Happy Trails

Cliff and Emily talk with Alex Stillman who was recently appointed to the NCRA board but soon after ran into challenges from conservative forces wishing her ouster. Last week she moved past the first challenge when the Eureka City Council pull the item from their agenda. Next the NCRA will meet in July to either confirm her appointment or set a revote. Stillman also talk about her thoughts on the current challenges facing the NCRA and Rail With Trail projects.

Cliff and Emily talk with Bob Ornelas, recently back from his trip to Spain and Italy. He discusses all the various non-motorized transportation options there and the relationship between motorists and pedestrians and cyclists.

Also discussed is the situation of the possible ouster of Alex Stillman from the NCRA board, just weeks after being appointed to it. A lot of political pressure is being put on Eureka Mayor, Frank Jager for casting the deciding vote to get her appointed. The Eureka City Council meets tonight at 6pm. Alex Stillman will a guest on Happy Trails next week, after the city council meets and before the next meeting of the NCRA.

Cliff and Emily talk with Susan Driscoll, Director of Transportation at HCAR about the efforts to coordinate Humboldts transpiration questions under a 511 information number. Also and update on the new make up of the NCRA and what that means for trail efforts in Humboldt County.

Cliff and Emily talk wtih Chirs Honar about the new Community Bike Kitchen at Jefferson School in Eureka which just had its grand opening this past weekend. Personnel changes at the NCRA are also discussed. The resignation of Bill Kier, the appointment of Alex Stilman and the appointment of either Dan Hauser or Richard Marks to the NCRA by the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors is looked at.

Cliff and Emily talke with Melanie Williams of "Bikes There" and Melanie Bettenhausen, outreach director for the North Coast Co-Op. The concept of Bike Friendly Business Districts and their impact on the local economy. The City of Long Beach is cited and as a successful example and the Co-Op as a local case study.

Cliff and Emily talk with Shannon Tracey and Caelie Quinn about the upcoming 5th Annual Climate Ride. The ride goes from Fortuna to San Francisco, starts May 19th and concludes on May 23rd. About 160 riders of varying experience will make the trek to San Francisco in order raise funds and call attention to sustainable climate friendly transportation options. More info at climateride.org.

Cliff Berkowitz and Emily Sinkhorn talk with Charles Roecklein, Eureka City Engineer, Sheila Parrott, Eureka Traffic Engineer, Dan Moody, Eureka Traffic Operations, and Gary Whitmer, Eureka PD. After several recent fatal pedestrian vs motor vehicle accents and data showing the City of Eureka as one of the most dangerous cities for pedestrians and cyclist a discussion with city officials who deal with pedestrian safety was in order. Stats are discussed along with a variety of suggestions for changes in trafic flow including delaying the green light to allow pedestrians to cross with the walk signal.

Cliff and Emily talk with Hank Seeman of Humboldt County Public Works about the proposed McKay Tract Community Forest and the public workshop tonight at Winship Middle School from 6-8pm.

Cliff talks with Emily Sinkhorn live in Sacramento who is there to attend the Transportation Choices Summit. Emily also took a tour of area trails and potentially new funding sources for bike/ped projects here Humboldt County are also discussed.

Cliff and Emily talk with Alex Cousins, District Manager of the Trinity County Resources Conservation District about the extensive trail system in Weaverville and surrounding areas. Also Emily updates us on CalTrans plans for the 101 Safety Corridor and Baykeeper's request to move the metting to Humboldt County.