For more years than Squid can count, the Citizens for Hatton Canyon--supporters of the now-defunct Hatton Canyon Freeway project--have excoriated opponents of the freeway, accusing them of filing frivolous lawsuits aimed at blocking construction of the road to nowhere. Now, following the announcement in March by the county''s transportation agency that it will transfer funds earmarked for Hatton Canyon to the Prunedale Bypass, Citizens for Hatton Canyon has filed its own lawsuit to block the transfer. According to Citizens'' attorney Christine Gianascol, the group "...is not opposed to the Prunedale project. We''re just unhappy the Hatton Canyon money is gone."

Well gee, Christine, give Squid a moment to mourn your loss before asking how, in good conscience, the Citizens for Hatton Canyon can be so spiteful as to block a road project that would ease traffic on that dangerous stretch of highway known as "Blood Alley." Say what you will about Hatton Canyon opponents--at least their efforts were motivated by a desire to save endangered habitats and protect lives. Citizens for Hatton Canyon members seem motivated only by a desire to shave a few precious minutes off their travel time to the supermarket. Heaven forbid their ice cream should melt before they get home.

Nothin'' Sez Lovin'' Like a Safeway Sub

Employee/employer relations just keep getting badder and bad...er...better and better over at the Herald. Sources say the employees'' union--which has been trying to negotiate a contract since Knight Ridder acquired the paper in 1997--sponsored an all-comers potluck last Friday.

What fun--or at least it was until management got wind of the plot. Seems they were so concerned the munch-fest would turn into a union-yes-fest that the big bosses staged a counterattack. They brought in Safeway-bought sandwiches and lined them up alongside the employee-made casseroles and fruit salads. Then, to pretty much ensure the employees wouldn''t have any fun, some bigwigs sat down and actually ate with the minions. Sources place Executive Editor Peter Young, Human Resources Manager Dani Ross and Business Manager Jan Pallares in the crowd.

Does this signal a new era of sharing at the Herald? Squid can only hope, but if nothing else, it was nice to see Knight Ridder give something to employees, many of whom haven''t received raises in two years. Sez one potluck-goer, "I think it''s telltale that from the employees'' side, there were mostly bean dishes."

--Squid

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