Schmidt Dodges Censure Hearing

OPINION by ROGER GITLIN, Eye on Del Norte

Sensing the inevitable censure hearing, Crescent City Harbor Commissioner Daniel Schmidt did his best Perry Mason impersonation and successfully delayed the hearing until Wednesday, December 3. After reviewing the eight-page censure document, Schmidt apparently did not like the “judge,” Harbor Board Chairman Gerhard Weber, whose chairmanship expires on that very same December 3 date.

At last Wednesday’s meeting, Schmidt stated he had been taken to the emergency room at Sutter Coast Hospital. Speaking like an attorney—which he is not—Schmidt claimed he was not able to read the complaint, as if the Harbor Commission were a court of law. He further alleged that Chairman Weber was biased against him and sought refuge under a new chairman, likely Commissioner Rick Shepherd.

The vote to move the censure discussion to the next meeting was 3–2: Commissioners Annie Nehmer, Rick Shepherd, and Daniel Schmidt voting aye; Commissioners John Evans and Chairman Weber voting nay.

The hearing will be held in the conference room of the CCHD office on Citizens Dock Road at 2 PM, Wednesday, December 3.
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