March 25, 2003, The Eureka Times-Standard, 'California Connected' doing story on PL suit, by James Tressler,

March 25, 2003, The Eureka Times-Standard, 'California Connected' doing story on PL suit, by James Tressler, 

EUREKA -- A crew from PBS newsmagazine "California Connected" was in Humboldt County over the weekend shooting a story about District Attorney Paul Gallegos' controversial lawsuit against Pacific Lumber Co.

Producer Angela Shelley and reporter Bob Jimenez, as well as a small crew, interviewed PL representatives last Friday and attended the logging conference held in Eureka on Saturday. They also interviewed area government officials such as 2nd District Supervisor Roger Rodoni and Fortuna Mayor Mel Berti. The crew interviewed Gallegos on Monday.

The lawsuit has sent shock waves through the community since Gallegos filed it last month. The district attorney seeks tens of millions of dollars in damages against the company, alleging PL withheld information during the 1999 Headwaters deal that subsequently allowed it to log trees it shouldn't have been allowed to touch. PL has denied the allegations, maintaining that Gallegos doesn't understand the Headwaters deal. Critics have blasted Gallegos, saying he has been duped by environmental special interest groups who want to put the company out of business. Supporters have praised Gallegos, calling the lawsuit a courageous step against a company that its critics say has long gotten away with irresponsible practices.

"It's a microcosm of disputes not only in this state but across the nation," Jimenez said. "Where big business becomes empowered in a community to the point where people look the other way because it's hard to bite the hand that feeds them. And with the district attorney suing the company, it's the status quo taking on the status quo."

Jimenez, a former anchorman for CBS, added that a difficult part of the story was finding people on all sides who could respond to the facts of the case, rather than to just emotion.

Shelley, also a veteran broadcaster, said she hopes to present a balanced portrait of the controversy when the segment airs. But she also acknowledged that beneath the controversy are layers of politics, personalities and history that are a challenge to understand in a short time.

"We've tried to be scrupulous in making sure all sides are heard," Shelley said. "Then we'll let viewers decide."

The story hasn't been assigned a run date yet, but it will air sometime after the Los Angeles-based show's new season begins April 3. Once the new season starts, the show will air each Thursday at 8 p.m. on KEET-TV Channel 13.