Pubdate: Mon, 18 Aug 2003
Source: Arcata Eye (US CA)
Contact:  2003, Arcata Eye
Website: http://www.arcataeye.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1210
Author: Kevin L. Hoover, Eye Editor
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Paul+Gallegos
Note: A description of the D.A.'s medical marijuana policy can be found at
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n244/a09.html .

D.A. RECALL BACKERS LIST CONTRIBUTORS

As of June 30, the Committee to Recall Paul Gallegos raised $26,621 from 16
donors. Most of the donors are in timber and trucking (see list, page 4).

The committee spent $8,694.64, leaving a $17,926.36 balance. Most of the
expenditures - all but $67.55 - went to Arcata-based MTC Associates, Inc., the
advertising agency managing the recall effort's publicity. No breakdown of
MTC's disbursements from that sum were listed. The North Coast Inn, where a
meeting was held, got $53.75, and Humboldt Bank was paid $13.70 for checks.

Recall opponents were quick to crow about the slender list of donors, if not
their largely industrial nature.

" I think it's interesting that this so-called popular campaign against Paul
Gallegos is funded by only 16 single contributors totaling over $26,000,
according to the Humboldt County Elections Office," said Richard Salzman,
coordinator of the Alliance for Ethical Business (AEB). 

Salzman made the point that "98 percent" of the payouts went to MTC.
"Surprisingly, no expenditures were reported for advertising, petition
circulating, print ads, television or radio ads, voter registration or campaign
materials," he said.

The Times-Standard zeroed in on the source of the donations with a front page
story titled "Timber dollars drive DA recall." The story noted the disparity
between the recall effort's ostensible motivation - D.A. Gallegos' alleged
softness on crime - and the timber and trucking-based origins of the funds
financing the recall. 

Gallegos sent shockwaves through the local timber industry in February with his
controversial lawsuit against the county's largest single employer, Pacific
Lumber.

No Comment

Recall backers appeared unprepared for questions about the disparity between
money and message. Dave Morey, president of the Humboldt Deputy Sheriff's
Association said his group didn't plan to contribute to the recall campaign.
"We don't donate more than $500 per year," he said. In announcing his group's
support of the recall last May, Morey said it wished to avoid the appearance of
being "puppeted" by Pacific Lumber.

Asked why no anti-crime groups like his were listed among the donors, Morey
announced that he was in the middle of a meeting. "I don't have time to
comment," he said. An arrangement for a later call-back was made, but Morey
missed the appointment and further messages weren't returned. 

Rick Brazeau, owner of MTC Associates, was even more abrupt. He suggested that
Timothy Crowley, the recall group's treasurer, be contacted, though Crowley's
office had directed inquiries to Brazeau. "I have nothing to do with the money
part of it. See ya," Brazeau said, and hung up.

'People Who Care'

Calls to several of the listed donors were fruitless, as many were out of their
offices on business or are on vacation this month. None of the non-timber
donors were available. But Phyllis Rasmussen of Blue Lake-based Rasmussen Wood
Products, Inc., insisted that her $5,000 donation was motivated by community
concern, not sympathy for the timber industry.

"I dislike intensely his stand on marijuana," Rasmussen said of Gallegos. "And
I don't like his stance on plea-bargaining crime."

She said Gallegos had deceived voters during the campaign by withholding
particulars of his marijuana policy until he was in office, then implementing a
permissive policy allowing cultivation of 99 plants per medical marijuana
patient. "He didn't give particulars," Rasmussen said. 

She believes Gallegos' pot policy is at odds with state and federal law. "He
shouldn't have the power to undermine the law," she said.

Gallegos' indulgent attitude toward drugs, she said, will only lead to more
drug tragedies - something she has firsthand knowledge of. "I've had too many
family members messed up on drugs," she said.

Overall, Rasmussen said, Gallegos' priorities are skewed. While acknowledging
the importance of prosecuting those suspected of killing eight puppies and
dumping them in Blue Lake, she wishes Gallegos would pursue other violent
criminals with equal fervor.

"That was very dastardly, chopping up the puppies," Rasmussen said. "But
drive-by shootings should be prosecuted more severely."

She said the preponderance of timber dollars in the recall funding mix stems
from the industry's deep concern for the community.

"We're people who care about the community, who have been here so long and who
have a few dollars to contribute," Rasmussen said. "It's not so much timber,
though that's part of our life here, it's neither here nor there for us."

Friends of Paul Gallegos

Salzman said the AEB needn't disclose its finances because it's not a Political
Action Committee or PAC as formally defined by the Fair Political Practices
Commission (FPPC). "You're only subject to FPPC rules if you do 'express
advocacy,'" Salzman said. Express advocacy would involve making a specific
recommendation about the recall petition, which it has scrupulously avoided.

He noted that the AEB's message has been limited to support for ethical
business practices in general. "In none of our literature do we say, 'Don't
sign it,'" he said.

Once the Committee to Recall Paul Gallegos files its petition, and if the
recall measure is officially granted a place on next March's primary ballot,
the rules change, Salzman said. After that, organized support for Gallegos will
be a political matter subject to FPPC regulation.

Anticipating that eventuality, Salzman said a group called the "Friends of Paul
Gallegos" has already formed. The group is headed by Rondall Snodgrass, who was
unavailable for comment.

Should the recall make it onto the ballot, Salzman said AEB would have new
options.

"AEB could dissolve or it could champion the [Pacific Lumber] lawsuit," he
said. "That's not something we need to back off on."

Recall Donors By The Numbers

The following is a list of major contributors to the Committee to Recall Paul
Gallegos. The contributions cover the period of January 1 through June 30.

*- Edward G. Gomes, an employee of Joe Costa Trucking, $1,000. 
*- Peterson Tractor Co., based in San Leandro, also has a Eureka branch,
$5,000. 
*- Robin Arkley Sr., retired businessman and early supporter of the recall,
made two separate donations of $1,000 each. 
*- Rasmussen Wood Products Inc., located in Blue Lake, $5,000. 
*- John M. Morehouse, owner of a publishing company in Arcata, $1,000. 
*- Rogan Coombs, with Timber Incorporated in Fortuna, $5,000. 
*- Humboldt Bay Properties in Eureka, $100. 
*- Ronald L. Borges, manager at Bettendorf Trucking, $1,000. 
*- Hansen Wire Rope in Fortuna, $1,000. 
*- Lewis Logging in Fortuna, $1,000. 
*- Craig E. Anthony, Vice President at Pacific Lumber Co. in Hydesville,
$1,000. 
*- Angelini Logging in Carlotta, $250. 
*- Craig C. Hansen Insurance Service Inc. in Eureka, $1,000. 
*- Gene Lucas, certified public accountant in Fortuna, $100. 
*- Sharon Ledbetter, Curves for Women in Santa Rosa, $200. 
*- Karen L. Smith, Fortuna resident, $1,000.
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MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk