Santa visits Humboldt Board of Supervisors meeting and Legislative item about frivolous lawsuits

Santa (Rex) surprised the audience and Supervisor Ryan Sundberg this morning by a surprise visit at this morning's Board of Supervisor's meeting. Santa wished everyone a Merry Christmas on behalf of the Board of Supervisors and Supervisor Sundberg was presented by a locally made plaque thanking him for his service as the Board Chair.

As a part of the item on 2014 State and Federal legislative platforms, language was added that addresses the frivolous lawsuits closing down small businesses, and those using  ADA legislation to extort money from these businesses. No name was mentioned but references were made to the recent closure of Porter Street barbecue in Arcata.

Comments were made by all Supervisors. Supervisor Lovelace made the clarification that the intent of the law was to make businesses built before the legislation passed accessible to all customers and that the business owner make reasonable efforts to achieve that purpose, not for an attorney to extort money from business owners. Other comments made were to the effect that the law should be making things better for access not making money for an attorney, businesses need to be spending money to upgrade and not paying an attorney to go away, the legislative language is to address frivolous lawsuits not weaken the ADA. Discussions were had with local organizations like Tri-Independent living, businesses and attorneys and they all were in agreement that no one should be making money off this law.

It would be best to see the video to hear the exact comments because all the Supervisors were very careful and sensitive in their remarks.