be used to help Garth keep his assets.
You may make donations at: YouCaring.com/HelpGarth
Or donate at the Southern Humboldt Community Credit union.
Garth Vs Goliath account # 13597-54
Statement from Garth Epling:
After volunteering for over 15 years of my life with the Mateel and other non-profit organizations, I find myself faced with the threat of my own assets being seized. It feels so unjust!
Apparently, back in 2014, shortly before that years Reggae I signed what I thought was a trailer lease agreement. Buried in the fine print, it was also a promissory note to personally cover any debt that the Mateel could not cover from Sysco indefinitely. I certainly would never have signed such a document if I had known what was concealed. However, I accept responsibility for overlooking the fine print, being rushed in the moment.
After seeking legal counsel, I determined that the high cost of a legal battle, with an uncertain outcome, would have still leave the Mateel with a lien against its assets. A lien would prevent any chance of a loan to consolidate debt.
Forced by these circumstances, I used 30k of a fund set up for my familys land and turned it over to the corporate giant. Fellow Board members came forth to cover the other 11k. As a small business owner, making only a modest living from my Computer Sales and Service shop, I cannot afford to part with that amount of money for very long.
Im asking for help. You can make donations online at www.YouCaring.com/HelpGarth
Or you can deposit funds at the Community Credit Union of Southern Humboldt Accont: Garth vs Goliath # 13597-54
I hope you can find it in your hearts to donate to this fundraiser. Any amount is appreciated and will go directly towards paying back my debt.
Re: “Mateel Talks Bankruptcy”
"Reggae On The River is the primary fundraiser of the Mateel Community Center, a 501 c-3 non-profit organization offering arts, educational, youth, and social service programs to the rural communities of Southern Humboldt and Northern Mendocino Counties."
This statement is made by the Mateel. If true and the reason they justify degrading the water quality and wildlife habitat of the South Fork Eel, i.e. ESA, ESU & EFH; then how does the Mateel justify:
"Regarding Reggae, which the Mateel has previously indicated it will look to sell or lease out, the board reported it is currently in the third round of negotiations with a "partner" for next year's festival."
It's no longer a "fundraiser", its a for-profit commercial festival.
This comes on the heals of the Mateel's application to re-apply for another 5 year County Conditional Use Permit (CUP), since the current CUP expired after the 2017 festival.
Here is what was submitted to the Planning Department by the Mateel (Michael Richardson):
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tSwnumIt…
Here is the 2014 Mateel Audit, as requested by the State AG:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1nfT4yVRt…
It would seem a lot of money made from this "fundraiser" doesn't stay in Southern Humboldt.
The Mateel needs to be open, transparent and accountable, or stop claiming they are a tax exempt public benefit and charitable organization. As a 501c3, its not the publics or Humboldt Area Foundation's responsibility to bale them out of bad private business and financial deals that were never discussed in public. A community 501c3 represents its community, I guess the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.
How can the Board President of a 501c3 post a private GoFundMe account and ask for money to bail him out of personal liability and debt; that was directly attributed to the Mateel & Reggae on the River?
https://www.youcaring.com/garthepling-1072…
Why is the Mateel paying out $612,138.00 in Salaries and compensation in 2015? Was any money used to improve the South Fork Eel River, NO, only to line someones pocket
http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2015…
Did you know; during and after ROTR, the E Coli level increases to more than 3 times in the South Fork Eel than tested before ROTR? This can be confirmed from the Mateels own annual report to the Planning Department:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1O6UZgLQh…
Re: “Poor Reggae on the River Attendance Leaves Mateel Community Center's Future in Question”
BTW; the Mateel Annual Membership Meeting was on the 21th, they are even more in debt since this article, membership is asking allot of questions and getting no direction or answers from the MCC Board, other to raise more money and blame poor ROTR ticket sales? The MCC Board and staff are in denial and being very defencive when asked direct questions about how they will not allow this to happen again. Why would you donate or be a member of an organization that has no accountability or transparency with their MONEY?
I know its a 2 1/2 hour recording, but it does allow the public to hear how the MCC Board deals with bankruptcy ending issues and is BS'ing the membership and public about why they are now $750K in debt and businesses are suing them for non-payment:
https://soundcloud.com/kmudnews/mateel-com…
This is all on-top of the State Attorney Generals letter from Nov 9th:
http://kymkemp.com/2017/11/14/mateel-commu…
http://kymkemp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017…
If the Mateel Community Center was a part of the greater community, then how come NO ONE or the Community is stepping up to bail them out?
The current Mateel debacle can be summed up in a single word analogy or metaphor; "Titanic"...
Re: “Reggae Falling”
From the Mateel "Reggae on the River" 2017 website:
"A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots"~ Marcus Garvey
It also stated:
"Reggae On The River is the primary fundraiser of the Mateel Community Center, a 501 c-3 non-profit organization offering arts, educational, youth, and social service programs to the rural communities of Southern Humboldt and Northern Mendocino Counties."
And
"As part of our mission to give back to the community, all food booths at ROTR benefit local non-profit organizations working to improve the quality of life on the North Coast. Whether run directly by a non-profit or by a percentage of sales from commercial booths via our Non-Profit Partnership Program, more than 20 different causes/ organizations benefitted from the concessions at ROTR 2016. Stay tuned here for a list of the 2017 participants as this information becomes available."
http://www.reggaeontheriver.com/outreach/
Since 2014, the MCC has been in what's called a "delinquent status" with the State and its charitable non-profit organization. According to the State Attorney Generals office:
"An organization must be in good standing current with the Registry of Charitable Trusts to operate or solicit for charitable purposes. A registration that is delinquent, suspended or revoked is not in good standing and is prohibited from engaging in conduct for which registration is required, including but not limited to solicitation for charitable purposes."
How come the MCC can not explain this "delinquent status" and how come they continued to have their fundraisers and solicit for charitable purposes (tax exempt) when they are prohibited? How deep of a hole are they digging?
Here are two letters the MCC was sent, explaining the status from the Attorney General's office:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1qq4OlQ…
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1qq4OlQ…
Re: “Full Steam Ahead”
Hey Ross Huber,
If you LOVE Southern Humboldt as much as you say you do, you are quoted as saying in photo 17/20:
~Fall Splendor volunteer and Community Park board member Ross Huber, of Garberville, said, "If the move of the event from Garberville to this donated venue was contentious, it wouldn't be sold out but it is. I think people are enjoying a chance to have a night out anyway from Southern Humboldt"
Its funny you used the word "contentious". No one I know ever said it wouldn't be sold out, if you moved it to Eureka; it was the fact you took that money away from Southern Humboldt, including the Mateel and other local business. I guess you can try and spin it anyway you want. However, it's hypocritical of you to say that the development plans and water usage at the Park are justified because of the money generated in Southern Humboldt from people coming from out of town and spending money in the local community, i.e. sports tournaments, concerts, festivals, weddings etc.
And theres the fact you didnt even ask the community what they wanted or what they thought. Its always a one sided conversation with you Ross and the other self-appointed Park board members. Because its not really a Community Park, its a private business, with private investors, and a self-appointed board of directors without board meetings open to the public! Do as I say, not as I do
So I guess the Park Board will not be paying Jennifer Metz this year (as in past years) for putting on the fundraiser, since the venue was donated? IMHO, I'm not sure anyone can believe that Ross. You stated on another blog;
"The park does not have a venue to hold Fall Splendor in Southern Humboldt because the Mateel is booked all the way through the fall."
Well, we found out that was BS, it's because the new venue in Eureka was recently purchased by Tim & Jennifer Metz. I'm sure right now, the Mateel would love that income since they had opening almost all of October, just say'in...
Full disclosure; Tim Metz is the founding President of the Southern Humboldt Community Park Board of Directors (2002-2010), has personally gained from accruing compounded interest on a $92,000 private loan to the Park while sitting Board President, pending private loans accruing interest totaling $15,812, personally gained from USDA/NRCS restoration contracts at the Park totaling $192,000 while sitting Board President and who is currently Director Emeritus, e.g. allowed to attend private Park Board Meetings that conduct business and planning fundraising events at the SHCP.
So I guess it's just a coincidence, right?
Bottom line; The Southern Humboldt Community Park moved its big yearly fundraiser (Fall Splendor) from the Mateel Community Center to a private venue in Eureka for 2017 ("Historic Eagle House"). And according to the Parks 2016 tax records, that fundraiser generated over $34,000 in overhead for the local community, the event grossed over $83,000; not counting money spent locally by out of town attendees and vendors, e.g. motels/hotels, restaurants, fuel and what ever else they consume or smoke. So now, the local community will lose all that income to Eureka and the Metz's! Why is that? Did the community have a say? NO!
http://kymkemp.com/2017/08/27/why-does-soh…
Re: “Vintage Carnival - Picnic in the Park”
Its sad, that the Southern Humboldt Community Park Board would turn their back on the natural wildlife habitat and ecosystems that makes up this Park with amplified music, artificial night lighting, traffic and parking lots. So much for protecting the Park from haphazard development...