By Samuel Strait – Reporter at Large – January 24, 2022 When one views the latest rendition of what passes for County government, it becomes a mystery as to why we even have those that sit as Supervisors any more. Oh wait! It seems that there was a singular vote taken in January where one supervisor cast a "No" vote. Otherwise 4-0-1 clearly has been the vote tally of choice, Bob Berkowitz from district 5 a chronic absentee. When, by the way, is Berkowitz going to admit that he can no longer serve, and a special election can be called to replace him with someone who at least attends the meetings. No, wait, since the Board appears to be letting the County's Bureaucrats run the County why bother. Reports from each Board member was a laundry list of meetings that were attended by the various Board Members. Supervisor Starkey led off with a "short" list of her activities, that likely was the longest of the members. Supervisor Short for the most part cribbed off of Supervisor Starkey's list. This was followed by Supervisor Howard's much shorter list, yet he managed to talk extensively about home insurance, likely because he was feeling a hefty financial bite out of his pocket, but did not offer much to resolve the problem that has most homeowners in the County in the same condition. He concluded his remarks with his discussion of Measure "R" in a meeting with the staff of the CCTimes. Then continued with some whining about the fact that the repeal vote was going to take place in June and what a shame if all the "New" wages and benefits for six "new" county positions would have to go away if the repeal was successful. You will recognize Measure "R" as a 1% sales tax hike that was advertised as NOT TO BE SPENT ON ANY WAGES OR BENEFITS. Promises, promises from government. As to the business of the meeting on February 22nd, very little curiosity or critical thinking by the Board was evident regarding the "Consent Agenda" with the exception of a member of the public. This was easily taken care of by an expedited dismissal without even a hint of concern or discussion. What's new. No evidence that the Board even was aware of what was on that agenda. Seems there are a number of "new" positions to be created at Health and Human Services. Several contracts for other services and a nod of approval to the Tolowa for some stream improvements. No indication how any of these items came to be or if even they were necessary. More money spent with no discussion or questions from the four lumps sitting as "Supervisors". A 10:30 timed item was to star Lord Aaron Stultz, waiting, and an anticlimactic "no show". Apparently moonlighting at Sutter Health kept him from his regular day job at Public Health. Must be nice to get paid twice for the same time period by two different, or is it three different employers. Likely his report would contain all sorts of Covid cautions, a hospital report, numbers of inmates with Covid, and a couple more deaths. Nothing to get excited about unless he continued to offer the now completely debunked "Covid" can be controlled and defeated, if only we "follow the science." Be sure to get vaccinated and boosted! Only one public comment, while relatively benign, elicited no response from the Board. There did appear to be some noticeable effort by the Board to remain indifferent and dismissive, but not a peep was uttered in response to the Public Comment. A presentation by California Fish and Game in conjunction with the Wildlife Conservation Board (Smith River Alliance involvement) to refurbish the Saxton Public Boat Ramp on the Smith River at no cost to the County's General Fund. That would come later. The project would not take place and the land transfer would not occur until the County committed to managing and maintaining the ramp for 25 years following the rehab. No one asked the obvious question, "Just how much was that going to cost?" Not to worry, that's a problem for another day. More castles and palaces to take care of and, for our children to pay for. Its more government after all, what more could the Board ask. No real discussion, after all it was a "No Brainer". 4-0-1. The next item, again a "NO BRAINER", at least according to Supervisor Howard, was to receive a presentation by Kymmie Scott to establish a "Del Norte Natural and Cultural Resource Protection and Preservation Program" to be integrated with emergency services. Good Golly, Miss Molly, another potential Measure "R" employee. According to Scott, the program would be grant funded although not all the funding was in place before Scott was asking for an agreement for professional services to be provided by her employer, Tidal Basin, Inc. No money was to change hands assured Scott, that is until grant funding doesn't materialize, or disappears somewhere down the road. Again no substantive questions or discussions, just a lot of word salad about how "Great" this would be. Who comes up with these bat brained ideas? Vote was taken 4-0-1, what did you really expect. The remaining item was a "letter of support" for the job killing expansion of the Smith River National Recreation Area Act introduced by Supervisor Gerry Hemmingsen. No surprise there, another Democrat. "Concerns" by out of area enviro-nazis which expressed "opposition" to potential mining on the North Fork of the Smith River. Not concerned about potential good paying jobs or that mining is no longer operated like it was in the 1850's. But, Hey, no one ever bothers to check the facts if an enviro-nut case utters them. Just a 4-0-1 robotic vote, no questions asked. A budget transfer to pay for all the "Zoom" meetings that likely were completely unnecessary and difficult to access. The government again…. Looks like the paint dried on the wall, how fascinating. Maybe we should all do that the next time the BOS meets. Adjourned until next time, paint drying might just become a popularity issue for the BOS….