PL/Maxxam major contributors to Humboldt DA recall efforts

PL led final push in DA recall effort: Facing suit, company plowed $40,000 into campaign

By James Tressler The Times-Standard

EUREKA -- If a special recall election against District Attorney Paul Gallegos happens, organizers may have Pacific Lumber Co. to thank.

The company played an active role in the final weeks of the signature-gathering campaign, pumping time and money into the effort, according to a recent letter from PL President Robert Manne.

In the Oct. 24 letter, addressed to all PL and Britt Lumber employees and retirees, Manne said the company had not participated in the recall effort until "recent weeks when our employees, community members and the recall committee sought our support."

"We decided to contribute time and money to the effort to give the voters of Humboldt County an opportunity to decide the question of recalling the DA themselves," Manne wrote. "I know many of you participated in the effort as well, and for that we are appreciative."

As of Oct. 24, the company contributed more than $40,000 in "in-kind" support of the signature-gathering effort, the letter says.

http://www.times-standard.com/Stories/0,1413,127%257E2896%257E1746024,00.html

---------------------------------------------
PL says it backed DA recall effort
by HANK SIMS

The Pacific Lumber Company has recently contributed "significant" time and money to the drive to recall District Attorney Paul Gallegos, according to an internal company letter obtained by the Journal.

The letter, which is printed on Pacific Lumber letterhead, is signed by CEO Robert E. Manne and addressed to company employees.

If the letter is authentic, the move represents a switch in position for the company, which is the subject of a multimillion dollar fraud suit brought by the DA shortly after Gallegos took office. Previously, PL had stated that it would not take a stand in the recall effort.

"As a company, we had not participated in the recall effort until recent weeks when our employees, community members and the recall committee sought our support," read the letter, dated Oct. 24. "We decided to contribute time and money to the effort to give the voters of Humboldt County an opportunity to decide the question of recalling the DA for themselves.

http://northcoastjournal.com/110603/news1106.html#anchor732991