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Eureka mayor, DA back ban on non-local corporate donations

Times-Standard
October 29, 2005

Get Involved Today!EUREKA - A proposed initiative to prohibit non-local corporations from contributing to Humboldt County elections has been endorsed by three prominent local government officials.

District Attorney Paul Gallegos, Eureka Mayor Peter LaVallee and Eureka City Councilman Chris Kerrigan have put their support behind the local ballot measure.

The Humboldt Coalition for Community Rights, which is pushing the initiative, has already collected 3,000 signatures, more than half the number required for it to be placed on the June 2006 ballot.

"In 1999 Wal-Mart spent $235,000 in an attempt to change Eureka's zoning laws to give them an exemption to build on the waterfront," said LaVallee. "I support this ordinance because it will protect our democratically enacted laws."

District Attorney Paul Gallegos agreed.

"Our elected representatives need to be free to govern without threat or intimidation from outside corporations that have a financial interest in how local laws are written or enforced."

The Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee also gave its formal endorsement to the ballot initiative.

"The members of the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee believe it is critically important to return control of this country to the hands of the people. That is what democracy is all about," said Patrick Riggs, chairman. "This initiative, by eliminating the influence of wealthy corporate entities, is an excellent way to strengthen democracy in our community."

Supporters say the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a community has the right to limit corporate participation if that participation is undermining the democratic process.

"This is not a partisan issue," said coalition spokeswoman Yvonne Doble. "We want to protect our elected officials."

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Humboldt County Leaders Endorse Measure T!

Democratic Party of Humboldt County

Green Party of Humboldt County

Central Labor Council of Humboldt and Del Norte Counties

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local #1684

Building and Construction Trades of Humboldt and Del Norte Counties

Carpenters Union Local #751

Operating Engineers Union Local #3 AFL-CIO

Paul Gallegos, Humboldt County District Attorney

Peter LaVallee, Eureka Mayor

Chris Kerrigan, Eureka City Council

Dave Meserve, Arcata City Council

Harmony Groves, Arcata City Council

Paul Pitino, Arcata City Council

Bob Ornelas, Former Arcata Mayor

Connie Stewart, Former Arcata Mayor

Elizabeth Conner, Former Arcata City Council

Julie Fulkerson, Former Humboldt County Board of Supervisors

... and hundreds of other individuals and local businesses! Join us today!

View the full list of public endorsements!

 

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Pros and Cons of Measure T

Learn more about Measure T in a Pros and Cons Video, produced by Eileen McGee (51 mins)

 

Radio Ads

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Chris Kerrigan, Eureka City Counsel, and Kate Christensen, owner of The Garden Gate, support Measure T! (1 min)

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Paul Gallegos, Humboldt County District Attorney, and Nezzie Wade, community member, support Measure T! (1 min)

Radio

Larry Glass, owner of The Works, and Dennis Rael, owner of Los Bagles, support Measure T! (1 min)