The Press Democrat comes through with a telling update. Santa Rosans close to the senator tell tales very similar to the ones that Humboldters tell in this week’s “Town Dandy,” which will go live right here at the stroke of midnight. P-D reporters Derek J. Moore and Mike McCoy provide a lot more detail, though:
One local official said she was astounded by what she witnessed in Wiggins’ office around three months ago when, in a meeting with a half-dozen officials from two counties to discuss the state budget crisis, the senator “flew off the handle and jumped out of her chair” to angrily berate a staffer over a minor issue.
“I had been warned going in,” the official said about Wiggins’ behavior.
Wiggins started over from the beginning of a prepared script each time a new official entered the meeting. By the time it was over, the local council member said, “I was shocked.”
“I’ve known Pat for a long time. I walked for her when she ran for City Council and supported her when she ran for the Assembly and Senate. This is totally, totally out of character for her,” the council member said.
“I was wondering how much longer they can keep this under cover. I didn’t want to be the one to blow the whistle,” the council member added.
Amazingly, other friends and colleagues continue to insist that everything is just okie dokie with Pat. Another variation on “Oh, that’s just Pat!” For all this and more, read the full P-D piece. It’s fascinating.
Quick side note: Gotta pay respect to Bruce Anderson at the Anderson Valley Advertiser. He noted a couple of weeks ago that the senator had come unhinged lately. Who would have guessed that he would have been so quickly proven so spectacularly right? His piece isn’t online or I’d link it.
UPDATE: Just one more thought. It seems more and more certain that, despite her friends’ objections, Sen. Wiggins is not well. If so, we will probably find out the specific malady soon enough.
Hats off, then, to two class acts. First of all, I’d like to note that I called Wiggins’ competitor in the 2006 election, Republican Lawrence Wiesner, also of Santa Rosa. Unlike some of Republican comrades, Wiesner refused to speak to the incident, saying only that he came to know Wiggins in the election and he wished her no ill.
Most of all, though, one has to admire Pastor Robert Jones, the target of Wiggins’ YouTubed outburst. He’s being urged to make more hay of the matter every which way, and he indicated early on to the Sacramento Bee that there would be further actions forthcoming. Since then he has evidently had a change of heart. He’s not returning reporters’ phone calls, including the Journal‘s. He appears inclined to let the matter drop.
Perhaps he possesses that rare quantity one hears so much of but rarely encounters in the actual world — simple Christian charity.
This article appears in Who’s Your City?.
Pat is good people. She has a pronounced loss of hearing which can be very difficult in rooms full of people. Hopefully, her health is okay in a general sense. She has worked hard for everyone on the north coast.
“Bullshit” is a fine descriptive term in common usage. Senator Wiggins is all the more endearing for her use of such earthy language.
‘Christian charity’ … crikey Mr. Sims, next thing you will be saying is Christianized medicine instead of ‘socialized’…
!@#$%$#^@$# turrets.
Local Dem:
Hey, you’re a “That’s just Pat!” person!
Help me out, then — what exactly was the “bullshit” that the senator identified in Pastor Jones’ address?
You are a fine apologist for assholish behavior… a fine example of defend-the-part-at-all-costs type of shiller. I hope she has a medical problem, because otherwise she’s a complete dick and should be voted out of office at all costs. Well, either way, voted out of office.
Virginia Strom-Martin would be the best choice to replace Patricia if she is having medical issues.
Clearly Wiggins is a prime example of the North Coast democrat machines power to choose who gets into office. If the HCDCC designated a rabbit to be the next state senator the enlightened sophisticated voters of our district would rally behind the rabbit.
I watched the debates on KEET when Wiggins ran for office and was appalled that this could be the chosen one. She generally answered with a simple yes or no without any elaboration, explanation or spin.
I have had the opportunity to talk directly to most of our area representatives on the state and congressional level, and witness them at work with constituents. In my opinion Wiggins is by far the least impressive.
“She has a pronounced loss of hearing which can be very difficult in rooms full of people. Hopefully, her health is okay in a general sense.”
Local Dem Says:
Aug. 14, 2008 at 6:49 am
Indeed, we should all hope for good health the Pat Wiggins. I agree hearing loss can make interaction and discussion in a room full of people difficult. Be that as it may “I think your arguments are bullshit” is not an appropriate response, ESPECIALLY if you are having trouble hearing the alleged Bullshiter!
“Senator Wiggins is all the more endearing for her use of such earthy language.”
Local Dem Says:
Aug. 14, 2008 at 6:49 am
Perhaps – but even if you agree with her conclusion and find it “endearing” it is a conclusory statement with no substance
I think Hank Sims said it best:
“what exactly was the “bullshit” that the senator identified in Pastor Jones’ address?”
From my vantage point he was basically saying that certain types of taxes affect constituents in the lower income brackets more profoundly than those in the upper income brackets. This is true.
At this stage Assemblymember Lairds “state parks access pass,” proposal introduces a $10 surcharge on vehicle registration irrespective of the value of the vehicle or a person’s income. This $10 charge will certainly affect a taxpayer that makes 25,000/yr and drives a 20 year old chevy more profoundly than a peson making 60,000/yr and driving a lexus.
Secondly he stated that individuals in certain socioeconomic ranges have less representation in Sacramento. This has shown to be true time and time again.
Interestingly, he was NOT arguing anything but presenting the facts as he saw them.
So…
Unfortunately, we don’t even care to ask Pat Wiggins WHY Pat Wiggins said what she said. Has anyone asked? Probably, and likely she refused to comment. Now – That is what I would call mushroom fertilizer! Representatives are accountable to the voter, and her refusal to explain is a refusal to recognize that accountabilty.
Had the comment come from the other side of the aisle the opinions from most of those handing out his or her two-cents would be VERY different.
If California prefer to wave colours rather than dole out objective accountability for a rude conslusory statement (coming from a donky or elephant matters not) then we will continue to have the Sacramento culture that we have today.
reality check to all…THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG!! Now how the people support her through and out of office will hopoefully be kind and loving and supportive.
ya all remember the rescuer, the persecutor and victim?
enough rescuing Pat! enough persecuting her for behavior obviously (when you’re not in denial) caused from a phycial condition
enough of letting this continue, and hense becoming victims without sound representation.
Now how do we effect change. Through your Central Committee’s to start with.
I love Pat dearly. But I do know that there is something very wrong.