LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL members Ernie Teague and Mark Marin attended the court hearing for the Loyalton Mobile Estates held in Downieville last week where the mobile home park dropped its receivership. City attorney Tom Barth was on teleconference. Prior to the court hearing, the City was awarded $1,600 in water bills but the Loyalton Mobile Estates owes $167,000 in prior bills. The court now decides about the mobile home park going into backruptcy. LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL voted Tuesday night to spend $1,500 out of general fund monies to decorate the abandoned indoor swimming pool building at the city park with barn quilts. Teresa Green will be paid $200 for one 4’x4’, $300 for one 6’x6’, $400 for one 8’x8’ and $600 for a 6’x12’ flag. Material includes 3/4” plywood, a 2”x4” frame, two coats exterior primer, two coats exterior color and two coats exterior uv polyshield. Teresa’s work can be seen on the barn quilt hanging on the Sierra Booster garage facing School Street in Loyalton. The featured quilts were winners selected in a contest held nearly two years ago with winners being awarded prize money. JEFFERSON PRESENTATION Loyalton City Council heard a presentation on the State of Jefferson presented by Tom Dotta Tuesday night at a special meeting at the Social Hall with an enthusiastic crowd attending. Tom explained the problem of a lack of representation based on population. He talked of the problem of regulation with taxes on income, sales, gas, property, fire and maybe mileage. As for finances, he told of 570 California agencies which he said would be “cut to bare bones.” He talked of California’s debt and unfunded liabilities and the need to talk to County supervisors. Supervisor Jim Beard was present. Tom said a vote meant a seat at the table which won’t cost. Mayor Brooks Mitchell questioned how they are funded and was told 100 percent volunteer. He questioned the need for tax streams and State and federal grants.Tom questioned back, where would the budget be without State mandates. He handed out flyers on projections of revenue. He said a resolution from the City would be non-binding and no cost but said we need change. And, he added, no management fees. Councilman Mark Marin felt the State has the best fire protection agency with Cal Fire and was told all equipment in northern California would stay here, just like with Caltrans. Beard talked about increased mandates but decreased money to fund more out of the general fund. Schools Superintendent Dr. Grant was all for local control but wanted to know how to make up the State allocation. Tom suggested getting paid for trees, mining, using natural resources, getting people back to work. They need votes to get the answers, he said. Jackie Mitchell asked how to get timber when the federal government owns the timberland. “We the people” own it but the federal government manages it, she said. Mark Marin asked what it would take and was told to get a declaration registered at the Capitol, there’s a “magic number” and vote by Assembly and Senate as a first vote and then it goes back to Washington for a second vote. Councilman Ernie Teague felt there is a big problem with the federal government. Mike Moore was concerned for education when we have “fantastic schools.” He stated Forest Reserves at 91% loss if no Secure Rural Schools and Sierra County roads will lose half of $900,000 with the federal road fund almost out of money. Tom stated there would be the same property tax. He asked how good California is doing with school enrollment down 50% over 10 years. Jim said next step is to get a seat at the table for negotiation. Bob Green talked of the decline in Sierra County and stated Jefferson gives us an optimistic attempt to control our own destiny. Cindy Ellsmore, former Sierra County Treasurer had concerns with changing representation which would violate the Supreme Court decision and said it “can’t happen.” She asked who pays the costs of suing to change representation, gave figures and called it “unrealistic.” Kristin Gallegos wanted prewritten letters to support the movement. Craig Fassbender asked what our forefathers would have done. Sue Camara talked about how the City was proactive with the County and getting its own building permits. Julie Osburn asked, “If not difficult, why do it?” and she wants to do something about being the second poorest county in California. A WHOLE REPLICA of the Clover Valley and B&L Railroad, complete with the mill pond by Gary Nelson of Sierra Brooks was approved by Loyalton City Council Tuesday night to be an exhibit at the Loyalton Museum at the new Loyalton City Center (formerly Loyalton Middle School). Councilman Mark Marin thought the display “really cool,” and member Betty Ferguson was impressed with it. Betty moved to acquire the display and Ernie Teague seconded it with approval in the absence of member Pat Whitley who remains in a Reno hospital yet is adamant she will be home the end of the week. Out of the $60,000 budget for the City Center project, the Council reported it had spent $22,000 and has $20,000 “earmarked.” A work day is being held Saturday and the school is moving its property. Next week the will have four volunteers painting. The City approved business licenses for Oleum Supply for selling recycled motor oil with whom the City wants a professional services agreement and to John Eberhard’s “King’s Ride,” a transportation business.