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9ulletin, Progressive, Record, Reporter
COMMUNITY
PERSPECTIVE
Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011
11B
State of the County: challengingr.
WHERE I STAND
LORI SIMPSON
CHAIRWOMAN, PLUMAS COUNTY
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
"When everything seems to be
going against you, remember
that the airplane takes off
against the wind, not with it. "
--Henry Ford
As chairwoman of the
Plumas County Board of Su-
pervisors for the year 2011,
that quote would, in my view,
summarize the past year for
the county: challenging!
The poor economy finally
hit the county general fund
hard with a significant de-
crease in revenue. The state
of California decided to alle-'
viate some of its own budget
problems by removing fund-
ing for things that rural
counties hold near and dear
to their hearts, like funding
for county fairs and state
parks. The state also decided
suddenly that local govern-
ment works best, so we
should be given back state
prison inmates that are con-
sidered less of a threat, back
to the communities that they
did the crime in with the
passage of Assembly Bill 109:
This was all figured out in
haste with little thought to
the real ramifications due to
a lack of resources in rural
counties, including a sub-
stantial lack of state money
to implement this plan, lack
of transition housing and a
jail that desperately lacks
beds and needs to be re-
placed. Nonetheless, our
probation department,
sheriff, district attorney,
pfiblic defenders, judges and
community partners have
been working diligently to
plan for this challenging new
development.
The Planning Department
reports that 41~te.of~t4m .....
General Plafl~igtn the last
stages and heading to the EIR
review. The Building Depart-
ment, treasurer/tax collector,
auditor, Child Support,
Probation, sheriff, DA, Public
Health, Mental Health,
Veteran Services, library,
museum and farm advisor all
continue to provide a high
level of services.
Alcohol and Drug program
services are soon to be re:
stored to the county. The
Public Works Department
continues to improve our
roads and bridges, as well as
keeping us driving safely
with snow removal. The
Safety Program the county
has initiated is beginning to
show results in reducing
workers' compensation
claims. The County Animal
Shelter is back under the
authority of the Sheriffs
Department and working
hard to keep up with in-
creased demands.
The BOS reduced and reor-
ganized its staff in the county
administrative officer/BOS
office. The county counsel
office has been able to catch
up with the backlog from
years past.
Here are some snapshots of
the past year from various
county department heads:
Keith Mahan, agricul-
ture commissioner: A
major accomplishment for
this department this year
was the purchase of a Ford
F-450 truck that will be used
in the control of invasive
weed species in Plumas
County. The truck was pur-
chased using federal grant
funds. This vehicle will re-
place the current truck that
is in such poor condition it is
unfit to drive.
Dave Preston, informa-
tion technology director:
, Our latest statistics show we
are averaging over 12,000
visits and serving over 40,000
pages of information each
month. ! imagine when
award from the 3CMA. The
IT staff completed a two-year
migration from our legacy
UNiX-based database server
to a Windows based solution.
The IT staff implemented a
Microsoft Exchange Server-
based email system for county
email, replacing an expensive
and out-of-date Lotus Notes-
based system. These two
migrations will save Plumas
County $44,000 per year in
overhead.
Chuck Leonhardt,
Plumas County assessor:
The Assessor's Office has
continued to proactively
address the declining real
estate market. We continue
to ask taxpayers that have
questions about their assess-
ments or current market
conditions to contact us. This
year we released all of our
assessor's maps in a down-
loadable format on the
county website.
We have also included a
parcel search function on the
website to assist the public in
locating information either
by street address or parcel
number. Next year we will be
introducing a new search
function that will allow
taxpayers to view their value
notices online.
Jerry Sipe, Environmental
Health director and Office of
Emergency Services (OES):
In Environmental Health
programs, the biggest news
for Plumas County residents
is that Assembly Bill 885, the
statewide onsite wastewater
regulations, will soon be
finalized. Environmental
Health staff continues par-
ticipating on tlie statewide
working group to ensure
these regulations are reason-
able and cost-effective while
still protecting water quality
and public health. These reg-
everyone in the count~has a ulations should he finalized
fast connectiol~hat~m~[ - inspring:: ....
double. Informatidntet~? ~ In [he hazardous materials
nology highlights for 2011: management program, EH
The Plumas County website staff is helping businesses
won four major awards in- gear up for electronic re-
cluding the prestigious Savvy porting of their hazardous
materials inventories and
emergency response plans.
Our food and consumer pro-
tection program continues to
ensure the safety of food we
eat, and restaurant inspection
reports can be seen on the
website at countyofplumas.us.
In the Office of Emergency
Services, great strides have
been made to ensure the
county and its residents are
better prepared for a disas-
ter. In April, the Emergency
Operations Plan was adopted
by the Board of Supervisors.
This plan is a road map to
help the county prepare for,
respond to and recover from
a disaster or emergency. In
May, this plan was tested
during a mock flood scenario
similar to the 1986 and 1997
floods. Over 100 county staff
and volunteers participated
in this training exercise, one
of the largest ever held in
Plumas County.
Finally, in April the Board
of Supervisors reconvened
the working group for fire
protection services. This
group has made great
progress and in 2012, a fire
protection specialist will be
working with local residents,
communities and fire depart-
ments to help solve the
out-of-district problem.
Joe Wilson, facilities,
airport, ADA director: The
last year has brought great
successes and challenges to
the facilities and airports
department. The most signifi-
cant success was the comple-
tion of the ADA Transition
Plan. This "team effort" was
a three-year endeavor and
was supported by the public,
BOS, CAO and department
heads. The end result is
decreased liability exposure
and increased services for
Plumas County residents.
some paving at Chester. In
May the county took delivery
of a new snowplow for [he
Beckwourth Airport. This
new truck, also funded by the
FAA, replaced a 1950 FWD
plow that was on its last leg.
In May the county opened
up the Almanor Recreation
Center. This recreation cen-
ter, funded by state recreation
grants, has already been used
for a number of community
events. Lassen View Land-
scaping generously donated a
number of trees that have
been planted around [he new
facility and the Rotary Club
is working on funding for an
irrigation system.
One of the most significant
challenges has been the loss
of another maintenance
worker. The department has
lost three FTEs over the past
three years and is now staffed
at the same level as in fiscal
year 2001. This reduced staff-
ing level has unfortunately
affected the response time
and capacity of the depart-
ment.
Despite this challenge, the
department is endeavorIng to
provide the best service
possible to the county staff
and members of the public.
Kathy Williams, Plumas
County clerk-recorder:
Staff has been reduced from
11 full-time employees to
six. We've had to meet this
challenge by increasing and
redistributing workloads,
providing additional cross-
training, reducing our out-of-
county training and cutting
back wherever possible.
Document recordings pro-
ducing documentary transfer
tax are down, but unfortu-
nately foreclosure recordings
are up..
We're already scheduled
for two major and two dis-
Elliot Smart, Social
Services director: For my
department we continue to be
profoundly Involved with the
residual effects of the poor
economy on the county's
citizens. The lingering effects
of the recession for Plumas
County citizens include the
fact that many hardworking
people who've never had to
rely on help from the govern-
ment before, have come
through our doors seeking
short-term assistance. That
we have been able to provide
help to most who've come to
us and do so with compas-
sion, dignity and respect
if through nothing other than
trying to convey some sense
of hope to those that are
affected -- to me is a signifi-
cant accomplishment for us. I
know that not everyone sees
our programs in that way,
but these have been highly
unusual times. The people we
are seeing aren't the stereo-
types that some folks tend to
associate with us. They could
be one of your neighbors or
friends or someone who has
checked your groceries in the
past.
John Steffanic, fair
manager: The staff of the
Plumas-Sierra County Fair
are committed and excited
about bringing the residents
of our county the finest show
representing what those resi-
dents have grown, raised and
made. Despite uncertainty of
funding, we are determined
to continue operating a
facility that generates mil-
lions of dollars in economic
activity, provides employ-
ment for dozens of residents
and represents who we are.
On behalf of the Plumas
County Board of Supervisors
and our wonderful, hard-
working Plumas CoUnty
In September the FAA trict electio0s dur~ the ....... dep~rtment heads and em-
award~ost$1 miitioreto~ .... nextcalendhr yeaff.NVitil ~fi~ "~:iMo~/ees, we lo0k toward t6, ~
of the reductmns t0~6ur m :,~i~e~ ear ii6 ~: °
Plumas County airports for " ~'~ ..... ~:'~:' :a ad Wi~fi~efi~6~"
improvement projects. The workforce and budget, we commitment and dedication
money will be used to install continue to be available and to serving and working for
weather stations at Quincy provide the public with the our citizens with two impor-
and Beckwourth, and replace best service we possibly can. tant words: public service.
LETTERS to the EDITOR
Guidelines for Letters
All letters must contain an ad-
dress and a phone number.
We publish only one letter per
week, per person and only
one letter per person, per
month regarding the same
subject.. We do not publish
third-party, anonymous, or
open letters. Letters must be
limited to a maximum of 300
words. The editor will cut any
letter in excess of 300 words.
The deadline is Friday at 3
p.m. (Deadlines may change
due to holidays.) Letters may
be taken to any of Feather
Publishing's offices, sent via
fax to 283-3952, or e-mailed to
mail@plumasnews.com.
Concerned
In 2005 a special election
was held to overturn an elec-
tion. In 2012 it is not. Bill
Powers sees no value in
spending $10,000 for a special
election that may taint the
reputation of Dan Wilson. He
does not seem to understand
that the election will be held
in April from Mayor Wilson's
failure to save himself from
embarrassment and the city
from another expense. The
city clerk is keeping the
expenses to a minimum. Mr.
Powers bases his justification
for no recall and his "no"
vote from an editorial in
a Minnesota newspaper.
The petitioners are basing
the recall on the intent of
California law.
I am concerned with a use
of state and local public funds
which has taken the city and
its residents from a sound
economic state to a putrid
condition. I am concerned
over the loss of businesses
and jobs. I am concerned that
over $42,000 of community
development funds were used
to create a rate increase that
doubles in five years without
ballot approval by the users.
I am concerned over the
lack of information to
support such an increase. I
am concerned over Mayor
Wilson stopping the informa-
tion gathering process to
review the rate increase. I am
concerned over the royal
treatment of public servants.
Dan Wilson's reputation
got him elected to the City
Council. "His recent conduct
has taInted his reputation as
a public servant. The goal of
the petitioners of the special
election and voters in future
elections is to elect public
officials who will change
our putrid economic condi-
tion to a sound state with the
public's approval. I want our
elected officials and staff
to serve the public at a
reasonable cost rather than
raising our taxes and fees to
maintain their royal treat-
ment. These are goals in
Minnesota and California.
Before voting in April0r
November, become informed.
Larry F. Douglas
Portola
Scorched Internet
I noticed in the little
news tags on my computer
that the GOP is coming to the
conclusion that attacking
Obama personally might not
be the best political tactic for
the coming election.
The fact that attacking a
political opponent's person is
immoral doesn't seem to
enter the picture. Also, the
fact that it became a news
item would indicate that
some thought has been given
to the idea by the party. Ap.
parently, if the GOP thought
it would be good for their
cause, they wouldn't hesitate
to stooping to whatever
would work for them without
considering its morality.
Truth is, Obama's detrac-
tors have been scorching the
Internet with lies about him
ever since he was nominated
as the Democratic candidate
-in 2008.
Salvatore Catalano
TaylorsviUe
Know not what
It's naive to believe you
can, will or should ever
try to educate those people
desiring to re-elect President
O'Bummer; sadly, they are
lost souls. Democrats are
addicted to entitlements; it's
all they know. To liberals,
depending on others is an
acceptable, normal lifestyle;
they believe big government
is their "savior."
Those of us that believe
government should be smaller
are disparaged and are a
thorn in the side of socialists;
we're resolved to save our
country from the liberal's
"big brother" dependency.
Our prayer is to make the
"Community Organizer-in-
Chief" a one-term president.
Conservatives and indepen-
dents must keep faith to
survive this economy. You
are the silent heroes; "your
hope" and "your vote" will
save this republic.
ff the "Bystander-in-Chief"
had any right answers there
wouldn't be 14 million people
unemployed and one in seven
Americans on food stamps. In
his own words the anointed
one stated,he didn't "deserve
to be re-elected" if he didn't
turn this Country around in
three years. Let's hold him to
that promise, America.
We must curtail govern-
ment spending. Cutting en-
titlement programs, reducing
federal and state regulations,
and lowering income taxes
will restore confidence in
our economy and country.
Taxing the wealthy at 100
percent would not solve the
country's entitlement and
debt problems. Socialists
(Democrats/progressives) be-
lieve redistributing your
money to illegal aliens and
raising taxes on the wealthy
are the answer, because they
depend on "taking or receiv-
ing" what they have not
earned.
To make my point on how
lost Democrats are today, I
must use a hyperbole. If Jesus
were running against the
"Failure-in-Chief," Democ-
rats would ridicule him
unmercifully and vote for
entitlements, while chanting
"Roe vs. Wade" as their
mantra. Patriots, I beseech
BE HEARD
Don't sit back and let others do the talking for you.
Express yourself in our LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
you, ignore Democrats, for
they know not what they do.
Trent Saxton
Lake Davis
Reality, not rhetoric
There's never been a re-
covery without it including
the building and construc-
tion industry.
The economic and emotional
damage Currently being in-
flicted is not isolated to those
directly in the trades. High
unemployment levels and
foreclosures decrease your
home values, tax base, com-
munity quality and full po-
tential of your families. Mu-
nicipalities are forced to re-
duce staffs, reducing services
(roads, water, sewer, police
response time), teachers
(higher class size). It becomes
a vicious downward spiral.
Meanwhile, the overpaid
and "forever paid" propagan-
dists in Washington keep
feeding us the bovine fecal
fiction that "we are in a
jobless recovery" and "8 - 9
percent unemployment is the
new norm" (for you fact-
check fanatics, check the
Bureau of Labor Statistics,
U6, unemployed, underem-
ployed and disgruntled, 15.6
percent). Twenty carpenters,
painters, concrete workers,
carpet layers, that I know,
have lost their homes. You
think they!re better off now
than they were four years ago
when they were still in their
homes? This isn't campaign-
year rhetoric, this is reality!
Brian Luce
Portola
Contact your elected officials...
PLUMAS COUNTY SUPERVISORS - 520 Main Stzeet, Room 309, Quincy,
CA 95971; (530) 283-6170; FAX: (530) 28,3-6288; E-Mail:
1xbs@countyofplumas.com. Individual supervisors can also be
e-mailed from links on the county website, countyofplumas.com
PRESIDENT - Barack Obama, the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave:,
NW Washington, D.C. 20500. (202) 456-1414. Fax: 202-456-2461.
E-mail: whitehouse.gov/contact /
U.S. SENATOR -Dianne Feinstein (D), 331 Hart Senate Office Bldg.,
Washington, D.C. 20510. (202) 224-3841; FAX: 202-228-3954; TTY/TDD: (202)
224-2501. District Office: One Post Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104;
Phone: (415) 393-0707; Fax: (415) 393-0710 Website:. feinstein.senate.gov.
U.S. SENATOR - Barbara Boxer (D). District Office: 501 1 St., Suite 7-600,
Sacramento, CA 95814. (916) 448-2787; FAX (916)448-2563; OR 112 Hart
Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20510. (202) 224-3553. FAX (202) 228-0454.
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, 4TH DIST. - Tom McClintock. 508 Cannon HOB,
Washington, D.C. 20515. (202) 225-2511; FAX (202) 225-5444.
mcdintockd~ouse.gov. DISTRICT OFFICE: 8700 Auburn Foison Rd., Suite
#100, Granite Bay, CA 95746; (916) 786-5560, FAX: (916) 786-6364.
STATE SENATOR, 1st DIST. - Ted Gaines. State Capitol, Room 3056,
Sacramento, CA 95814. (916) 651-4001, FAX: (916) 324-2680. Roseville office:
2140 Professional Dr., #140, Roseville, CA, 95661. (916) 783-8232, FAX (916)
783-5487; Jackson office: 33 C Broadway, Jackson, CA 95642, (209) 223-9140.
STATE ASSEMBLYMAN, 3RD DIST. - Dan Logue, State Capitol.
Sacramento, CA. 95814, (916) 319-2003; FAX (916) 319-2103.
District Office, 1550 Humboldt Rd., Ste. #4, Chico, CA 95928; (530) 895-4217,
FAX (530) 895-4219.
GOVERNOR Jerry Brown, office of the Governor, State
Capitol, Suite 1173, Sacramento, CA95814. Website: gov.ca.gov/
(916) 445-2841. FAX: (916) 558-3160. I