| Click the button below to search for articles... View News Items from prior months... June 2021 July 2020 June 2016 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 July 2013 June 2013 March 2013 February 2013 November 2012 October 2012 August 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 November 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 October 2010 September 2010 February 2010 January 2010 | CABIN CREEK BIOMASS FACILITY A CABIN CREEK BIOMASS FACILITY proposed for Placer County at the site of the Eastern Regional Landfill between Truckee and Squaw Valley on State Route 89 was on the Sierra County Board of Supervisors' agenda August 21st in Loyalton. Planning Director Tim Beals addressed the question of competition and the impact of future operations of the Sierra Pacific Industries' biomass plant in Loyalton. He suggested engaging in formal dialogue as part of the CEQA process and the need to file comments in a timely manner. He stated the Cabin Creek facility clearly intended to go forward and was clearly in competition with fuels this plant could rely on. Supervisor Lee Adams was disappointed and questioned why Placer County wants to do this and didn't want to spend taxpayer's money opposing it. He suggested a letter to Placer County to question why build from scratch and force a facility 40 miles away to be moth balled or torn down. He stated there needs to be a group to go over the document and see if it's accurate and sets competition, suggesting the County would want to weigh in. County Counsel called it "picking the document apart"........."substantial meat to it." He talked of a "fair amount of effort." Supervisor Scott Schlefstein suggested cooperating. From the audience, Loyalton Mayor Brooks Mitchell urged to Board to take a strong position. From an economic position, he called it "almost a deal breaker." He asked the Board to stand up for economic conditions. He said the City was willing to be involved. Supervisor Bill Nunes felt a need to know information from owners, Sierra Pacific Industries. Chairman Peter Huebner directed Beals, "If you have the time," to set a meeting with an ad hoc committee of himself and Supervisor Schlefstein. The meeting tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, August 29th was to include SPI, Plumas Rural Services, the Forest Service, City, Assessor, Beals and Jim Curtis. Nunes questioned Peter if hauling to Loyalton was to begin September 1st. Supervisor Goicoechea answered, "Not September 1st," but added the Loyalton plant is taking fuel stock. Published: 08/31/12 What Can I do? Living in the Sierras has never been easy, but it has always been worth the hardships one endures due to weather, because the residents have an attitude of perseverance and intestinal fortitude - grit and guts. The recent economic down turn has us all tightening our belts - or even selling our belts to try to make ends meet. But who is really feeling the pinch, are those whose circumstances may not have been wonderful to begin with: those on fixed incomes, senior citizens, the disabled. "What can I do?" When a problem is so overwhelming that it seems insurmountable, we often feel that one person's efforts can't possibly make a difference. But it can. Rather than trying change the world, try changing first your own attitude, then the perspective of those around you. Don't think about what you can't do, but of what you can do. Here is a start: - Growing a vegetable garden? Plant an extra row to donate to your local food bank. Or just buy an extra can or jar of something to donate. - Cutting wood? There are senior citizens and disabled folks who would literally cry, they would be so grateful to receive some firewood. - Enjoy gardening? Some senior citizen could use an extra hand in their yard. - Go to Reno on a regular basis anyway? There are folks who must get to regular appointments several days a week. You could drive someone in, drop them off while you do your errands, and pick them up when they are done. - Enjoy learning? You would make the best teacher. There are many places that need volunteers: the Literacy program, Angel Wings, Food Closet, companion program, after school programs - all can be accessed through the Family Resource Center. - Are you a great cook? Or just have that one special dish everyone craves? Share your talents with young people, or shut-ins, or just your neighbors. One person, doing one thing, changes everything. Be that one person, and encourage others to do the same. What you give will come back to you in abundance. And hold on to an attitude of gratitude. Carolyn Widman, Executive Director High Sierras Family Services Sierra County Child Abuse Council Published: 08/15/12 |