Richardson Grove Realignment–Supporting Small Green Businesses
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An important reason to support the Richardson Grove realignment is to help our local economy. Small Green businesses are hurt by the STAA regulations in ways that the large box stores aren’t. An excellent article byErin Tracy in the Times Standard, provided some hard facts on how the alignment would help producers of local products–especially those in the small to mid-size. Humboldt Creamery estimated that they could save a 10 % saving on shipping — around $600,000 if the company was able to use the STAA trucks. Sun Valley estimated that they would be able to cut back about 17% of their truck trips.
Other businesses have left the area that might have stayed should the Realignment have been in place already. In an article jammed with information (read it! It is excellent!) the North Coast Prosperity, an online business journal, states, “According to Humboldt County Economic Development Coordinator Jacqueline Debets, over the past couple of years manufacturers like Yakima, Calgon Carbon, Amulet Manufacturing and Premiere Meats have all cited transportation limitations as part of their reasoning behind relocation. ‘While we can’t get back the jobs we’ve lost to this restriction, we can save local jobs and companies from being forced to export their jobs if we make this fix,” Debets said, adding many manufacturers are more concerned that the new emissions legislation (AB 32) will eliminate the small trucks altogether, than they are about saving money.'”
An eloquent comment on an earlier post about Richardson Grove impressed me so much that I’m promoting it to guest post. The author, Todd Lake conveyed in a short couple paragraphs what I have been unable to say.
From what I understand Cypress Grove will need to relocate if this project can not be completed by 2010. This is due to new air quality/emissions requirements that will make currently operating, shorter, non staa trucks obselete. Without access thru Richardson Grove for staa trucks at that point there will not be a viable option for refrigerated shipping out of Humboldt. Cypress Grove is an incredible local company in that it supports good use of open space thru the purchase of goat milk and additionally does a great deal in establishing and promoting the often talked about Humboldt brand.
In terms of a larger economic context, what do people actually expect to happen here. Timber and fishing are basically gone as staple industries. I hear plenty of talk about light industry and green manufacturing, but without a way for business to ship there products competitively, how can we expect them to stay? Without the growth of these small businesses how can we expect to survive economically?
I guess my main issue is that this is sometimes labeled as a big box express lane, but without strong viable local industry, won’t we eventually be left as big box prey without any other alternatives? Furthermore, these large unwanted chains already have the ability to keep smaller trucks in their fleets just for access to our area.
Don’t fear the change. Embrace the possibilites.____________________
Note that the Save the Redwood League has approved the Realignment.
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Bravo Kym. Good post on the Richardson Grove STAA project.
Bravo Kym. Good post on the Richardson Grove STAA project.
Kym, thank-you for representing us, the silent majority. Too many of us don’t have the time, or don’t want to engage in the fight for what we know is best. To often decisions are made because the highly vocal and antic performing minority throw tantrums until they get their way. They aren’t nearly as concerned about the environment as they claim to be. If they were, it would seem to me that they would insist on some form of mitigation for damage done to our forests.
The plan has been outlined, in great detail, yet the opposing group still see a plot being foisted upon us by Caltrans. They say that there is a large tree in the path of the realignment, yet I see no large tree. There are many large trees that will not be affected in any way, yet they are identified in the project, because they are in the grove area.
I like to think that we are all part of the environment. We breathe in air. Some would say that we are ruining air, but we exhale carbon-dioxide, that the plants breathe and convert back into oxygen. We plant, and eat our food, and give back nutrients for the plants. (Do you like how delicately I put that?) Many, many things that we do are in symbiosis with the natural world. I think that what we do is not as important as trying to maintain that balance, and and be extremely concerned that if we take anything, that we give back. I don’t see that in our Johnny-come-lately “environmentalists”. It seems to be more of a win/lose thing with them. They fight after the fight is over, then when all is said and done, they wander off licking their wounds, mumbling about “fighting the good fight”. Yet they caused us to all lose, because we became so side-tracked with their ridiculousness that we forgot to ask; “Where is the environmental balance that we need to preserve, to be good stewards of the place we live.”
Kym, thank-you for representing us, the silent majority. Too many of us don’t have the time, or don’t want to engage in the fight for what we know is best. To often decisions are made because the highly vocal and antic performing minority throw tantrums until they get their way. They aren’t nearly as concerned about the environment as they claim to be. If they were, it would seem to me that they would insist on some form of mitigation for damage done to our forests.
The plan has been outlined, in great detail, yet the opposing group still see a plot being foisted upon us by Caltrans. They say that there is a large tree in the path of the realignment, yet I see no large tree. There are many large trees that will not be affected in any way, yet they are identified in the project, because they are in the grove area.
I like to think that we are all part of the environment. We breathe in air. Some would say that we are ruining air, but we exhale carbon-dioxide, that the plants breathe and convert back into oxygen. We plant, and eat our food, and give back nutrients for the plants. (Do you like how delicately I put that?) Many, many things that we do are in symbiosis with the natural world. I think that what we do is not as important as trying to maintain that balance, and and be extremely concerned that if we take anything, that we give back. I don’t see that in our Johnny-come-lately “environmentalists”. It seems to be more of a win/lose thing with them. They fight after the fight is over, then when all is said and done, they wander off licking their wounds, mumbling about “fighting the good fight”. Yet they caused us to all lose, because we became so side-tracked with their ridiculousness that we forgot to ask; “Where is the environmental balance that we need to preserve, to be good stewards of the place we live.”
Because of past action by government agencies, many environmentalists (myself included) are often skeptical of projects and their supposed lack of environmental harm. I’m hoping now that Save the Redwoods League, a venerable conservation organization, has studied and approved the Realignment that many environmentalists will be able to trust that no harm will come to a place that so many of us love.
Because of past action by government agencies, many environmentalists (myself included) are often skeptical of projects and their supposed lack of environmental harm. I’m hoping now that Save the Redwoods League, a venerable conservation organization, has studied and approved the Realignment that many environmentalists will be able to trust that no harm will come to a place that so many of us love.
Bravo, Kym … in tangible ways the realignment of 101 through Richardson Grove HURTS big box development, not encourages it. Without the realignment, big box stores cream local small retailers who can never compete with the volume discounts the big boys enjoy. Local small retailers can only compete effectively if they are not disadvantaged by spiked transportation costs to import raw materials, acquire inventory and export finished product.
Keep up your advocacy for this vital improvement.
Bravo, Kym … in tangible ways the realignment of 101 through Richardson Grove HURTS big box development, not encourages it. Without the realignment, big box stores cream local small retailers who can never compete with the volume discounts the big boys enjoy. Local small retailers can only compete effectively if they are not disadvantaged by spiked transportation costs to import raw materials, acquire inventory and export finished product.
Keep up your advocacy for this vital improvement.
If the Save The Redwoods League has okayed it, that is an incredible boon. But it only adds to what I say about the pseudo-environmentalists. Why couldn’t they have seen the same things. And, why didn’t any of us ask for some form of mitigation. I can’t help but think we left cards on the table.
If the Save The Redwoods League has okayed it, that is an incredible boon. But it only adds to what I say about the pseudo-environmentalists. Why couldn’t they have seen the same things. And, why didn’t any of us ask for some form of mitigation. I can’t help but think we left cards on the table.
“Furthermore, these large unwanted chains already have the ability to keep smaller trucks in their fleets just for access to our area” So if I understand this, big stores can use smaller trucks but smaller ones can’t. Also Yakima moved to mexico because of NAFTA not because of transprotation costs and if other small bisinesses want to move to LA or Willits to save 10 percent on their transportation costs then they probably should. As tax payers I guess we can give up parks, including Ricardson Grove so that local “small bisiness” can save some money. If they really wanted to save money they could have Mexican trucks come up here and move their products.
“Furthermore, these large unwanted chains already have the ability to keep smaller trucks in their fleets just for access to our area” So if I understand this, big stores can use smaller trucks but smaller ones can’t. Also Yakima moved to mexico because of NAFTA not because of transprotation costs and if other small bisinesses want to move to LA or Willits to save 10 percent on their transportation costs then they probably should. As tax payers I guess we can give up parks, including Ricardson Grove so that local “small bisiness” can save some money. If they really wanted to save money they could have Mexican trucks come up here and move their products.
Tom, I agree with Chris (and Ernie) that big box stores can afford the higher shipping prices of using the smaller trucks while the smaller stores can’t.
As to the Yakima move, I quoted the above source but have no personal knowledge so you may be correct on that. Where would I find that information so I can correct the post?
I have to disagree with you on thinking it would be good for us to not work with small businesses who want to stay here but find it difficult. Saving 10 percent can be a huge amount for a small business. And everytime one business leaves, it causes a vacum by taking out employees and purchasing power that may cause other businesses and employers to leave.
If the realignment would seriously harm Richardson’s Grove then I don’t believe Save the Redwoods would be backing the plan. So we taxpayers don’t have to give up our parks. If I believed the realignment would seriously hurt Richardson Park–damage it for future generations–I would be down there protesting the changes. But I and the Save the Redwoods League are confident that the park will be fine. I’m worried that further damaging the local businesses will harm the people of this county I love.
Tom, I agree with Chris (and Ernie) that big box stores can afford the higher shipping prices of using the smaller trucks while the smaller stores can’t.
As to the Yakima move, I quoted the above source but have no personal knowledge so you may be correct on that. Where would I find that information so I can correct the post?
I have to disagree with you on thinking it would be good for us to not work with small businesses who want to stay here but find it difficult. Saving 10 percent can be a huge amount for a small business. And everytime one business leaves, it causes a vacum by taking out employees and purchasing power that may cause other businesses and employers to leave.
If the realignment would seriously harm Richardson’s Grove then I don’t believe Save the Redwoods would be backing the plan. So we taxpayers don’t have to give up our parks. If I believed the realignment would seriously hurt Richardson Park–damage it for future generations–I would be down there protesting the changes. But I and the Save the Redwoods League are confident that the park will be fine. I’m worried that further damaging the local businesses will harm the people of this county I love.
I remember reading a story in the Times-Standard when Yakima was leaving that they used some product that is not allowed here and would be allowed in Mexico. At the time, I thought it was also because of lower production costs in Mexico, but maybe that had nothing to do with their move.
I tried to research this but couldn’t find an answer in the short time I looked.
I remember reading a story in the Times-Standard when Yakima was leaving that they used some product that is not allowed here and would be allowed in Mexico. At the time, I thought it was also because of lower production costs in Mexico, but maybe that had nothing to do with their move.
I tried to research this but couldn’t find an answer in the short time I looked.
The project may not hurt the park. Back in the day when we were protesting the Samoa Bridge, we all thought it would hurt the egrets and it didn’t. What concerns me is that the Gov.has said he is going to close the parks, all of them, because the state has no money. I can’t see where the money will come from for this project. I am a hermit and do not morn the loss of people who would like to leave the area, more room for me. It seems to be the nature of businesses in this area when they get too big they sell out or leave i.e. Music for little people, or A E and I think there are probably others. They should do a bypass like they planned.
The project may not hurt the park. Back in the day when we were protesting the Samoa Bridge, we all thought it would hurt the egrets and it didn’t. What concerns me is that the Gov.has said he is going to close the parks, all of them, because the state has no money. I can’t see where the money will come from for this project. I am a hermit and do not morn the loss of people who would like to leave the area, more room for me. It seems to be the nature of businesses in this area when they get too big they sell out or leave i.e. Music for little people, or A E and I think there are probably others. They should do a bypass like they planned.
Tom,
For those of us who are worried about the environment and those who are worried about the cost of doing the project, the bypass isn’t a good option. The bypass would force the cutting of hundreds and hundreds of trees and cost many times what the realignment cost.
I’m concerned about the possible loss of the parks, too. Things have gotten bad financially here in California. Just yesterday it was confirmed that CALTRANS employees will be forced to take another furlough day—this is the 3rd one they will now take a month (which is roughly equivalent to a 15% pay cut.). I like having Kevin home more but this is a huge blow for many employees. But I don’t think closing the parks is an effective way to save money and, in areas like this one, when parks close, businesses are going to lose money when tourists don’t come and they will shut down putting more people out of work and causing more suffering among those who work low end jobs and own small businesses.
Projects like the realignment though provide work and stimulate the economy (providing work for more people). During the Great Depression, the WPA built roads etc. that we still use today. I believe that projects like this will similarly help our county and our state provide a healthy economy.
Just so we are clear about the business ethics of those who are supporting the project:
Cypress Grove-
Ships goat milk in from maquiladoras in Mexico. And you all thought that their cheese is a local product?
http://www.udel.edu/leipzig/texts2/vox128.htm
Sun Valley Floral Farms-
Lays off close to 300 employees for “incorrect” employment numbers, arguably starting the ICE raid scare across Humboldt County.
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_95…
Uses herbicides, pesticides, and GMO plants. Located in the Arcata bottoms, Sun Valley is centered around much of your so called organic beef and milk products.
Speaking of Milk…
Humboldt Creamery’s CEO Rich Ghilarducci is in trouble. I’m sure he won’t be crying over it…spilled milk that is:
“The community was sent reeling after learning that CEO Rich Ghilarducci abruptly resigned and alerted the company to potential financial inaccuracies in its books Friday, casting doubt on the financial health of a business many point to as the premier example of a successful Humboldt County business.”
http://www.times-standard.com/ci_11772521…
http://www.saverichardsongrove.blogspot.com/
Just so we are clear about the business ethics of those who are supporting the project:
Cypress Grove-
Ships goat milk in from maquiladoras in Mexico. And you all thought that their cheese is a local product?
http://www.udel.edu/leipzig/texts2/vox128.htm
Sun Valley Floral Farms-
Lays off close to 300 employees for “incorrect” employment numbers, arguably starting the ICE raid scare across Humboldt County.
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_95…
Uses herbicides, pesticides, and GMO plants. Located in the Arcata bottoms, Sun Valley is centered around much of your so called organic beef and milk products.
Speaking of Milk…
Humboldt Creamery’s CEO Rich Ghilarducci is in trouble. I’m sure he won’t be crying over it…spilled milk that is:
“The community was sent reeling after learning that CEO Rich Ghilarducci abruptly resigned and alerted the company to potential financial inaccuracies in its books Friday, casting doubt on the financial health of a business many point to as the premier example of a successful Humboldt County business.”
http://www.times-standard.com/ci_11772521…
http://www.saverichardsongrove.blogspot.com/
Jeff,
I’ve been thinking about what you said. I thought about defending each business individually but really I don’t know the businesses intimately and my point wasn’t any individual business (no one and no business is ever perfect) but rather to show a broad pattern of effect on small to mid size businesses in the area.
I do agree with you on the post you have up now about saving the parks though. Have you seen the $15 car tax suggestion? I’m still turning it over in my mind but I tend to think I agree with it.
I heard that small business people have cooties too! I still think that we need a truck legal highway.
Jeff,
I’ve been thinking about what you said. I thought about defending each business individually but really I don’t know the businesses intimately and my point wasn’t any individual business (no one and no business is ever perfect) but rather to show a broad pattern of effect on small to mid size businesses in the area.
I do agree with you on the post you have up now about saving the parks though. Have you seen the $15 car tax suggestion? I’m still turning it over in my mind but I tend to think I agree with it.
I heard that small business people have cooties too! I still think that we need a truck legal highway.
Curious about jeff’s implication that cypress grove imports milk from maquilladores. His link is about maquilladores, not at all specifically related to cypress grove. At CG website under terroir are testimonials from numerous local goat milker’s. Just trying to get the facts straight.
Ask them…
Curious about jeff’s implication that cypress grove imports milk from maquilladores. His link is about maquilladores, not at all specifically related to cypress grove. At CG website under terroir are testimonials from numerous local goat milker’s. Just trying to get the facts straight.
Ask them…
I’m for any solution that allows the parks to stay open, especially if they charge by the axle, imagine the park funds that could be made from all of those motorhomes! This will only encourage more bicyclists. 🙂
We all must remember that the parks are public. They are our parks, and we have the right to use and defend them. Much of the work performed by state employees could be managed by volunteers of non-profits. But we all need to fight Schwartzenegger for the opportunity to save our states most precious places.
I’m for any solution that allows the parks to stay open, especially if they charge by the axle, imagine the park funds that could be made from all of those motorhomes! This will only encourage more bicyclists. 🙂
We all must remember that the parks are public. They are our parks, and we have the right to use and defend them. Much of the work performed by state employees could be managed by volunteers of non-profits. But we all need to fight Schwartzenegger for the opportunity to save our states most precious places.
Hmmmm….
Can it be? People are starting to listen to what I have been saying since 2007? As long as the lies (Trucks will be heavier, they will ruin the roads, Walmart will rise again!) are told, I will be there to correct them. Be on the look out for “California Clean Idle” stickers on the nose or sideboxes of the newer trucks, and enjoy cheaper freight.
Hmmmm….
Can it be? People are starting to listen to what I have been saying since 2007? As long as the lies (Trucks will be heavier, they will ruin the roads, Walmart will rise again!) are told, I will be there to correct them. Be on the look out for “California Clean Idle” stickers on the nose or sideboxes of the newer trucks, and enjoy cheaper freight.
Jeff, I’m cautiously hopeful that some way will be found to keep the parks open.
Anon.R.Mous, I thought you were dead. Apparently, rumors of your death have been greatly exaggerated and sent to the newspapers 8) Reading your posts about the trucks over a year ago is what started me thinking about the Grove and understanding the issues. Thanks.
Jeff, I’m cautiously hopeful that some way will be found to keep the parks open.
Anon.R.Mous, I thought you were dead. Apparently, rumors of your death have been greatly exaggerated and sent to the newspapers 8) Reading your posts about the trucks over a year ago is what started me thinking about the Grove and understanding the issues. Thanks.
Anon-err-mous?
Anon-err-mous?
My death has been overrated.
That and I figure it’s time to end the lies that save the richardson grove people have been saying for the last year.
My death has been overrated.
That and I figure it’s time to end the lies that save the richardson grove people have been saying for the last year.
Don’t let Cal-Trans rip a hole through the Redwood Curtain! Sign this petition now and help save the Richardson Grove Old Growth Redwoods!
Don’t let Cal-Trans rip a hole through the Redwood Curtain! Sign this petition now and help save the Richardson Grove Old Growth Redwoods!
Wow, Jeff,
The petition makes it sound as if Caltrans is going against the wishes of a large majority of conservation groups and local organizations instead of being supported by no less of a venerable environmental organization than Save the Redwoods League and, I believe, most small local businesses.
Rather than taking the hyperbole of the petition at face value, I hope people read through Save the Redwood Leagues position and Caltrans’ proposed plan before signing anything.
Wow, Jeff,
The petition makes it sound as if Caltrans is going against the wishes of a large majority of conservation groups and local organizations instead of being supported by no less of a venerable environmental organization than Save the Redwoods League and, I believe, most small local businesses.
Rather than taking the hyperbole of the petition at face value, I hope people read through Save the Redwood Leagues position and Caltrans’ proposed plan before signing anything.
The Richardson Grove realignment plan is an horrible idea! Listen to the interview with Dr. Ken Miller about it at the Kmud archives. Here’s the link–
kmud archives
scroll to:
Monday Morning Magazine (8-9) Monday, July 20, 2009 8:00 am
The Richardson Grove realignment plan is an horrible idea! Listen to the interview with Dr. Ken Miller about it at the Kmud archives. Here’s the link–
kmud archives
scroll to:
Monday Morning Magazine (8-9) Monday, July 20, 2009 8:00 am
Suzy, I did listen and although I have great respect for Dr. Miller (and Dennis who is my contractor) I disagree with them on this issue. Have you read the Draft EIR?
Suzy, I did listen and although I have great respect for Dr. Miller (and Dennis who is my contractor) I disagree with them on this issue. Have you read the Draft EIR?
Kym, you just don’t get it. The negative impact from this on Humboldt will be enormous.
Kym, you just don’t get it. The negative impact from this on Humboldt will be enormous.
Suzy,
I love Humboldt and anything I thought might hurt it would be something I would fight against but I don’t believe the realignment will do so. Setting aside any impact to the park itself (which I wrote a lot about before and don’t believe believe will be significant), I think lots of people are worried that the project will change the character of Humboldt.
Things don’t stay the same and so change is always unstoppable. In my philosophy, the idea is to ride the changes and shape them when you can. In my opinion, marijuana is going to be legalized sooner or later. Probably sooner. Currently, this county’s economic well being is based on an economy which like timber and fishing is going to fade to a thin veneer of itself (which doesn’t mean that we can’t get make some sort of decent economic living out of the marijuana industry even after it is legalized). I’ve seen poverty before. I’ve seen an area where survival was paramount and environmental concerns slip away almost entirely.
If we love this area and want to protect the environment, we need to make sure that economically it is healthy. One of the ways to do that is to provide cheaper shipping for small local businesses. This helps them survive. Large big box businesses survive just fine with the higher shipping fees. It is a very small percentage of their overall costs but smaller businesses pay a much larger percentage of their costs.
One of the major concerns Dr. Miller broached is that of more truck trips into the county. In my opinion, there will be no increased through truck traffic. Interstate 5 provides the best run (higher speeds and a straight shot) to points north just as it currently provides the best run for trucks coming from the north and headed south of us.
Any trucks not specifically coming to the North Coast from the south will use 5. Those already coming into the county will no longer have to offload and go to smaller trucks or come through the north (which is already STAA accessible). Those trucks leaving the county can use the larger STAA trucks to ship their items–larger loads in cleaner trucks equals cost savings and less pollution.
Finally, 101 was recently diverted onto the Avenue of the Giants by Pepperwood. I was there as the “small” trucks attempted to navigate those curves and nearly ended up squashed. Realignment will ease the situation in the Grove. Hopefully, resulting in safer roads.
Suzy, I ended up writing such a long comment I’m going to use it as a post which I’ve been unable to squeeze in lately.
In my philosophy, the idea is to ride the changes and shape them when you can.
i’m with you there. As for the rest of it we disagree.
In my philosophy, the idea is to ride the changes and shape them when you can.
i’m with you there. As for the rest of it we disagree.
“The petition makes it sound as if Caltrans is going against the wishes of a large majority of conservation groups and local organizations instead of being supported by no less of a venerable environmental organization than Save the Redwoods League and, I believe, most small local businesses.”
As a matter of fact, Caltrans is…
EPIC, Trees Foundation, Friends of the Eel River, and Californians for Alternatives to Toxins are just a few of the outspoken critics of this project. Are you questioning the integrity of these groups, the same people who have fought to protect Humboldt during Charlie’s reign over PL?
The Save the Redwoods League are compromisers. However, their approval of the project without conducting any kind of research on root systems surprised me much more than their usual silence on environmental issues. And if you count the Mexican goat milk shippers(Cypress Grove), you have a Coalition of Compromisers(COC?). A coalition motivated by special interests based in greed.
What are the motivations of those who oppose the project?
“The petition makes it sound as if Caltrans is going against the wishes of a large majority of conservation groups and local organizations instead of being supported by no less of a venerable environmental organization than Save the Redwoods League and, I believe, most small local businesses.”
As a matter of fact, Caltrans is…
EPIC, Trees Foundation, Friends of the Eel River, and Californians for Alternatives to Toxins are just a few of the outspoken critics of this project. Are you questioning the integrity of these groups, the same people who have fought to protect Humboldt during Charlie’s reign over PL?
The Save the Redwoods League are compromisers. However, their approval of the project without conducting any kind of research on root systems surprised me much more than their usual silence on environmental issues. And if you count the Mexican goat milk shippers(Cypress Grove), you have a Coalition of Compromisers(COC?). A coalition motivated by special interests based in greed.
What are the motivations of those who oppose the project?
Ego.