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T HE R EDWOOD A LERT

H UMBOLDT R EPUBLICAN W OMEN F EDERATED , SINCE 1938


Serving the Republican Women of Humboldt County

V OLUME 35, I SSUE 8 A UGUST 2010

Colleen Hedrick, President ∙ Terry Roberts, Membership Chair

Humboldt Republican Women, Federated


Welcomes

Peter Hannaford

Thursday, August 19, 2010


11:30 Buffet Lunch ~ 12-1 p.m. General Meeting
Elks Lodge, 445 Herrick Ave, Eureka, CA

“When You See Food, Eat It: Adventures on the Campaign Trail”

Peter Hannaford was closely associated with late President Ronald Reagan for a number of years with his
first appointment in 1971; later, was Asst. to the Governor and Director of Public Affairs in the Governor’s office. From
1975 until his election to the presidency in 1980, the firm headed by Michael Deaver and Peter, managed Reagan’s public
program. They both held senior positions in his 1976 and 1980 campaigns. After President Reagan retired from the
White House, Peter was asked to once again draft speeches and articles for him, which he did until 1984, the year Reagan
announced his Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Peter’s other Republican political activities include: adviser to U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander; management of state legislative
campaigns and communications coordination of several others; GOP candidate for then- 7th Congressional District, 1972.
Peter was elected on July 1st, 2010, as First Vice Chairman of the Humboldt County Republican Central Committee. He has
also just completed a one-year term on the 2009-2010 Humboldt County Grand Jury. Please join us!

Buffet Lunch & Speaker ~ $14.50 ~ Beverage & Speaker ~ $4.00


Please RSVP to Colleen Hedrick at 268-0101
*Early lunch reservations appreciated and to be honored ~ Payable to Elks Lodge

We are a Diamond Awards Club.


P AGE 2 T HE R EDWOOD A LERT

B OARD OF D IRECTORS
POSITION NAME PHONE EMAIL

President Colleen Hedrick 268-0101 colleen1516@sbcglobal.net


1st Vice Debbie Walker 441-1126 walktalk@suddenlink.net
Treasurer Mary Jerland 443-1228 rjerland@sbcglobal.net
T REASURER ’ S Recording Secretary Carol Del Biaggio 786-4832 cdel2@frontiernet.net
Parliamentarian Barbara Hecathorn 442-7124 hecathorn@aol.com
R EPORT
Director-at-Large Pat Murphy 441-9206 patmurphy0313@sbcglobal.net
BY M ARY J ERLAND
Balance 6/30/10 3644.38 Americanism Chris Wennerholm 725-2020 chrissie.wen@gmail.com
Auditor JoAnn Stanhope 822-4776 jstanhope@suddenlink.net
Income +1765.50
Business Co-Chair Liana Simpson 445-9641 liana317@hotmail.com
Expenses --2483.38 Business Co-Chair Bernice Huston 822-0997 bhuston21@att.net
Balance 7/31/10 2926.50 Care Home Co-Chair Linda Vann Hills 445-4112
Chaplain Vee Sorenson 822-2359 veesign@aol.com
Scholarship Savings Cookbook Co-Chair Lynda Pozel 443-1283 lyndahopkinsportraits.com
Account Balance $1182.55 Cookbook Co-Chair Kathy Rodriquez 839-8105 ksyenrod1@yahoo.com
Corr. Secretary Donna Bellairs 442-6648 debellairs@yahoo.com
County Politics Joy Finley 845-2575 joyfinley@suddenlink.net
Education Sheryl Fearrien 726-0147 schoolmarm50@sbcglobal.net
Co-Chair Mary Scott 442-3056 marygscott@sbcglobal.net
W AYS & M EANS Hospitality Haline Sundet 442-2623 sun17@suddenlink.net
Hostess Margaret Stafford 822-3255 tom-marg@suddenlink.net
BY COLLEEN HEDRICK
Membership Terry Roberts 599-3255 terry@terryroberts.net
This month our Opportunity Name Tags Delores Theuerkauf 822-5090 erniet@suddenlink.net
Drawing will offer an American
flag, an afghan throw, a Bill Newsletter Chris Wennerholm 725-2020 chrissie.wen@gmail.com
O‟Reilly book, and Obama
Unmasked by Floyd Brown and Newsletter Colleen Hedrick 268-0101 colleen1516@sbcglobal.net
Lee Troxler. Green Lot Nursery State Legislation Vee Sorensen 822-2359 veesign@aol.com
is also donating a hanging plant.
Telephone Kathy Rodriquez 839-8105 kswenrod1@yahoo.com
Winner of the Gas Grill on our Debbie Walker 441-1126 walktalk@suddenlink.net
annual Big Ticket Drawing was Laura Bush 839-5538 lbush@asis.com
Sondra Kirtley of Scrappers Edge.
She prints this newsletter for Nancy Elcock 443-2529 nancyelcock@suddenlink.net
HRWF and helps us in numerous Pat Stolte 725-4031 patstolte@prodigy.net
ways. The grill was donated by Irene Stidston 445-3732 jstidston@gmail.com
Ace Hardware in Henderson Pearl Michelli 445-9650 pamram9650@att.net
Center. Colleen Hedrick won the Kay Parris 442-9232
prize given by Benbow Inn: an
overnight stay and a round of golf
for two persons. Bernice Huston OTHER CONTACTS:
won the basket given by Bella Bulletin Design Scrapper‟s Edge 445-9686 scrappersedge@sbcglobal.net
Baskets and donated the basket
back to the club. Those attending Website Master Bill Odonnell 442-4117 ERWF@odonnell.ws
our Republican Picnic will get a
second chance to try to win that
scrumptious array of barbecue
condiments. The winner of the WEBSITES:
overnight stay at Blue Lake Humboldt Republican Women Federated www.humboldtrepublicanwomen.com
Casino and that generous gift National Federation of Republican Women www.nfrw.org
basket was Kathryn Price. Cher ae California Federation of Republican Women www.cfrw.org
Heights‟ spectacular gift basket CFRW- Northern Division www.cfrw.org/divisions/northern.php
was won by Haline Sundet.
V OLUME 35, I SSUE 8 P AGE 3

P RESIDENT ’ S M ESSAGE
Support BY C OLLEEN H EDRICK

Candidates August will mark the last quarter before November


election day. We are scheduled for a booth in
for Election: cooperation with Humboldt County‟s Central
Committee at Rio Dell‟s Wildwood Days on Saturday
and Sunday, August 7 and 8.
Voter registration, displaying our candidates‟
Loren Hanks campaign materials, promoting membership in
hanksforcongress.com Humboldt Republican Women Federated (HRWF),
and cookbook sales will be offered in the booth.
The next booths will be at the Humboldt County Fair
Karen Brooks in Ferndale, running Thursday, August 12 through
Monday, August 23. Again HRWF and Central
karenbrooks2010.com Committee will cooperatively staff the Republican
Party Booth. Many of us will also be working in the
Tea Party booth. Help is needed both in Rio Dell and
in Ferndale. Both sites offer opportunities to win
Johanna Rodoni friends and influence voters. Anyone who has worked
johannarodoni.com in the booths knows that the experience is interesting
and fun because of the opportunity to meet people.
Our general meeting, Thursday, August 19, will also
Lawrence Wiesner be tied to our all-important November date with the
ballot box with Peter Hannaford as our speaker,
votewiesner.com offering professional advice on helping with
campaigns and elections. This is a rare chance to learn
from a person who worked on top level campaigns.
We will also be holding a Bake Sale at this meeting. If
you haven‟t renewed your membership, there will be
an opportunity to see Terry Roberts and bring yourself
E DUCATION R EPORT up to date on that transaction. Currently, we are
lagging behind our recent past years‟ roster numbers.
BY S HERYL F EARRIEN We have consistently been one of the two top
membership clubs. Let‟s keep our prestigious status.
As our summer begins to wind down, thoughts of returning to All through August, September, and October, the
school seem to be on most everyone‟s mind. staffing of the Central Committee Office will be of
The Great Recession, as I recently heard the current and ongoing great importance. We have some fine candidates.
financial meltdown referred to, has made us all unwilling They‟re working hard and we are their back-up.
participants for who knows how long. There may not be money for Please step up and schedule time there, volunteer to
as many-back- to-school-items as most families would wish. walk precincts, hold a coffee session for a candidate,
However, this is a good time to concentrate on what we can all do and be there when telephone help on get out the vote
to help our students. While fewer new outfits and school supplies is needed. We are in great need to elect conservatives
are not anyone‟s idea of back-to-school preparations, there is and the time to do our part is now through election
something even more important to take back to school that will do day.
more to encourage success than new athletic shoes or the coolest Sunday, August 29, is our Republican Picnic at
new backpack. That something is parental and grandparental Rohner Park in Fortuna, 12 noon to 4 p.m., lunch at
participation, encouragement, and total engagement in your young 12:30. Candidates are invited so meet-and-mingle
person‟s education. Something as simple as asking your student, time will be part of this sociable event. You just might
“How was school today?” and then really listening, goes a long way hear someone talking politics. There will be a chili
in showing that you truly care. You need to be part of your cook-off and a pie contest. Anyone is welcome to
student‟s support system. If a problem arises, discuss it with your compete. There will be children‟s activities. Hot
young person and perhaps even intervene in cases where adult dogs, hamburgers, and beverages will be provided by
involvement would be warranted. And none of this costs anything HRWF and Central Committee. Those whose last
except some daily time your student can count on having with you. names begin with A-M will bring sides and salads.
If you have a couple of free hours each week, you could volunteer Those with last names beginning with N through Z
to help out at your child‟s or grandchild‟s school. This in an will bring desserts. Please do call Debbie Walker, 441
excellent opportunity to show you care and meet others with the -1126, or Colleen Hedrick, 268-0101, so we have a
same mindset. There are bound to be others in the same boat this ballpark idea on how many will be served. Don‟t miss
new school year. Take heart in knowing that your time is more this chance to visit with candidates and your fellow
important than new things and reassuring your child that he/she can Republicans.
count on you!
P AGE 4 T HE R EDWOOD A LERT

Commentary by Colleen Hedrick

I Hear There’s Gonna Be a A Revolution-- So Meet Me on the Corner


A few days ago I received a telephone call that seemed to possibly be somewhat like the beat of a jungle drum coming from an
unknown location and an unknown identity but with a message signaling that the natives are angry and agitated. An elegant
sounding woman was calling to insist that I contribute a sizeable amount of money and come on board for the purpose of
helping to impeach President Obama. The money requested was way beyond the boundaries of my neighborhood. But if I had
believed that the organization (which she did not identify) had any shadow of a prayer of being effective, I would have
contributed. My answer had to be that I did not believe there was any chance for impeachment. If a felony by a sitting President
would not oust Bill Clinton, there‟s all the chances of a snowball, three popsicles, and two ice cream cones in a microwave to
take down Obama.
There‟s no need for clairvoyance to know that the caller would find citizens aplenty to join her in wishful thinking. Unease is
always there. The degree varies from a consistent smoldering sense of outrage that tells much about the ever-growing lack of
confidence in the administration and in congress, to flare-ups as new assaults come pretty much on a daily basis. Thinking
conservatives know our government, as we have known it, is so besieged to be at risk in ways almost too dreadful to tolerate.
The frustration that brings prompts the ever-growing blazing sense that, “We are just plain mad as hell and not taking it
anymore.” If an entrepreneur would come out with t-shirts showing that message, with a few flames reinforcing the thought, it
would likely be a big, big seller.
The thing is, law-abiding citizens don‟t have a real handle on taking to the streets except in peaceful demonstrations. We don‟t
think in terms of using firearms to bring elected officials into compliance with the will of the people. We don‟t like the thought
of protesting crowds shouting outside the White House, the House of Representatives and the Senate. Come to think of it, we
had better take along a determined bunch of the no-longer-silent majority to shake up the Supreme Court. The way it‟s going,
that judicial group may be about set to be too lopsided for the Constitution to be worth a damned thing there either.
Congress and the President have been busy doing their self-serving best to do just whatever foolish, off the wall, over-reaching,
socialist garbage that suits them. Their supreme arrogance clearly demonstrates again and again their belief that most of the
citizenry is too dumb to know they have no respect for the people they are supposed to represent. Our apathy (and the people
who would vote for anyone who promised something for nothing) has aided and abetted them in that conviction. If we do not
become ardent gangbuster activists in our protests, and pledged to demonstrating our power at the ballot box, we will lose all
that we hope to leave our children and grandchildren. The time to stand up to be counted is NOW. Later may be way too late.

The Electorate Is Disgusted by Karen Brooks, Candidate for California's First District Assembly (AD-1)
It's August. And again it‟s been a long wait for state and federal budgets. After driving nearly 31,000 campaign miles, a short
phrase most aptly describes the electorate„s mood: Simply Disgusted. Many elected representatives, as usual, are empty-handed/
headed, pointing fingers, and touting more taxes.
The reports from Sacramento are that the Democrats won't pass the budget until the Republicans go along with liberal tax and
spend increases and the governor vowed not to sign a budget unless his spending cuts are adopted. At the national level, not
even the gulf disaster distracts us from the outrageous fact that there will be no federal budget. That doesn't stop Congressional
or Presidential spending.Our futures will be further enslaved by trillions in debt.

Many elected representatives are tax and spend addicts who have dropped to new lows in imposing taxes and finding funds to
rob. It‟s important to note that, while cities and counties argue over budgets, it is often state and federal governments that push
them into these fiscal swamps. Bernie Madoff is in jail for financial exploitations our elected leaders scheme to enact all too
often.
We cannot be complacent. Nationwide, and certainly in the first district, people now mistrust incumbents, especially career
politicians. We must use our angst as motivation to choose wisely, support conservative candidates, and possibly consider
becoming candidates. No one can sit out the next 2-3 elections--liberty is at stake!
It will take a massive effort, and treasury, to “fire” our tax and spend addicts. Like the early colonists, we must utilize our
fervor to replace career politicians with candidates who respect the will of the people and the Constitution. Each seat this fall
belongs to “We the People”.
I would be profoundly honored to be your Representative for the First District and respectfully ask for your help, support and
your vote. Please stand with me. I need you to visit my website www.karenbrooks2010.com and join my team.

Karen Brooks - Brooks For State Assembly 2010


P.O. Box 323 - Bayside, CA 95524 - 707 822-7736 home, 707 498-1010 cell, 707 822-3085 fax
www.karenbrooks2010.com
V OLUME 35, I SSUE 8 P AGE 5

Americanism Report
by Chris Wennerholm

DR. SEUSS FOR TODAY:


I do not like this Uncle Sam,
I do not like his health care scam.
I do not like these dirty crooks,
or how they lie and cook the books.
I do not like when Congress steals,
I do not like their secret deals.
I do not like this speaker Nan,
I do not like this 'YES WE CAN'.
I do not like this spending spree,
I'm smart, I know that nothing's free,
I do not like your smug replies,
when I complain about your lies. Photo by Olga Dupeire

I do not like this kind of 'hope' .....


Rob Arkley, guest speaker at Humboldt Republican
I do not like it, nope, nope, nope!
Women Federated’s July meeting at the Elks Club,
chats with Karen Brooks, local candidate for the
“When The Government Fears California State Assembly. She has driving more than
31,000 miles on her hard-working campaign. Watch
The People, There Is Liberty; for time and place on her next event, a fundraiser
When The People Fear featuring Pork and Politics.
The Government, There Is Tyranny.”
--Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1826

Socks for Soldiers August Event by Debbie Walker


We are extending a helping hand to this local organization by providing extra essentials to our soldiers overseas. Please
collect and bring to our August 19th meeting: full size soap bars, toothpaste, toothbrushes (single pack), chapstick and Cup O'
Soup. Monetary gifts help with shipments or to buy socks and other needs.
In December, you may want to help the packing of these special boxes, it is a memorable event. Several handmade
Christmas cards from children in our area are added to each of the packages. Since 2003, SFS has proudly shipped 15,200+ care
packages to our soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Paulette at www.socksforsoldiers.com has this website to read more
about this caring group of people. Thanks to you, we will be a part in bringing smiles to our beloved soldiers this Christmas.

Chaplain’s Corner by Vee Sorenson


William Wilberforce was a persistent fighter for the abolition of slavery during the nineteenth century. As a member of the
British parliament, he introduced legislation to end traffic of human lives. He was defeated time and time again. Even after he
retired from the parliament, he continued to fight for what he believed in. He lived long enough to finally see freedom for slaves
established and slavery abolished in England in 1833. His long-fought crusade eventually paid off.
We are fighting a battle for the soul of our nation and let William Wilberforce be an inspiration to us to continue the
fight. If you have not seen the movie, “Amazing Grace,” I urge you to watch it.
It may seem time after time our efforts do not see victory, but we must not give up striving to win the hearts and minds of
those around us. We, as Republican women, must always work until we see our nation turn once again to the precepts of our
constitution. We must elect those who will bring back the freedom we once knew and long to leave with our children and
grandchildren. Don‟t give up. William Wilberforce did not give up.

HRWF Members to Perform in Eureka Symphony Concerts


Mary Jerland and Vee Sorenson will be performing in a series of Eureka Symphony concerts. Season tickets and individual
concert tickets are available by calling 441-3818, by email at www.eurekasymphony.com, or by mail at Eureka Symphony, PO
Box 776, Baysice, CA 95524. Upcoming performances include:
Fall Concert October 22 & 23, 8pm Holiday Concert December 4, 8pm
Youth Concert February 4, 8pm Spring Concert April 8 & 9, 8pm
Youth Cncert February 5, 2pm Final Concert May 20 & 21, 8pm
P AGE 6 T HE R EDWOOD A LERT

M ARK Y OUR C ALENDAR


August 7-8 Republican Booth at Rio Dell’s Wildwood Days
August 12-22 Humboldt County Fair
August 19 HRWF General Meeting @ Elks Lodge. Speaker Peter Hannaford, a veteran of two Ronald Reagan
campaigns. His topic will be When You See Food Eat It: Adventures on the Campaign Trail.
August 29 Humboldt County Republican Picnic, Rohner Park, Fortuna. Candidates, Chili Cookoff, a Pie Baking
Contest. Fun for Kids. 12:30 lunch to 4:00 pm.
September 15 HRWF General Meeting, Elks Lodge, 445 Herrick, Speaker: Wilson Lacey, Humboldt Bay Harbor
District Marketing Director. Topic: No Port-No Town
October 21 HRWF General Meeting. Speaker to be confirmed.
November 2 General Election - Take Back Our Country

It’s My Well Considered Opinion By Bernice Huston


Having served on the 2008-2009 Grand Jury, and having a background in real estate sales and management, the
Assessor‟s office in Humboldt is a source of great concern to me. The report for the Grand Jury was compiled by a group that
did not include me. Let me quote from the report:
As of the 2008-2009 report, there are an estimated 75,250 secured assessments. The projected business and personal
property assessments are 9,190. The total tax roll value for all assessed property is 10.7 billion dollars. The General Fund
budget for the Assessor‟s office is $2,497,040, of which 85.5% is for employee salaries and benefits.
The responsibility of the Assessor‟s office is to place a value on legally designated property that has been assigned
an Assessor‟s Parcel Number (APN.) The Assessor‟s staff makes determinations according to the Revenue and Taxation
Code and an employees‟ Procedure Manual. Disagreements over the status of some land parcels cause confusion, ineffi-
ciency, and delays in the Assessor‟s office as well as in the other county departments. According to the Report, there is a non
-web-based system through which citizens can obtain property information and other public records through the internet.
Property records are public information.
“The lack of such a system in Humboldt County contributes to inefficiencies in the Assessor‟s office and unneces-
sary delays in recording, processing, and providing information.” The Grand Jury learned that not all employees in the As-
sessor‟s Office have attained appropriate competency. Absence of such expectation of appropriate competency contributes to
declining efficiency. Regular management staff meetings are not conducted in the Assessor‟s office. “
“The Grand Jury observed that it appears to be a tradition in the Assessor‟s Office of unofficially pre-selecting and
grooming an existing employee to run for election to the Assessor‟s position when it next becomes vacant. Although this
may tend to produce a qualified candidate, it can also result in the pre-selected candidates feeling inappropriately obligated to
the current employees who participated in the pre-selection and grooming process.” Remember the number of visitors from
the Assessor‟s office who were in attendance when Johanna Rodoni, a candidate for Assessor, was a featured speaker at a
Humboldt Republican Women Federated general meeting?
Five recommendations came from the Grand Jury: (1) It was suggested that the Assessor‟s office be combined with
a compatible office as is done in a number of California Counties. (2) The Assessor‟s Office should develop regular and
effective communication procedures among county departments that are affected by unresolved property designations. (3)
The Assessor‟s Office should ensure that all employees‟ performance evaluations are conducted as prescribed in the Proce-
dures Manual and that evaluators are properly trained. (4) The Assessor should consider the creation of a staff position for
the purpose of training and supporting staff in the updating and implementation of technology. Duties of this position should
include the development of a web-based system to facilitate public access to information, documents, and maps. (5)The As-
sessor should meet regularly with management staff to ensure that all employees may discuss operations and receive direct
communication on operation, protocol, and procedures.
The Board of Supervisors should develop regular effective communication among county departments affected by
unresolved property designations. You can download the complete Grand Jury report at co.Humboldt.ca.us/grand jury.
The Assessor is elected to be the office manager. Citizens are responsible for electing the person they trust to correct
property designation confusion. Currently, some are classified as “illegal” by the planning department, but the Assessor has
recognized them and assessed taxes sometimes for many years.
Mari Wilson has stated publicly that procedures in the Assessor‟s office are currently in place and adequate. Appar-
ently she is not aware of the costs, confusion, and unnecessary delays caused by the differences of opinion between the As-
sessor and the community development department. Wilson, a long time assessor‟s office employee is the person groomed to
take over the assessor‟s job.
Rodoni is the widow of Roger Rodoni, a long time member of the Board of Supervisors. She also served as a super-
visor and on the boards of many civic groups. She is a ranch owner in Southern Humboldt.
Of the many meetings I have attended, whether at the Port Commission, the Board of Supervisors, the Planning
Commission, or private conversations with neighbors and friends, the cost and the lengthy delays in getting permits seriously
impede Humboldt County building. Construction creates jobs, improves the quality of life, fosters a self-sufficient and thriv-
ing economy, and makes happier and more productive citizens. The election in November will decide our progress or lack
thereof. Will the obstacles stay in place? Your November vote is important. Consider it well.
V OLUME 35, I SSUE 8 P AGE 7

Jack R. MacDonald

707-822-0997

Joy Finley
Loan Officer
ChoiceOne
Funding 906 West Avenue
We Make It Happen
Eureka, CA 95503
in Burre Center (Myrtle & West)
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TeAcHiNG sUpPlIEs 707.269-4327 phone


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Humboldt Republican Women Federated

BAKE SALE
TO BE HELD AT OUR THURSDAY, AUGUST 19
GENERAL MEETING

Take Homemade Bakery Treats Home.


You can take it easy!
*
*
* *
JUST spoil yourself and your family at the same time!

All calories carefully extracted prior to sale

**
(SOMETIMES THERE’S NO TRUTH IN ADVERTISING…)

* * * * * *

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