The amount paid to LOCO is a drop in the bucket compared to the litigation costs over the years because of the incompetent County Board of Supervisors, County Counsel, CAO and department heads who are bohn-heads

 

After Lost Coast Outpost and the County were both a no show on January 6 for LOCO's writ of mandate lawsuit, Judge Timothy Canning scheduled a hearing on February 24 for Order to show cause regarding dismissal.

Today, LOCO explained what this writ was about; I had reported on the LOCO lawsuit for months. It also took LOCO almost a month to report on a stipulated order.

The date of 2/24/23 for order to show cause for dismissal was vacated after a1/13 order for stipulated dismissal.

LOCO ignored the real story as usual. In depth reporting on the thousands of dollars wasted on lawsuits over the years which could have been avoided. Fighting PRA requests from media is just one part of Humboldt County's arrogance and stupidity. 

I have consistently written over the years about decisions by the County and Board of Supervisors and the cost of litigation, settlements and legal expenses to taxpayers. I don't have the deep pockets of LOCO, TS, NCJ, KINS.  The average citizen does not have the money to sue. LOCO took zero risk filing this writ of mandate.

The County treats the DA's office, public defenders, attorneys requests just as they do media and citizen requests. 

In 2018, Judge Dale Reinholtsen ruled in my favor for documents to be released in the Cory Fisher case and all the media benefitted from that decision. Judge Dale Reinholtsen is now retired. 

I didn't need a lawyer. I know the law. Just needed a fair Judge who knows the law and rules  according to the law; not personal whims and biases. Having to go to court to get those documents was unnecessary.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2018/05/judge-reinholtsen-rules-documents-i.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2018/05/does-cory-fishers-gag-order-cover.html?m=1

LOCO is bragging about their lawyer getting $4, 562 in fees? They  have consistently ignored the cost to taxpayers screwed over by the County when it was inconvenient to them and the mysterious owners behind LOCO. 

While those County dollars were flowing in advertising revenue, where was LOCO? Disparaging the former Auditor-Controller who raised legitimate concerns about the County finances and lack of checks and balances. LOCO instead pushed the County's talking points in an election year against an elected official who did not play the Humboldt game.

Has LOCO covered any lawsuits affecting the average small business owner, individuals without the Humboldt cabal connections who have been destroyed by the County's egregious behavior?

Unless it benefits LOCO or is something  suggested to them by a couple of lawyers, a few non profit groups and their few regular groupies, LOCO does not stand up for the people.

The amount paid to LOCO is a drop in the bucket compared to the litigation costs over the years because of the incompetent County Board of Supervisors, County Counsel, CAO and department heads who are bohn-heads. Fourth District Supervisor Natalie Arroyo just started her term in January 2023 so let's see if there is a change.

BOS wastes money and makes stupid decisions and any budget shortfall is their fault. 

Rex Bohn-head, Billy Bob Honsal, John Ford, Elisha Hayes, Sean Quincey to name a few can all take a paycut before suggesting hiring freezes and layoffs by employees who actually do the work. Time to start hiring people who are not from the Rex and good ole boy family and friends inner circle, people who are not rubber stampers and people who look out for the taxpayers. All the revenue and taxes cannot fix the blackhole of incompetence, greed and stupidity that is Humboldt County government.

Previous posts:

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/01/loco-and-county-no-show-in-court-for.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2022/09/county-to-loco-no-records-and-fees-for.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2022/08/loco-lawsuit-alleges-hcso-wrongfully.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2022/08/lost-coast-outpost-sues-county-of.html?m=1