John Chiv/My Word

With apologies to Charles Dickens, sometimes I feel I live in “A Tale of Two Mentalities.” A good example of this was the City Council meeting on Aug. 6. Before the meeting started, I said to friends in jest that I was not going to speak at the meeting. I attend Eureka City Council meetings and Board of Supervisor meetings often, usually when there is an item of interest. There are times I speak and there are times I wish to, but refrain, because the beauty of public comment is a diversity of voices and listening to others.

I saw certain people in the audience. I have seen them speak more often than others, especially since the recent City Council was elected and they always have some controversy or issue with the City. When you cry wolf too often, people stop listening. While I loathe to give Sue Brandenburg 15 minutes of fame by singling her out, it didn't surprise me when she got up during public comment to talk. She proceeded to give her take about an item that was going to be discussed later. You would think after all the meetings she has attended over the years, she would know the rules. So, she and her friends took up time during public comment and their latest target was funding for nonprofits. Once they were done, they proceeded to talk during the meeting showing disrespect to other speakers. This isn't the first time. If the city does not do exactly what Sue and her other cohorts want, it must not be important.

The above mentioned people are an example of the people in Humboldt County who always have something to complain about, never offer anything positive, have no solutions and should use their ample free time more productively than constantly criticizing other people who actually make a difference in people's lives.

In the same meeting, Maggie Kraft and Betty Chinn spoke to the council. Here are two people who represent local citizens who live here and silently, do so much for the community. They don't respond to those who attack them. In their presence, I feel hope, positivity and inspiration. They are both people that don't like attention or kudos and I hesitated to use their names.

The local news media and blogs are saturated with negative news. It's only around the holidays that we get a “feel good” story. The Times-Standard opinion page is the only one I feel that has some balance with moderate and very rarely, a conservative view expressed.

I attend public meetings to inform myself on issues. News writers report the basic facts these days, but news nowadays always has a slant. I prefer to educate myself. Do I think Sue and her ilk have the right to express their opinions? Yes, but I am tired of hearing the same old bull recycled under a guise of rights. I don't know what Sue and her group's political views are but this is the same group of people that had the gall to expect the City Council to fund Jefferson School and they have no business having an issue with some funding for local nonprofits. I am familiar with the most of nonprofits present at the meeting. They are good models and provide valuable services.

Unlike people who always blame, blame and complain, there are people locally who work selflessly to make the community we live in a better place. If all you have to offer this community is negativity, perhaps it is time to look inward to see where the problem lies.

John Chiv is a freelance news and feature writer and local business consultant. Chiv has a local blog,, and can be reached at 707-832-9990.