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LOOK INSIDE FOR THIS SPECIAL PUBLICATION SERVING DEL NORTE COUNTY SINCE 1879 Crescent City, CA

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2025

www.triplicate.com

Del Norte County Dodges a Tsunami Bullet BY ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.

The earthquake off Kamchatka Peninsula was an 8.8 Richter monster, the most powerful in 14 years. The ripple effect several hours later on Crescent City and the West Coast was relatively tame; nonetheless, all precautions were taken by law enforcement, Ofﬁce of Emergency Services, the Coast Guard and other supporting agencies. According to Harbormaster Mike Rademacker, at approximately 2:40AM, Wednesday, the Crescent City Harbor sustained signiﬁcant tsunami-related damage, primarily affecting “H” Dock. A surge of water several feet in height caused the decking of the dock to lift along its piling but as water levels continued to rise, the structure was unable to adjust. The decking became lodged on the pilings and was eventually submerged, resulting in major

structural failure and a complete separation of the dock. No injuries or deaths were reported. All vessel movements, both arrivals and departures are suspended by the harbormaster until further notice, in order to prevent personal injury and protect harbor infrastructure. Power and water service have been shut off, except to power for emergency pumps, as wave surges are on going. In anticipation of the impending tsunami, many vessels exited the harbor to ensure safety to their crafts. The Coast Guard denied re-access to the harbor, pending an all clear announcement from the Coast Guard. Yesterday’s Tsunami follows the catastrophic damage in 2011, the inner boat basin was completely reconstructed to be tsunami- resistant. Damage assessments are still underway.

Courtesy photo

Harbor sustains H Dock damage

A Bird in the Hand Is Worth MORE than Two in the Bush

Harbor Update:

Review of Meeting Minutes Detours Harbor Business

BY ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.

McGraw Development, applicant for the refurbishment of the run down harbor RV parks, states it has invested $10’s of thousands in time, research and consultants and hopes to plan a complete makeover of the decrepit RV Parks in the Harbor. For the last 10 months, Sean McGraw and Dr. Scott Lawhon have dotted every i, crossed every t, traveled up from Orange County to attend Crescent City Harbor meetings, many on extremely short notice, to meet with commissioners, City and County elected to earn the lease to mitigate both eyesore properties. Now, in the 11th hour, the Harbor Commission is considering accepting additional Requests for Proposals (RFP). Both attorneys, Ryan Plotz for the Harbor and Thomas Gruenbeck for the applicant concur there is no need for an RFP. It is not a requirement to award the contract. Mike Bahr of CSS Community Solutions, grant seekers, disagrees. He and developer Steve Opps are hoping commissioners will entertain an RFP for three projects: a

BY ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.

Courtesy photo

Sean McGraw

Dr. Scott Lawhon

boat operations yard (to replace the Fashion Blacksmith boatyard); About a dozen vacant land parcels; and the RV Park. Fully, the summer is half over yet, nothing has developed. The question must be asked, Have the commissioners dragged their feet and squandered the opportunity to begin the asphalting of the substandard roads in both parks? Perhaps. An exceptional proposal from the McGraw Group is being held up by

perhaps a greed level for more development by the Opps group? It begs the question, Is a Bird in the Hand worth MORE than two in the bush? More importantly, the delay of repairs on both RV parks, opens options for the current applicant who is and has been poised to get to work. The Harbor meets August 13 at its Ofﬁce at 2PM to discuss the delay issue.

Great White Attacks Kayaker Off Klamath Beach the beach when a Great White shark appeared behind the rocks and took a bite out of his kayak. Cody estimates the shark was about 14ft. Sharks are rare along the North Coast. There’s been only one attack in the last 25 years along the North Coast. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife is investigating the incident.

BY ROGER GITLIN Country Media, Inc.

Cody Gardner of Smith River does what he so dearly loves to do in his spare time…he kayaks. Last Monday, Cody was kayaking at the Wilson Road Rocks, near Klamath about 200 feet away from

Sharkologist Ralph Collier of Sharkweekly is also investigating the incident and promises to report details to The Triplicate. Bathers and kayakers, be vigilant as you enjoy our beautiful beachs. Though very rare, sharks do frequent North Coast waters.

Meetings management continue to fester and interfere with Crescent City Harbor business. The latest interruption delayed commissioners from addressing more heady agendized subjects due to the arduous review of meeting agenda minutes for the last six months. Commissioners are mandated to review any meeting in which a commissioner did not attend. Commissioner Dan Schmidt did not understand that obligation and chose to exclude himself from any vote in which he was not physically present. The 2PM meeting time, last Wednesday was ﬁnally completed to well past 5PM. A very few members of the audience in what only be described as a painful delay of conducting harbor business and ego indulgence, were stage center for perpetuating the long meeting. Those individuals will remain anonymous. Here are some of those abrogating outbursts: One individual continued to yell out, “Point of Order, Point of Order!” The Rosenberg Rules are clear. Any point of order or information may be used by elected commission members ONLY. Rules preclude any audience member from shouting out and engaging in argument, in this case, engaging in argument with Harbor Chairman Gerhard Weber. Per rules, the public is allowed three minutes per agendized item on the subject on hand. The disruptive audience members used this item to bash the harbormaster, an obvious attempt to sway off subject. One individual spoke about the purchase of an iPad, which squandered precious time to an already gruelinglylong meeting. No one was removed from the meeting, the gavel was quiet. The Meeting Minutes snafu was initiated by Commissioner Dan Schmidt, who wished to change his comment from a previous January meeting. Then, the decision to discuss all previous meetings to present was proffered. A full hour of discussion, three minutes for each audience member was included. Alas, Commissioner John Evans ended the tortuous ordeal and the Commission ended the discussion on meeting meetings. In other business, Ocean Gold employee Eric Neff delivered encouraging news the ice plant will soon be operational. The insulation crew has just completed its major work. Remaining tasks to open the ice plant are few, and expedient opening is anticipated. Justin Hanks, Harbor Commission Security delivered a glowing report on the 4th of July harbor event. The Harbor Commission next meets Wednesday August 13, 2PM at its Citizens Dock ofﬁce.

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Shark attacks, Dept of Fish and Wildlife

INDEX

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