Supervisor Duo Attacks Blog
Cantrall Issues Heated Challenge
Macsay Calls Modoc Daily News Blog “Garbage”
In what appeared to be an impromptu effort to discredit continuing news coverage of the misappropriation of an estimated $20 million from the county treasury, Supervisors Patricia Cantrall and Dan Macsay yesterday (Oct. 5) fired a barrage of criticisms at the Modoc County Daily News blog and the numerous anonymous readers who exchange comments on the blog.
Cantrall led off the attack by walking from her seat at the board table to the podium during the public comment period and issuing a complaint that edged into dramatic anger.
“I’m a little concerned about what goes on with the blog,” Cantrall began. “Whatever anybody wants to say about me they can say, but I would ask those who continue to write to the blog to quit being so chicken-livered. If you have a problem with me, come and say it to my face,” she challenged.
“Anytime I have ever written a thank you or a complaint, in all my life, I have signed my name to it. I would say to these people, some have signed (but) very few, but those who don’t have the guts to do it, if you can’t sign your name keep your damn mouth shut.”
As she spoke, Cantrall held a sheaf of papers in her hand that appeared to be a printout from the Modoc County Daily News Blog series about the grand jury’s ineffectiveness in investigating the board’s misappropriation (Sept. 12-15), according to Jim Halverson of Cedarville who was at the board meeting.
“I was, you might say, forced to read this 'Duties of the GJ Confusing,'” Cantrall told the sparse audience and fellow supervisors without explaining.
Other than showing the papers in her hand, she did not make any explicit reference that would explain the reason for her complaint.
Cantrall’s comments prompted Macsay, chair of the board, to stand and join her with an even more vocally heated but brief discourse aimed at the Modoc County Daily News Blog -- while the other supervisors, Dave Bradshaw, Shorty Crabtree and Jeff Bullock listened without comment.
“I agree with you 100 percent,” Macsay told Cantrall as he warmed to the occasion. “Any scum bag, dirt bag, whatever you want to call them that associates themselves with the blog that don’t have the guts to come up and talk to us personally, and say what they have on their mind, they, I could tell them where they can go right now.
“I agree 100 percent,” he repeated. “The dirt bags , if they ain't got the guts to come up and talk to me, find out the real truth of what’s going on, they got to hide behind some stupid computer or some idiot out there writing this crap, let them do it.”
As with Cantrall, Macsay did not elaborate other than he was also apparently insulted by the frequent practice of bloggers commenting anonymously.
But Macsay, as meeting wore on, was far from finished with his assault on the Modoc County Daily Blog and what he called “uncertified, unofficial garbage.” During the supervisors’ informal report period, he gave an extraordinary theory on freedom of the press and indirectly said why he does not respond to questions from the Modoc Independent News, which publishes the blog.
To quote Macsay in full:
“I want everybody to know that I have worked very closely with Channel 7, Herald and News, AP, Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio out of San Francisco. These guys have any questions, I don’t hesitate to talk to them (I) call them back, do whatever needs to be done.
“I feel that they are a certified news media source. I, myself, Rick (Rudometkin), I’ve gone by myself without Rick every week over talking to our Modoc Record over there. I have nothing to hide. I keep them very very informed on what’s going on.
“I look at the blog as being nothing more than a piece of garbage that somebody put on the Internet. Anybody can do that. Anybody can start a blog. Anybody can start a newspaper.
“(The) Modoc Record is the only one that is certified in this county, and if you will look in there, they carry public notices, they carry other things and the only reason that there is government information is that they are certified to do so. That‘s why I deal with them.
“So as far as any blogs or any other uncertified, unofficial garbage that’s goes on, I’m not going to lower myself because it’s nothing but muckraking as far as I am concerned. So if any of you guys have to say something, say it to me direct.”
Macsay did not explain what he meant by “certification.”
The Modoc County Daily News Blog and the Modoc Independent News have been providing in-depth coverage of the board’s misappropriation of money from the county treasury for nearly a year.
The board has been under a mandate from the State Controller’s Office to return a balance estimated $12 million to the treasury, but has failed to do so and continues to be in jeopardy of declaring bankruptcy.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
El Paso Responds To Road Usage
Editor’s Note: The following Q & A was conducted via e-mail by the Modoc Independent News (MIN) with a spokesman for El Paso Corporation (EPC).
MIN -- We’ve been told by reliable sources that the Modoc County road department and the California Highway Patrol have decided that El Paso Corporation (EPC) is out of compliance in its use of Modoc County Road 1. Could you comment?
EPC -- We have no information to indicate that is correct. If you have specific information about non- compliance of trucks, please provide.
We are in receipt of a request from Modoc County Road and Bridge Dept. on road use -- in the future -- north from Cedarville.
Not covered in the request is the use of Highway 447 north to Cedarville and use of Highway 299 from Cedarville easterly back into Nevada and the Vya area.
Ruby's contractor has an over-length permit granted by Modoc County. No other permits have been required thus far.
MIN -- Regarding the California Public Utility Commission (PUC), has Ruby paid the PUC for the use of State Route 299, or is it payment required?
EPC -- California PUC approval is not required. Highway 299 is a state road and not subject to PUC regulations.
MIN -- Was there an existing plan in place for Ruby to use Modoc County Road 1, or has this happened since Nevada authorities raised the issue of dust pollution on Highway 34 between Gerlach and Vya?
EPC -- We have a Road Use Agreement in place with Washoe County for the use of Highway 447 from Gerlach, NV to the California border.
MIN -- Please address the dust pollution on Nevada Highway 8A, which is the dirt/gravel road that picks up where SR 299 ends at the California/Nevada state line. Water trucks are filling up several times a day at hydrants in Cedarville and going out to water this stretch of road.
EPC -- As I have said before, we trying to keep dust at acceptable minimum levels. We are using water and dust suppressant in some cases.
MIN -- Regarding use of Cedarville water. Is Ruby paying for this?
EPC -- Regarding the use of water, Ruby's contractor has an agreement covering the purchase of water from the town of Cedarville and is paying for water used.
Footnote: Ruby is buying water from Cedarville at the rate of $20 per truck load, according to a member of the Cedarville Water District Board.
Editor’s Note: The following Q & A was conducted via e-mail by the Modoc Independent News (MIN) with a spokesman for El Paso Corporation (EPC).
MIN -- We’ve been told by reliable sources that the Modoc County road department and the California Highway Patrol have decided that El Paso Corporation (EPC) is out of compliance in its use of Modoc County Road 1. Could you comment?
EPC -- We have no information to indicate that is correct. If you have specific information about non- compliance of trucks, please provide.
We are in receipt of a request from Modoc County Road and Bridge Dept. on road use -- in the future -- north from Cedarville.
Not covered in the request is the use of Highway 447 north to Cedarville and use of Highway 299 from Cedarville easterly back into Nevada and the Vya area.
Ruby's contractor has an over-length permit granted by Modoc County. No other permits have been required thus far.
MIN -- Regarding the California Public Utility Commission (PUC), has Ruby paid the PUC for the use of State Route 299, or is it payment required?
EPC -- California PUC approval is not required. Highway 299 is a state road and not subject to PUC regulations.
MIN -- Was there an existing plan in place for Ruby to use Modoc County Road 1, or has this happened since Nevada authorities raised the issue of dust pollution on Highway 34 between Gerlach and Vya?
EPC -- We have a Road Use Agreement in place with Washoe County for the use of Highway 447 from Gerlach, NV to the California border.
MIN -- Please address the dust pollution on Nevada Highway 8A, which is the dirt/gravel road that picks up where SR 299 ends at the California/Nevada state line. Water trucks are filling up several times a day at hydrants in Cedarville and going out to water this stretch of road.
EPC -- As I have said before, we trying to keep dust at acceptable minimum levels. We are using water and dust suppressant in some cases.
MIN -- Regarding use of Cedarville water. Is Ruby paying for this?
EPC -- Regarding the use of water, Ruby's contractor has an agreement covering the purchase of water from the town of Cedarville and is paying for water used.
Footnote: Ruby is buying water from Cedarville at the rate of $20 per truck load, according to a member of the Cedarville Water District Board.
Ruby Pipeline Bulletin
Assistant Engineer Phillip Eugene Morris of the Modoc County Road Department is heading up the negotiations between Modoc County and Ruby Pipeline officials.
Morris reports that "Modoc County and Ruby Pipeline personnel are currently working together on an agreement to address the impact on Modoc County roads in the Surprise Valley Area. Our last face to face meeting with Ruby personnel was Monday, October 4, 2010. Negotiations are progressing with both parties clearly expressing their concerns."
Morris reports that "Modoc County and Ruby Pipeline personnel are currently working together on an agreement to address the impact on Modoc County roads in the Surprise Valley Area. Our last face to face meeting with Ruby personnel was Monday, October 4, 2010. Negotiations are progressing with both parties clearly expressing their concerns."
Ruby’s Use of County Road 1
Comes As Surprise to Officials
Editor’s Note: The following is a response by Modoc County Deputy Road Director Mitch Crosby to a Modoc Independent News media query regarding Ruby Pipeline trucks’ use of county roads. This response will appear in tomorrow’s Modoc Independent News (Oct. 6).
Over a month ago we issued a permit for Ruby Pipeline (and its contractors and subcontractors) to use several roads in the Newell area for purposes of their project. That permit was issued prior to any hauling and was relatively straightforward because it only affected about six miles of roadway, most of which is gravel.
Our conditions of the permit allowed them to perform maintenance on the roads and required them to leave the roads in a condition equal to or better than their current condition, as provided for in their Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Ruby’s recent use of County Road 1, on the other hand, came as a complete surprise to us when they began hauling pipe on County Road 1 on Sept. 13.
We had been told on several occasions that pipeline materials and equipment would not be hauled on County Road 1, but would be moved north on Nevada Route 34. We are disappointed that they made such a severe change in their plan without contacting us.
At that time, they confirmed that they had no intentions of hauling on County Road 1 north of Cedarville. This portion of roadway will suffer severe damage from this kind of traffic and the issue of public safety arises with the narrower, rougher roadway.
We scheduled an informal meeting with several local representatives of the Ruby Pipeline project on Monday, Sept. 20. The intent of this meeting was to get their current plan for hauling on Modoc County roads and voice our concerns regarding damage to the roads.
We were surprised once again when they stated that they would be hauling approximately 800 loads of pipe north of Cedarville on County Road 1 through Fort Bidwell. At the meeting they informed us verbally that they would repair our roads to their current, pre-project condition.
We have been reviewing all of our options and determining the best way to assess road conditions both now and after their project in such a way that the county and Ruby will agree on the extent of the repairs needed.
We are currently collecting information from Ruby and working on the details of an agreement to present to Ruby. In addition to requesting information to help us assess the possible impact to our roadway, we have requested no movement of pipeline materials or equipment on County Road 1 north of Cedarville until we have reached an amiable agreement on the use of our roads.
Much of the work over the course of the last two and a half weeks should have been done at the onset of the project, during the environmental review process. Based on our review, County Road 1 was not specified as a route to be utilized in their EIS and therefore, we were not given the time to fully assess the impacts of the project on our road system or given the opportunity to mitigate those impacts.
It appears that Ruby may be in violation of their Federal Energy Regulatory Commission permit (FERC) and EIS. While we have no intention of trying to delay their project, we do need to protect the long term condition of our roads and ensure the safety of the traveling public.
We understand that time is of the essence for Ruby and we are working diligently to come to an agreement that will address the safety issues and assure that their project does not leave our roads in severe disrepair.
I would like to request that you forward the following information on to your readers:
During the life of the Ruby Pipeline project, we can expect significant inspection, repair, and maintenance activities on County Road 1. Please drive carefully.
Comes As Surprise to Officials
Editor’s Note: The following is a response by Modoc County Deputy Road Director Mitch Crosby to a Modoc Independent News media query regarding Ruby Pipeline trucks’ use of county roads. This response will appear in tomorrow’s Modoc Independent News (Oct. 6).
Over a month ago we issued a permit for Ruby Pipeline (and its contractors and subcontractors) to use several roads in the Newell area for purposes of their project. That permit was issued prior to any hauling and was relatively straightforward because it only affected about six miles of roadway, most of which is gravel.
Our conditions of the permit allowed them to perform maintenance on the roads and required them to leave the roads in a condition equal to or better than their current condition, as provided for in their Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Ruby’s recent use of County Road 1, on the other hand, came as a complete surprise to us when they began hauling pipe on County Road 1 on Sept. 13.
We had been told on several occasions that pipeline materials and equipment would not be hauled on County Road 1, but would be moved north on Nevada Route 34. We are disappointed that they made such a severe change in their plan without contacting us.
At that time, they confirmed that they had no intentions of hauling on County Road 1 north of Cedarville. This portion of roadway will suffer severe damage from this kind of traffic and the issue of public safety arises with the narrower, rougher roadway.
We scheduled an informal meeting with several local representatives of the Ruby Pipeline project on Monday, Sept. 20. The intent of this meeting was to get their current plan for hauling on Modoc County roads and voice our concerns regarding damage to the roads.
We were surprised once again when they stated that they would be hauling approximately 800 loads of pipe north of Cedarville on County Road 1 through Fort Bidwell. At the meeting they informed us verbally that they would repair our roads to their current, pre-project condition.
We have been reviewing all of our options and determining the best way to assess road conditions both now and after their project in such a way that the county and Ruby will agree on the extent of the repairs needed.
We are currently collecting information from Ruby and working on the details of an agreement to present to Ruby. In addition to requesting information to help us assess the possible impact to our roadway, we have requested no movement of pipeline materials or equipment on County Road 1 north of Cedarville until we have reached an amiable agreement on the use of our roads.
Much of the work over the course of the last two and a half weeks should have been done at the onset of the project, during the environmental review process. Based on our review, County Road 1 was not specified as a route to be utilized in their EIS and therefore, we were not given the time to fully assess the impacts of the project on our road system or given the opportunity to mitigate those impacts.
It appears that Ruby may be in violation of their Federal Energy Regulatory Commission permit (FERC) and EIS. While we have no intention of trying to delay their project, we do need to protect the long term condition of our roads and ensure the safety of the traveling public.
We understand that time is of the essence for Ruby and we are working diligently to come to an agreement that will address the safety issues and assure that their project does not leave our roads in severe disrepair.
I would like to request that you forward the following information on to your readers:
During the life of the Ruby Pipeline project, we can expect significant inspection, repair, and maintenance activities on County Road 1. Please drive carefully.
Water Ban Lifted in Cedarville
Residents of Cedarville were advised this morning they could return to using their water without boiling it first.
The “Boil Water Order” was imposed last Friday after the main water line supplying Cedarville was ruptured during an excavation project at the west edge of town, according to Warren Farnam, county environmental officer.
Residents of Cedarville were advised this morning they could return to using their water without boiling it first.
The “Boil Water Order” was imposed last Friday after the main water line supplying Cedarville was ruptured during an excavation project at the west edge of town, according to Warren Farnam, county environmental officer.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Dear Bloggers --
We have discovered a technical problem related to some of your postings. For an unknown reason the blogger powers- that-be may determine that your post is spam, which means even though we approve it for posting, it may not make it onto the blog page. For that we apologize, unless of course, your post did not meet our standards. So, in case your comment has not appeared on the day you posted it, please let us know by direct e-mail to bmarch@frontiernet.net. In the meantime, we will do our best to resolve the technical problems we are encountering.
Thanks, The Editors
We have discovered a technical problem related to some of your postings. For an unknown reason the blogger powers- that-be may determine that your post is spam, which means even though we approve it for posting, it may not make it onto the blog page. For that we apologize, unless of course, your post did not meet our standards. So, in case your comment has not appeared on the day you posted it, please let us know by direct e-mail to bmarch@frontiernet.net. In the meantime, we will do our best to resolve the technical problems we are encountering.
Thanks, The Editors
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