John Chiv: The outcome of today's special meeting is fait accompli and if you have hours to waste on political theater, you have options to watch

Apr 4, 2022

The outcome of today's special meeting is fait accompli and if you have hours to waste on political theater, you have options to watch

This morning, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors are having a special meeting. Third District Supervisor Mike Wilson is sick and appearing via Zoom.

Censure of Humboldt County Auditor-Controller Karen Paz Dominguez and Amendment to the Board of Supervisors Code of Conduct and Ethics Rules of the Board of Supervisors and Consideration of a Complaint Received Against Supervisor Bushnell.

Summary:

Humboldt's own B and B, First District Supervisor Rex Bohn and Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell, won't be thrilled with Fourth District Supervisor Virginia Bass after this meeting for trying to keep the meeting on track, relevant and at least have some appearance of being fair. I know what Bohn and others think of Virginia and each each other but the Humboldt way is to be two faced and whine and attack privately and anonymously.

Bushnell at least aware she was on camera and livestream said, "I am not going to be hiding behind smoke screens." If that is the case, three department heads under the BOS should not be evaluating whether the complaint against you warrants an investigation.

Bohn whined about media, showing his contempt and personal animosity for Karen Paz Dominguez and how he doesn't give a (fill in your choice of word) about media, the public or accountability unless it suits his agenda. Different rules for Paz Dominguez and different standards for Bushnell.

The Board wants to protect the employees who complained against the Auditor-Controller but dismiss the planner who filed a complaint against Bushnell. They can waste thousands of dollars on investigating the Auditor-Controller but money is a concern if Bushnell is investigated.

If anyone thinks Fourth District Supervisor Mike Wilson and Fifth District Supervisor Steve Madrone are for the people or any different from Bohn and Bushnell, today's meeting proves otherwise. They are the two biggest wimps on that Board and have no substance.

The lack of public comment regarding the Auditor Controller issue is telling. No one wanted to waste their time before a Board who has made up their mind.

In addition to the complaint against Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell, there was an email received yesterday with concerns. If Bass hadn't mentioned it, we would never know.

Only regular speaker "Dottie" spoke about the Planning Department and said, " it is worse than the Auditor Controller issue."

"Dottie" said people freak out about going into the Planning Department; need a valium, a claim she clarified later and calling out the Supervisors about letting people talk for three minutes and doing nothing was on point. "Nothing is equitable in this County and it is time to change.

Those who demand evidence from the Auditor Controller don't apply the same rules for the Auditor Controller. The County claims against Karen Paz Dominguez being difficult to work for were "anecdotal" according to Humboldt CAO Elishia Hayes. The County does not conduct exit interviews.

More details and live coverage:

In my post on Bushnell, I provided the name of the applicant, agent and others which were left out in coverage by other media. Read my posts about the criminal case against Thomas Harwood, the appicant in the Bushnell complaint.

I was the only one who knew and reported that the same investigator who works with/for HCSO, did some work for Ray Christie was the one was the one who investigated the Auditor Controller.

The proceedings are broadcast live and can be watched later on video.

We already know the result, don't we on both Paz Dominguez and Bushnell? The censure is a meaningless gesture.

9:38: My prediction is they will take action against Ms. Paz Dominguez. Their minds are already made up. Regarding Bushnell, they will put it off for further investigation or do nothing.

9:58: Bohn just threw a hissy fit about being called out in front of media "six times" and mentioned media, news source,"stuff flying out on the interweb" at least four times in an hour and a half. In less than an hour this morning, Bohn had already mentioned media twice.

Rex, god forbid some of the local media do our jobs. We know the Humboldt connected would just prefer everyone do PR, not ask any tough questions and not cover you, the Humboldt connected, family and friends.

The Board of Supervisors to unanimously censure the Auditor Controller. Watch the video for Hayes exact words. It is a public reprimand. This censure is "limited". It does not terminate the Auditor Controller which is an elected position.

10:37: The Board of Supervisors who voted 5-0 to amend the Code of Ethics just voted under that new policy to have County Counsel, Human Resources Director and CAO Elishia Hayes evaluate the complaint against Bushnell to see if it warrants an investigation.

So three key departments under the BOS and who control the livelihood of County employees will see if the complaint against Bushnell warrants investigation.

Staff came prepped for the meeting about certain examples. I don't want to hear any more selective information from either side.

There is an upcoming election. People can vote. Want change? Then speak with your vote for all the positions in this election including the Auditor Controller. Your vote is for more than the candidate so research who their funders and endorsers are. Everyone sees each candidate through their own filter but some of us think about what would benefit the the entire community.

Bohn mentioned a You Tube Video Paz Dominguez did yesterday. It is on You Tube and it is about the 2018 investigation/report against Ms. Paz Dominguez. Google it if you want. The title of the video is "2018 Investigtion."

Paz Dominguez was not there, there is no speaking in public comment except staff and department heads. The same staff, department heads and departments against whom allegations have been made by the Auditor Controller.

The same department heads and departments that other constituents have concerns about but none of the other local media seem to address but then again this same media waited months after I reported on former Planning Department employee Patrick McTigue to start covering that case.

I have information which contradicts a statement Ms. Fleming made during this meeting about Paz Dominguez's claims about department heads encouraging individuals.

If the Board of Supervisors and Department heads have nothing to hide, then why are they on a daily basis for months reacting to the Auditor Controller and trying to make it difficult for the public to get evidence requested by media and anyone who does not kow tow to their talking points. Do they really think that the only information and concerns out there about County, funds, proceduresis what the Auditor Controller has mentioned?

How do you verify information when the County makes people sign agreements not to talk to media or public, we have a County that plays games with PRA requests, arrogant Bohn and whiny Bushnell throwing fits about media trying to get information to the public, State agencies and a Governor that allow this kind of behavior from elected officials to continue, do you have freedom of speech, independent media and accountability?

Paz Dominguez' campaign page on Facebook had the following statement

"In advance of an "important" board decision to censure KPD tomorrow, we asked KPD to read the 4-year old report referenced by the CAO and record a video response. We wanted to show some of the highlights of this 4 year old report. 😄

This report cost Humboldt taxpayers $10,000, is heavily redacted and full of spelling errors. No actions were taken 4 years ago upon the conclusion of the investigation and yet somehow it is important right now during KPD's re-election campaign. The Board of Supervisors is engaged in a political smear campaign to remove the independence of this office and undermine the authority of the Auditor-Controller.

The act of censure accomplishes nothing and only further wastes taxpayer money and time.

We will not stand for it. Vote for Karen Paz Dominguez on June 7th and tell the BOS what you think during Public comment for this item tomorrow morning at 9 a.m."

Fourth District Supervisor Virginia Bass said this is the " first time we are doing this" and the process will be similar to an appeal. It was also the first time the BOS considered a complaint against a Supervisor.

Bohn's bias against Paz Dominguez and his double standard about his buddy Bushnell and childishness continued at the meeting today. He asked Elishia Hayes if the coach from Edge Caliber hired by Paz Dominguez to improve communication was a member of the Humboldt Democratic Central Committee. Supervisor Bass said, "I am not sure how this is relevant" but confirmed the person was a HCDCC. Will the other local media, especially Lost Coast Outpost, ask Bohn about everyone he has hired and what their political connections are? I doubt it.

Hours wasted on the political theater orchestrated by the BOS and special interests who benefit from dragging this issue which is a distraction from the daily bread and butter, safety issues facing most Humboldt residents.

Staff report from the agenda is attached below but it is hardly the complete story. Links to previous coverage are provided below for those who want more information.