Irene Kay Armand was born November 18, 1949, in Paradise, Calif., to Joel and Patricia Pittman and entered her reward peacefully at home on June 19, 2023. Irene was the eldest of nine children between her parents. Irene moved to Hoopa in 1962, living in Jackson’s Trailer court. Irene attended Hoopa Valley High School and worked at the Hoopa Jolly Cone.

Irene met the love of her life through a mutual friend in 1963, John Armand. Irene and John became inseparable and got married in 1966.

Irene graduated from Napa Valley High School, where she and her husband, John, had relocated for a time. After graduation, Irene went to Napa Beauty School and became a licensed cosmetologist. Irene was a hairdresser in Napa, Vallejo, San Pablo, and eventually back in Hoopa. Irene enjoyed hairdressing and maintained her license up until her death.

Irene was a hard worker and maintained employment throughout her life. Irene and John moved to Wisconsin in 1979, where she worked for the Trek Bicycle company. Eventually, Irene and John moved back to Hoopa in 1984, where they resided until her passing.

Irene was hired at Bigfoot Lumber, where she began to learn bookkeeping skills. Irene was a quick learner and self-taught bookkeeper, which became her career. She worked with the Hoopa Valley Tribe until she retired from the Public Utilities Department. Irene loved her PUD crew and especially enjoyed her walks and talks with Mary Biondini.

Irene had a love of the arts and enjoyed drawing and calligraphy. Irene was also very into computers and technology and always made beautiful certificates for the church.

Irene growing up was introduced to the Christian faith and attended church regularly as a child. At the age of ten, Irene gave her heart to the Lord. Irene was a woman of faith. Irene loved the Lord with all her heart and soul. Eventually, God and Irene won over John to the faith, and in 1986, they went into Youth Ministry at the Hoopa Assembly of God.

Irene was invited in 1987 by a group from the church to Japan; this was a life-changing trip for Irene. She often talked about the barriers and how different the plumbing was there. Irene enjoyed her time in Japan, especially with the people from her church.

In 1994 John began pastoring the Hoopa Assembly of God, and Irene was by his side as a helpmate. Irene and Juan didn’t have children of their own, but those that entered the church became their family. Pastoring over a church for almost 29 years in the Hoopa Community has been one of the most remarkable journeys of Irene’s life. (Previously the Assembly of God Church in Willow Creek.)

Irene is survived by her husband, Juan Armand. Irene is also survived by her sister Doris Pittman, brother Brice Rodgers and wife Sandy, sister Cheryl Appel and husband David, sister Terri Ackley and husband Jim, brother Joel Pittman Jr. and wife Lois, sister Holly Pittman, brother Richard Pittman, and brother in law Chester McIntosh and wife Julie.

Irene is preceded in death by her father, Joel Pittman Sr, mother Patricia Rodgers, stepfather Jay Rodgers, brother Phillip Pittman, and brother Douglas Pittman.

Pallbearers: Brian McIntosh, Byron McIntosh, Rodger Sanderson, Wally Morton Sr., Raymond Baldy, Robert Baldy, Raymond Baldy, Riley Baldy, Chago Moon, Antonio Correa, Aaron McIntosh, Brian McIntosh Jr, Gary Riley, Jon Blake II, Rick Sanderson, Chester McIntosh.

We want to apologize if I missed anyone. It was not intentional. Irene loved so many people who were very near and dear to her.

Services will be held at the Hoopa Assembly of God on Tish Tang Road on July 1, 2023, at 11 a.m., with a reception at Pookey’s Park on Loop Road in Hoopa. The reception is a potluck, so please bring your favorite dish.

Irene enjoyed and loved to support Redwood Adult Teen Challenge. If you would like to send donations, please get in touch with Redwood Adult Teen Challenge at info@redwoodtc.com.

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Nancy Jean Sylvies-Simmons
June 21, 1940 to June 6, 2023

Nancy Sylvies-Simmons of Orleans passed away on June 6, 2023. She was born on June 21, 1940 in LA to her Father Eugene Sylvies and her grandparents who raised her Kenneth and Cecil Sylvies. She grew up with her two siblings Kenneth and Carolyn. The Sylvies family later relocated to the Salmon River where Nancy spent the majority of her adolescent years.

Nancy went on to start her own family after she married Jim Horn of Orleans. They made their home on Ferris Ranch Rd. where Nancy remained until she passed. In her home she gave life to her three children; James B. Horn, Paul Horn and Penni Horn. It was there that she raised her children and became our Nana. She devoted her life to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

One of Nancy’s first jobs was working at the fire camps as a cook. She also spent many years working at the Orleans Motel and the Orleans Mining Company where she cooked and waitressed at the same time. Later in life she worked at the Orleans Store where she was well known for her deli work and keeping the shelves stocked with yarn. She also babysat many O-town kids throughout the years and two of her favorite kids were Craig Mullins and Kit McCovey, whom she maintained a friendship with over the years. Up until Nancy passed away she worked for the Karuk Tribe Senior Nutrition Program as the substitute cook and maintained her custodial business at the Forest Service where she worked alongside her longtime friend Charla King.

She was well known for her beautiful yard and flowers and she loved to garden. She took pride in maintaining her yard all on her own. There wasn’t anything that she couldn’t do, from running the green machine to planting her flowers. Nancy was very creative and she loved to crochet, sew and quilt. She made beautiful blankets, quilts, baby blankets, bags and so much more. She passed her creative talents down to her granddaughters Teresa and Jesika. You would often find Nancy and her handmade art at the local craft fairs alongside her granddaughters.

Nancy had many passions and talents, but being a Mom and Nana was definitely her super power. She took great pride in teaching her daughter Penni about motherhood, cooking, baking and how to keep a home. Nancy passed down her many great qualities including her strength and her fiercely independent personality that always included a dash of SASS. She was caring, loving and nurturing but could also cuss like a sailor especially when she was with her great grandson Dukes. Nancy always made every holiday extremely special. She loved to cook and bake, but the real happiness came from watching the ones she loved enjoy the food she made from scratch. She could bake a pie in every flavor and made everyone their favorite treats. Her persimmon cookies melted in your mouth and everyone loved them. Words are hard to describe what she meant to everyone. She was more than a Mom and Nana, she was also a best friend. She cherished her long phone calls with her oldest son James and looked forward to their conversation. Nancy also looked forward to when her boys would come home to visit her and they also always made time to do the things that were on her to do list.

In January of 2000, Nancy not only had one more grandson, Ben, she also became a great grandma for the first time (Laurence). She always wanted to make sure that she could help in any way. It didn’t matter if it was little or big she always showed up. In 2007, after more great grandsons, Nancy finally got her first great granddaughter, Kalia. Starting In 2009, Nancy took great pride in helping raise Kalia. They say it takes a village to raise a child and Nancy went above and beyond to make sure Kalia never went without motherly love. As often as she could, she came to the local school functions, sporting events and did her fair share of school fundraising for the kids. It was one of the many things that gave her purpose and joy.

Nancy had decided on her 70th birthday that she would be her authentic sassy self and at her age, her opinion was going to be heard whether you liked it or not. She gave her love generously to everyone, but could also put you in your place. Anyone who knew Nancy knew that she had favorites, of course she thought she super secretive about it, but if you were one of her favorites, you definitely knew.

She shared a special bond and relationship with her great grandsons Laurence Mitchell, James “Dukes” Mitchell, Kalia Mitchell and Edward and Apryl Mitchell. They are very fortunate to have spent so much time with their Nana. Nancy also took great pride in helping plan family events and most recently helped plan a baby shower for her newest great-grandson Mettah Mitchell.

Nancy shared a deep connection and friendship with Charla, Travis and Serena King. The family would like to thank them for being there for her, not only as a friend, but also in her time of need. Nancy loved Charla and the kids like they were her own and had no problem letting everyone know just how much they meant to her. She would also want us to mention her favorite nieces that meant the world to her; Crystal Lollich, Patty Underwood and her great-niece Ashley Horn-Liebes.

Walking was also one of Nancy’s favorite things to do. Up until last year, for many years Nancy walked the muddy mile in Orleans and did the 2 mile trek with her walking partner Joanne Rosenbach. She also loved to attend the monthly sewing group in Orleans.

Nancy was survived by her three children James Horn (Nacidee), Paul Horn (Linda), Penni Horn (Mackie). Her grandchildren Louis Mitchell, Teresa Mitchell (Jim), Jesika Sheaf (Kris), Edward Mitchell (Rachael), Ben Nix, Kenneth Horn (Jesse), Jacob Horn (Karissa), Katie Horn, Michael Horn (Selene), and Ben Horn (Amanda). Great Grandchildren Laurence and Dukes Mitchell, Eychkwo and Teyk-tah Moon, Mikah, Karoline and Rebeka Sheaf, Apryl, Edward Jr., Janie and Mettah Mitchell, Hailey and Jasiman Horn, Ella, Weston and Harlo Horn, Drake and Brody Horn, Damion, Madilyn, James and Nicholas Horn, Adan, Andrew and Aero Horn, Kalia, Emilia and Louis Mitchell. Her nieces Cecil, Maggie, Sherry, Shelley, Stacy and nephew Melvin.

She was preceded in death by her father Eugene Sylvies, her grandparents that raised her Kenneth and Cecil Sylvies, siblings Kenneth Sylvies, Caroline Sylvies, her youngest brother Eugene “Bub” Sylvies and her sister in law Marion Lollich.

Honorary persons are Edward Mitchell Sr., Edward Mitchell Jr., Laurence Mitchell, James Dukes Mitchell, James Moon Sr., Ben Nix, Joe Nix, Mackie Nix, Teyk-tah Moon, Eychkwo Moon, Mikah Sheaf, Kenneth Horn, Jacob Horn, Michael Horn, Ben Horn, Travis King and Louis Mitchell.

The family would like to thank Charla King, Rod Johnson, the K’ima:w ambulance crew, the emergency flight crew and all of the Mercy Hospital staff in Redding for all of their help in Nancy’s final days.

Services will be held on July 9, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the Karuk DNR Building in Orleans. Please bring your favorite dish and story to share with everyone.

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Robert “Buz” Stanley Johnson
July 7, 1944 - June 20, 2023

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Robert ”Buz” Stanley Johnson, who entered this world on July 7,1944 and departed from us on June 20,2023.

Buz was born to George and Annie Lena Johnson of Manila,California. His nickname Buz began shortly after crawling — he would make a buzzing sound and was quick, so a nickname after the Buzz Bomb from WWII fit him perfectly.

Buz has a long family history in Humboldt and Mendocino Counties dating back to the mid 1800s. He was a tribal member of Round Valley Indian Tribes, registered Wailaki.

He enjoyed his career in the logging industry. A majority of those years he spent driving logging trucks for Wayne Bare Trucking — beginning in 1974, retiring in 2011. He enjoyed his time there and the friendships he had made.

As a lifelong resident of Humboldt County, he spent as much time as possible outdoors: fishing, hunting and clamming. He could tell you with ease the type of birds, trees or fish that happen to be nearby. He was happiest with his friends, out on a river, the bay or the ocean, or hunting.

A drive through town could take a bit long, as he would list the names of local families and businesses that had once occupied the area, he’d have to wave at all passersby and ask everyone “How’s it goin’?” before moving on his way.

Buz was preceded in death by his parents: George Cameron Johnson and Annie Lena (Parker) Johnson, as well as his sister Kathleen (Johnson) Koskela, and niece Robin Ann Bain.

He is survived by his nieces and nephew Erika, Leah and Atias (as well as their children). He enjoyed his time as a father figure to Vaness and Michele, and the special times as a grandfather to Shaya, Jacobi, Jaxon and Aaliyah.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt appreciation to his many friends, especially those who were more than a friend, but a brother.

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It is with great sadness that we have to annouce the passing of Lynda Sue Brooks (66) on June 20, 2023 at Providence St Joseph Hospital with family by her side.

Lynda was born in Eureka on May 25,1957 to Jim & Donna Montelbetti.

Lynda loved spending time with family and friends, camping, going to the beach watching the waves and sunsets. She loved going to her grandkids’ sporting events.

Lynda graduated from Eureka High School in 1975. After high school she went to work at Lazio’s fish plant in Eureka. Lynda always loved kids from a young age and knew she wanted to care and work with them. She started to work at different daycares through Humboldt Child Care Counsel/Changing Tides for a few years. In 2004 she finally got her dream and opened her own day care, “Building Friendships.” After 20-plus year she had to close due to her declining health.

Lynda leaves behind her husband John Brooks of 37 year,s son Christopher Brooks, brother Mark Montelbetti, sister Julie Williamson, grandkids Dyami & Aliyah Brooks, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Lynda also leaves behind her lifelong friends Sherry Arango and Gail Ellingwood. 

There will be a celebration of life potluck on July 23, 2023 at the house that Lynda and John shared. 

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In its continued effort to improve Eureka’s streetscapes, local volunteer group Keep Eureka Beautiful is in the process of planting more than 30 trees along Fourth and Fifth Streets, marking the first time the group has been permitted to plant along Highway 101. 

Michel McKeegan, a Keep Eureka Beautiful volunteer, told the Outpost that this project has been nine years in the making, and that planting trees along 101 was more complicated than in other areas the group has worked in. The issue was that because the streets are technically a  part of the highway, there was a lot of debate about whether Caltrans or the City would be in charge of approving the project. After years of back and forth, Caltrans took over and recently approved the tree planting, McKeegan said. 

“I tried to stay up with [the process] and tried to nudge it along,” McKeegan said, when asked why she thought the process was so complicated. “Every once in a while I’d hear ‘We’re almost there.’ Then it would seem like they’d be back at square one.” 

New trees next to the Co-op on Fourth Street

In most areas where Keep Eureka Beautiful plants trees (McKeegan said the group has planted around 1,400 trees in the city over the years), the process is pretty straightforward. A resident or business will contact the group to ask for trees to be planted in front of their property. The group’s volunteers then work with the resident or business owner to identify the best spots for the trees, checking to see which locations will not disrupt any underground lines. The volunteers then draft a design plan and submit it to the City for approval. Once the location has been approved, the City takes care of digging up the sidewalk where the trees will be planted, charging $100 per hole. Keep Eureka Beautiful covers half of this cost, as well as provides the trees for free. 

For the trees along Fourth and Fifth Streets, Caltrans required that root guards be installed, which McKeegan said also added some time to the process, since the holes had to be dug much larger to add the root barriers. Caltrans also had more specific requirements about what species of trees could be planted. For example, they group was not allowed to plant magnolias – often a popular choice because they are pretty and grow very well here. Caltrans did not want magnolias because the “leaves are too big and don’t disintegrate easily, like other leaves,” McKeegan said. 

Keep Eureka Beautiful and the different property owners ended up selecting a mix of Kwanzan Cherry and Yoshino Cherry trees, which have been planted on Fourth Street next to the North Coast Co-op and next to the Best Western Plus Humboldt Bay Inn, and on Fifth Street between L and M Street, in front of several businesses, including Visiting Angels senior care services and the Linden & Company Salon and Spa. On Thursday afternoon the volunteers will also be planting several trees in front of Northcoast Audio on Fifth and C Streets. 

McKeegan is excited to finally be able to plant these  long-awaited trees, which will help make this well-traveled section of Eureka a little bit more attractive. 

“[These are] our two main streets and they represent Eureka to anyone who goes through – visitors and residents alike,” McKeegan said. “It’s really important to make that area as inviting and pleasant as possible.” 

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Dozens of cannabis farmers and allied community members gathered in the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors Chambers on Tuesday morning to speak out against the Humboldt Cannabis Reform Initiative, a controversial ballot measure that would restrict commercial cannabis cultivation across the county. 

Proponents of the initiative believe the added restrictions will promote small-scale farming and environmentally responsible cannabis cultivation practices across the county while simultaneously cracking down on water-guzzling mega-grows. However, many local cannabis farmers fear the ballot initiative would decimate their livelihoods and destroy what is left of Humboldt County’s storied cannabis industry. 

Members of the board and county staff have met with the organizers of the initiative in recent months to try to find an alternative solution to the ballot measure but the sponsors feel they are “morally obligated” to put the matter before voters. 

During Tuesday’s meeting, the board reviewed two separate items relating to the initiative: a report from an ad hoc committee set up to work with the initiative’s sponsors, and an amended analysis of the initiative from staff. 

Ad Hoc Committee Report

Earlier this year, the Board of Supervisors agreed to form an ad hoc committee, with Fourth District Supervisor Natalie Arroyo and Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell as the board appointees, to work with the sponsors of the Humboldt Cannabis Reform Initiative to either modify existing county rules or find an alternative to the ballot measure to address their concerns. 

The ad hoc committee met on three occasions and while the meetings were “fruitful,” according to Planning and Building Director John Ford, the initiative’s sponsors ultimately felt the matter should be determined by the electorate.

Arroyo agreed with Ford’s summary, adding that the meetings helped her understand where the proponents of the initiative were coming from, “but it was pretty clear that the proponents of the initiative really wanted to ensure that that this item went to the voters and that an ordinance update would not satisfy their concerns.”

“They wanted something that was really codified in a different way by the voters of the county,” Arroyo continued. “We talked about, you know, the narrow range of options, given that perspective and I think … we’re sort of at a temporary stopping point. Depending on what happens in the future, we may be able to meet again and … have a starting point for a productive conversation.”

The initiative’s sponsors, Elizabeth “Betsy” Watson and Mark Thurmond, largely agreed that the ad hoc committee’s conversations were productive but maintained that county staff and the Board of Supervisors “didn’t really have a good understanding of the initiative,” according to Watson.

Watson | Screenshot

“We were not interested in withdrawing the initiative because the purpose and the intention of the initiative are valid,” she continued. “The fact that it cannot be changed – except by vote of the people – is positive because it puts limits on cannabis cultivation that our elected officials are not willing to do. … The initiative prevents a future Board of Supervisors from weakening the essential protections while offering flexibility to support the initiative’s purposes and intent, which is clearly stated.”

Thurmond felt the main objective of the ad hoc committee was to get the initiative’s sponsors to roll over and withdraw the ballot measure in exchange for changes to the Commercial Cannabis Land Use Ordinance, also known as “Ordinance 2.0.”

“[T]he committee acknowledged that any change made to an ordinance today could readily be undone next week or next year depending on the makeup and the mood of the board,” he said. “Thus there’s no guarantee that any agreed-upon language actually would survive more than a year, if that.”

Thurmond emphasized that the main reason the sponsors refused to withdraw the initiative was their “moral obligation” to the “7,000-plus registered voters” who signed the petition to put the measure on the ballot. “They were not told that we might consider brokering a deal or negotiating in some way to not represent the initiative that they signed on,” he said. “We have an obligation to honor the agreement made by those 7,000 citizens.”

Before moving ahead to the public comment portion of the discussion, Fifth District Supervisor and Board Chair Steve Madrone reminded the audience that comments should remain focused on the ad hoc committee’s report rather than the merits of the initiative. 

Thomas Mulder, Southern Humboldt cannabis farmer and county planning commissioner, felt as though the ad hoc committee was a “waste of taxpayers’ dollars” and asked the board to refrain from meeting with the initiative’s sponsors in the future. “All these people are trying to do is waste taxpayer dollars,” he said. “Obviously, they don’t want to negotiate. … When this initiative fails, I hope you guys can [sue] them because they’ve wasted so many dollars in this county.”

Natalynne DeLapp, executive director of the Humboldt County Growers Alliance (HCGA), criticized the initiative’s sponsors for failing to do their due diligence and properly inform the public about the potential impacts associated with the initiative. “The [initiative’s] proponents skipped those steps because they were rushing to get enough signatures on the November 2022 ballot.”

DeLapp | Screenshot

“The proponents of the [initiative] never shared the final policy document with the public before it was submitted to the elections office, at which time it could never be changed,” DeLapp said. “When HCGA reviewed the document, we found that 12 of the 13 policies within the document targeted existing small, legal cannabis farmers. … [The document] creates an entirely new section for the county General Plan, one that can only be changed by a future vote of the people.”

Kneeland resident Cheryl Furman, on the other hand, generally spoke in favor of the initiative, noting that she is one of the “7,000-plus people that signed the petition.”

“I believe that this initiative is pretty important … because it would stop cannabis cultivation expansions and it would require wider neighborhood involvement,” she said. “There are many more cars and trucks that are driven by workers and employees at all hours of the night … Meanwhile, these expansions continue to be approved by the planning commission. … This initiative offers much-needed reform for cannabis cultivation in Humboldt County.”

Another speaker, who chose not to identify himself, said he was alarmed by local media coverage of the initiative and decided to read it himself. After doing so, he felt the initiative proposed the appropriate steps to “protect the county’s residents and natural environment from harm caused by large-scale cannabis cultivation.”

First District Supervisor Rex Bohn lamented the fact that the ad hoc committee was not able to resolve the sponsors’ concerns. “I’m sorry, we’re at this point,” he said. “I wish we could have a kumbaya moment. I appreciate the ad hoc that worked on it. A lot of time was spent to get nowhere.”

Bohn added that he would have felt “much more comfortable” with the proposed initiative “if I could get one small cannabis farmer to call me and say, ‘This is going to save me.’”

After a bit of additional discussion from the board, Bushnell made a motion to accept the report and pause the ad hoc committee meetings for the time being. 

Third District Supervisor Mike Wilson offered a second to the motion, noting that he voted against Ordinance 2.0 “because it didn’t go far enough from an environmental perspective.” “I believe there is intent around environmental issues that we need to address but I do have concerns about the construct of the initiative process,” he said.

The motion passed in a unanimous 5-0 vote.

Amended Analysis of the Initiative

The board also reviewed – and ultimately approved – an amended analysis of the initiative during Tuesday’s meeting. 

The original analysis, presented to the board at its March 7 meeting, identified numerous “unintended consequences” in the initiative. While the initiative is “well intended,” staff’s analysis asserted that the measure, would “have dire consequences to the cannabis industry in Humboldt County.”

Proponents of the initiative disputed the county’s findings and asserted that staff had intentionally mischaracterized the ballot measure with “unfounded assertions and false statements” in an attempt to “influence public opinion on a ballot measure,” potentially violating the Political Reform Act. The sponsors asked the county to “either withdraw the analysis or promptly correct” it. 

The staff report notes that the analysis was “not to be used for campaign purposes but [was] written to help the Board of Supervisors and the public, as appropriate, to understand the implications of the [initiative].” Even so, staff agreed to amend the analysis to address some of the concerns outlined in the sponsors’ letter and provide a better understanding of the impacts identified in the initiative.

“The objective is to provide information for the board [and] provide information to the public to increase understanding,” Ford said during Tuesday’s meeting. “One of the concerns expressed in the letter is that the analysis misconstrued the intent of the [initiative]. The analysis is not looking at the intent of [the initiative] but solely what is written, and expresses concerns about how that may be interpreted.”

Michael Colantuono, outside counsel obtained by the County of Humboldt, noted that each member of the Board of Supervisors, as well as the board as an institution, has the First Amendment Right to express their point of view.

“What you cannot do,” he said, “is use public resources to engage in express advocacy. You can’t say ‘vote yes’ and you can’t say ‘vote no,’ but you absolutely can ask your staff to apply their professional expertise to help you and the public you serve to understand what the choice is.”

Speaking during the public comment portion of the discussion, Kevin Bundy, the sponsor’s attorney, urged the board “to keep the county’s role in this neutral and factual” and “not to commit itself to the unfounded interpretations advanced by the initiative’s opponents.”

The vast majority of speakers disagreed and encouraged the board to take a stand. Paul Hagen, a local attorney specializing in environmental law, warned that a neutral stance would “neuter” the board.

“Are the supervisors and individual elected officials willing to take a stance?” Hagen asked. “Your own attorney has said that you can. The [Fair Political Practices Commission] FPPC says that you can. … The idea that you’ve been urged to remain factual is a good idea. The idea that you’ve been urged to remain neutral, neuters you. Why are you elected officials if you have to remain neutral? … I’m not asking you to say one side or the other about your position, I’m just asking you to take a position if you think you should and to speak for your community as elected representatives.”

Hagen added that while the initiative has good intentions, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

Jackee Riccio, executive director and co-founder of Cannabis for Conservation, similarly criticized the initiative’s “façade as an environmental policy,” arguing that the document “fails to cite relevant peer-reviewed research to support its claims.”

“The lack of consultation or collaboration is blatantly evident to anyone involved in cannabis and environmental research,” Riccio said. “[The initiative] entirely undercuts evidence-supported conservation strategies and the collaborative environmental [efforts] already underway in the county that are far more biologically effective than any practice in this initiative could ever be.”

Laura Lasseter, executive director of the Southern Humboldt Business and Visitors Bureau, spoke to the potential economic impacts associated with the initiative. 

“[The initiative] looms as a grave peril to Humboldt’s rural economy, casting a shadow over the potential of cannabis tourism in our region,” she said. “If enacted, this initiative would deliver a devastating blow before our cannabis tourism industry has even had a chance to blossom at all. Humboldt County has long been synonymous with cannabis excellence, attracting visitors from all around the world, the [initiative] jeopardizes this rich heritage by imposing unworkable restrictions on our local cannabis businesses.”

Returning to the matter at hand, Thurmond emphasized that the amended analysis “continued to present false statements and false representations” of the initiative and accused the county of using “a fear-mongering approach” to upset the public.

Thurmond | Screenshot

“I hear the reasons for being upset, and I don’t see those reasons in any of the language in the initiative,” he continued. “I do see it in the language of the analysis [with] false statements about tourism permits and so forth. … That’s an example of how this has just gotten overblown and overwhelmed. And I think the analysis from the county is responsible for most of this problem.”

Another resident, who chose not to identify herself, said she supported the initiative because it “cannot be changed by politicians.” She pointed to Resolution No. 18-43, passed by the Board of Supervisors in May of 2018, which established a cap on the number of permits and acreage for commercial cannabis cultivation. The resolution stipulated that the county must conduct an annual, public review of the permitting and acreage allowances in the county.

“In the past five years, there has been no public hearing and no report detailing the number and status of cannabis cultivation permits,” she said. “The Board of Supervisors agreed to the annual review starting in 2019 and to make the review and cannabis cultivation report public, but this has never happened. We need the Humboldt Cannabis Reform Initiative because it requires environmentally responsible cannabis cultivation, supports watershed health, ensures public involvement and does protect small-scale, environmentally-minded cannabis farmers.”

Following public comment, Bohn asked Ford if he could explain why staff hasn’t followed through with an annual review detailing the status of the county’s commercial cannabis permits. 

“At the time that [the] resolution was adopted, there was a thinking that [the] cap would have to be revisited … because there would be pressure for additional permits and additional acreage to be allocated,” Ford explained. “But that could only be done if the regulations that were in effect were successful [in] reducing the amount of surface water that was being used, protecting water quality, that sort of thing. We haven’t been confronted with that, in all honesty, and we have not seen information coming in from the state where the stream gauges have been put in place.”

In an attempt to emphasize the rigorous environmental review process, Bohn asked Ford how many agencies must approve a given permit before it comes back to the county for approval. Ford explained the permit is subject to review by the county Department of Public Works and the Department of Environmental Health, state and federal agencies that own public land, as well as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Regional Water Quality Control Board and, often, area tribes.

Bohn noted that some of the commenters had “made it sound like we’re just throwing these permits out” and wanted to ensure the county is taking the proper steps to mitigate environmental impacts. 

“I think we’re being very diligent about looking to make sure that the environment is being protected,” Ford said.

Bushnell asked Ford how the county’s inspection processes have evolved over the years. He explained that the staff had “really stepped into the full inspection process” in the last year. 

“We had inspections of 800 sites on the ground,” he said. “We inspected approximately 400 using remote satellite imagery. We’re also in the process of digitizing the permitted cultivation area into the GIS system so that we can look at it immediately and see exactly whether or not there’s been a change based on current imagery. This year we are intending to visit every site in-person [with] boots on the ground inspection of every site.”

Bushnell asked Ford how enforcement would change if the initiative were to pass. 

“Well, I think that’s part of the struggle,” Ford responded. “The General Plan doesn’t fit into the existing cannabis ordinance. The General Plan sits separate from that. … I won’t get into specifics but, basically, what we would have to do is modify the ordinance to conform to the general plan. And then, if there are changes that would be needed [to] be inconsistent with the General Plan … that work would have to then be approved by the voters before the ordinance could be amended.”

Wilson noted that, if the initiative were to pass, the county “would be the one on the hook” for any subsequent legal action. “There is no obligation for the proponents to offer any legal resources with relationship to anything after that [election] process,” he said.

After making a few additional comments, Wilson made a motion to accept and file the report with no additional modifications or recommendations. Arroyo offered a second to the action. Before voting, Bushnell stated her opposition to the initiative.

The motion passed in a unanimous 5-0 vote.

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PREVIOUSLY: 

• An Initiative to Reshape Humboldt’s Cannabis Industry Qualified for the Ballot, and It Has Growers Worried
• Supes Agree to Put Controversial Weed Initiative on the 2023 Ballot, Though They Hope to Work With Organizers on Alternatives
• Humboldt County Cannabis Farmers Blast ‘Misleading’ Ballot Initiative That Would Impost New Restrictions on Cultivators; Supervisors Form an Ad Hoc Committee to Work on Alternatives
• Proponents of the Humboldt Cannabis Reform Initiative Are Calling Out the Board of Supervisors, County Staff for Allegedly Distorting the Intent of the 2024 Ballot Measure
• Humboldt Supervisors to Revisit Controversial Weed Initiative During This Week’s Regular Meeting

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Humboldt’s beloved local philanthropist Betty Kwan Chinn – who has been working to help our homeless population for more than 40 years – has again been recognized for her tireless efforts, being honored as one of the Carnegie Corporation of New York’s ‘Great Immigrants’ of 2023. 

Reached by the Outpost, Chinn said that she was completely surprised to receive this honor, which she had actually never even heard of until she was notified that she would be one of this year’s recipients. 

“I’m really grateful for this award,” Chinn said in a recent phone interview. “I was totally surprised when they called me. I thought it was a scam and I told my son, and he said, ‘No, it’s a really important organization. Take it!’” 

The Carnegie Corporation announces the honorees every year around the Fourth of July, choosing a group of naturalized citizens whose contributions in their fields have enriched society, to recognize the important role of immigrants in our country. Chinn is one of 35 individuals selected this year, including actor Pedro Pascal, Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Alanis Morissette, Elle magazine Editor in Chief Nina Garcia, best-selling author Min Jin Lee, Grammy-winning artist Angélique Kidjo and Academy Award winner Ke Huy Quan. 

This is certainly not the first time Chinn has been recognized for her charitable contributions. Last year she received an honorary doctorate from Cal Poly Humboldt, and in 2010 former President Barack Obama selected Chinn as one of 12 recipients of the Presidential Citizens Medal. 

Chinn said she does not always have the easiest time receiving acclaim for her work, but she appreciates that the recognition helps inspire others and helps her to raise funds for the Betty Kwan Chinn Day Center and the work that she and her team do. 

“I remember when I got the medal from Obama he said, ‘From now on, your name doesn’t belong to you; it belongs to the homeless,’” Chinn said.

You can find more info on this year’s “Great Immigrants” in this press release from the Carnegie Corporation of New York:

Carnegie Corporation of New York today announced its annual list of Great Immigrants, honoring 35 naturalized citizens who have enriched and strengthened our society and our democracy. Each Fourth of July since 2006, the philanthropic foundation has invited Americans to celebrate these exemplary individuals by participating in its online public awareness campaign, Great Immigrants, Great Americans. #GreatImmigrants

The 2023 Class of Great Immigrants is comprised of naturalized citizens from 33 countries and a wide range of backgrounds and fields. For generations, immigrants have come to the United States seeking opportunities for themselves and their families. Among this year’s honorees are individuals who have fostered opportunities for others through their work as educators, mentors, philanthropists, job creators, public servants, storytellers, and advocates.

Additional 2023 honorees are recognized leaders in their fields, including two Nobel laureates, an Olympian, and a member of Congress. Among the honorees are Elle magazine editor in chief and TV personality Nina Garcia, best-selling novelist Min Jin Lee, seven-time Grammy Award winner Alanis Morissette, Hollywood star Pedro Pascal, and Academy Award winner Ke Huy Quan.

“The Great Immigrants initiative is a tribute to the legacy of Andrew Carnegie, a Scottish immigrant who, like these honorees, found success in America, contributed enormously to his adopted country, and inspired others to do the same,” said Dame Louise Richardson, president of Carnegie Corporation of New York, and a naturalized citizen who first came to the United States from Ireland as a graduate student. “The 35 naturalized citizens honored today embody that tradition, reminding us that the contributions of immigrants make our country more vibrant and our democracy more resilient.”

The Great Immigrants initiative is intended to increase public awareness of the economic and societal benefits of immigration. According to the American Immigration Council, a Corporation grantee, immigrants create new businesses at a higher rate than the overall population, with 3.2 million immigrant entrepreneurs generating $88.5 billion in annual income and employing millions of Americans. Immigrants or their children have founded 43.8 percent of Fortune 500 Companies, generating $7 trillion in revenue and employing more than 14.8 million people worldwide. Immigrants also contribute to key workforce needs in America, comprising 15.2 percent of nurses, 25.9 percent of health-care aides, and 23.1 percent of STEM workers.

Additionally, American culture is enriched in diverse ways by the more than 400,000 immigrants who work in creative or artistic occupations.
The Corporation’s Strengthening U.S. Democracy program supports immigrant integration through a portfolio of grantees that focuses on immigration policy reform. Citizenship is the goal of integration, and among the Corporation’s long-term priorities is encouraging eligible immigrants to naturalize. For more than a decade, the Corporation, in collaboration with other philanthropic partners, has supported the New Americans Campaign, which is led by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. To date, the campaign and its national network of nonprofit partners have helped more than 593,000 lawful permanent residents, known as green card holders, apply for citizenship. Services include low-cost application assistance in multiple languages and an online tool that can help with the process. More information is available at www.carnegie.org/citizenship.

Since 2006, the Corporation has named more than 700 Great Immigrants, forming one of the largest online databases of its type. The 2023 honorees, the 18th class in the program, will be recognized with a full-page public service announcement in the New York Times on the Fourth of July, as well as through tributes on social media. Please join the celebration by sharing via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter using the hashtag #GreatImmigrants.

Here is the complete list of the 2023 Class of Great Immigrants:

Wesaam Al-Badry (Iraq) Photographer, Investigative Journalist, and Interdisciplinary Artist

Ana Lucia Araujo (Brazil) Professor of History, Howard University

Kyriacos A. Athanasiou (Cyprus) Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine

Ajay Banga (India) President, World Bank, and Former CEO, Mastercard

Jean-Claude Brizard (Haiti) President and CEO, Digital Promise

Betty Kwan Chinn (China) Founder, Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation

Ghida Dagher (Sierra Leone) CEO and President, New American Leaders

Daniel Diermeier (Germany) Chancellor, Vanderbilt University

Miguel “Mike” B. Fernandez (Cuba) Chairman and CEO, MBF Healthcare Partners

Maria Freire (Peru) Global Health Leader and Biophysicist

Nina Garcia (Colombia) Editor in Chief, Elle

Timnit Gebru (Ethiopia) Founder and Executive Director, Distributed AI Research Institute

Karen González (Guatemala) Faith Leader, Writer, Speaker, and Immigrant Advocate

Azira G. Hill (Cuba) Cofounder, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Talent Development Program

Roald Hoffmann (Poland) Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, Cornell University, and Nobel Laureate

Guido Imbens (Netherlands) Professor of Economics, Stanford University, and Nobel Laureate

Angélique Kidjo (Benin) Grammy Award–Winning Singer and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

Bernard Lagat (Kenya) Champion Runner and Five-Time Olympian

Min Jin Lee (South Korea) Author and National Book Award Finalist

Ted Lieu (Taiwan) U.S. Congressman, California, District 36

Karen Lozano (Mexico) Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Daniel Lubetzky (Mexico) Founder, KIND Snacks and Starts With Us

J. Patrice Marandel (France) Former Chief Curator of European Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Stephen Michael (Guyana) Brigadier General, U.S. Army (ret.), and Senior Executive, UBS

Alanis Morissette (Canada) Grammy Award–Winning Singer-Songwriter, Thought Leader, and Wholeness Advocate

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Nigeria) Director-General, World Trade Organization

Pedro Pascal (Chile) Actor and Time 100 Honoree

Susan Polgar (Hungary) Chess Grandmaster and Triple-Crown World Champion

Ke Huy Quan (Vietnam) Academy Award–Winning Actor

Helen Quinn (Australia) Professor Emerita of Physics, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University

Julissa Reynoso (Dominican Republic) U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra

Oscar A. Solis (Philippines) 10th Bishop, Diocese of Salt Lake City

Ali Soufan (Lebanon) Chairman and CEO, The Soufan Group, and Former FBI Special Agent

Inge G. Thulin (Sweden) Former Chairman, President, and CEO, 3M Company

Ponsi Trivisvavet (Thailand) CEO and Director, Inari