Placer County News Roundup - August 11, 2008
Posted by: Jeff Flint | 08/11/2008 4:11 AM
Tom McClintock Op-Ed: U.S. energy independence: right under our feet - Auburn Journal
Put together, there is enough American oil under American land to provide for American needs for the next century at current rates of consumption. And this doesn't include additional fields that are yet to be discovered.
Charlie Brown Op-Ed: A comprehensive solution to record energy costs - Auburn Journal
That's why I am calling for the federal government -- which is also the world's largest energy consumer and landholder -- to lead a new energy revolution by example, and invest the $14.5 billion it spends annually on energy into alternatives like wind, solar, bio-fuels, hydrogen and yes, nuclear power, over the next seven years.
Three candidates for two council seats - Loomis News
When incumbent Rhonda Morillas turned in her candidate's statement on Friday, she officially joined fellow incumbent Tom Millward and Loomis Open Space and Parks Commission chairman Gary Liss in the race two fill two council seats in the Nov. 4 election.
School board elections update: As deadline approaches, who's running? - Roseville Press-Tribune
Bucking a trend of traditionally lackluster interest, local school board races were drawing intense competition with just hours to go before the close of regular filing for the November ballot.
Jim Ruffalo column: Are Auburn's next municipal elections really needed? - Auburn Journal
Auburn Councilman Mike Holmes supports Bill Kirby and incumbent Keith Nesbitt for the two seats on the Auburn City Council, but hoped a third candidate would file so elections could be held.
Sales tax misses fall ballot - The Union of Grass Valley
A sales tax proposed for Grass Valley road repairs and the long-sought Dorsey Drive Interchange will not make the November ballot.
County: $4 million unpaid in lot-splitting - Auburn Journal
Placer County counsel alleges a former county planning commissioner and two other defendants evaded $4 million in land development fees, according to a civil lawsuit it filed in November.
County lax on cashing checks - The Union of Grass Valley
At a time when money is getting tighter, some checks meant for county coffers have slipped through the cracks -- literally.
Rocklin residents object to proposed funeral home - Sac Bee
Some Rocklin residents are fighting a proposal to open the city's first funeral home, saying the formaldehyde used in the embalming process could be hazardous to children at a nearby school.
Coverup at Auburn courthouse - Auburn Journal
Placer County's architectural grand dame has been fitted with a black veil as part of a rennovation.
Coalition in Tahoe looks to lessen impact of wildfires - Sac Bee
Firefighters and conservation districts in the Lake Tahoe basin are taking a new approach when it comes to fighting wildfires.
Study says canal system 'efficient' - Loomis News
Irrigation water in the Loomis Basin has always been a coveted resource, but a new study now shows that it's also important to the local ecosystem.
Placer County Water Agency update August 2008 - Rocklin & Roseville Today
With a mostly gravity-flow water system, the Placer County Water Agency currently uses less electrical energy than other water purveyors. But in future years, as the water agency relies more on water pumped from the American River, energy use is expected to increase significantly.
New middle school readies for students - Roseville Press-Tribune
Scores of soon-to-be students and their parents swarmed a gleaming Creekview Ranch Middle School this week to pick up schedules while getting a gander at their new stomping grounds.
Libraries feeling funding pinch - Sierra Sun
Though not in danger of imminent closure, the Nevada County Library system is feeling the crunch of a tough economy and is seeking donations.
Put together, there is enough American oil under American land to provide for American needs for the next century at current rates of consumption. And this doesn't include additional fields that are yet to be discovered.
Charlie Brown Op-Ed: A comprehensive solution to record energy costs - Auburn Journal
That's why I am calling for the federal government -- which is also the world's largest energy consumer and landholder -- to lead a new energy revolution by example, and invest the $14.5 billion it spends annually on energy into alternatives like wind, solar, bio-fuels, hydrogen and yes, nuclear power, over the next seven years.
Three candidates for two council seats - Loomis News
When incumbent Rhonda Morillas turned in her candidate's statement on Friday, she officially joined fellow incumbent Tom Millward and Loomis Open Space and Parks Commission chairman Gary Liss in the race two fill two council seats in the Nov. 4 election.
School board elections update: As deadline approaches, who's running? - Roseville Press-Tribune
Bucking a trend of traditionally lackluster interest, local school board races were drawing intense competition with just hours to go before the close of regular filing for the November ballot.
Jim Ruffalo column: Are Auburn's next municipal elections really needed? - Auburn Journal
Auburn Councilman Mike Holmes supports Bill Kirby and incumbent Keith Nesbitt for the two seats on the Auburn City Council, but hoped a third candidate would file so elections could be held.
Sales tax misses fall ballot - The Union of Grass Valley
A sales tax proposed for Grass Valley road repairs and the long-sought Dorsey Drive Interchange will not make the November ballot.
County: $4 million unpaid in lot-splitting - Auburn Journal
Placer County counsel alleges a former county planning commissioner and two other defendants evaded $4 million in land development fees, according to a civil lawsuit it filed in November.
County lax on cashing checks - The Union of Grass Valley
At a time when money is getting tighter, some checks meant for county coffers have slipped through the cracks -- literally.
Rocklin residents object to proposed funeral home - Sac Bee
Some Rocklin residents are fighting a proposal to open the city's first funeral home, saying the formaldehyde used in the embalming process could be hazardous to children at a nearby school.
Coverup at Auburn courthouse - Auburn Journal
Placer County's architectural grand dame has been fitted with a black veil as part of a rennovation.
Coalition in Tahoe looks to lessen impact of wildfires - Sac Bee
Firefighters and conservation districts in the Lake Tahoe basin are taking a new approach when it comes to fighting wildfires.
Study says canal system 'efficient' - Loomis News
Irrigation water in the Loomis Basin has always been a coveted resource, but a new study now shows that it's also important to the local ecosystem.
Placer County Water Agency update August 2008 - Rocklin & Roseville Today
With a mostly gravity-flow water system, the Placer County Water Agency currently uses less electrical energy than other water purveyors. But in future years, as the water agency relies more on water pumped from the American River, energy use is expected to increase significantly.
New middle school readies for students - Roseville Press-Tribune
Scores of soon-to-be students and their parents swarmed a gleaming Creekview Ranch Middle School this week to pick up schedules while getting a gander at their new stomping grounds.
Libraries feeling funding pinch - Sierra Sun
Though not in danger of imminent closure, the Nevada County Library system is feeling the crunch of a tough economy and is seeking donations.
Women's right to vote didn't exist until they fought for it. Blacks rights for equality didn't happen until...
I see the Ollar-Burris saga continues, and Ollar-Burris is convicted in the court of public opinion.
Placer County Board of Supervisors spent at least $30,000 of taxpayer's hard-earned money to hire a special lawyer, Richard Crabtree, to investigate Ollar-Burris's transactions. After 6 months of investigation (May to November 2007), Crabtree filed a report... and he could find NO crime. In fact Placer County Counsel Anthony LaBouff shared it with the Placer County District Attorney, but LaBouff said, "criminal charges are not expected to be filed against Ollar -Burris." And, by the way, violation of the state Subdivision Map Act carries serious penalties of up to a year in jail and $10,000 in fines.
So LaBouff is skipping the criminal court and going straight to the civil court in an attempt to recoup $4 million due to criminal wrongdoing. Did I miss something here??? Wouldn't the proper order be to establish a crime has been committed then go to the civil court to recoup the cost of the crime? But LaBouff himself tells us, "criminal charges are not expected to be filed against Ollar-Burris." This is beginning to look like the Duke Lacrosse case... mean while taxpayer's hard-earned money continues to be spent in the civil court.
Current Placer County planning director Michael Johnson tells us the county checks the parcel maps for compliance with the Subdivision Map Act-- checking to make sure the same person is not subdividing a parcel more than once; they look for patterns involving the same person. I would love for a reporter to ask former planning director Fred Yeager and current planning director Michael Johnson why, when they reviewed Ollar-Burris's parcel maps, did they approve the maps?? Is this just stupidity and incompetence of County government or maybe there was no crime, which explains why this is in civil court rather than criminal court.
Inside information tells us Ollar-Burris "pissed someone off in the county" and they are trying to silence her. Maybe she poked around where she should not have, she knew too much and "the letter" is the tip of the iceberg. No doubt a planning commissioner would have been able to discover cozy relationships between politicians, county officials and developers (i.e. big donors) in important areas such as water (surface water vs. cheaper ground water). If this is the case, I hope at some point Ollar-Burris tells the story.
Meanwhile, after years of investigation and an estimated $250,000 of taxpayer's money being spent, and the County continues to spend... and no criminal charges have been filed. Can you say abuse of power... and the county can do this to any one of us.