Soapbox Speech for Humboldt County Public Access Channel 12

By Gregory P. Allen

Greg Allen takes a stand for civil liberties, smart growth, full employment with a living wage and the environment and diversity of Arcata.

For years, our city council has been ineffectual in solving many of the city's problems. Frequently these " solutions" have resulted in egregious attacks on the civil liberties of Arcata's residents and visitors.

Even today the city council is considering a mandatory rental inspection program which will create two classes of citizenship in Arcata. As proposed the ordinance would make all renters subject to warrantless searches of their homes. The council is even considering creating 1.5 positions to do this, which is fiscally irresponsible.

This type of well meaning but ultimately repressive use of their authority needs to stop and stop now.

I strongly support and advocate the protection of our civil liberties. As an attorney and member of the local and Northern California ACLU boards, I have a long record of strong support for civil liberties.

Arcata is facing profound issues with growth. Humboldt state is planning on doubling enrollment within twenty years. Just from HSU alone, our population will increase by 50%. We need to build more housing without sacrificing our open space. If we build in the bottoms or cut down our redwoods they will be gone forever along with the special character and quality of life we so love.

I advocate the concept of in-filling; building up rather than out. We must designate higher density development zones centered around down town with the requirement of taller structures, with half the space designated as residential. This will save our open space from development.

We need jobs in Arcata, and although the tourist industry is some help, the jobs created are low paying service sector, minimum wage jobs. We need to attract employers in the development, or light manufacturing sectors to bring higher paying jobs here.

We're seeing working people, families, and the poor being forced from Arcata because of the spiraling cost of housing here. We are in serious danger of losing the economic, social, and cultural diversity we prize so much. Without affordable housing, higher paying jobs, and an economic development plan designed to meet these goals we will lose our special character.

I stand for protection of our civil liberties, responsible, planned development, saving our open space, working to create high paying jobs through the development sector, and maintaining our city's identity by preserving our economic, social, and cultural diversity.

It's time to step forward progressively towards the future, while preserving the special character of Arcata.

If you agree with me, vote Greg Allen for Arcata City Council on November 2.