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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 | Mail Processing of Vote-by-Mail Ballots Continues to Grow in Importance As policy makers discuss options to increase turnout 'vote centers' may increase use of vote-by-mail ballots SANTA ANA, CA - May 26, 2015 - The statewide Association representing California's election officials (California Association of Clerks and Election Officials) urges postal officials to keep vote-by-mail ballot operations as a top priority as discussion over the use of vote-by-mail ballots continues to expand. "As the Legislature continues to look at alternatives to increasing turnout in California, options such as "vote centers" are being discussed", said Neal Kelley, President of the California Association of Clerks and Election Officials. "It is vital that we work to ensure ballot delivery remains a top priority as the possibility of expanded use of vote-by-mail ballots continues to climb", he continued. Voter participation by mail has been increasing in popularity, and will likely continue to increase in the future. Most recently, over 46% of voters in California are registered as permanent vote-by-mail voters. This has increased steadily since 2002 when the percentage of permanent vote-by-mail voters was only 8%. This number has only increased over time, and will most likely continue to increase. The number of ballots cast by mail has also increased since 2002. In 2002, 27% of the ballots cast in the General Election were vote-by-mail ballots. As recently as the Primary Election in 2014, this number has increased to 69%. In the most recent Presidential General Election, 6.7 million votes in California were cast by mail. In the majority of California counties nearly 40% of the vote-by-mail ballots returned for the most recent Presidential Election were received between the Friday before the election, and Election Day. Any delay to the delivery of the ballots could affect hundreds of thousands of ballots across California. # # # About the California Association of Clerks and Election Officials The California Association of Clerks and Election Officials (CACEO) is a non-profit association representing California's Clerks (responsible for filing vital records, or important documents related to a county's specific population, including birth, death and marriage certificates); Clerks of the Board (supporting the Boards of Supervisors by preparing and recording minutes; receives and processes applications for property tax assessments); and Registrar of Voters (responsible for conducting elections throughout California). Published: 05/26/15 Tax Board Seeks to Stir up Pot Revenue As seen in The San Diego Union Tribune By Steven Greenhut California authorities are notoriously creative when it comes to wringing as much tax revenue as possible out of the state's businesses, yet are leaving real money on the table because of their failure to come up with a simple way for medical marijuana dispensaries to pay their tab. Voters legalized this business 19 years ago with the passage of Proposition 215. But an uncertain federal legal status has complicated the matter since then. The state only collects a small percentage of the sales-and-use taxes these businesses owe, although a new program is attempting to address the imbalance. "Because of federal law, people in the cannabis industry aren't allowed to have bank accounts," said George Runner, a Republican member of the Board of Equalization, a state tax-collection agency. "Cash-based businesses are very hard for the BOE to audit. If we can't analyze a bank account, we can't accurately audit a business." Because of federal law, dispensaries risk having their assets seized if they put them in an account. The result is bizarre: "It's a huge safety risk to have dispensaries pay their taxes by carrying duffel bags into BOE offices with hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash," he added. Runner called on the federal government to legalize bank accounts, which is more important now that California has banned such cash payments... Published: 05/26/15 Report Details Ag's Economic Contribution The Agribusiness Institute at California State University, Chico has released the second in a three-year series of reports detailing the economic contributions of agriculture to the North State economy. Nearly one in five jobs in northeastern California and 17 percent of all economic activity in the region are connected to agriculture, according to the report. The report, written by agricultural business professor Eric Houk, covers economic activity in Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity and Yuba Counties in 2012. The Contribution of Agriculture to Northeastern California’s Economy in 2013 is supported by a three-year grant from the Agricultural Research Institute to quantify the significance of agricultural production, processing and related industries to the overall economy of northeastern California. The full report is available online at www.csuchico.edu/ag. For more information, contact Professor Houk at 530-898-4146 or ehouk@csuchico.edu. Published: 05/21/15 LIBERTY UTILITIES FILES GENERAL RATE CASE APPLICATION Lake Tahoe, CA May 18, 2015. Liberty Utilities has filed an application with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) seeking authority to increase revenue by $13.571 million beginning January 1, 2016. This increase is to recover costs associated with the distribution of electricity to Liberty’s 49,000 customers in California’s Lake Tahoe region and surrounding rural areas. Every three years Liberty Utilities is required to file a General Rate Case (GRC) with the CPUC. The design of the actual rates themselves (prices charged to customer classes) and the cost of fuel and purchased power and other energy-related costs (known as ECAC—Energy Cost Adjustment Clause) will be determined in Phase II of this application, expected to be filed in early June. At this time, the overall revenue requirement would increase 17.34% over that which is presently collected in rates. The increase is necessary to continue Liberty’s focus on delivering safe and reliable electric service to its customers. Components of the increase include vegetation management (trimming trees and branches from infrastructure that may cause outages), compliance with California’s requirements related to drought-related fire prevention along utility power lines, additional funding for the existing energy efficiency programs/incentives and funding to implement a new solar incentive program, as well as maintenance and upgrades to the existing electrical system. The last time Liberty filed a GRC was in 2013 which resulted in an overall 4.97% increase in rates effective January 1, 2013. If Liberty is granted this request for an overall 17.34% increase effective January 1, 2016, its projected new residential rate of 16.73 cents per kwh (compared to the current 14.26 cents per kwh) is still equal or less than residential rates for neighboring electric utilities. “While no one likes to see an increase in any of their bills, our customers have told us repeatedly over the years that reliability is paramount,” stated Michael Smart, President of Liberty Utilities-California. “Since acquiring the former Sierra Pacific Power California service territory in January 2011, we’ve made much needed improvements to our facilities and performed necessary maintenance on aging infrastructure that allows Liberty to provide better service in the long term. This GRC reflects the costs associated with those improvements.” The utility’s most recent annual customer satisfaction survey showed customers are seeing the results of the utility’s focus on improvements and maintenance. The October 2014 survey reported that 83 percent of Liberty Utilities’ customers are “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied” with the utility’s overall customer service. The GRC legal notice and full application can be found at www.libertyutilities.com/west Liberty Utilities is your local electric company serving approximately 49,000 customers on the California side of Lake Tahoe and adjacent areas to the south and north including the cities of Markleeville, Woodfords, Topaz, Coleville, Walker, parts of Truckee & Verdi, Portola & Loyalton. Visit www.libertyutilities.com/west Published: 05/21/15 Denham and Hastings Laud Pollinator Health Task Force on Release of Report on Honey Bees and Other Pollinators WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Jeff Denham (R-CA) and Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement on the Pollinator Health Task Force’s release of the National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators: “This week the Pollinator Task Force released its National Strategy to Promote the Health of the Honey Bees and Other Pollinators. The plan, which is a culmination of a comprehensive and collaborative effort across 14 agencies and the private sector, outlines ways to improve pollinator health. It sets the goals of reducing honey bee colony losses during winter to no more than 15 percent within 10 years, and to restoring or enhancing 7 million acres of land for pollinators over the next 5 years. “As Co-Chairmen of the Congressional Pollinator Protection Caucus, the goal of which is to find solutions to the issues facing pollinators nationwide, we applaud the efforts of the Task Force. This strategy could not have come at a more critical time for pollinators, as a recently released study revealed that in a 12-month period ending in April, more than 40 percent of U.S. honeybee colonies died. “Pollinators are vital to our nation’s agriculture, economy, and ecosystem. With 75 percent of flowering plants relying on pollinators, and pollinators contributing nearly $15 billion to the nation’s economy, improving their health and strengthening their population is critically important. We are pleased that the issues facing pollinators are receiving the attention needed and will continue to work toward improving pollinator health nationwide.” Congressman Jeff Denham serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure, Natural Resources and Agriculture committees. Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as a Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Co-Chair of the Florida Delegation. Published: 05/21/15 Drought conditions have increased fire danger Sacramento – With great weather expected across most of the Golden State this holiday weekend, CAL FIRE urges everyone to use caution as fire danger remains higher than normal due to the drought. Memorial Day weekend is often said to be the official start of summer with everyone enjoying outdoor activities and recreation during the three-day break. “While we hope everyone has an enjoyable holiday, we also want it to be a safe one,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “The dry conditions throughout the state have created a situation where a fire could easily spark, so we ask everyone to be cautious as they enjoy their time outdoors.” So far this year, CAL FIRE has seen almost twice as many wildfires than average and the peak of summer is still to come. In the midst of this severe drought, everyone is encouraged to be vigilant and remember that One Less Spark means One Less Wildfire. Camping: · Obtain a campfire permit (www.PreventWildfireCA.org) · Check for local fire restrictions · Clear away grass, leaves and other debris within a 10-foot perimeter of any campfire · Have a responsible person in attendance at all times · Ensure all campfires are completely extinguished before leaving · When barbequing, never leave the grill unattended Vehicle · Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained with nothing dragging on the ground · When towing, make sure trailer chains are properly secured · Never drive or pull over into dry grass Fire is not the only danger that can occur in the outdoors, as water drownings also increase dramatically during this holiday weekend. Warm temperatures make the cool waters of California’s beautiful rivers and lakes very enticing, yet very dangerous. In the Water: - Always wear a life jacket! - Children should always be supervised by a responsible adult - Never swim alone - Drinking and swimming can be just as dangerous as drinking and driving For more ways to be safe this holiday, visit www.ReadyforWildfire.org or www.fire.ca.gov # # # Published: 05/21/15 MUSEUM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MUSEUM ADVISORY COMMITTEE members appointed by Loyalton City Council Tuesday night were Rebecca Kinkead, a 62-year resident,Elda Fay Ball, former curator and 69-year resident and Gary Nelson of Sierr Brooks who has many relatives in Sierra Valley and has donated his toy train railroad collection to the City of Loyalton. Published: 05/21/15 LOYALTON VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTERS LOYALTON VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTERS, Ben Tidwell, Gary Sterle, John Fatheree and Kaitlin Wilson recently attended the Quincy Academy which Chief Volunteer Shawn Heywood states, “Is a great opportunity for Loyalton Fire Department and other surrounding volunteer departments.” The Academy takes dedication as it is five Saturdays long, and covers many of the basic skills that every firefighter should have. Shawn explains, “The facility and program that Quincy Fire Department puts on is very impressive. They offer a variety of quality instructors and hands-on training in their impressive training facility.” Loyalton Fire Department started making this a requirement to be a volunteer with LVFD a few years ago. This training not only assists the firefighter do his or her job better and safer, but also provides for a safer community. Shawn states, “This year the fire cadets had an opportunity to become familiar with our newly-acquired self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) recently received off a regional FEMA grant. The cost of the Academy is very reasonable at under $100 per cadet, which includes the 5-week course, books/materials, hands on training, and excellent instruction by local fire service volunteers. These costs, along with transportation, and fire gear is all paid for through donations that are received by our fundraisers and generous community members.” Loyalton’s next Volunteer Firemen’s fundraiser will be the Festival on the night of July 3rd with music, food and drinks at the Loyalton City Park. Published: 05/21/15 GUN INCIDENT AT CO-OP Plumas County Dispatch Center received a report on Thursday, May 21st at 9:58 a.m. of a subject with a firearm inside Feather River Food Co-op at 60 North Pine Street in Portola. The center was advised witnesses had disarmed the suspect and had the suspect detained. Responding units secured the suspect, weapon and the store. During the investigation it was discovered that Wayne Laird Brown, born Oct. 2, 1962, entered the business with a shotgun and numerous round of ammunition. Brown ordered employees and a patron to the rear of the store. A short scuffle ensued with a clerk and the suspect, resulting in the disarming of Brown. No Sheriff’s personnel nor employees or patrons were injured during the incident. S/ Brown was arrested on 4 counts of False Imprisonment and is being held on $50,000.00 bail. Additional weapons charges will be filed with the Plumas County District Attorney. Agencies involved were Plumas County Sheriff's Office and California Highway Patrol. Published: 05/21/15 Western Leaders Gather to Discuss Future of Forestry Western Leaders Gather to Discuss Future of Forestry SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today the Western Forestry Leadership Coalition (WFLC), in partnership with the Council of Western State Foresters (CWSF) concluded their 2015 Spring Meeting hosted by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). This event brought together leaders on Western forestry issues to learn about the future of forestry in a changing climate. The two-day event attracted nearly 100 attendees from across the United States for a welcome by John Laird, California Secretary for Natural Resources and an opening keynote by Robert Bonnie, USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment. “The Western Forestry Leadership Coalition consistently brings together thought leaders and practitioners to discuss issues of the day,” said Under Secretary Bonnie. “This meeting was focused on fixing how wildfire suppression activities are funded, the priorities of the USDA and the Forest Service, and opportunities for collaboration to advance the goals of the Cohesive Strategy for Wildland Fire Management.” During the 2015 Spring Meeting, attendees had an opportunity to participate in a field tour to Tilden Park, Grizzly Peak Road Scenic Overlook and a short visit to Oakland, CA to meet with community leaders working on urban forestry projects including representatives from California Urban ReLeaf. CAL FIRE representatives helped to facilitate the tour and educate attendees on the complexities of wildland fire. "With over 33 million acres of forestland, California is the perfect place to host a gathering of the leadership dealing with the resource management challenges we are collectively facing across the Western United States," said Chief Ken Pimlott, California’s state forester. "The meeting provided an invaluable opportunity to exchange experiences and gain fresh perspective on critical fire and forest management issues." Key topics of the WFLC Spring Meeting included wildland fire, natural resources policy in the United States and USDA Forest Service priorities in the Western United States. Other notable speakers included Jay Jensen, Associate Director for Land & Water Ecosystems, White House Council on Environmental Quality; Jim Ogsbury, Executive Director, Western Governors’ Association and representatives from key partner organizations. “Holding the WFLC Spring Meeting in California allowed participants to discuss the impacts of the complex issues facing our Western forests,” said Alex Friend, WFLC co-lead and Director of the Pacific Southwest Research Station headquartered in Albany. “Now and in the years ahead, rigorous science will play a key role in helping land managers address these issues and restore resilience in forests across the West.” The meeting concluded with a panel highlighting Western forestry priorities, initiatives and partnerships. Panelists included Rebecca Barnard, National Wild Turkey Federation; Tom Fry, American Forest Foundation; Nadine Block, Sustainable Forestry Initiative; and Mike Beacom, National Association of Conservation Districts. To learn more about the Western Forestry Leadership Coalition and the Council of Western State Foresters, please visit www.wflccenter.org. ### About the Western Forestry Leadership Coalition Formally established in 2000, the Western Forestry Leadership Coalition (WFLC) represents a unique partnership between the Council of Western State Foresters and federal government forestry leaders. WFLC is comprised of 34 members from across the federal and state agencies of the West which include: 23 state members (also known as the Council of Western State Foresters) which include State, Territorial, and Commonwealth Foresters of the West and American-affiliated islands of the Pacific; and 11 USDA Forest Service members, which include: seven Western Regional Foresters, three Western USFS Research Station Directors, and one USFS Forest Products Lab Director. About the Council of Western State Foresters The Council of Western State Foresters (CWSF) is a nonpartisan organization of state, territorial, and commonwealth foresters of the Western United States and Pacific Islands. State Foresters are charged with providing forest management assistance to landowners, managing state trust lands, and supplying wildfire and forest health protection services. CWSF staff and members participate in the Western Forestry Leadership Coalition with Western members of the U.S. Forest Service leadership. CWSF cultivates partnerships, raises awareness and takes action on the most important issues affecting forests in the Western United States and Pacific Islands. Published: 05/14/15 CDFW and Partners Investigate Decline in Pheasant Population The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) recently hosted a pheasant ecology workshop to examine possible causes of a decline of the state's pheasant population over the last 25 years. Held in cooperation with Pheasants Forever, the workshop convened more than 45 state and federal scientists, public and private land managers, and representatives from Ducks Unlimited and the California Waterfowl Association. Participants reviewed research from scientists at the US Geological Survey and heard from pheasant experts from across the nation. Data collected showed that contributing factors to the decline include changes in agricultural practices, growth of forested habitats in historic wetland and grassland environments, climate change and predation from increasing raven populations. "The combination of modern analysis tools and on-the-ground land management techniques helped us chart a map forward, which is especially important during the drought," said CDFW Upland Game Program Scientist Matt Meshriy. "We look forward to collaborating with Pheasants Forever and other conservation partners interested in this species." The workshop, held on April 30 and May 1, included presentations by Dr. Les Flake of South Dakota State University and Senior Research Biologist Dave Musil of Idaho Fish and Game. CDFW managers from six state wildlife areas and federal partners from the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complexes also presented reports on site-specific conditions that described the breadth of habitat challenges facing pheasants and other upland nesting bird species throughout the state. Pheasants were introduced in California in the 1890s and adapted well in the agricultural regions of the state. By the mid-1960s, about 250,000 hunters were spending about 800,000 days afield in pursuit of this game bird. Since the mid-1990s, populations have been steadily declining. In 2010, only about 30,000 pheasant hunters spent about 100,000 days afield. Pheasants Forever is the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 140,000 members and 700 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Chapters are empowered to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds are spent; the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure. Since its creation in 1982, Pheasants Forever has spent $577 million on 475,000 habitat projects benefiting 10 million acres nationwide. # # # Published: 05/12/15 New Federal Emissions Rules Would Choke U.S. Economy By Drew Johnson Wyoming's Yellowstone National Park is a pristine display of natural beauty. Starting this year, however, the Environmental Protection Agency will give it a new designation: "Out of Compliance." The EPA recently proposed new regulations that would dramatically lower ozone emission standards. Under the new standards, as many as 100 state and national parks would fail the test. And the compliance costs for public authorities and private businesses will number in the hundreds of billions of dollars. Indeed, the EPA's new ozone rules could be the most expensive regulations in America's history. They will destroy jobs and stunt economic growth throughout the country. The government should avoid the temptation to overregulate and reject this proposal. Ozone is a naturally occurring gas that helps shield the Earth from the sun's rays. But when ozone interacts with emissions from industrial factories, cars, and electric utilities, it can cause serious health issues. According to the EPA's own data, roughly 60 percent of the country would fail to meet the proposed rules change, which lowers the amount of ozone allowed from 75 parts per billion to about 60 parts per billion. The proposal's impact on the U.S. economy would be devastating. The compliance costs for companies could hit upwards of $140 billion a year, according to a report by NERA Economic Consulting. And the rule change would destroy about 1.4 million jobs annually. This burden would fall hardest on small businesses. On average, these firms already fork over $35,000 a year toward regulatory compliance. Mom-and-pop businesses typically run on very thin profit margins. Even minor upticks in operations costs could sink them. Even President Obama has recognized this ruling's potential to kills jobs and devastate the economy. In 2011, he blocked a nearly finalized version of similar regulations from the EPA. In his own words, Obama opposed the ozone standards in an effort to "underscore the importance of reducing regulatory burdens and regulatory uncertainty." The EPA claims the proposed ozone rule would generated public health benefits worth up to $38 billion. That calculation is likely way off. According to a report by the research group Energy in Depth, the agency's figure is about 3,100 percent higher than its 2011 calculation for the same exact regulation. Somehow the economic benefits for the same environmental standard mysteriously jumped from $700 million to as much as $38 billion within a few years. The Environmental Protection Agency is either conveniently excluding very real economic costs from its analysis, or inflating the rule's health benefits to justify federal overreach. What's more, existing ozone standards are already doing a terrific job at improving air quality. These new regulations are unnecessary. Indeed, Americans today are breathing the cleanest air in over 30 years. Since 2010, the ozone levels in the United States have plummeted by almost 20 percent. Over the same period, this country has cut both carbon and nitrogen monoxide emissions by more than 40 percent. The federal government is about to issue an ozone regulation so stringent that even its own national parks cannot comply. This tightening would devastate American businesses and cost the economy billions in lost growth. This proposal needs to be scrapped before it can take effect. Drew Johnson is a Senior Fellow at the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization committed to limited, responsible government. Published: 05/12/15 SUPERVISORS' SPECIAL SESSION IN SPECIAL SESSION at the historic Yuba Theater in Downieville, Sierra County Board of Supervisors met on April 29th over the Firm Foundation Acadamy, Inc. land use development project. County Counsel Jim Curtis gave the structure of the public hearings on consideration of a zone amendment from General Forest to Public Service filed by Firm Foundation on recommendation of the Planning Commission and on an appeal filed by Michael M. Miller on the Planning Commission’s approval. On Curtis’ recommendation, the two hearings were consolidated. He called it a “disservice” to fragment. The project site is the former Pliocene Ridge School at 1999 Ridge Road in Pike. Curtis gave the history of the County’s general plan, adopted in 1996. County Deputy Planning Director Brandon Pangman gave the project description and background with the 557-page administrative record. He told of Phase 1 up to five classrooms with a change of occupancy to a dormitory with a maximum of 48 people, a modular for two caretakers and 12 staff faculty not on site. Brandon explained the former zoning of General Forest with the school district which was subject to State but not subject to the County general plan. When the school property sold as private property in 2013, the zoning mattered and changed to Public Service. Brandon told of background studies, traffic engineering, park analysis and 18 areas which dealt with a “very detailed checklist.” A 30-day circulation period received a lot of comments to which, he said, all were responded. The Planning Commission 4-1 approved the special use and adopted the negative declaration. He stated he believed the County followed all laws and procedures. Planning Director Tim Beals addressed negative comments, stating any idea of conspiracy or prejudgment were not accurate. He stated it’s not the role of staff to determine if a project enhances the community. He called the quality of the staff report “quite high,” and it went to “extreme lengths to be open.” Appellant Mike Miller agreed with Tim on staff but not on final analysis. Mike served on the Planning Commission 12 years. He told how when Firm Foundation first came, it fit the community but then homeowners had concerns; the project is too big. He told of misconceptions and how the project doesn’t fit Pike. He told when the school was built, State laws governed it and wildlife and deer migration were not considered. Key, he said, is the Public Service and stated General Forest would limit the type of growth. He felt his community was “under attack” by someone here under a year. He stated the General Plan can be changed with care and the gentleman came to the wrong place, a rural area to make profit in cultural heritage and history which doesn’t meet the quality of life and has no track record of running schools. He called it a “County issue,” and told the Board, “Your job is to work for your constituents. Something else will come to this site,” he stated. Andy Cassano, Land Surveyor and Land Use Planner with Nevada City Engineering, Inc. out of Nevada City represented Firm Foundation Academy and showed photos of repair work and the investment his client has made on an abandoned and vacant building to a serviceable mode, creating an “important public center for Pike.” He was happy to be working with its staff. He told of water conservation “a must” and cutting 60-70% with $20,000 worth of turf when occupied. He told of proven technology with the sewer system. He stated foreign students “are not the case” but are marketed through California and State colleges. Conspiracy theories or hidden agenda “is just not it.” He called California planning laws “on the mark,” and of the public benefit and the school providing property taxes. He called the general plan its “Bible” and said this case “clearly shows land as public service” and provides for the school. The public hearing dealt with residents questioning if it were a software developing agency and Firm Foundation’s real function; groundwater and its supply; the impact of law enforcement and emergency medical services; supporting a day school like it used to be and support of software development which “makes millions” and they could afford to “truck water in.” Those living across from Firm Foundation were in favor of it and there were letters read stating a “splendid job of renovation,” and those in favor of occupation, education and employment opportunities. Some called it a “small private university where I could take classes,” while others worried about the amount of water, students wandering around and being bussed in. No decision was made that day. The Board of Supervisors is to analyze facts and information and determine if the zoning is consistent with the special use permit; “not a matter of like or don’t like,” according to County Counsel. Published: 05/07/15 Truckee Donner Land Trust takes steps to restore the historic Webber Lake Hotel (Truckee, Calif.) In 2012, Cliff and Barbara Johnson sold their Webber Lake Ranch, which included sheep grazing, timber management, camping, fishing, boating, and various family cabins and structures to the Truckee Donner Land Trust. Although the Johnson’s had received more lucrative offers on these lands they had owned for nearly a century, they chose to sell to the Land Trust so their love for the land and appreciation of its natural beauty and resources would be preserved for the public to enjoy forever. Naturally, The Land Trust was thrilled to acquire Webber Lake and Lacey Meadows; 3,000 acres of enormous biological importance and opportunities for public recreation. But, something else of real importance came with the purchase. Something really important; one of northern California’s oldest standing buildings and one of great significance in California’s early history, the Webber Lake Hotel. Dr. David Gould Webber built the Webber Lake Hotel in 1860. The hotel, just steps from the north side of Webber Lake itself, sits on Henness Pass Road, a popular stage route that in its heyday could see 100 wagons a day. The hotel became celebrated and entertained guests such as Old Block Delano, an early comic writer, Charles Nahl, an early California artist, and Thomas Hill, a renowned painter. The three-story hotel provided respite for emigrants and miners while drawing hunters, fishermen, botanizers, boaters, and businessmen who enjoyed the lake. The hotel’s true glory days arrived with the discovery of the Comstock Lode in Virginia City, Nevada, as a stage stop on the Henness Pass Road, which was a major supply line for the mines in Nevada. It is not unusual for a land trust to acquire an historic structure but land trusts emphasize acquisition and management of lands and open space. An historic restoration can be a colossal undertaking for any land trust. Says K.V. Van Lom, who is heading the Land Trust’s restoration efforts, “The Webber Lake Hotel is unique to California, the region, and deserves to be here for history buffs and visitors to explore forever. I just can’t overstate how important it is for this building to be saved,” she adds. Tim Beals, Sierra County Director of Transportation and Planning says, “Webber Lake is one of Sierra County's most precious assets, and I will be looking forward to keeping the County Board of Supervisors updated and directly involved in any recreation planning so that the uses proposed at Webber Lake are consistent with the County General Plan. The Land Trust has appointed Truckee architect Dennis E. Zirbel, experienced with restoring some of Truckee’s older buildings, to produce an Historic Structures Report, the first step needed for a restoration project. The report is currently in process. Says Doug Gadow, owner of Linchpin Structural Engineering. “The building appears to be holding up very well. However, it has no apparent foundation and has settled significantly into the soil. The structure will need to be lifted, straightened, provided a foundation, and deteriorated framing will need to be repaired or replaced. The foundation work and wood deterioration repair will be costly, but definitely worth it considering the good condition of the rest of the structure.” A Truckee local as well, Gadow too has extensive experience in historic restoration projects, and the Land Trust feels it is in the good hands of experts. The Land Trust’s immediate plan is simple: clean out the building and make it structurally sound. Once this is accomplished, the front parlor will be restored to period, will display exhibits, and two upstairs sleeping rooms will be restored to period. The original external color of the hotel, white, will be applied as well. The building will also be put on the National Historic Register. The Land Trust is now working with the Sierra County Historical Society, the Truckee Donner Historical Society and other agencies to collect artifacts, create exhibits, restore rooms, and search for funding sources. “The Sierra County Historical Society is delighted to play a supportive role in the restoration of the Webber Lake Hotel. Its historic significance is undeniable, “ says Mary Nourse, the Historical Society’s president. She adds, "The structure is truly an historic gem and it is the logical repository for artifacts of a bygone era. Our membership will work to help preserve that history in order to provide a link to the past for generations to come.” Dr. Webber was a well-known and respected leader in Sierra County, rumored to have adopted as many as 50 children. His contribution to Sierra County is notable. “Dr. Webber figures prominently in the hotel’s restoration”, says Van Lom. “Not only was he a great gentleman, he built the hotel, and he also named nearby Mt. Lola after Lola Montez, the famous and scandalous courtesan who is rumored to have once stayed at the hotel. We absolutely need to obtain some of his personal items to honor him with an exhibit in the parlor.” The Land Trust is asking for folks to search for Dr. Webber’s ancestors, artifacts, furniture, photos and time period items as well as to volunteer for in-kind projects such as debris removal, painting, expert services, etc. More importantly, if you would like to make a contribution towards the restoration, you can make a secure online donation at www.tdlandtrust.org, or send a check to the Truckee Donner Land Trust, P.O. Box 8816, Truckee, CA 96162. Be sure to note that your donation is for the Webber Lake Hotel Restoration. ### Published: 05/06/15 Tax Hikes Look Silly as State Gets Financial Windfall By George Runner It must be silly season in Sacramento. As the state receives billions in unanticipated revenues, liberal tax-and-spend lawmakers are proposing massive tax hikes, proving once again that they are out of touch with reality. One key measure of reality ignored by liberal lawmakers is Tax Freedom Day. Calculated annually by the Tax Foundation, Tax Freedom Day is the day Americans have earned enough money to pay their annual tax obligations at the federal, state and local levels. This year, National Tax Freedom Day arrived on April 24, but Californians didn’t achieve tax freedom until May 3. That means Californians had to work nine days longer than the national average to fulfill their tax obligations. California’s Tax Freedom Day is the fourth latest in the nation. Only Connecticut, New Jersey and New York have later dates. By proposing higher taxes, liberal legislators are trying to make taxpayers work even longer to pay their tax bill. The other reality ignored by would-be tax hikers is that state government already has more than enough money. Due to the state’s volatile tax structure, a booming tech sector and soaring stock market, state officials are now swimming in cash. In the critical month of April, state income tax revenues exceeded budget projections by 1.8 billion dollars. Just how much money is 1.8 billion dollars? If state officials put the money in one dollar increments, they could string those bills together and have a chain long enough to travel the California coastline more than 200 times. The same chain of dollars could wrap around the earth nearly seven times. It could even stretch more than seven tenths of the distance to the moon. And that’s just counting unexpected revenue from April alone. Experts believe unbudgeted surplus revenues for the current fiscal year will exceed 4 billion by June 30, an amount larger than the entire budgets of four states. With state coffers overflowing, it’s becoming increasingly bizarre that Sacramento spenders are proposing new taxes. Is their appetite for taxpayer dollars insatiable? Among other schemes, they are plotting how to extend Proposition 30, the “temporary” sales and income tax increases voters approved in 2012. As I’ve observed many times, it’s rare to see a temporary tax go away, regardless of promises made to voters. Reinforcing how out of touch they really are, prominent Democratic legislators have proposed massive tax increases on driving, gasoline purchases and vehicle registrations (SB 16), insurance policies (AB 1203), real estate documents (AB 1335) and services that could include haircuts, movie tickets and many more (SB 8). In addition, big spending lawmakers have introduced two constitutional amendments (ACA 4 and SCA 5) aimed at making it easier to approve regressive local tax hikes, including parcel taxes on homeowners. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association warns that these measures are a direct attack on Proposition 13, which voters approved in 1978 to protect homeowners from losing their homes to rising tax bills. It seems that—regardless of reality—in California another day means another proposed tax increase. Despite our state’s high tax ranking and surging revenues, spending-addicted lawmakers always want more of your dollars. Instead of ensuring taxpayers receive value for the dollars they send to Sacramento, lawmakers are taking the easy road by simply proposing new taxes. This allows legislators to avoid tough decisions and keep saying ‘yes’ to special interest groups. Let’s hope there are a few folks left in the State Capitol who have the good sense to say ‘no’ to their proposals. George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as Vice Chair of the State Board of Equalization. For more information, visit boe.ca.gov/Runner. Published: 05/06/15 |