A part of democracy is the citizens right to Speak against government however, whenever, they want. You Mr Wilson are a leader of the commissioners, are directly responsible for the these lease terms. Do not be angry at citizens for exercising their right. Nor should you be angry at a group because a member decides to directly exercise their rights. Elected officials are supposed to be servants of the public, not rulers over them.
I do not like many of the new terms stated for the new lease. In fact, I think some of them directly infringe on my right to free speech.
By the new terms, there is prohibitions on Timber Heritage Association advertising various things. Do not dare to think you can restrict what I say one iota. I will be sending a email to EFF for legal advice on what I view as a restriction on my free speech.
The new terms say THA isn’t allowed to call the museum site a museum. That THA is prohibited from advertising that the Falk is in the roundhouse once it is moved to the spot the A&MR speeder was. For those who don’t know, the speeder is the small bright orange thing in the header photo of my blog. THA is not allowed to advertise the days the site is open to the public.
THA is not allowed to have members of the public park on the grounds. This was done in the past to allow the disabled and elderly a chance to see the site. Instead they have to walk over uneven ground for a good distance. That ground is not allowed to be improved. Those people will not have the opportunity to visit the artifacts if this is kept.
This site needs to be an unencumbered museum as soon as possible.
This is my blog. These are my opinions. I will not be silenced. I have the right to speak against government actions that I think is unfair. I do not have to speak through a representative to talk to you even if I am part of that group. This is what we call freedom of speech. This is afforded to each and every person within your district.
It seems I have angered you. Good. I am angered by what should be a quick and easy lease process. Although I know this by hearing this second in a third hand sort of way.
People needed to know your rantings of how it isn’t a museum but a storage site. People needed to know about difficulties.
I finally saw a notice today on the fence about replacing it. I’m guessing next year, there will actually be a new fence.
People need to understand, you are threatening to kick out Timber Heritage Association. That is why you required THA to get a MOU from NCRA about storing the locomotives on the mainline.
I expect better out of my government. The fact is THA has saved these buildings. This is the best use of these buildings. This property needs to be given to THA. Barring that, THA needs an unencumbered long term lease to operate as a museum.
Time has come to move Timber Heritage Association artifacts out of fields landing. The land has been sold. It has been nice to be able to store the stuff there. THA needs about two acres of land to store it on by 1 Jan 2012 or it looks to be scrapped. Plus equipment to haul the big stuff.
For those following along the THA happenings. You are probably wondering why not take it to the Samoa site THA currently has. The answer is The Harbor District’s position is it is a limited storage place, not a museum. Any changes such as new security cameras, or outside artifacts must be approved after long negations and many stipulations. Negations have broken down.
The history of the site was lumber mill and railroad related buildings from the 1890′s. Along the way the site was donated to the Harbor District and the Redwood Dock study stated the best use of the property was Timber Heritage Museum. The buildings have gone from being severely neglected with rain pouring through the roofs to new roofs with rotted wood being replaced. One roof was collapsed. It is nice having skilled workers to see such projects. Those fixing up projects are in Lou of payment for a year to year lease. Though the actual price is above normal industrial sites. Though there is no water or real bathrooms yet.
Worse yet, the Harbor District has failed to yet to do normal landlord duties such as fixing the fence that allowed people to vandalize artifacts and other equipment. The Harbor District has yet to do any site survey for residue toxics such as from fuel tanks on site or dioxin. Do they not care about the environment? The Harbor District does have insurance on the property to do the clean up.
THA needs to be given the property to operate as a museum to generate revenue for both THA and the local economy. Once the property is THA’s hands for the long term, they can seek grants to further fix the site, artifacts, and equipment. This is a simple way to generate jobs. At one time the commissioners were talking of giving the property.
Timber Heritage Museum needs people to call and email the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District expressing support. 707-443-0801, fax 707-443-0800.
As always this is my opinion. This is my blog.
With Fort Humboldt State park on the closure list, concerns arose of what was going to happen to the logging artifacts and locomotives. While the rest is unknown, the City of Eureka donated the Falk locomotive to the THA at tonight’s council meeting.
Filed under: Humboldt, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, Samoa, THA
Last speeder rides of the season put on by Timber Heritage Association are today from 9am to 4pm. Excluding lunch hour. Boarding area is in front of the Samoa Cookhouse. Fun little ride!
”It’s very frustrating,” Mueller said, adding that in order to dole out grant money, agencies must be certain that the money will end up funding restoration costs, something the museum can’t guarantee without control of the land. In the meantime, the group will continue to get ready for the first speeder car rides, which will run the fourth Saturday of every month starting in June.
”Once we get ownership, we’ll be able to get our security hammered out,” said Mueller, chief mechanic for the speeder car. “It’s an uphill battle, but I see it as doable.”
These two are interesting for the railroad that used to be out there.
Removing old conduit, and wire.
The Builders of an N Scale (Ole and Bill) of the Timber Heritage Museum at Samoa Shops designed by David Young, photo by Macie Boughton
The 1st railroad passenger car from Portola arrived this past week at the Samoa roundhouse building complex.
Filed under: Arcata, Humboldt, Manila, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, Samoa, THA
As a demonstration how environmentalists can complain about every little thing, the usual groups have gotten together to pen a hilarious, over the top, and completely removed from realty letter.
The reality is very, very little work was done. The ballast work was simply moving it from one side of the track to another. No new ballast was used. To correct the driveway analogy, it is more akin to moving gravel a few feet on your driveway to fill in a pot hole, than anything else. As far as safety concerns, we had already passed over the bridges with zero deflection. Speeder doesn’t weigh much, even with people
The nice, balanced article by The Arcata Eye is here.
Filed under: bicycle, Eureka, Humboldt, Manila, Marin, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, Samoa, SMART, Sonoma, trails, transit
I’ve delayed this, because of being in a grumble type mood. Now I need to reboot the browser, and computer for updates, so I might as well deal with it.
I and others, were trying to get a 4th of July speeder run in Eureka for this year, working it out for weeks. Heck, it was thought of last year, but was rejected. Something about overwhelming crowds back then.
Lets review the area that we wanted to give rides. The loading area would be Humboldt Towing at the northern end of 1st st., so that we would be connected to the crowds of downtown, and not block much of 1st st. The Northern end of the ride would be just south of T st. crossing. As far as getting it ready, there is no brush in the way, clear a bit of the flange ways, cut flange ways out of wood in one crossing, and cut some wimpy stumps that grew next to the rails. You couldn’t ask for an easier new riding area for a speeder. You couldn’t ask for a nicer way to get in the public’s mind.
Just a simple little ride, generating good pr, having fun, and generating a little revenue. No advertising, for it was a bit late for that, just a few signs around downtown pointing the way or so.
Except that isn’t what happened. Instead I got the full force of the political, lazy answers. Excuses ranges from the stumps,to paved over crossing, to permits needed, to lack of transportation due to somebody being out-of-town. The stump would have taken one person a max of 1/2 day to take care of. It isn’t like you have a full tree to take care of, and we have dealt with plenty of stumps next to the rails on the Samoa side. There is no paved over crossing, the closest one that fits that description is the one just north of Humboldt towing. Just take a chainsaw to the wood, and cut a small grove for the flanges. Eureka city engineering didn’t get back to me on that one. Talking to Eureka city clerk, no permits needed. Nice person BTW. Transportation could have been overcome, by having Humboldt Towing, or another towing company put it on a flat-bed. I’m sure I could have even borrowed or rented something big enough to haul it.
But nope, it got shot down to the point, even a static display was given the big NO from the board meeting. No means to appeal the decision, heck I didn’t even know the idea would be voted on. Well it is time to revamp the by-laws.
Enough of the rant.
The speeder rides this year have the new trailer to about double the capacity of the rides. And will have a special run in the beginning of Aug from Arcata and will be longer rides.
Pacific Lumber Speeder ride opens to public in Humboldt County
More seats available for ‘Riding the Rail’
”Riding the Rails” speeders now can carry 26 people. A donation of $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and $4 for children under 8 is requested from guests. Children riding on the lap require no tickets.
Rides start this coming Saturday, and continue on July 24, Aug. 28 and Sept. 25 for a 20-minute ride between Samoa and Manila beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m. The Timber Heritage Association will have a special longer ride along the U.S. Highway 101 corridor on Aug. 7 with a higher donation of $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for children under 8. Tickets and reservations can be made online at www.timberheritage.org. Potential guests may call 442-3073 for reservations and information.
SamoaSoftball blog: has Eureka Southern excursion train blast from the past video.
SRPD: Freight trains at least 3 months away
Basically looking at around Oct of this year if things go well for freight trains on the NWP.
MIJ: Editorial, don’t cut the SMART bike path.
SMART, the commuter train on the southern end of the NWP faces $155 million. The debate is how to go about things with building the line. The shortfall is due to the economy, lack of money coming from NCRA because of the freight trains not running, and new safety requirement. So what gets cut out, or delayed? General choices is hope for better economy, federal grants(etc), bike trail, or
