It isnt the City of Eureka, it isn't COVID, there are numerous reasons your business could close and scapegoating to gain public sympathy is wrong

 

I just saw this sign yesterday. I reached out to Eureka Councilmember Renee Contreras-DeLoach, Public Works Project Manager Kelly Allen, Eureka Assistant City Manager Pam Powell and Eureka City Manager Miles Slattery. I asked any of them to respond.

"The owners are concerned about the bulbout that is going to be constructed at the corner which will be the same type of bulbout that is being constructed up and down 6th and 7th, and H and I Streets. This will not cause them to close their business, and patrons will have access at all hours," said Mr. Slattery. "Our staff have emailed and spoken with Kevin multiple times. The contractor and staff have set up a meeting with him for Monday to assuage any of his concerns." 

Let's see if these signs are taken down after this post or Monday after Kevin meets with the contractor and City of Eureka staff.

I spoke with Eureka Councilmember Contreras-DeLoach. She has reached out and spoken with Kevin and the sign and Facebook post was put up after one of those conversations. Councilmember Contreras-DeLoach said construction was delayed from summer to Fall in response to feedback from businesses. She even asked city staff if construction could be delayed past February 14 so it would not impact Partrick's Candy. The owner of the building where Partrick's Candy is located was consulted and is fine with the work being done. Ms. Allen reached out multiple times before she heard back from Partrick's Candy. 

From the moment I saw that sign, I knew it was misleading and there was more to what was being shared with the sign and on Partrick's Candy Facebook page. 

I have known Kevin and Debbie for 20 years. They have always been friendly to me. I noticed a change before COVID and it was not just towards me. I suspect the business has not being doing well for a while. 

If your business isn't open and you make it harder for people to reach you; your revenue will be impacted.

It isnt the City of Eureka, it isn't COVID, it is both of you alienating people and Kevin's temper and false accusations found not credible in a court of law against their neighbor and the son of a well connected generational local family and lack of business sense which is more likely to cause Partrick's Candy to close or change ownership.

I really did not want to do this post. However, people who prey on the community with a misleading sign to prop their failing business is wrong. I know Kevin and Debbie's political views and they have been whining about the City of Eureka for years. 

21 years is a long time to own a business. Kevin and Debbie you benefitted from the feelings and association locals have about the original owners. There are other local businesses who have been around longer and are closing due to the economy. What is sad is they are good people with excellent customer service who take care of their employees. They are not blaming anyone else. These businesses have been let down by other local media who never write about their plight or give them a boost and these are local businesses who have donated and given to the community for years.

COVID and the City of Eureka has become a scapegoat for people who were able to exist because of the timber money or cannabis cash or they inherited a business and rode the wave on someone else's good name.

The post I did in September 2022 brought Kevin and Debbie business. Repeat business from lawyers and others who told me they specifically went there because of this post. There was no thank you. They are not my advertisers. I do this for local businesses every day. Very few are grateful. Most don't even have the decency to say thanks; let alone advertise or donate to support the work I do. Many of these businesses end up closing, whether it is within a year, 10 years or more and the only ones they have to blame is themselves. 

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2022/09/handmade-fresh-candy-made-daily-at-this.html?m=1

Last year, someone told me they heard Partrick's was closing. I was a few blocks away so I thought I would check with them. Kevin and Debbie unleashed verbal wrath on me instead of simply answering my question. I let it go. It is exhausting dealing with the numbing stagnant evil of Humboldt daily.

Kevin and Debbie still have a business. They have a roof over their head. They are better off than most in Humboldt struggling just to get through the next day. People with no place to stay, abusive living conditions caused by Humboldt greed and working two or three jobs just to pay the Bay area rents for many properties that need to be brought up to code and have basic maintenance done or people trying to maintain a job under challenging conditions and no sleep while being judged by those who have created the despondency. To hear Kevin and Debbie whine about a bulbout that will not even affect their business is an insult to those trying to make an effort to survive while constantly attacked by the parking lot and other NIMBYs.

I had reported in 2021 on a restraining order involving Kevin against Karen Schneider and her son. Karen Schneider was arrested for trespassing. This was connected to the neighbor dispute. The petition for restraining order was not granted by Judge Kelly Neel because she found the petitioner, Kevin, not credible. 

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2021/07/restraining-order-request-ring-video.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2021/07/karen-schneider-was-arrested-for.html?m=1

Karen used to be one of my most loyal, faithful readers. Someone I enjoyed conversing with and who appreciated what I do.She may still read my blog but we no longer communicate. Chalk it up to the Humboldt curse which wreaks destruction and destroys lives. I see it every day while talking to people and covering courts. 

That is the cost of speaking truth and reporting cases and news in this town where people are petty, in denial and refuse to look in the mirror.

Debbie was appreciative when I stopped by to check on them while the case was going through the system. Kevin has been grumpy for years and I rarely interact with him. At that time, I had not seen Kevin act agressively in public. I covered the case as I do any other case from court hearings and court documents. What do I get in return for being fair? Kevin and Debbie's misdirected anger and abuse just like many others who conveniently forget all the times I have helped them.

Shortly after the case closed, I noticed Kevin angry, glaring, slamming car doors when I would walk by 6th street. I stopped going to Partrick's and avoided him because I do not feel safe. I discussed this with someone I have known for 15 years and who works very close to Partrick's Candy. They told me Kevin screams at Debbie. They too avoid any interaction out of fear.

Years ago, Debbie shared something with me in confidence. I will not say what that is but she should remember that she trusted me and I was there to support her. How did I get repaid for that decency? Debbie can continue to chose to stand by her man. I am not going to sugarcoat who Kevin is anymore. The public is not safe with someone like him walking around. He was found not credible in a court of law in a restraining order he filed against his neighbor. Now, he throws out accusations against the City of Eureka?

People are free to support whatever business they want and Kevin and Debbie can put up this sign with their opinion about why their business is closing. Their opinion is not backed by evidence.

In a small community where there are other local options and businesses that offer similar products, people should research independently before they spend money. 

Maybe someone who has memories of the original Partrick's will take over the store. Someone who does not whine about "decorative curbs" as an excuse for not knowing how to run their business. Certain local businesses need to close so a better one or a different owner can take over. Capitalism and karma is weeding out certain businesses in Humboldt. And, that is a plus for consumers and for Humboldt.

For people who do not understand why I do this blog, I don't care what you think. You don't have the guts I do, you haven't invested your own money and time to unconditionally benefit this community, you haven't made the sacrifices I have and you haven't had your safety threatened or been retaliated against simply to better this community.

Truth and being exposed isn't convenient but it is necessary. I could stop doing this blog whenever I want but it won't be because I was bullied, intimidated or silenced. It will be my choice. 

The blog serves a purpose. Mainstream media has failed the people. Funding for independent reporting is challenging, especially in Humboldt, where there is a lack of vision about current media trends and people in power wanting to control the narrative.

There are plenty of people who like this blog, value what I do and it is popular. For those who don't and those who continue to dismiss my success out of pettiness and jealousy, your opinion isn't going to change facts nor stop people from reading information many appreciate. The same people who try to silence and intimidate me have done the same to those who support me. So many now do it privately. For those who are open about their support; I appreciate them and am very grateful.

The same skills used in this blog could be used differently to benefit people and businesses but the obstacle is the same people, the same negative attitude and those with money refusing to invest in the right people and for right reasons to benefit Humboldt.

All that backstabbing, lying, treating others as disposable, doing wrong and getting away with it for years is now having financial and social consequences and I don't feel sorry for any of you.

Pick whichever image below  applies to you or all of them.

1/29: There were open at 4 p.m. Judging from their Facebook post, it looks like they agreed to the plan the City of Eureka was proposing. Which they could have done before the stunt they pulled with their signs. The tone and the spin of their Facebook post is less confrontational but still arrogant.