Commentary and Opinion by Samuel Strait – October 16, 2023 I am not quite sure how to describe the facial expressions of our members of the Board of Supervisor's at their recent meeting, October 10th, 2023 when they were greeted with their namesake "potted" plants during the public comments section of the meeting. Priceless, I would venture to suggest was for those who witnessed the presentation. Sad in other respects, as that is what it amounts to when looking at the course of events for the past nine months as the current Board struggles to find relevance as representing the citizens who elected them. While the rubber stamp voting of 5-0 of most items presented to the Board on the agenda continues, and local government focuses to expand both in numbers of employees and cost, $208 million for the coming year, none appear to understand what governance was meant to be in the United States of America. Less Government, not more and a 0-5 Club would be refreshing. Otherwise, not much new to report, same opening Ceremonies, Board reports, and a Consent "C" Agenda with two thirds of the County's business within for one 5-0 vote. Little discussion as the norm on the Consent items, lots of "new" agreements and reports, money spent and little in the way of explanation as to WHY? Perhaps a meeting in which the Board is asked the questions "If it wasn't here in the past, why is it necessary to have it now? and, Why do you even meet if the business of the County is conducted almost entirely by its bureaucracy?" Oh Boy! The County now has an "Opioid Litigation Working Group, another must have Supervisor Valerie Starkey micro management affair. There is much more in the big "C" Agenda, yet it for the most part has little to do with anything beneficial to most who live and work in Del Norte County. Scheduled items included the "potted" plant awards, the caravan concerns on Highway 199, oh and somewhere along the way the announcement that 101 South was open to two way traffic after eight years. This was followed by fifteen or so members of the public virtue signaling club over the Board's failure at the previous meeting to second Ms. Starkey's motion to continue the Bridge program for the County's near-do-well uninsured and low income population for "free" Covid 19 shots. Wondering if Supervisor Starkey won't pick up a loaf of bread at the grocery store unless her neighborhood "pays for it", free after all and critical. Not to mention the "free" shots aren't "free" and we are meant to operate under the illusion that these underserved locals, 8.2%, we are told can't afford the $100 cost for the shot. Budget maybe, if it is that important to you? Public comment was followed by the Point Saint George Lighthouse report, part of the County's District Four. Wondering how the citizens on the rock feel about the $2 million dollar face lift that may be coming their way. Usually not much of a "voting" block on the rock except for a few of those pesky helicopter tourists. There goes the neighborhood. The Point Saint George Lighthouse report was followed by a dip into the Board of Equalization, then back the weighty matters of Fish and Game. Concerns about the Elk Herd in the Bertsch Tract and forest access after the Smith River Complex fire. Got to let them tourists who flock to the North Coast during the winter that we are "open for business" after all. Finally, whew, the end was near. Picking out yet another "vacation" for Supervisor Howard, California State Association of Counties, wasn't enough. A letter to the Pacific Fishery Management Council isn't enough, nor a zoom attendee, let's send a physical person. Who could possibly fill that role, Supervisor Howard? Hope the potted plants survive the next couple of weeks. See you next time.