Ruminations With The Publitor

Originally published in the "3-26-09" issue.

National exposure . . . The New York Times featured John and Kris Vevoda in a column written by Dan Barry on Monday. The piece, called “Broken Trust Shakes Web From Farmer to Cow,” focuses on the Vevodas plight as they, like 49 other member/producers of the Humboldt Creamery, attempt to deal with the fallout after the former CEO’s resignation and alleged fraud. The posts following the column are an interesting read. A few said they plan on sending a check to the creamery and/or the Vevodas to help them through these rough waters. (We’re proud to say The Enterprise even made the story for its now infamous Arizona arm photo of Rich Ghilarducci.) One reader even suggests the topic would make a good movie. Creamery officials, meanwhile, say they pitched the story to the “Old Gray Lady,” knowing that sympathy and acknowledgement of how important the dairy industry is to the local economy plays well to bankers, who are right now deciding on the fate of Humboldt Creamery.

And yet, another victim . . . Remember Richard Shapiro, chair of the California Horse Racing Board, who paid a visit to the Humboldt County Fair in August of 2007 and then advocated to keep horse racing intact in Ferndale? Shapiro has stepped down as chair due to losing almost his entire life savings to convicted crook Bernie Madoff. In a letter to the New York judge who ruled over the Madoff case, Shapiro said he’s lost 30 pounds, his house is up for sale and he’s been looking for work. Sad times.