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SERVING DEL NORTE COUNTY SINCE 1879 Crescent City, CA

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2025

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Commissioners Vote to Establish Invocation Before Harbor Meetings

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• Purpose: Invocations are intended to solemnize Board meetings, promote reﬂection and provide guidance in their decision-making. • Scheduling: Local clergy, commissioners and members of the community may participate. • Inclusivity: Invitations shall be extended without preference of any particular denomination • Conduct: invocations must

BY ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.

Citing the Supreme Court 2014 case in Town of Greece, New York v. Galloway, the Crescent City Harbor District (CCHD) voted unanimously to establish a non-denominational Invocation before District meetings. Invocation Guidelines of the Resolution:

be positive, uplifting and limited to one minute. The comments may not be used to disparage others, lobby for speciﬁc policies or solicit support. • Introduction: The Chair shall introduce speaker by name and title before the Invocation. • Participation is voluntary and not mandatory. • No compensation shall be provided.

• Compliance: This guidance shall be administered in accordance with applicable laws and principles of inclusivity and fairness. The motion was introduced by Commissioner John Evans and seconded by Commissioner Dan Schmidt. Each Commissioner signaled support. Commissioner Annie Nehmer shared her support by

stating “…in the past, I sometimes came to meetings angry and frustrated. Hearing a calming message from above would give me a sense of peace and mutual respect for my colleagues. “ Opposition to the Invocation was palpable, but tepid. Questions from the public included, “Who shall I pray to?” and Please see INVOCATION, Page 9

Local Law Enforcement

praises the crackdown on once petty crimes Newly enacted Proposition 36 is profoundly impacting the Golden State. The public spoke emphatically when it voted to allow felony charges and increase for certain drug and theft crimes. Law and order has returned to California. The Triplicate contacted the Crescent City Police, the Del Norte Sheriff and the District Attorney’s Ofﬁce to weigh in on Prop 36 impact on our local community. Chief Richard Grifﬁn: “We had not stopped arresting people prior to Prop. 36. Unfortunately, it was a cite and release issue most often for Petty Theft or drug charges though, if suspects have prior convictions. What changes now is that we can add felony charges if there have been prior convictions and bookings in the County jail. We have already been able to utilize this (intervention) on sev-

eral occasions and the District Attorney is picking up the prosecution on them.” Chief Griffin continued, “My opinion is Prop 36 is going to be a good thing for citizens and businesses in Crescent City.” Garrett Scott, Del Norte Sheriff: “Prop 36 is a good start at holding criminals accountable. Law enforcement has been hampered at so many angles at curtailing crime and arresting criminals.” The Sheriff continued, “As this legislation passed, I was pleased to see that we would now be able to hold these criminals in custody until they see a magistrate and then add crimes for prior theft charges. I know this proposition will likely create burden upon the Sheriff’s Office in terms of holding, feeding, filling mental health needs for this population. I will make it work. Our state has pushed correc-

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tions and rehabilitation so far back onto local sheriffs, as opposed to State Prison sentences that require additional funding to ensure the effectiveness of arrest and prosecution protocol for these thugs who continue to repeatedly violate the law. Our District Attorney will be accountable and will need funding to be effective, as well.

Voters overwhelmingly passed this law because they are fed up with lawlessness and lack of teeth that California has created for local law enforcement. Prop 36 is a great look and a proactive instrument we will be using to deal with theft and drug Please see CRACKDOWN Page 9

Golfer with a Vision: Raison D’etre BY ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.

Scott Rogers is by appearance a very well-liked, retired CDCR Corrections Officer who loves to play golf. “I do my best thinking when I’m playing the game I love so much.” Indeed, he’s all that and a lot more. One wouldn’t know it by merely chatting with Scott but he’s on a mission, a raison d’etre (reason to be) to help bring a culture change to Del Norte youth. Scott hopes to send some Del Norte youth, aspiring young golfers to a prestigious academy for elite golf training with the firm intent of providing scholarship opportunities that will change lives. “Del Norte is not a wealthy community but our kids richly deserve the opportunity to excel. We can change lives. I believe this.” Visionary Rogers will begin his raison d’etre with helping the Del Norte Girls Golf team reach significant improvement in improving these skills. In the coming days, Scott will address the City Council, the Board of Supervisors, the Harbor District and Trustees of the Del Norte Unified School District. The assistance will come with expert golf instructors, private industry partnerships, equipment and, of course, money. How much and when has yet to be determined. You will be hearing more on this worthy endeavor and Scott Rogers raison d’etre.

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Scott Rogers

INDEX

Phone Number: 707-460-6727

Opinion

Members of the Warrior Girls Golf Team

• Address: 445 Elk Valley Road, Crescent City, CA 95531 • Email: Circulation@CountryMedia.net

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