Anti-war activist, in a hurry, triggers Civic Center spectacle
Nancy Isles Nation
Marin Independent Journal
Article Launched:02/21/2007 12:22:40 AM PST
A North Bay anti-war activist rushing to speak at open time during a Marin County Board of Supervisors' meeting apparently forgot to set his parking brake, prompting his truck to careen into a fountain at the Marin Civic Center on Tuesday.

John Jenkel of Graton, a quirky, charismatic man who promotes government conspiracy theories and advocates what he calls "the truth," got a big surprise when he left the meeting Tuesday and found his pickup truck had rolled down Civic Center Drive.

Jenkel said he was in a hurry to get to the supervisors' chambers to speak during time for public comment and must have left his truck in neutral or forgotten to set his emergency brake.

The Sonoma County man is a familiar figure at public meetings across the region, showing up to protest the Iraq war, among other things, often accompanied by a crew of female followers. He is a regular at San Rafael City Council meetings.

"Well, this is one way to get attention, I'll tell you that," Jenkel said to the crowd that gathered at the fountain.

His Ford F-250 appeared to have slipped from the first parking spot at the bottom of Peter Behr Drive, crossed Civic Center Drive and landed in the fountain shortly after 10 a.m. No other vehicles seemed to be involved.

Sheriff's deputies and San Rafael police arrived and waited for the owner to appear, knowing the vehicle had been left in a two-hour zone.

Rich Wallace, the facilities manager for the county, said the truck snapped a plumbing fixture and water shot into the air, causing the pool to overflow. Eventually, it drained completely.

Wallace, who has seen a little bit of just about everything after 30 years with the county, said he can always count on something breaking.

Jenkel said he missed open time by 10 minutes at the last board meeting and that he and two compatriots rushed to this week's meeting.

Asked why a Sebastopol-area resident would want to speak before the Marin County Board of Supervisors, Jenkel said it was because U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer was once the board's president.

"Barbara Boxer is the most patriotic person in Congress," Jenkel said.

Last week, Boxer told colleagues in Congress to read the Constitution to learn they have the power to declare war and the power to end it, Jenkel said.

He said he brings along female friends to speak to the board because supervisors are more likely to listen to his "women warriors." He and acquaintances live on his Sonoma ranch, but Jenkel has rejected as "pure nonsense" speculation that he is a cult leader.

Jenkel has been asking Marin supervisors, as well as other North Bay officials, to step in and help end the war in Iraq, among other things.

Marin Sheriff Robert Doyle said his deputies at times have been asked to be on hand at meetings in case Jenkel or his followers cause problems.

"Occasionally, we would send deputies up there É because his behavior was not only rude but bordering on disruptive," Doyle said.

San Rafael police Capt. Jonathan Bean noted that several personal possessions, including a woman's purse, were in the unlocked vehicle.

Bean said Jenkel probably will be cited for a traffic infringement - and could be billed for damage to the fountain.