All in Good Humor, Of Course
Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel
We cover most of the local websites bringing you the pearls of wisdom or touching on a relevant topic that we find interesting every once in awhile.
Occasionally we come across a rare comment, a good one,
a reader’s opinion with pith and punch and humor capturing
the flavor of the moment and worthy of reposting.
The following is from Mike Dronker’s piece,
“Special Supes Report; ‘Hey, What Now?‘” by a guest commenter
calling himself (or herself) ’Unnamed Source:’
“This just in.
Humboldt County residents hoping to see the end to the GPU (General Plan Update) process shouldn’t hold their breaths unless they enjoy recreational unconsciousness.
Once again, at their most recent hearing on Dec. 17, 2012 the Supes turned the process over to an ad hoc group theoretically representing every possible viewpoint in the county in the hope that this coalition of previously warring factions would reach consensus, thereby relieving the elected officials of the responsibility of making any decision that might annoy any one or more of their potential or ostensible supporters in the next election cycle.
Fifth District Supervisor Ryan Sundberg, deeply confused by conflicting comments from his constituents, reiterated that he doesn’t want to vote until the working group presents him with a checklist of what to vote for and what to vote against.
First District Supervisor Rex Bohn, on the other hand, pointed out that since all kinds of development projects have already been done all over the county there’s absolutely no need for the supervisors to have to make any GPU decisions — everyone already knows what everyone wants, so why waste time deliberating and listening to a lot of boring comment when we could
be playing ball?
Fourth District Supervisor and Board Chair Virginia Bass agreed that everyone has a very good point, really a lot of great ideas out there, and maybe we just all need a little more time to think things over.
Second District Supervisor Clif Clendenen lost his re-election bid and will be off the board at the end of the year, so whatever he said could be safely ignored.
Even the normally feisty Third District Supervisor Mark Lovelace mellowed out somewhat, enough to seek a way to move the need to make a decision to one of those five-year General Plan Update updates recommended by the 1984 Framework Plan under which the county still operates.
By that time, an asteroid may have destroyed the earth, eliminating
the need for land use planning.
Considering how difficult, time-consuming, and just plain irritating the whole thing is, the Supervisors made a courageous decision to put off deciding anything this year, which marks the 10th or the 12th year, or depending on whether you use the Mayan, Hebrew, Buddhist, Gregorian, or Sumerian calendar, the 8,937th year of the GPU.
But, as Supervisor Bohn so wisely said, it’s better to do it right than to do it quickly — or at all. I mean, what the hell anyway?”
* * * * * * *
The GPU process has gone on forever being a laborious, contentious, arduous, contrary and controversial test of patience and wills on all sides as different groups of stakeholders hammer home opposing points of view.
Yeah, this about captures the flavor all right. Thank you, Unnamed Source.
(Posted by Skippy Massey)
