Posts Tagged ‘Arkley’
Another voice has been added to a growing chorus that says Security National, owner of the polluted Eureka Balloon Track, is stonewalling the California Coastal Commission.
Followers of the controversy know that SN has, in recent months, turned 180° by waving the flag of the Regional Water Quality Control Board — as if the conservative banking class had suddenly embraced a system of regulation.
But it appears Water Quality Executive Officer Catherine Kuhlman won’t be played like that. In a letter to Security National henchman Randy Gans, she echoes other recent remarks about how SN is stonewalling the California Coastal Commission. Even better, Kuhlman isn’t offering a skirt for SN to hide behind in its lawsuit against the CCC.
The Coastal Commission has requested from you additional information as part of that appeal process. It is our understanding that you have not yet provided that information and have filed suit against the Coastal Commission, asserting, in part, that pursuant to Public Resources Code section 30412(b) the Coastal Commission does not have the authority to take any action that would conflict with the implementation the SIRAP. We disagree, however, that the Coastal Commission is taking any action that is in conflict with a determination by the Regional Water Board relating to water quality. Our concurrence with your SIRAP was conditioned upon your obtaining all required permits, including a coastal development permit, and was not intended to, nor do we believe it could, supplant the independent regulatory authority of the Coastal Commission or any other agency…
Our concurrence with your proposed SIRAP recognized that several of the activities you proposed required permits from other agencies, which you have not obtained.
Security National is owned by local big shot and failed banker Rob Arkley.
Download the full letter or read it here.
Tags: Arkley, Balloon Track, ca, California, coast, Eureka, Humboldt, law, lawsuit, Local, Northern California, Rob Arkley, Security National
Posted in Humboldt Blogs, Opinion | Comments Off
[Guest post from Tokyo Rose.]
There were a number of Democrats at the Republican Central Committee’s Annual Dinner on April 10th, honoring Muriel Dinsmore. Some of them clearly came in support of the Republican of the Year, while others seemed to be more interested in promoting themselves.
Current Eureka Mayor, Virginia Bass, presented a proclamation to Muriel and praised her as a classy and gracious lady. The other supervisorial candidate, Jeff Leonard, and his dad, were also present, though noticeably uninterested in Virginia’s presentation of the City of Eureka proclamation.
Current Supervisor Jimmy Smith came with a proclamation for Muriel and was warm and gracious to all.
Kathleen Bryson, one of the four Democratic candidates for District Attorney, was also in attendance. She, like both the Leonards, spent most of the evening working the room for money and votes.
The only notable Republican candidate was some earnest young guy, whose name I can’t remember, challenging Congressman Mike Thompson.
Rob Arkley gave the keynote speech. It was moderate in tone and he actually praised Nancy Pelosi for her political skill. Though he doesn’t support the health insurance reform bills, he acknowledged her success in getting them passed. Give him credit for being willing to recognize talent.
Tags: Arkley, attorney, ca, California, Democrats, Dinsmore, District Attorney, Eureka, Humboldt, Jeff Leonard, Jimmy Smith, Mike Thompson, Northern California, Republican, Rob Arkley, Virginia Bass, vote
Posted in Humboldt Blogs, Opinion | Comments Off
As noted in an earlier thread, 4th District Supervisor hopeful Virginia Bass is employing a dirty tactic of standing aside to keep her hands clean while purportedly unrelated groups sling mud at her opponent.
However, a few specks of grime appear to be lodged under her fingernails.
In a new television ad, Bass resurects her 2006 campaign platform of Jobs, Jobs, Jobs but fails to list any accomplishments in the last four years. So to fill the 30-second commercial she says “we can’t just say ‘no’ without hearing all the facts.”
It’s safe to assume Bass is piggy-backing on the propaganda slung by Rob Arkley’s various front groups accusing Bonnie Neely of somehow single-handedly stopping Arkley’s Home Depot development.
With no substance to offer, Bass appeals to community ignorance regarding what went down at that fateful Coastal Commission meeting in December. Despite the city’s best efforts, the Commission followed well-established protocol by granting a hearing on the appeal of the project. If and when Team Arkley provides additional information requested by the Commission, that hearing will be scheduled, and the city/Arkley presentation on the project will be heard. Neely asked staff to set the hearing ASAP.
But what Neely didn’t do, which is apparently her big evil crime, was ask the Commission to change the rules — just this once! — and allow city officials and Arkley lawyers to present their case right then and there. She didn’t plead with her fellow Commissioners to allow Councilman Jeff Leonard to “ramp it up.” Worst of all, she didn’t cave to political pressure in the form of advertisements, press conferences and hastily crafted last-minute letter to allow a dog-and-pony show ahead of schedule.
Even if Neely fervently believed the appeals had no merit, she alone could not have changed the day. It takes a total of 3 Commissioners to agree to hear from the applicant, which would result in a whopping 3-minutes at the podium — apparently plenty of time to address staff’s 82-page report.
At the basis of this very expensive shenanigan is the hope by Bass, Leonard and the Arkleyites that voters are as ignorant as those fools pretend to be. As pointed out by the Times-Standard, the blogs, and even the city’s own staff, the chances of them making a presentation at that particular meeting were slim to none.
The truth is the Bonnie-haters got what they wanted — a false pretense upon which to claim victimhood and blame Neely in order to boost her opponent in the 4th District supervisor race.
Tags: Arkley, Bonnie Neely, ca, California, CAMP, coast, Eureka, hearing, Home Depot, Humboldt, Jeff Leonard, job, law, lawyer, Local, Northern California, pot, Rob Arkley, Virginia Bass, vote
Posted in Humboldt Blogs, Opinion | Comments Off
As noted in an earlier thread, 4th District Supervisor hopeful Virginia Bass is employing a dirty tactic of standing aside to keep her hands clean while purportedly unrelated groups sling mud at her opponent.
However, a few specks of grime appear to be lodged under her fingernails.
In a new television ad, Bass resurects her 2006 campaign platform of Jobs, Jobs, Jobs but fails to list any accomplishments in the last four years. So to fill the 30-second commercial she says “we can’t just say ‘no’ without hearing all the facts.”
It’s safe to assume Bass is piggy-backing on the propaganda slung by Rob Arkley’s various front groups accusing Bonnie Neely of somehow single-handedly stopping Arkley’s Home Depot development.
With no substance to offer, Bass appeals to community ignorance regarding what went down at that fateful Coastal Commission meeting in December. Despite the city’s best efforts, the Commission followed well-established protocol by granting a hearing on the appeal of the project. If and when Team Arkley provides additional information requested by the Commission, that hearing will be scheduled, and the city/Arkley presentation on the project will be heard. Neely asked staff to set the hearing ASAP.
But what Neely didn’t do, which is apparently her big evil crime, was ask the Commission to change the rules — just this once! — and allow city officials and Arkley lawyers to present their case right then and there. She didn’t plead with her fellow Commissioners to allow Councilman Jeff Leonard to “ramp it up.” Worst of all, she didn’t cave to political pressure in the form of advertisements, press conferences and hastily crafted last-minute letter to allow a dog-and-pony show ahead of schedule.
Even if Neely fervently believed the appeals had no merit, she alone could not have changed the day. It takes a total of 3 Commissioners to agree to hear from the applicant, which would result in a whopping 3-minutes at the podium — apparently plenty of time to address staff’s 82-page report.
At the basis of this very expensive shenanigan is the hope by Bass, Leonard and the Arkleyites that voters are as ignorant as those fools pretend to be. As pointed out by the Times-Standard, the blogs, and even the city’s own staff, the chances of them making a presentation at that particular meeting were slim to none.
The truth is the Bonnie-haters got what they wanted — a false pretense upon which to claim victimhood and blame Neely in order to boost her opponent in the 4th District supervisor race.
Tags: Arkley, Bonnie Neely, ca, California, CAMP, coast, Eureka, hearing, Home Depot, Humboldt, Jeff Leonard, job, law, lawyer, Local, Northern California, pot, Rob Arkley, Virginia Bass, vote
Posted in Humboldt Blogs, Opinion | Comments Off
Rumor has it the Humboldt seaside utopia of Trinidad hosted a handfull of political hopefulls Thursday night at Cher-Ae Heights Casino. Feel the bipartisan love.
The Redding Searchlight reports that Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman spent the day in Redding before locals spotted her in the Northern Humboldt party spot. Whitman was reportedly flanked by fellow Republican Johanna Rodoni, candidate for County Assessor, and Democrats Virginia Bass and Allison Jackson, each of whom are running for two of the highest offices in the land — Humboldt County Supervisor and District Attorney respectively.
Former County Administrator — and close advisor to Bass — Loretta Nickolaus apparently tagged along.
Anyone get photos?
Whitman is supported by local Republican hot head Rob Arkley, who donated $25,000 to her campaign last year.
Tags: Allison Jackson, Arkley, attorney, ca, California, CAMP, casino, Democrats, District Attorney, Humboldt, Humboldt County, Johanna Rodoni, Local, Northern California, Northern Humboldt, pot, Redding, Republican, Rob Arkley, Trinidad, Virginia Bass
Posted in Humboldt Blogs, Opinion | Comments Off
The closure of Statewide Bank has triggered a federal investigation due to the massive cost to the fund of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
The Covington, Louisiana bank owned by Eureka powerhouse Rob Arkley shut on March 12 and cost the fund $38.1 million. Investigations are required into any bank failure costing more than $25 million.
A report will be issued by the FDIC Inspector General within six months.
From New Orleans City Business:
Sid Seymour, chief investigator with the state Office of Financial Institutions, said Statewide’s failure has caused state regulators to take note of other Louisiana banks with similar characteristics. Specifically, they are keeping an eye out for banks that experience rapid asset growth and those with significant concentrations in construction and development loans as well as commercial real estate, he said.
“If you look at the high risk assets that Statewide had … certainly we would have to look at other banks with similar portfolios,” Seymour said.
More.
Tags: Arkley, ca, California, Eureka, Humboldt, Northern California, Orleans, Rob Arkley
Posted in Humboldt Blogs, Opinion | Comments Off
Oh and Bon Bon–a quick thought, if we may: When conducting super-stealthy push polls, it’s generally a good idea to avoid polling members of the opposition’s campaign team.
Tags: Arkley, Balloon Track, Blue Lake, Bonnie Neely, ca, California, CAMP, coast, Eureka, festival, fire department, Gallegos, Governor, Humboldt, Humboldt County, Jeff Leonard, job, law, lawsuit, Local, Old Town, redwood, Republican, Rob Arkley, Sequoia Zoo, taxes, Virginia Bass, vote, Wes Chesbro
Posted in Humboldt Blogs, Opinion | Comments Off
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) shut down Rob Arkley’s Statewide Bank today. Despite the bank’s promising logo, the bank was apparently not “on it.” 
From the FDIC press release:
Statewide Bank, Covington, Louisiana, was closed today by the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Home Bank, Lafayette, Louisiana, to assume all of the deposits of Statewide Bank…
The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $38.1 million. Home Bank’s acquisition of all the deposits was the “least costly” resolution for the FDIC’s DIF compared to all alternatives. Statewide Bank is the 30th FDIC-insured institution to fail in the nation this year, and the first in Louisiana.
Arkley purchased the bank in 2003.
The FDIC issued a cease and desist to Statewide in 2008 for a list of bad acts. More recently the bank was embroiled in litigation with a victim of Hurricane Rita who claimed Statewide unlawfully seized her insurance money.
Tags: Arkley, ca, California, Humboldt, law, Northern California, Rob Arkley
Posted in Humboldt Blogs, Opinion | Comments Off
Local fans of the Pacific Legal Foundation are silent on the group’s recent loss to the California Coastal Commission.
Tags: Arkley, ca, California, coast, court, Eureka, Home Depot, Humboldt, law, lawsuit, Local, Northern California, pot, Rob Arkley
Posted in Humboldt Blogs, Opinion | Comments Off
And what about Virginia Bass? The Republican-turned-Democrat mayor of Eureka is challenging Neely for her supervisor seat. The local GOP must be crushed with no good loyal candidates in the race.
Tags: Arkley, Bonnie Neely, California, CAMP, Eureka, Humboldt, Humboldt County, Jeff Leonard, Local, Northern California, Republican, Rob Arkley, taxes, Virginia Bass, vote
Posted in Humboldt Blogs, Opinion | Comments Off
Local developer interests are lining up behind Republican candidate Meg Whitman in the race for California’s next governor. Big box cheerleader Rob Arkley floated $25,000 to Whitman in June despite his outstanding bill to the city of Eureka for preparing the Environmental Impact Report for his Home Depot project.
Tags: Arkley, California, Eureka, Governor, Home Depot, Humboldt, Humboldt County News, Local, Northern California, pot, Republican, Rob Arkley
Posted in Humboldt County Blogs | Comments Off
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown has chosen one-time Rob Arkley spokesperson Steven Glazer to be his campaign manager.
Tags: Arkley, attorney, California, CAMP, city council, coast, Eureka, Governor, Home Depot, Humboldt, Humboldt Bay, Humboldt County, Humboldt County News, KSLG, Larry Glass, Local, Northern California, pot, Republican, Rob Arkley, vote
Posted in Humboldt County Blogs | Comments Off
US District Judge Jeffrey White ordered a new trial date in the lawsuit by Humboldt Baykeeper against Security National subsidiary CUE VI over clean-up of Eureka’s toxic Balloon Track. Trial is now set for August 30, 2010 rather than the quickly-approaching March 22nd.
Tags: Arkley, Balloon Track, Bonnie Neely, California, coast, court, Eureka, Humboldt, Humboldt Bay, Humboldt County News, law, lawsuit, lawyer, Marina Center, Northern California, railroad, San Francisco, Security National, Trial
Posted in Humboldt County Blogs | Comments Off
Rumors are circulating Eureka that a deal is in the works to spare the Old Town Bar & Grill building from the wrecking ball.
Tags: Arkley, California, city council, earthquake, Eureka, Humboldt, Humboldt County News, Northern California, Old Town
Posted in Humboldt County Blogs | Comments Off
Another voice has been added to a growing chorus that says Security National, owner of the polluted Eureka Balloon Track, is stonewalling the California Coastal Commission.
