Fortuna Backs Palco Against County

Following heated public testimony, the city of Fortuna, Ca., has decided to oppose the suit brought by Humboldt County against The Pacific Lumber Co.

The city council directed city mgr. Duane Rigge to write a resolution that strongly condemns the county's suit.

"We're sending our tax dollars to

Palco Battles Tree Sitters

Pacific Lumber Co. began removing tree sitters last month on its property near Eureka, Ca., after a local judge backed a restraining order against the activists.

As of late March, tree climbers hired by the Scotia, Ca.-based frm had removed three sitters who were then arrested by awaiting sheriffs. Two of the vacated trees were subsequently reoccupied by new activists.

Officials suspected there were 16 other tree sitters in the redwoods, adding that it would take days to remove all of them. Palco was able to harvest one of the trees before sir fight a lawsuit to take our jobs," said Fortuna mayor Mel Berti. "l work with these people down here, and they are taking my money that I earn to take people'sjobs." ters could reoccupy it.

All five council members were expected to sign a letter opposing the suit, before it was sent to the board of supervisors.

Pacific Lumber has stated all along that the sitters are ffespassing and endangering themselves and the lives of company trees climbers and harvesters

As of late March, two of the protesters had been released on $10,000 bail, and three were still in custody. Each refused a proposal from Palco in which the activists would receive amnesty in exchange for their names and a promise never to return to company property.

Three weeks earlier, a Palco security guard was cited by a Humboldt County Sheriff's deputy for assault. batterv and vandalism

Many in the community expressed concerns that the suit, if successful, could bankrupt the Scotia, Ca.-based firm and eliminate its nearly 800 jobs.

The recent $250 million suit (see March, p. 43) alleges that Pacific Lumber committed fraud by submitting false data so that it could log 100,000 additional trees under the I 999 Headwaters agreement.

On the legal front, attorneys for chargers after an encounter with a tree sitter.

Bradley Thrasher, 38, an employee of a private security company employed by the Scotia, Ca.-based firm, allegedly cut a tree sitter's rope so he couldn't climb back into the tree, according to the police officials.

The 26-year-old tree sitter claimed that he was cut in the hand during the March 4 confrontation and placed Thrasher under citizen's arrest.

The activists were protesting Palco's logging practices in the Freshwater Creek area of Northern California.

Pacific Lumber Co. warned they would sue the office of district attorney Paul Gallegos if the suit isn't immediately withdrawn.

The company contends the suit is based on "bad facts."

"We don't know whether you were simply misled by others with respect to the facts you have relied upon in your complaint," wrote Pacific Lumber Co's attorney, Edgar Washburn, "or whether you have manipulated the facts so as to fabricate a legal action."

Gallegos insists the matter can only be settled in court.

"We're solid on what we have," he said. "Our decisions are driven by evidence and the law."

Inits statement to Gallegos, Pacific Lumber Co. also included a letter from the state Department of Fish and Game that they say challenges the legitimacy of the suit.

D-l-Yers A Bit Confused

Results of a new homeowner survey show that electrical and plumbing projects give do-it-yourselfers the most trouble.

The survey queried 1,000 homeowners on what projects troubled them the most.

Thirty-one precent of respondents said working with fuses, outlets, and lighting was the number one project that forced them to seek out expert advice.

The next tricky area was plumbing, which stumped 2l7o of those surveyed.

Expectedly, cleaning supplies and paint-related products posed no problems for d-i-yers.

"The fact that electrical fix-ups often can become complicated likely explains the high discomfort level for this category," said Ace Hardware Corp.'s home improvement expert Lou Manfredini.

He also noted that repairing toilets, drains and faucets is understandably worrisome to some homeowners, as they deal with water flow.

When asked where they get information about performing home projects,497o said at a local hardware store or home center. whereas 44Vo and 37Vo of those surveyed cited family and friends, respectively.

When visiting a hardware store, 67Vo of homeowners said store employees helped answer their questions. while onlv 37Vo found answers in free handout materials, such as brochures.

The independent study was sponsored by Ace Hardware Corp.

NYSE Drops Crown Pacific

In another blow to the fortunes of Crown Pacific Partners, the company has been moved from the New York Stock Exchange to a regulated quotation service.

The Portland, Or.-based firm's trading price slipped below required minimums in early March, prompting an emergency meeting by top officials.

A company is delisted by the

NYSE when its average market capitalization over 30 days is less than $15 million.

Crown Pacific's stock has not paid a dividend since the end of 2000.

Chief financial officer Steven E. Dietrich said the company's problems were the result of debt and not indicative of operational problems.

"The crisis is not one of liquidity," Dietrich added. "This is an asset rich company. We have good assets and good people."

Despite present difficulties, independent stock analysts say the company's timber assets are worth more than its liabilities.

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State and local building officials are on the lookout for insufficiently treated Douglas fir lumber resulting from misinterpretations of the A'WPA Standards.

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