Calaveras County draft noise ordinance

By Dana Nichols | Published: September 2, 2010 | 0 Comments

The Sheriff’s Department this week posted a draft noise ordinance online. It will go soon to the Board of Supervisors for consideration. See it online at http://www.co.calaveras.ca.us/cc/Portals/10/Pub/PressReleases/2010/Draft%20Noise%20Control%20Ordinance.pdf

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I wish I was writing this about Calaveras County

By Dana Nichols | Published: August 26, 2010 | 0 Comments

Various business-support groups in Tuolumne County recently formed the Business Alliance of Tuolumne County. It is basically a one-stop shop to get all kinds of support ranging from training to loans for expanding a business. I am happy for Tuolumne County and wish them much prosperity. I just wish I was getting a similar press release from business leaders in Calaveras County. Partners in the Tuolumne effort include the Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce, the Service Corps of Retired Executives, the Tuolumne County Economic Development Authority, and the Alliance Small Business Development Center. Check it out at http://www.thebusinessalliance.net/

Posted in Calaveras County, Tuolumne County, Uncategorized, business | 0 Comments

Rumor control and Dale Buller

By Dana Nichols | Published: August 16, 2010 | 0 Comments

Several different folks I know who either live in Rail Road Flat or have ties there recently alerted me to a false rumor going around that millionaire buffalo rancher Dale Buller had regained posession of the approximately 600 guns in his gun collection. I was pretty sure that this couldn’t be possible, since I covered the story in September 2009 when Buller pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of guns and ammunition. He was sentenced to five years probation. Under the deal, Buller agreed the guns would be auctioned off. Only eight automatic weapons such as a Bushmaster XM15 and several M1 carbines that authorities believed were illegal were destroyed by the California Department of Justice. (The guns were seized in January 2008 during a joint raid by the Calveras County Sheriff’s Department and the state DOJ.)  Today I checked with the California Attorney General’s Office and spokeswoman Becca MacLaren told me the guns had been auctioned in Orange County, where they fetched more than $2 million, or more than $3,000 per gun. MacLaren said that Buller’s wife Delores received that money. She also said that since Mr. Buller is not allowed to own guns, the Department of Justice would be grateful if anyone who witnesses him with a gun would report it. She suggested that witnesses could make the report via email through http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/contact.php

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Calaveras Unified enrollment declines, but no more than expected

By Dana Nichols | Published: July 28, 2010 | 0 Comments

Folks concerned with the financial health of Calaveras Unified School District are well aware that in addition to the state financial decline that has cut school funding, Calaveras Unified is feeling the effects of a long-term decline in enrollment. State funding is based on the number of students enrolled. So the combination of fewer students AND fewer dollars per student is why the district has had to lay off staff, put more students in each classroom, and cut some popular programs.

District Superintendent Mark Campbell today emailed me to say that it looks like enrollment for the school year that began this week is a little over 3,300 students — about what district officials had predicted. That’s good news because it means that the financial decline is no worse than what district staff expected. Still, the trend shows no sign of abating. The district has been shrinking almost every year since the 1999-2000 school year when it had just over 3,900 students. The one exception was a slight uptick in the 2007-08 school year. Otherwise the line has been steadily down. So the district has 600 fewer students than a decade ago. That’s about a 15 percent decline.

This all has significance beyond the school district. It also reflects a trend in which the people who come into the county are old and those who leave are young. Prognosticators project that retirees will continue to be a huge economic presence here. I hope we also find ways to make this a place where people who are raising children can afford to live, and where those children have a chance to stay and be economically productive.

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Tax reporting rules hidden in health care reform

By Dana Nichols | Published: July 26, 2010 | 0 Comments

A story I wrote that ran in today’s Record describes the effect on small businesses of a tax reporting rule that was in the health care act passed this spring. The rule would force small businesses to file 1099 forms (and to gather a lot of information) whenever they buy more than $600 worth of items from any individual or business in a year. I quoted Robert Hallam in the story. He’s the owner of a Stockton business that deals in coins. Today Hallam emailed me a copy of a letter he just sent to Congressman Jerry McNerny (D-Pleasanton), who represents Central Stockton where Hallam’s business operates.

This is the letter:

Dear Honorable Jerry McNerney –

 

I am writing you to urge your support for HR5141 which would repeal 1099 reporting legislation that was buried in President Obama’s health care bill. I was featured along with the bill’s author, Dan Lungren, on the front page of today’s Stockton Record. (I can e-mail you a scanned copy of the article if you desire.)

 

Even if Lungren’s bill doesn’t pass I can assure you that I will NEVER comply with this oppressive and immoral federal requirement. Besides the unmanageable amount of paperwork, which would require me to file roughly 8,000 1099’s annually, I oppose the law on the grounds that increases in the value of gold are exclusively the result of declines in the value of the US Dollar due to excessive federal spending. Therefore, the IRS has NO RIGHT to collect Capital Gains Tax on bullion sales resulting from failed federal monetary policy.

 

You better make space in a Federal penitentiary for me if this requirement is not repealed. It is my patriotic duty to NOT comply. I WILL NEVER WRITE MY FIRST 1099.

 

Got that?

 

Sincerely,

Robert W. Hallam

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Lungren endangered?

By Dana Nichols | Published: July 21, 2010 | 0 Comments

Apparently national Republican leaders take seriously the threat posed to Congressman Dan Lungren (R-Gold River) by Dr. Ami Bera, the Democratic candidate. Politico.com is quoting National Republican Central Committee Vice Chairman Greg Walden as saying that the committee has a short list of nine Republican congressman enrolled in its “Patriot Program” for protecting incumbents. Lungren is one of them. The 3rd Congressional District, which includes Calaveras County, was once solidly Republican but now offers only a slim voter registration advantage for the GOP. The Patriot Program means that top Republican colleagues of Lungren will make fundraising calls on his behalf, starting Thursday. So far, Bera has raised more money than Lungren in this campaign cycle.

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Do try this at home

By Dana Nichols | Published: July 15, 2010 | 0 Comments

Valley Springs martial arts instructors Phil and Liz Weaver have created a software application that could win them glory, recognition by Michelle Obama, and even improve the health of the nation’s children and adults.

The app is called Break Pal — Fitness at Your Desk. See it at www.breakpal.com

If you like it, you can go on www.appsforhealthykids.com and cast your vote. The Weavers are competing against dozens of other software and game developers in a contest which is part of Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign against childhood obesity.

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Calaveras-SEIU stalemate over furloughs, layoffs

By Dana Nichols | Published: July 13, 2010 | 0 Comments

It’s mid July and there’s still no evidence that Calaveras County leaders and the union that represents most non-law enforcement county employees will be able to strike a deal on a labor contract for the fiscal year that began July 1.

The county wants to cut costs so it can reduce the number of people laid off. It also simply has to cut costs in general due to declining revenue. Union leaders say they also want to avert layoffs. But Service Employees International Union Local 1021 and county leaders remain at odds over how much to cut compensation for rank-and-file employees.

Jim Turley, president of the Calaveras County SEIU unit, came to the board of supervisors meeting today to pin the blame on supervisors. “You have not bargained in good faith,” Turley said. He especially criticized the board for voting June 29 to reject a proposal the union made on June 16.

County officials have said little about their proposals. But Turley said the county has sought a so-called ”Amador plan” solution, a 4/9 work scheduled modeled after cost cutting done in Amador County last year. The idea is most county employees would work only 36 hours — a 10 percent pay cut. The county also would save money by closing offices one day a week.

Turley says the Calaveras SEIU chapter wants a smaller furlough plan — of only 12 days per year per employee, about a 4.6 percent pay cut. Meanwhile, the union wants to keep the 40 hour work schedule — to better serve the public, Turley said — and to have employees and managers schedule the furlough days.

The union and the county are also at odds over how much employees should pay for health insurance.

What’s clear is that the two sides don’t trust each other, don’t agree on the magnitude of the cuts needed, and are unlikely any time soon to find a mutually-satisfactory solution.

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McManus campaign ending statement

By Dana Nichols | Published: July 13, 2010 | 0 Comments

Last night I received this end-of-campaign statement from Bill McManus, who ran for Calaveras County supervisor in District 3.

_______

A MESSAGE OF THANKS ~ FROM BILL MCMANUS

 Now that the primary election season is over, I wanted to share my thoughts and thanks.  First, to the 1100 or so voters who honored me with their vote to represent them, their hopes, and their dreams,  THANK YOU!  It was an amazing adventure running for elected office.  I met so many new friends, worked with old friends, and rekindled friendships from years gone by.  I know that every single vote cast for me had a story behind it and I heard hundreds of them from my neighborhood campaign and contacts with the business community.  Believe me, I was inspired and motivated to press on with each story.  Ms. Callaway escaped a runoff election by some 30 votes, but 1 is as good as 1,000.  I sincerely hope Ms. Callaway recognizes the distress and angst of District 3 voters.  I now offer my assistance to Ms. Callaway in whatever capacity that will further the recovery of our county and district.

 

  I only made two promises when I filed to run for this office.  First, I would be a full time candidate and, if elected, would have been a full time supervisor.  Secondly, I promised my committee, the voters, and opponent, that I would run an issues based campaign and not let personal attacks become part of the process.  On both counts I kept my promise.  It was a little disappointing that the second promise was not mutual, but I’m a grownup and recognize that choices will be made.  I have absolutely no regrets.

 

The first round of the effort to restore the economic and lifestyle vitality of our district is over.  That doesn’t mean that the effort is over.  Many issues still face our district and county, which need to be addressed.  Many business owners and citizens have expressed their thoughts that waiting four more years for action will not be a suitable solution.  For them I offer a ray of hope.  Within the next couple of weeks or so, a bold new initiative, that is county wide, will be announced.  Many citizens will be banding together to return the power of governing to it’s rightful place…….the citizens!  No longer will concerned residents and citizens be content with the status quo.  I will be joining this new effort and I hope every person who voted for me, will also get involved.  Together we can do the hard work and make the tough decisions that affect our daily lives.  This will not be a purely adversarial effort.  The primary goal is to provide a vehicle to represent citizens and provide a forum for those concerns to be recognized and advanced.

 

In summary, I again give my sincere thanks to every single resident of District 3.  This is the very best place to live and work.  I encourage everyone to stay involved with the process and offer suggestions, concerns, and praise to the Board of  Supervisors as your conscience dictates.

 

I am humbled to have been part of the process and look forward to more prosperous times for all of us.

 

God bless you all, and please accept my thanks,

 

Bill McManus

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Ed Ballard’s full statement

By Dana Nichols | Published: June 15, 2010 | 0 Comments

Ed Ballard’s full statement on his campaign is below. Part of the statement was quoted in a brief in today’s Record.

To: Media                   

From: Ed Ballard

 Subject: Sheriff’s Campaign 2010

 I would like to thank the Lord for the strength that he provided to me. I would like to especially thank my beautiful wife Rocky, my two girls, Amanda and Tarah, brothers Brian and Tim and their wives. To all the citizens of the county that also had faith in me thank you so much.

 

To each and every one of you that helped me during this campaign from placing signs to talking with our community members; your help and belief in me was a blessing.

 I want to emphasize that I chose to run for Sheriff, not for the title or because of personal agenda. I ran based solely on my beliefs and that it was the right thing for me to do. I ran on my principals and values and never strayed from them.

 Because of these reasons nothing has changed for me, I will continue to work as diligently as possible for this Sheriff’s Office and provide public safety service to the community. I will not stray from my faith or values.

 I will work with Gary to insure public safety and will look forward to starting his transition to the Office of Sheriff.

 To all the new friends and old friendships renewed I will be forever grateful.

 Ed Ballard

 

Posted in Calaveras County, Sheriff, politics | 0 Comments