Another Terrible Tuesday Afternoon at City Council–Holding Vice-Mayor Cummings Accountable

Posted on October 31, 2019 by huffsantacruz

A long line of speakers urged faster action to protect Section 8 tenants in the last months of the year at Tuesday’s Special City Council meeting. I summarized in accusatory terms Vice-Mayor Cummings record in siding with the reactionary Watkins majority on tenant and homeless issues. Brown supported a Mathews weakening of the Just Eviction protection emergency measure, and the Council caved.

Tenants: Hold Vice-Mayor Cummings Accountable

Tenants need protection. Whose vote blocked just eviction protections last January? Justin Cummings [J.C.]. Who deserted the Progressive majority this special tenant protection session necessary and too late for those already evicted ? J.C.

Protecting tenants saves them from homelessness. In April Ross Camp activists were driven away without adequate shelter as landlords are now threatening to do and doing. The elderly, the disabled, the vulnerable. Who promised “no evictions from Ross without adequate shelter? Then obediently followed the false narrative of City Manager Bernal and his homeless-betraying assistant Susie O’Hara ? J.C. Whose key vote delayed any meaningful data on landlord costs, evictions, and rents? J.C.

Who scorned the pleas of the Clear View Court residents fighting corporate developer greed last meeting? J.C. Who won’t meet with activists on the tenant and homeless emergency? J.C. Who won’t hold regular office hours or answer e-mails? J.C. Will other tenants be driven out? Deep into the Pogonip made dangerous with high winds? Ask Justin Cummings. His vote withholds protection.

Desieire Quintero was a former tenant. She took shelter at Ross Camp. Bernal & O’Hara threw her out with no shelter. She fought back in court. Discredited City Attorney Reid Gallogly countered with lies. Two days ago, a falling tree in the Pogonip killed her as she slept. Who drove her there? J.C. How many other displaced tenants will we lose from the community? Whose name should we etch on that fatal tree? If any vote and voice was key, it was J.C.

Can tenants expect any real protections from the Watkins-Commings Council? Ask the question, but your words must somehow pierce the deadly silence…of Justin Cummings..

TO DOWNLOAD AND/OR COMMENT, go to https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2019/10/29/18827718.php

MORE ON THE LIFE AND DEATH OF DESIERE QUINTERO, go to https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2019/10/28/18827673.php (After Fighting to Keep Ross Camp Open, Homeless Woman Killed When Tree Strikes Campsite) https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2019/10/29/18827710.php#18827712 ( Alicia Kuhl’s Statement on the Death of Desieire)

FOR A REVIEW OF HER STRUGGLE TO SAVE THE ROSS CAMP AND PREVENT THE TRAGEDY THAT HAPPENED TO HER AND FACES HUNDREDS OF OTHERS: go to https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2019/04/23/18822934.php

(Federal Judge Orders City of Santa Cruz to Halt Closure of Ross Camp )

More Stalling at City Council in Santa Cruz;; Planning Memorial & Protest Against the City Killing of Deiseiere Quintero– 11 AM Sub Rosa at 703 Pacific, followed by HUFF Wednesday October 30th

Posted on October 30, 2019 by huffsantacruz

CONSCIENCE AND ACTION IDEAS 10-30-19

Note: Agenda Ideas are simply suggestions and subject to change and addition from anyone in the group. They cover a wide range of possibilities.

Announcements: Choice of Action Items; Timekeeper & Time Limits; Vibes Guy

Lower Ocean Elder/Disabled Evictions; What Happened Yesterday?

Louden Nelson Bathroom and Sleep-Out Updates

Protest and Council Prep for Sunday November 3, Council Flashmobbing November 5th in the Quintero Killing

Following up on the Justin Cummings Outreach on Encampments, Enforcement, Rent, and Bathrooms; Will the Elusive Cummings Respond?

Stina Follow-Up on Peepee Bottles to City Council for November 5th ; Alternative Protests at Bernal, Cummings, Watkins door

Updates on Shelter Availability & the Winter Shelter Sham

Updates on Exposing the O’Hara Narrative; 1220 Reports

Union of the Homeless Update–Upcoming Events

For HUFFsters New Street Spirits and Street Sheets now available. November Issue Available in 2 weeks

Announcements: Including Brief Summaries of Agenda Items

Finishing the C & A Agend

Union of the Homeless Proposals Around Mandatory Incarceration for Shelter or “Obligation to Shelter”

Monitoring Campground & Shelter Conditions–Tabling at Coral St.: Another Union Proposal

Synchronizing with SC Union of the Homeless Organizing

Haebe’s Hellraising–Latest Report from Ivorytickler Scott

RV Update–Re: Police Response, Vigilante Action, & Reports from Other Cities

Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides radio show streams tonight (10-24-19) at 6 PM at www.freakradio.org: Mike on Berkeley Organizing Around the “Where Can We Go” Encampments, the 1020 Union of the Homeless Meeting

Posted on October 25, 2019 by huffsantacruz

NO STUDIO YET SO THE $300 REWARD REMAINS UNCLAIMED !

WE GOT $300 FOR YA IF WE CAN USE WHAT YOU SUGGEST FOR A YEAR. FIND US A TRANSMITTER LOCATION? YOU GET HUGS, KISSES, GRATITUDE, AND A REVITALIZED LOCAL PIRATE RADIO!

We need access to a bathroom, internet, and electricity.–either indoors or out (we’ll build a structure if necessary).

We’re also seeking a transmitter space where we can put up an antenna–a backyard, a multistory home, a high tree–help us spread the word.

Tonight’s show streams at freakradio.org and archives at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html

TONIGHT’S SHOW INCLUDES:

“Make it Right” Mike on the Wednesday March and Resistance to Cal-Trans Anti-Homeless Mayhem in Berkeley
Last Sunday’s 2nd Union of the Homeless Plans-and-Reports Exchanges at the Food Not Bombs Meal

Delay and Denial–Inaction at City Council, Resistance in Berkeley, and the Growing Post Office Encampment– 11 AM Sub Rosa at 703 Pacific, followed by HUFF Wednesday October 23rd

Posted on October 23, 2019 by huffsantacruz

CONSCIENCE AND ACTION IDEAS 10-23-19

Note: Agenda Ideas are simply suggestions and subject to change and addition from anyone in the group. They cover a wide range of possibilities.

Announcements: Choice of Action Items; Timekeeper & Time Limits; Vibes Guy

Support for Encampments & Sweeps at Louden Nelson & Coral St; Street Reports

Following up on the Justin Cummings Outreach on Encampments, Enforcement, Rent, and Bathrooms;

Stina Follow-Up on Peepee Bottles to City Council; Alternative Protests at Bernal, Cummings, Watkins door

Laura’s Update on Shelter Availability & the Winter Shelter Sham

Marcos and Winter Shelter Follow-Up: Exposing the O’Hara Narrative

Lower Ocean Elder/Disabled Evictions: Upcoming Special Meeting

Union of the Homeless Update–Upcoming Events

Updates at River St. Camp, Louden Nelson Bathrooms

For HUFFsters New Street Spirits and Street Sheets now available. November Issue Available in 2 weeks

Announcements: Including Brief Summaries of Agenda Items

Finishing the C & A Agenda

Union of the Homeless Proposals Around Mandatory Incarceration for Shelter or “Obligation to Shelter”

Monitoring Campground & Shelter Conditions–Tabling at Coral St.: Another Union Proposal

Synchronizing with SC Union of the Homeless Organizing

Susie O’Hara Documentation

RV Update–Re: Police Response, Vigilante Action, & Reports from Other Cities

Scheduling Homeless Union Tabling at FNB or on Pacific

Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides streams today (10-20-19) at 9:30AM at www.freakradio.org: Lots of stuff from the streets as the Union for the Homeless organizes & a 3-15-2012 Flashback

Posted on October 20, 2019 by huffsantacruz

EARN BUCKS, GET FREE RADIO BACK ON THE AIR AND ON THE PHONE LINES:

Free Radio Santa Cruz stands ready to dole out $300 for info leading to a 10′ X 10′ studio space with bathroom, internet, and electrical access–either indoors or out (we’ll build a structure). We’re also seeking a transmitter space where we can put up an antenna–a backyard, a multistory home, a high tree–help us spread the word. Help us so we can help you!

Today’s show streams at freakradio.org and archives at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html

Councilmember Glover’s Usual Friday pre-Council Agenda Examination was cancelled last Friday.

The full letter to Vice-Mayor Justin Cummings demanding accountability will shortly be published at www.indybay.org/santacruz .

Current Events on the Show

Father Jerry and Daughter Andrea Survival Camped on the Post Office Sidewalk
10-12 Union of the Homeless convenes on the sidewalk to gather resources, assign tasks, & organize unhoused folks with Gen-I, Alicia, Steve A, Sarah, Keith, Robert, Jeremiah, and Ray: Reports, Debate, and Prattle
A Letter to Vice-Mayor Cummings
Food Not Bombs Reportage from Katzenjammer Keith on the Recall, historical anecdotes, and dimly positive prospects from Vice-Mayor Cummings
Campus and City Pushback against the Recall by “Engaged and Enraged” Elisse C.
Near the Tracks on the sidewalk at Coral St. with “Mildheart” Mike & Neighbors
Broken Ribs in the Old Bad Bust for His Own Bike by two “Concerned Citizens”
“Tom Tom” Thomas Thompson Gives a Glimpse on 40 Years Outside in Santa Cruz
Randy Rainbow’s Spicy Satire Throughout the Show

Flashing Back to March 15, 2012

Santa Cruz Eleven face Phony Felonies in the beginning of a 4 year struggle
Sunday 3-11-12 “Foreclosures? No Thanks”Rally at the Occuplaza
“Judicial Jawbreaker” Joel, “Sass Back” Susan W, the “Masked Man”, “Silver Tongued” Steve P., Raging Granny,
India Supreme Court Rules Sleep is a Human Right
More March Voices: Homeowner Facing Foreclosure, Masked Cowboy Star from Occupy Monterey, Taking over the Streets with the Robed Tentmonster
“Dead On” David Silva’s Commentary
Will Durant’s “Story of Philosophy” Selection
The show is also archived at http://radiolibre.org/brb/brb120315.mp3

Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides radio show streams tonight (10-17-19) at 6 PM at www.freakradio.org: Andrea on the “Where Can We Go?” Encampments in Berkeley

Posted on October 18, 2019 by huffsantacruz

NO STUDIO YET SO THE $300 REWARD REMAINS UNCLAIMED !

WE GOT $300 FOR YA IF WE CAN USE WHAT YOU SUGGEST FOR A YEAR. FIND US A TRANSMITTER LOCATION? YOU GET HUGS, KISSES, GRATITUDE, AND A REVITALIZED LOCAL PIRATE RADIO!

We need access to a bathroom, internet, and electricity.–either indoors or out (we’ll build a structure if necessary).

We’re also seeking a transmitter space where we can put up an antenna–a backyard, a multistory home, a high tree–help us spread the word.

Tonight’s show streams at freakradio.org and archives at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html

TONIGHT’S SHOW INCLUDES:

“All In” Alicia Kuhl drops a dime on recent on-line “light her up” threats to her family.
Andrea, “Where Can We Go?” Berkeley encampment supporter reports on standing firm under CHP and Cal-Trans Cop Harassment

Gen-I on a fistful of parking citations; The first Santa Cruz Union of the Homeless Street Meeting on October 6th; Dwight’s “Move Along But We’re Not Being Racist” Report on the SC Police; Alicia on her DIY Safe Parking Zone Program on Olive next to Mission near CVS; Tabbylover Tim on a purrfect presidential prospect; Elijah on parking ticket pain for vehicledwellers.

Resisting In Place–A Berkeley Response to the Sweeps– 11 AM Sub Rosa at 703 Pacific, followed by HUFF Wednesday October 16th

Posted on October 16, 2019 by huffsantacruz

CONSCIENCE AND ACTION IDEAS 10-16-19

Note: Agenda Ideas are simply suggestions and subject to change and addition from anyone in the group. They cover a wide range of possibilities.

Announcements: Choice of Action Items; Timekeeper & Time Limits; Vibes Guy
Encampments & Sweeps on Coral St, the Beach, the Levee, the Post Office, and the Pogonip: Street Reports
Following up on the Justin Cummings Outreach on Encampments, Enforcement, Rent, and Bathrooms;
Stina Follow-Up on Peepee Bottles to City Council; Alternative Protests at Bernal, Cummings, Watkins door

Laura’s Update on Shelter Availability & the Winter Shelter Sham
Marcos and Winter Shelter Follow-Up: Exposing the O’Hara Narrative
Lower Ocean Elder/Disabled Evictions
Union of the Homeless Update
1220 River St Followup, Louden Nelson Report

For HUFFsters New Street Spirits and Street Sheets now available. Sorry for the delay.

Announcements: Including Brief Summaries of Agenda Items
Finishing the C & A Agenda
Library Concerns
Union of the Homeless Proposals Around Mandatory Incarceration for Shelter or “Obligation to Shelter”
Monitoring Shelter Conditions–Tabling at Coral St.: Another Union Proposal
Street and Campground Report
Susie O’Hara Documentation

RV Update–Re: Police Response, Vigilante Action, & Reports from Other Cities
Scheduling Homeless Union Tabling at FNB or on Pacific
Recycling Update

Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides radio show streams today (10-13-19) at 9:30AM at www.freakradio.org: Berkeley’s I-80 Encampment Stands Fast, Councilmember Drew Glover Parries Bathrobespierre Robert, Lower Ocean Tenants, & a 7-9-2015 Flashback !

Posted on October 13, 2019 by huffsantacruz

OH, GIVE US A HOME…

Today’s show streams at freakradio.org and archives at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html

To hear Councilmember Glover’s examination of the 10-8 Council agenda, go to http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html
and look for Drew Agenda Meeting- 10/5/2019.

Due to power failure, there was no Thursday 10/10/2019 show.

To read the complete (undelivered) speech deconstructing the powerful Watkins minority at City Council, go to “Pushing Past the Censure/Recall Distraction at City Council” at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2019/10/09/18827159.php

Current Events on the Show

“Aim for the Belly” Alicia Kuhl,, Prez, Stands Fast Under Police and Costco Harassment
Mayor “Whittle Down the Time” Watkins Second Attack on Glover and Krohn at City Council 10-8-19
Tenant advocates call for Rent Freeze in Lower Ocean; Krohn deserts Glover in the Crucial Motion
Lower Ocean Eviction Victims Ronald and Laurel Describe Upcoming 123 Bixby Street Landlord Cruelty
Tenant Toughtimes Trooper Cynthia Berger on the Limits of the State Rent Law and Santa Cruz’s Rental Inspection Ordinance
Shawna and William of the “Where Do We Go?” Berkeley Encampment Recalls a Day of Standing off the CHP and Cal-Trans Cops
Councilmember Drew Glover Reviews Eight Months of Stall Under Interrogation from Bathrobespierre Robert
Voices of the Victims at Food Not Bombs: Harm Reduction Volunteer Report, Fastlane Free, Katzenjammer Keith,
Wes, Virgil, Mike, Dread,Betsy, & Cherie–Salinas Sherwood Park Shit Survivors

Flashing Back to July 9, 2015

Guest co-host Ivy Rou, Street Vendor on Pacific Avenue
Ivy on Eviction Devastation in Santa Cruz–True Stories
Wellwisher Jim Weller at the First Sleep-Out of the Two Year Freedom Sleeper Protest
Home-on-Wheels Visitor Describes Police Treatment Here
Find-A-Place Phil Posner Kicks off the Weekly Freedom Sleeper Event;
Silver-Tongued Steve Pleich, Act Now! Abbi Samuels Suggests Sleeping Spots, the Vote
Backtalking Bob Lamonica Challenges Ivy; Phone Allies Include Uncle Dennis, Smoothie Steve, Doc Mike & Others
The show is also archived at http://radiolibre.org/brb/brb061319.mp3

Replace the Real Power in the City–the Staff Heads–or Slog the Swamp Some More

Posted on October 11, 2019 by huffsantacruz

Pushing Past the Censure/Recall Distraction at City Council

At the 10-8 City Council meeting, Mayor Watkins gave staff the usual expansive and unnecessary presentation time for prior items. She then eliminated group presentation time on the pointlessly returned censure of Krohn/Glover item. Initially refusing again to recognize a Councilmember, she again tried to hide behind the City Attorney as back-up. Failing this she cut back public comment time severely, allowing a special favored group presentation by the discredited City Commission for the Prevention of Violence to Women. I prepared this speech of which I was only permitted to read part of at the meeting:

Instead of booking the Civic Auditorium for the Council meetings expected overflow crowd, Watkins insisted (again) on using the crowded Council chambers. This resulted in further delay as people were hustled out of Council chambers, prompting angry response from former Councilmember Ed Porter who denounced the police directions as “shameful”.

Watkins several times interrupted speakers to shush audience comment. Even though speakers seemed to have no problem with the occasional public voice. In so doing, Watkins took up additional time and embarrassed the proceedings with her usual inappropriate authoritarian treatment to the proceedings.

The entire issue ended hours later, as was expected, with a 4-3 vote rejecting the censure proposal–which had not been recommended by the Rose report in the first place.

Oral Communication was subsequently cut back to a minute and a half, then one minute.

A line of tenant supporters at Oral Communications brought up the pending winter eviction of Section 8 elders and disabled folks in the Lower Ocean neighborhood. In response, Councilmember Glover made an emergency motion to put rent control/just eviction back on the next agenda. Councilmember Krohn initially second the motion, but withdrew the second when he learned it was intended to protect all tenants, not just the Lower Ocean folks. Brown and Cummings, supposedly tenant advocates, remained conspicuously silent, and Glover’s motion died for lack of a second.

This cowardly and useless strategy of going hat in hand to Mayor Watkins to put items on the agenda instead of installing the items with a 4-3 vote is sad. It seems to reflect the advise of “Progressive advisers” that the Councilmembers walk on eggshells so as not to offend Matthew’s more rabid recall supporters.

What needs to be done is to return to real issues, baldly, clearly, and repeatedly stated. Loudly, as necessary,. And by those of outside the chambers.

Wasting time with the ridiculous recall/censure discussion, talking of “reconciliation:” and “bringing the community together” is simply blind to the reality: There is a clear power division in this community between predatory commercial, real estate, and bureaucratic interests and those of renters, workers, students, elderly, and homeless folks. Recognizing that it is a power struggle that must be won is vital.

As I mention in the speech I was unable to complete, a direct action crisis approach is being taken all over the country (and indeed the world) by various movements and needs to be repeated here.

For the full speech, go to: https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2019/10/09/18827159.php

Probing Past the Duck-the-Issue Denunciations at Shitty Council: Conscience & Action at 11 AM Sub Rosa at 703 Pacific, followed by HUFF Wednesday October 9th

Posted on October 9, 2019 by huffsantacruz

CONSCIENCE AND ACTION IDEAS 10-9-19