In last week's issue I mentioned my cross-country trek from New York to California. Contrary to what I expected, I arrived home in Sacramento early -- this past Saturday night -- and am getting used to the idea that, for the first time since the age of five, I'm no longer a student. My graduation brought a mix of emotions and, despite the rain, was a memorable day. I even met Commencement speaker James Earl Jones at the President's reception following graduation.

My brother Peter and I departed from Albany, N.Y. Tuesday morning and drove for a total of four days, with stops in Cleveland, Des Moines and Denver. The experience was unforgettable and surely something I'd do again -- just not on a regular basis.

Next on tap for my life is finding a full-time job. I have my first interview in San Francisco on Thursday. I'll certainly continue to abuse my privilege as editor of this newsletter, sharing with you the highlights of my life, for better or for worse.

Until next time, have a safe and wonderful week.

-Gabe

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That assumption led to one of the more bizarre state-sanctioned events in recent memory: State authorities poured huge quantities of poison into Lake Davis near Portola to eradicate the pike that had been discovered there.

The pike were killed, along with virtually all the other fish in the seven-mile-long lake. But the water was tainted for months after the October 1997 poisoning, and now the community that depended on the lake for drinking water has decided to rely on wells instead. State health authorities said the water is safe to drink, but local residents -- no fans of state government -- aren't convinced. Who can blame them?

Fast forward to last week.

The state reported that two pike had been found in Lake Davis, just as the holiday tourist crush of fishermen were about to arrive. The discovery couldn't have come at a worse time, as local businesses struggle to emerge from the economic downturn prompted by the 1997 incident.

Nobody knows yet whether the two pike are harbingers of a wide infestation, or whether they were alone. But questions abound. Were the pike thrown in the lake recently by vandals? Were the pike, which scientists believe are at least two years old, in the lake in 1997 but somehow survive the poisoning? Are there more?

If another infestation exists, what will the state do? Scientists say they have not ruled out a second round of poisoning, although it is hard to believe that the state actually would repeat the 1997 operation, given the huge negative political fallout and the $10 million settlement the state approved in response to scores of complaints from local residents.

The state's science may be sound, but the political ramifications of a second poisoning are profound. The state already is viewed as an insensitive Goliath trodding on a defenseless community. The last thing the state needs is to be seen, again, as riding roughshod over rural residents.

State officials are hunting for more pike to determine the extent of the latest discovery. If they find what they describe as a "self-sustaining population of pike," they say will explore all avenues in deciding how to handle the problem.

But that's what they said they did in 1997, and the result was the massive eradication treatment. If a similar infestation exists now, why would they do something different?

The answer to that question is unknown. But over the next few weeks, the state's strategy is likely to become clearer.

One thing is certain: A second poisoning is likely to cause political fallout on a level that will make the reaction to the 1997 operation pale by comparison.

With a change in governor and the first change in party in 16 years, the new governor has been making hundreds of appointments, but he isn't finished yet. We know that you need your State Agency Directory, so we've decided to process the information we have received to date and get the directory ready for the printers. Give us a couple weeks and the State Agency Directory WILL BE AVAILABLE. We apologize for the long delays and appreciate your patience. Please be assured that we will continue to pay utmost attention to the accuracy and timeliness of information, as we have for over 25 years.

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