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Nick Caston has resigned from the Santa Rosa Planning Commission, but he’s leaving his seat in good hands — his girlfriend’s.
Erin Carlstrom, a local attorney, was appointed Tuesday night by Santa Rosa City Councilwoman Veronica Jacobi to replace Caston, whose new job and school leaves him less time to devote to the post.
Nick Caston
Caston, 28, and Carlstrom, 27, have been an item for about a year. The pair is actively involved in the local Democratic political scene. He’s the 1st vice chair of Sonoma County Democratic Party; she’s the chairwoman of the Sonoma County Young Democrats, where Caston is listed as policy director.
Caston was the youngest member ever to serve on the Planning Commission when Jacobi appointed him in 2006. He has worked on several political campaigns, including as an aide to Assemblywoman Noreen Evans and as the campaign manager working on ballot measures in Sonoma and Santa Barbara, he said.
Unlike former planning commission colleagues Michael Allen and Scott Bartley, however, Caston is not resigning to run for office. The demands of his new job at a San Francisco lobbying firm, Barnes Mosher Whitehurst Lauter & Partners, and his decision to get a bachelor’s degree in applied economics at SFSU both left him with less time to devote to the commission, he said.
Erin Carlstrom
“I never rule anything out, but I’m definitely not looking at anything near term,” he said.
The time was also right for him to move on, he said, because the commission has recently completed work on several major projects he’s been heavily involved in, such as the Downtown Station Area Specific Plan, which sets the long-range transit and planning goals for the commuter rail station site in Railroad Square.
This is the first public appointment for Carlstrom, managing partner and owner of Santa Rosa law firm Le + Pelletier. She said she is honored to be selected and plans to work hard at it.
“I really believe in the work of the city, so I definitely plan to make it a high priority for myself,” she said.
Jacobi said she was pleased to be appointing someone to the post who is both a small business owner and shares her commitment to environmental issues.
– Kevin McCallum
The Press Democrat
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Too bad Pepper wasn’t alive….she would have been a better selection on the Board.
I am no longer surprised at anything in Santa Rosa politics….
I’ve been impressed by Erin’s committment to our community’s issues, including both business interests and environmental concerns. She seems principled without being an ideologue. We need more persons like Erin to participate in local government. Thanks for saying yes!
The Young Democrats is a CLUB that gives intelligent and engaged individuals under the age of 35 a voice in this county.
All the haters on this site are probably the same voters who complain that there are never any new ideas- where do you think they come from??
Don’t fault Erin Carlstrom for being younger, better educated, and better PREPARED for this position than you would have been at her age.
Good luck Erin!
Well which is it she’s from the “ultra conservative” Law School or she’s part of the Progrssive ADC Young Dems “shakedown” crew? This smells like the same right wing smear tactics used against Michael Allen- just throw anything until it sticks…people like that are what turns people off to politics and civic life….maybe you should try to do or say someting positive instead of tearing everyone else down?
preppy, so what? You don’t begrudge her a good education, do you?
Guilt-by-assocation is such a last resort, Glenn Beck-style tactic to undermine someone’s credibility.
If anything, I’d think that graduating from a law school like Pepperdine and then becoming such an active part of the California Democratic Party speaks to her integrity and ability to think for herself.
The Above the Law review of Carlstrom’s advertising for her law practice quotes the ad as:
“Do you need a stealthy warrior specially trained in the unorthodox arts of law? How about a team that can sneak under the cover of darkness to silently assassinate your debt? Le and Pelletier, LLP can be your ninja! We will stalk your enemies like a shadow and strike before they ever knew what hit them.”
http://abovethelaw.com/2009/07/adventures-in-lawyer-advertising-legal-ninja-for-hire/
Carlstrom went to the ultra conservative private Pepperdine School of Law in Malibu.
Carlstrom’s position as the president of and fundraiser for the Young Democrats is also an issue. That’s a group that also was involved in shaking down developers with the ADC. The Young Dems have a PAC used to send money to local candidates like Jacobi and they help fund “independant expenditure committees” that send out hit pieces in political campaigns.
Past performance is the best indication of future performance.
It wasn’t about Caston and Allen’s “membership” in the ADC. Allen was the President or Chair or the Executive Committee running the organization and Caston was also on its board or executive committee. In their governance roles they hired a staff to lobby members of the City of Santa Rosa’s City Council and Planning Commission. But since the both of them were also on the Planning Commission, they had their own paid staff lobbying themselves in a role where they owed a duty solely to the public interest. After the issue of conflict was raised they both stepped down from the ADC executive committee and Erin Carlstrom took Caston’s place.
Would the same standard apply to the Chamber? Yes if a member of the Planning Commission or City Council were on it’s Board of Directors and hired a staff to lobby the PC or CC.
Remember Vice President Cheney’s invitation to oil company advocates to join him at the White House and draft up policies? That was a source of controversy for good reason.
The ADC is extracting money or attempting to extract money from developers to fund its activities partly on the promise that they will eliminate or reduce political opposition to developer’s projects. Planning Commissioners review developer’s projects and should not be for sale.
The Fair Political Practices Commission has a website where you should review information related to conflict of interest.
Santa Rosa has had a line of people violating ethics law over the years.
Councilwoman Jacobi should be held accountable for this appointment. It’s a campaign issue. She needs to assure Santa Rosa that:
o she is not using her appointments for political gain
o she vets her appointees
o she opposes the practice of Planning Commissioners taking money for their decisions on the Planning Commission
o she opposes any lobbying of public officials by the staff of organizations they control
You were “offended” by attacks on someone else? Are you Caston or Allen? A lot of people are “offended” that a group has taken it upon itself to shake down businesses for support or else face the ever-flowing spigot of outrage and opposition from self-appointed we-know-what’s-best-for-you progressives. I actually think it’s good that Allen will be going to the ineffectual vortex of state government instead of sitting on the planning commission where he can do some real damage locally. And when Jacobi is booted in November this unqualified idealogue appointee will be too.
This talk about membership in the ADC being a “conflict of interest” is ridiculous. The ADC is a non-profit policy advocacy group that provides a forum for representatives of environmental, land-use, labor and housing groups to formulate positions on important issues facing the city and county.
I was offended by the consistent attack waged on both Nick Caston and Michael Allen during their tenure in the Planning Commission over their membership in the ADC. Ask yourself this question: would we demand that a commissioner or a council member who belongs to the Chamber of Commerce recuse themselves, because they are a member of an organization that takes very strong policy positions, both locally and nationally? Of course not.
The same standard applies to membership in the ADC, which has proven to be one of the best resources in this county for fresh thinking on critical land-use issues. Erin Carlstrom has had a good education in the issues that the planning commission faces through her membership in the ADC. I look forward to her tenure on the commission.
Can the person posting info from her website and news article explain why that is being posted? Give some opinion instead of just pasted text.
Since when was age a factor? There are many people, including many who post on this site, that are old and stupid. Jacobi has shown that she can buck the trend and appoint a business owner. I know that may shock some people, but it is about time we have this perspective on the commission!
I don’t care what part of town she lives in. What I want to know is why Councilwoman Jacobi picked someone for the Planning Commission who is only 27 and has only lived in Santa Rosa for two years.
Erin Carlstrom is also on the executive committee of the Accountable Development Coalition. There’s a potential conflict with that as her boyfriend learned last year. In fact it looks like she took his place on that committee too.
It sure does. What a political move. Carlstrom is the president and the fundraiser for the “young dems” and they have formed a PAC. Ya think the Young Dems will donate to the Jacobi campaign?
Glad to see Carlstrom on the Commission. Someone who will challenge preconceived notions in the legal field is exactly what we need in government. The status quo has driven us into the ground. We need more young people willing to step up and take on leadership roles. Thanks for serving to both Caston and Carlstrom.
See state bar website.
Erin Carlstrom became a member in December 2008.
http://members.calbar.ca.gov/search/member_detail.aspx?x=261305
http://abovethelaw.com/2009/07/adventures-in-lawyer-advertising-legal-ninja-for-hire/
Erin Carlstrom’s animous for lawyers is evidently mutual. Only a month after she started advertising her services on Craigslist, her ad and website drew some unwanted attention from a group that keeps tabs on attorneys who advertise. The group, Above the Law, called Carlstrom’s advertising on Craigslist weird and her website “one of the strangest websites we’ve ever seen” because she described herself as a Ninja lawyer who “stalks” her client’s enemies.
3 Jul 2009 at 6:02 PM
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Posted in:
Craigslist, Lawyer Advertising, Violence, Weirdness
Adventures in Lawyer Advertising: Legal Ninja For Hire
By Kashmir Hill
A reader sent this Craigslist ad along, noting the “uninhibited freedom of expression afforded to smaller firms” in their advertising as opposed to “uber-processed biglaw ads.” Yes, MidLaw and SmallLaw, thank you for providing the fuel for our Adventures in Lawyer Advertising series.
The advertising California-based firm, Le Pelletier, has one of the strangest websites we’ve ever seen. There is only one attorney listed: the firm’s managing partner, Erin Carlstrom Pelletier. Her LinkedIn profile says she is a Yale undergrad, Pepperdine Law ‘08 grad, who apparently started her own firm.
In case you can’t read it, here’s an excerpt from the ad:
Do you need a stealthy warrior specially trained in the unorthodox arts of law? How about a team that can sneak under the cover of darkness to silently assassinate your debt? Le and Pelletier, LLP can be your ninja! We will stalk your enemies like a shadow and strike before they ever knew what hit them.
The rest of the text and some gems from the firm’s site, after the jump.
Here’s the full text of the ad:
Do you need a stealthy warrior specially trained in the unorthodox arts of law? How about a team that can sneak under the cover of darkness to silently assassinate your debt? Le and Pelletier, LLP can be your ninja! We will stalk your enemies like a shadow and strike before they ever knew what hit them.
Let’s face it. Lawyers don’t have the greatest reputation. Even if you do come across one that you like, surely you think to yourself that this one must be an exception. After all, you’ve got to wonder if there isn’t some truth behind the stigma. So we created Le + Pelletier, LLP, to be a law firm like no other–built from the ground up with the singular purpose of finding a better way to practice law.
Our ads may be humourous, but when it comes to your legal representation, we don’t joke around. Come see why our firm is different, and why it is the only firm that will launch throwing stars into any legal opponent that comes your way – figuratively of course!
The ad is weird. The firm’s site is weirder. When you jump to Le Pelletier’s site, you’re met by Latin gibberish.
The latest “Firm News” is a photo of a pirate flag.
If you click on Practice Areas, you’re met with this message:
You are probably wondering if we can help you with a particular legal problem. The short answer is, “Yes.”
A more comprehensive answer is that unlike many firms we refuse to pigeon-hole ourselves within defined “practice areas.” We also cringe at the thought of being labeled an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink general practice.
So Veronica Jacobi’s (previous) choice for a planning commissioner was a lobbyist? Pathetic!
She must really want to lose in November.
This appointment guarantees the “Young Democrats Club” will endorse Veronica Jacobi when she runs for reelection. Insider trading at the local political level.
Erin Carlstrom wants Gina Cuclis to run against Board of Supervisor Chair Valerie Brown. She’s lived here how long?
@ginacuclis speaks to #nonamewomens, \exploring 1st district Supe’s race,\ talking in-fill and affordable housing. Do more than think! :-) 7:18 PM May 14th via UberTwitter
While not busy with her legal practice, Erin Carlstrom Pelletier tried her hand at reporting for the Empire Report. Here’s how she does it:
Garbage Politics
Posted by Erin Carlstrom Pelletier, Esq. at Jan 20, 2010 06:45 AM |
Santa Rosa City Council voted to delay a decision on a ten year extension to the City’s garbage and recycling contract. With three years remaining on the current contract, the delay provides time for an open and competitive bidding process instead of hastily pushing through the results of Herb Williams’ backroom deals.
… The ten year re-extension was negotiated over one year by Herb Williams on behalf of North Bay Corporation with Deputy City Manager Greg Scoles, and was set for a Council vote after just two poorly attended public sessions and one subcommittee meeting…
Many community leaders and voices appeared to urge the Council to delay the January 5 vote on the garbage and recycling contract in order to provide time for an open and competitive bidding process, including the Sonoma County Young Democrats and Sonoma County Conservation Action. North Bay supporters were mostly comprised of Herb Williams’ candidates or clients. Mr. Williams was the campaign manager for Councilmembers Bender, Sawyer and Olivares, as well as School Board member Donna Jeye, who also spoke in defense of NorthBay (although not in her “official capacity”). Bender and Olivares voted not to delay the vote on the re-extension, notably Mr. Olivares still owes $10,000 in campaign debt to Williams from his 2008 election.
… And with the taint of Mr. Williams’ financial and political control over three council members, an open bidding process would give the public the chance to compare bids instead of relying on Mr. Williams’ backroom deal making.
“
http://www.lepelletier.com/about-us/bios/erin-carlstrom/
Erin Carlstrom is a lawyer who, according to her new firm’s website, doesn’t think much of her colleagues:
“Let’s face it: lawyers don’t have the greatest reputation. Even if you do come across one that you like, surely you think to yourself that this one must be an exception. After all, you’ve got to wonder if there isn’t some truth behind the stigma.
In reality, however, we’ve found that the vast (and we really do mean it, the vast) majority of attorneys out there are actually very professional, courteous, and genuinely loveable people. No, this isn’t just a conspiracy between the Pot and Kettle to convince the other kitchen appliances that they aren’t all black. We simply point this out because there is obviously a disconnect between the great people who provide legal services, and the unhappy client who needed the help.
So we set out to create a law firm like no other. It’s not just a slogan or a statement of philosophy. It’s refreshingly literal. We created this firm from the ground up with the singular purpose of finding a better way to practice law. It’s like no other because we choose to make it different.
From the very outset, our attorneys decided to toss out preconceived notions of what a law firm should be like. We threw out conventional workflow, billing process, and staffing requirements. We shredded the old paperwork, burned the old legal tomes, and laid legalese down to its final sacrificial rest. If there was any truth to the poor reputations that we lawyers have, we were distancing ourselves from it.”
Since Nick Caston has let it be known that he plans to run for City Council in 2012, it is good to see he’s decided to get a degree first.
There’s an engineer in town who was reading about some of our candidates for City Council who summarized,”they don’t know anything except that they want to be in charge.”
Erin is a resident of the West End.
It’s all about the youth! :-)
Congratulations to Erin. A great choice.
Is this another appointee from Rincon Valley? When is the west side going to get its share of appointments to this commission?
It will be good to have a business owner on the commission. That is a perspective that has been needed. Also glad to see a young professional staying on the commission. To many people set in their ways get on to these boards without every giving a chance for new ideas or critical thought. Good luck.