Tuesday, November 24, 2020
MY FRIEND - PAUL CREBBIN My name is Max Frizzell and Paul is my best friend since we met, September 1952, in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) headquarters in San Francisco. Both of us were fresh out of college with Paul achieving a Masters Degree in Forestry from the University of California. We both worked for about ten years for BLM. Our areas of responsibility were Del Norte and Humbolt Counties (the redwood belt) for Paul and I was responsible for forestry activities from Nevada County to Mariposa County (the Central Sierra Unit). Our forestry duties were directed toward the appraisal of stands of timber for sale, writing timber sale contracts, supervising timber harvesting, and determining the value of illegalably removed timber from BLM lands (Timber Tresspass). Additionally, we prepared timber theft cases for court trial and provided testimony as needed. We often assisted each other in field preparations. Per diem was $9.00 per day for lodging and food so we doubled up staying cheap hotels and motels. In September 1967 I started working for the State of California, Board of Equalization, Property Tax Department. Paul had already joined this Department. We worked together as timber and land appriasers on private lands in northern California. Our appraisals assisted and kept County Assessors in line in developing their timber assessment rolls. Paul worked for several Property Tax Divisions: Property Tax, Valuation, and Timber Tax. The implemation of the Timber Tax Division was a major change in the way timber is taxed in California. Paul took a leadership role, in a timely manner, in bringing this about. Paul had the ability to appraise many different types of properties, to name some others than the lowly house and lot: every sawmill, planing mill and paper pulp plant in Northern California. While working in the Valuation Division, he added the valuation of Rail Road Companies to his list. Paul liked people and people liked him. He could listen. He had the respect of the Timber Industry, which he treated fair and square over major valuation disputes. He chaired many public meetings and timber county assessors all appreciated his services. Above all Paul was a hands of Forester/Appraiser. I can remember that when he was a Dvision Chief, he continued to put on his boots and go to the woods to clear his mind of the office problems. That's a forester for you. I shall miss him.
