WINNEMUCCA — Anti-landfill activists have put out their call to arms for Monday (Dec. 20) when the Humboldt County Commissioners will vote on whether to proceed with the proposed settlement that will end the federal lawsuit brought against them by Jungo Land & Investments.

But I don’t write these words for the anti-landfill activists – many of whom are so passionate about the issue they can no longer see reason.

Instead, I’m reaching out to the rest of the county and the folks who are still capable of logic to ask you the following question: What other option do the county commissioners have?

It’s not like they could decline the invitation to participate in the federal lawsuit being held in their honor. How impolite.

They really only had two choices:

PROCEED TO TRIAL

Going to trial is always a gamble because: YOU COULD LOSE. Or, in this case it would be truer to say: WE COULD LOSE.

Please remember every time anti-landfill activists were before a judge -- they lost. 100 percent of the time.

For the county to lose would mean Jungo gets their CUP back without pesky environmental concessions.

STRIKE A DEAL

In striking a deal Jungo gets their CUP back, and they proceed with construction on the landfill, but the likelihood of that happening anyway was always very high.

At least with the deal environmental concessions – such as no asbestos or sludge --  would be in place. Plus, the county wouldn’t have to go bankrupt from losing a federal lawsuit.

THROW A HISSY FIT

There will be some voters who choose this route.  Like small children they think if they hold their breath or jump up and down or make enough noise they’ll get their way.

Perhaps they will. It has certainly worked for many a small child I’ve seen in the grocery stores over the years.

WAIT AND SEE

For my part, I want to hear what the county commissioners have to say.

The reason settlement hearings are closed to the public is because everyone lays their cards on the table. The strengths and weaknesses of the case are examined before the judge, and the parties have an opportunity to determine their chances of winning or losing.

If the odds for the county to lose were high, striking a deal may have been the only option.