In tough times you learn who your friends are
Pat Ratliff
Pioneer Press
September 7, 2006
It seems like we can't get a week to go by without someone in the great
state of Jefferson getting screwed.
I really enjoy writing this weekly column, and do my best to alert readers
to problems I see concerning our region. Just once though, I'd like to
be able to take it easy. Just once I'd like my whole column to say:
Things are good. No one went to bed hungry. No one worried about
how to make their house payment. No one was depressed. Life is
good.
Maybe that will be next week though, because that isn't the case this week.
In case you hadn't heard, the California Senate is in the process of
lowering the boom on the commercial fishing fleet. As if they haven't
done enough already, they are getting ready to sound the death knell on the
whole salmon fleet.
It isn't because the fleet doesn't deserve help. It isn't because they
caused the problem which is quickly eating up the last of any money any of
them had.
It appears that once again, politics is rearing its ugly head.
In what should have been a bi-partisan effort to save hard working people
from the effects of government stupidity, political greed is going to ruin
the livelihood of a great number of good honest people.
California Senate Bill SB 1127, co-authored by state Senators Wes Chesbro
(D-Arcata) and Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) would have gotten $26 million
to fishermen and affected businesses in Northern California. Some $5
million in grants and $20 million zero-interest revolving loans and
provisions increasing the Small Business Expansion Fund by approximately $1
million are at stake.
Among some opposing such humanitarian aid is the Recreational Boaters of
California (RBOC).
According to an article published by the PCH Press, RBOC states "The
financial needs of commercial fishing businesses that are being impacted by
restrictions and closures on salmon fisheries should be addressed by state
emergency funds that exist for this very purpose." The RBOC says
the $20 million raid would take funds away from essential boating facility
development that has already been approved.
I'm sorry, but a spanking new boat dock in Malibu is not
"essential". "Essential" is having enough money to
feed your kids or being able to make your moorage or house payments.
RBOC has sent out a "call-to-arms" to its members urging them to
"contact their Assembly Members by phone, FAX or e-mail ASAP and to
urge a "NO" vote on SB 1127.
RBOC anticipates that SB 1127 will be amended to propose a transfer of $20
million of recreational boaters' tax dollars from the Harbors and Watercraft
Revolving Fund [HWRF] to the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency for
a zero-percent loan program for "commercial fishermen" and
"commercial passenger vessel operators" directly affected by the
restrictions and closures of salmon fisheries. The HWRF should be utilized
for recreational boater related purposes and not commercial boating related
purposes."
I'd like to issue a different call to arms to members of the RBOC.
Call your organization leaders and tell them it's not ok to let peoples
lives and livelihoods be decimated by a group wanting to insure new boat
docks for pleasure boating. There is nothing pleasurable about being
tied up to a boat dock that was built with funds that could have saved
families.
The bill had bi-partisan backing and the support of Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger but was stalled by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez (D-Los
Angeles), who, according to an article in The Times Standard, "insisted
the program be made up entirely of loans."
In press reports, Nunez placed the blame on the governor's office, saying
his help came too late.
The Times-Standard article says that "North Coast fishermen smelled
rotten politics. Eureka fisherman Dave Bitts said Schwarzeneggar has
been actively pressing for both state and federal aid."
"Someone blaming someone else for their bad behavior really pushes my
buttons," Bitts said.
I don't know about you, but I'm inclined to believe Bitts.
This sounds like more anti-Schwarzeneggar rhetoric to me. What are the
lives of a few thousand people when we can get a chance to make political
points?
Notice the democrat from Los Angeles is against the bill, which was
co-authored by a democrat from Arcata. I don't hear any of the North
Coast Democrats complaining that the governor was at fault. Apparently
it's easier to play political games when you probably won't have to see the
faces of the people whose lives you are destroying.
I commend the North Coast politicians, both democrats and republicans who
are working together to try and help the fishing fleet.
The Eureka Reporter quoted Bill Maile, a spokesman for Gov. Schwarzeneggar
as saying the governor's office is committed to getting the bill passed and
will keep working on it "until legislative leaders bang the gavel to
close the session."
"What is important is that salmon fishermen have access to relief as
soon as possible," Maile said.
Right on Mr. Maile, you have hit the nail right on the head.
Someone chain the doors to the legislature closed until they pass this bill.
No food or potty breaks, no e-mails or lattes, no phone calls and no
amendments to the bill.
Just get the fishermen the damned money and shut up. Do what's right
for a change.
Permission to post from the publisher.
