A Job Dun .. City of Trinidad Councilmember Term Completed

A Job Worth Doing - Now Dun!

Honestly, the past four years on the Council wasn't always a pleasure, but it was always an honor to serve. Now, I'm happy to say, one of my favorite jobs was as Councilmember for my favorite city in the world - Trinidad, California.

I want to thank Gabe Adams and all the supportive City of Trinidad Staff over the years, my fellow Councilmembers, supportive friends, residents and neighbors and especially my political detractors who I learned so much from.

Many of the people who embraced and encouraged me when I first moved here have served on our Council. Loving this special place and respecting their service, I gratefully took my turn.

I'm proud of my service. Remaining true to my principles, I was never afraid to compromise my personal choice to represent constituents who I felt were not being heard. More frequently than not, I spoke up for the opposing position and always attempted to see both sides and reach a win-win solution. Of course it was nicer when we all agreed on an item, or found an accommodating solution, but I never let that pleasure keep me from speaking up and being the odd vote out. That choice takes it's toll, but the reward in the end was worth it.

Last night was my first meeting off the Council. I don't remember feeling more relaxed and appreciated in years. The following resolution and expressed kindness of the City of Trinidad Council, Staff, and my friends was tremendously moving and humbling for me.

I'm grateful for my opportunity to serve. I'm also grateful my term is complete. A job worth doing, is now 'dun' :)

RESOLUTION 2012-15 

ACKNOWLEDGING THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF MIKE MORGAN 

WHEREAS, Mike Morgan has served as a Trinidad City Council Member from 2008 to 2012; and

WHEREAS, Mike Morgan served as the City’s member to the Humboldt Visitors and Convention Bureau; and kept the council and community apprised of tourism trends and opportunities; and

WHEREAS, Mike Morgan represented the City on the Indian Gaming Committee where he successfully advocated for funding that awarded the Trinidad Volunteer Fire Department a new pumper truck along with an additional rescue vehicle; and

WHEREAS, Mike Morgan nurtured the ADU and VDU Ordinance process, and helped initiate the General Plan Update process as a member of the Planning Commission; and

WHEREAS, Mike Morgan attended countless council sessions, balanced budget brainstorms, closed sessions, proper public hearings; participated fully and asked the tough questions; and

WHEREAS, Mike Morgan took great pride in representing and protecting the public's interests; and

WHEREAS, Mike Morgan was not afraid of getting his hands dirty or paint on his clothes while working on the renovation of Trinidad Town Hall; and

WHEREAS, Mike Morgan, exemplifying his commitment to public service, reached the rank of Captain while serving on the Trinidad Volunteer Fire Department;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, THAT the City Council of Trinidad congratulates and thanks, Mike Morgan for his years of service to the citizens of Trinidad and to the future well-being of the community.

PASSED UNANIMOUSLY AND ADOPTED BY THE TRINIDAD CITY COUNCIL of Humboldt County of the State of California this 12th day of December, 2012.

Trinidad, CA Sales Tax - Measure G

... indivisible, with liberty and justice for all

How can I both support Measure G, yet vote against it?

I'm voting against extending the Sales Tax, Measure G. I prefer we balance our budget without it. This would require a reduction in services and renegotiating contracts with the County. I would like to see our City do what it takes to spend within it's means without the Sales Tax Addition.

So it's simple, if you want the same level of services and spending, I support you voting Yes. If you'd like to compel us to cut spending, I support you voting No.

Argument In Favor of Measure G

Four years ago, Trinidad Residents were asked to come together and support a 3/4% sales tax compromise to primarily fund the police and fire departments and their reserves.

We have reviewed the performance of the tax and have determined the need for it to continue.  We have also addressed the tax concerns of local residents outside the city limits. The City Council's advisory committee will continue to monitor spending of these funds.

 To maintain the current level of city services, we ask you to support measure G. 

Happy Independence Day Trinidad!

Independence Day in Trinidad, CA

There goes the fog, here comes the blue!

Wishing you all a great day of celebration and fun and sun.

Open House at Trinidad Art Gallery

The Trinidad Land Trust is hosting an Open House to discuss the future of the Trinidad Art Building on May 24th at 7pm.

Contact Ben at 493-3375

Trinidad Street Lights - Looking Good!

New Street Light Getting Hooked Up

Can't wait to see Trinidad lit up by our new street lights. A great beautification project for our charming little town, they match the ones we put in around the Trinidad Museum and Saunder's Park.

This one is getting hooked up a block up from the Trinidad Bay Bed and Breakfast, near the Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse.

New Underpass - Trinidad Art and City Projects

Project Update from Trinidad City Manager, Karen Suiker ...

There are several projects that are going to significantly change the city’s appearance, in addition to the freeway underpass:

Library is going to break ground in the next couple of months.

Streetlight replacement project is underway (delays now are due to weather, everything else is a go)

Gateway project is now out to bid. If all goes according to plan, construction will commence Tuesday, May 29.

Pretty neat for such a small town.

Thank you Karen for all your hard work and patience!

Quake Near Trinidad California - 5.5 and 18 miles away

Monday, February 13, 2012 at 01:07:02 PM at epicenter

5.5! 18 miles from Trinidad towards Bald Hills Road and 30 miles deep.

Better inland, than at sea :)

USGS Link:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/nc71734741.php

Thanks for Voting NO!

Good City Council meeting last night - didn't get too pummeled 'going against the flow' haha

I want to personally thank those of you who made your concerns and opinions known to us by the extra effort the process required of you.

Some of my favorite written quotes from ratepayers:

'.. how many of you have interviewed any of your constituents?'

'.. (protesting) on behalf of our tenants who are those who will ultimately be the ones required to pay.'

'.. there are times that politicians choose to do the right thing even if it's not the popular thing.'

I'm sorry to report your rates are going up as high as originally proposed.

From the City:
1. Water Rate Protest Comments:
******************************
As of 1:45pm today, 72 protest votes have been received. Many of them arrived in the template NO format. A handful of others had comments attached.

We did get 2 verbal commitments and our current mayor stated support for reducing the in/out-of-town differential charged to zero the next time rates are reviewed by them.

That's some good progress!

Also, the City will investigate not raising this new rate an additional 2.5 percent in a few months, and will report if lowering the rate in the future requires another Prop.218 odyssey.

Continue to make yourself heard, and closely monitor our budgeting process this Spring!

Water Rate Increase Coming Next Wednesday for Trinidad, CA

Please feel free to call me with questions, or if you need
help getting your 'VOTE NO!' submitted by next Wednesday' s
Trinidad, CA City Council Meeting at 7pm, Feb. 8th.

Remember .. if you don't write a note, you vote yes - sneaky huh?!

Online Protest Form

Don’t go with the flow on this one, send it back
to the Council for a more conservative increase.

Mike Morgan, 677-0101 (2-5pm)
Your most conservation oriented Councilmember -
especially when your cash is the resource!

Vote NO! Expensive Rate Increase for Trinidad Water

Vote NO!
Remember .. if you don't write a note, you vote yes - sneaky huh?!
Deadline: Wed., Feb.8 at 7pm - Public Hearing

Expensive rate increase for Trinidad water on the way unless you join me in protest. Don't let the City impose this increase on you month after month, year after year, without saying a word. Send this issue back to the Trinidad City Council, and ask them for a more conservative increase!

Remember, even if you don't write a note, you vote, but it'll be counted as yes by law.

How to Vote NO!

The notice says: “…you may file a written protest with the City at, or before the time set for the public hearing. A valid protest must contain a description of the property (such as the address or AP number) and the name, address, and phone number of the signer(s). Protests should be mailed to: PO Box 390, Trinidad, CA 95570 or delivered to: City of Trinidad, 409 Trinity Street.”

From Notice of Public Hearing via Trinidad City Manager (citymanager@trinidad.ca.gov)

Deadline: Wed., Feb.8 at 7pm - City Hall Public Hearing

Vote NO! Don’t ‘Go With The Flow’

Why I’m Protesting the Proposed Rate Increase
1. If you don’t write a note, you vote - City counts you as voting YES
2. One vote per parcel - No matter how many ratepayers are impacted
3. Crafted to generate ‘extra’ funds - If you give it, City will spend it

While I’m all for covering the costs of our water system and
paying for approved salary increases,
I expected more of this $20,000 study to reduce costs
and provide for a very conservative increase.

This has not been the case, in my opinion.
While I’m glad it’s more fair between in and out-of-town water users,
it’s more expensive for everyone.

The first proposal was to generate $100,000 extra - outrageous!
Now it’s targeting $50,000! Maybe try $20,000 first - see how it goes.
If we have a crisis, or need to pay for something specific, just ask!

Please feel free to call me with questions, or help getting your
‘NO! Vote’ submitted. Don’t go with the flow on this one, send it
back to the Council for a more conservative increase.

Happy Chinese New Years

Happy Chinese New Years Day!

I'm celebrating traditionally - reconciling, forgetting all grudges, and wishing peace and happiness for everyone!

Year of the (Water) Dragon starts Feb 4th!

NH Victory Speech - Mitt

He's finding his footing .. This is the best speech I've heard from him.



Below is the text of his remarks as prepared for delivery.
-Reuters

“Thank you, New Hampshire! Tonight, we made history!

This state has always been a special place for our family. Ann and I made a home here and we’ve filled it with great memories of our children and grandchildren. And this Granite State moment is one we will always remember.

Tonight, we celebrate. Tomorrow, we go back to work.

We remember when Barack Obama came to New Hampshire four years ago.

He promised to bring people together.

He promised to change the broken system in Washington.

He promised to improve our nation.

Those were the days of lofty promises made by a hopeful candidate. Today, we are faced with the disappointing record of a failed President. The last three years have held a lot of change, but they haven’t offered much hope.

The middle class has been crushed. Nearly 24 million of our fellow Americans are still out of work, struggling to find work, or have just stopped looking. The median income has dropped 10% in four years. Soldiers returning from the front lines are waiting in unemployment lines. Our debt is too high and our opportunities too few.

And this President wakes up every morning, looks out across America and is proud to announce, “It could be worse.”

It could be worse? Is that what it means to be an American? It could be worse?

Of course not.

What defines us as Americans is our unwavering conviction that we know it must be better.

That conviction guides our campaign. It has rallied millions of Americans in every corner of this country to our cause.

Over the last six months, I’ve listened to anxious voices in town meetings and visited with students and soldiers. In break rooms and living rooms, I’ve heard stories of families getting by on less, of carefully planned retirements now replaced by jobs at minimum wage. But even now, amidst the worst economy since the Great Depression, I’ve rarely heard a refrain of hopelessness.

Americans know that our future is brighter and better than these troubled times. We still believe in the hope, the promise, and the dream of America. We still believe in that shining city on a hill.

We know that the future of this country is better than 8 or 9% unemployment.

It is better than $15 trillion in debt.

It is better than the misguided policies and broken promises of the last three years – and the failed leadership of one man.

The President has run out of ideas. Now, he’s running out of excuses. And tonight, we are asking the good people of South Carolina to join the citizens of New Hampshire and make 2012 the year he runs out of time.

President Obama wants to put free enterprise on trial. In the last few days, we have seen some desperate Republicans join forces with him. This is such a mistake for our Party and for our nation. This country already has a leader who divides us with the bitter politics of envy. We must offer an alternative vision. I stand ready to lead us down a different path, where we are lifted up by our desire to succeed, not dragged down by a resentment of success. In these difficult times, we cannot abandon the core values that define us as unique -- We are One Nation, Under God.

Make no mistake, in this campaign, I will offer the American ideals of economic freedom a clear and unapologetic defense.

Our campaign is about more than replacing a President; it is about saving the soul of America. This election is a choice between two very different destinies.

President Obama wants to “fundamentally transform” America. We want to restore America to the founding principles that made this country great.

He wants to turn America into a European-style entitlement society. We want to ensure that we remain a free and prosperous land of opportunity.

This President takes his inspiration from the capitals of Europe; we look to the cities and small towns of America.

This President puts his faith in government. We put our faith in the American people.

He is making the federal government bigger, burdensome, and bloated. I will make it simpler, smaller, and smarter.

He raised the national debt. I will cut, cap, and balance the budget.

He enacted job-killing regulations; I’ll eliminate them.

He lost our AAA credit rating; I’ll restore it.

He passed Obamacare; I’ll repeal it.

When it comes to the economy, my highest priority as President will be worrying about your job, not saving my own.

Internationally, President Obama has adopted an appeasement strategy. He believes America’s role as leader in the world is a thing of the past. I believe a strong America must – and will – lead the future.

He doesn’t see the need for overwhelming American military superiority. I will insist on a military so powerful no one would think of challenging it.

He chastises friends like Israel; I’ll stand with our friends.

He apologizes for America; I will never apologize for the greatest nation in the history of the Earth.

Our plans protect freedom and opportunity, and our blueprint is the Constitution of the United States.

The path I lay out is not one paved with ever increasing government checks and cradle-to-grave assurances that government will always be the solution. If this election is a bidding war for who can promise more benefits, then I’m not your President. You have that President today.

But if you want to make this election about restoring American greatness, then I hope you will join us.

If you believe the disappointments of the last few years are a detour, not our destiny, then I am asking for your vote.

I’m asking each of you to remember how special it is to be an American.

I want you to remember what it was like to be hopeful and excited about the future, not to dread each new headline.

I want you to remember when you spent more time dreaming about where to send your kids to college than wondering how to make it to the next paycheck.

I want you to remember when you weren’t afraid to look at your retirement savings or the price at the pump.

I want you to remember when our White House reflected the best of who we are, not the worst of what Europe has become.

That America is still out there. We still believe in that America.

We still believe in the America that is a land of opportunity and a beacon of freedom. We believe in the America that challenges each of us to be better and bigger than ourselves.

This election, let’s fight for the America we love. We believe in America.

Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America.”