Editorial

The State Board of Equalization notified property owners in Shasta County SRA areas they will soon receive billings for the SRA fee that the Governor signed into law earlier this year. The notice came in pre-printed, full-color on heavy “slick stock paper with another full sheet with the property owner’s name and address on it. Of course it was in an envelope with bulk mail postage.

I was in the printing business for a short time several years ago. Printers charge for the thickness of the paper stock. They charge more for “slick” paper than plain paper. This was undoubtedly printed three to a regular sheet or on rolled stock. Either way they do charge for cutting the paper. They charge for full color work. Then there is the cost of the paper and generation of the address sheet and the envelope. Not counting the collating of the two pages, the folding, the insertion into the envelopes, the bulk postage and other associated costs involved.

Then we wonder where our tax dollars go.

Anyway, it is official, they finally got to Shasta County and we will be receiving the bill “soon.”

The notice says “As the owner of property within this area, you will soon receive a bill requiring you to pay up to $150 per habitable structure. After you receive you bill, you will have 30 days from the date on the bill to send a payment or appeal the amount of the bill in writing.”

Both Senator La- Malfa and Assemblyman Nielsen’s office, along with fire chiefs who have followed this issue strongly recommend that anyone who receives the notice ignore the “or appeal” portion of the statement and pay the amount billed and write paid under protest.”

They also say to follow the instructions on filling out the appeal, sending it back in with the payment. They say to do otherwise is to invite fines, penalties and or interest if the appeals are denied.

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association has filed a lawsuit pointing out that it is not a fee, but an illegal tax, but the court has not yet issued an injunction against the collection.

LaMalfa and Nielsen are also amongst the legislators who have authored a bill to stop the fee.
Comment

Editor: The board is contemplating a 6% raise on the water and sewer rates for three consecutive years with the possibility of additional increases in the years that follow that.

I urge all those who pay for these services to protest this action.

As a retiree on Social Security the raise that I get (if I get one at all) amounts to a little more than two percent. The rate raise the district is considering is completely out of line with the cost-of-living increase that those of us on social security are receiving.

After these rate increases, my CSD bill would be over $90. If mine is that high just imagine how much the local businesses would be paying. Then they would have to pass these increases on to the consumer in the form of higher prices just to stay in business. We will be losing in more than one way. Harold Bassett
Comment

Editorial

It would be nice to see the board use their heads and immediately attempt to take steps to head the suit off.
Comment

Foot Traffic?

Editor: Thursday I had a problem with my car. I left it near the vista point on Pit 1 and started to walk. I had no water with me but figured it wouldn’t take long for someone to stop and check on a lone woman walking down the road on a blistering, hot day. All I needed was for someone to make a phone call for me or give me a lift into town.

Countless cars went by and no one so much as slowed down. Two Sheriff ’s SUV’s shot past me too. That was a blow.

I finally reached the HiMont Motel, roughly 2.5 miles of walking, where I was allowed to use their phone and was given a half-frozen bottle of water and a wash cloth while I waited sun burned and in tears for my husband to pick me up.

 Kudos to the Hi Mont ladies as for the Shasta County Sheriff ’s office. I have no words for you. Joy Tjaden

The Fall River Municipal Advisory Committee held a lightly attended public meeting last Thursday to make input into what the citizens of the Valley would like to see in a community center and park tentatively planned for the old Fall River Feed Store’s property and PG&E owned Stewardship land that the Community Services District hopes will be deeded to them.

A lot of people have put a lot of effort into acquiring the stewardship land award, getting additional monies, and brainstorming possible uses for that money. Once the CSD applies for and gets their parks and recreation powers back so they can legally operate parks, things will be a lot easier.

The concept of a swimming pool has been one of the key dreams of Valley folk ever since PG&E bulldozed its pool at the Pit One Power House under and for good reason.

A pool is an ideal spot for kids and adults to gather, cool off, swim, wade, picnic and while away the “lazy, crazy days of summer.” It’s nice, its fun, if properly run it is clean and safe. The entire community or in this case, communities benefit.

That said, I’m going to be a spoil-sport and remind folks that it is going to cost money to build. It is going to cost money to insure and it will cost money to staff, and maintain.

The money has to come from someplace. Sure, money may grow on grant trees, but the grants have to be found and in general matching funds come into play.

Burney bent over backwards to do the homework. They visited and checked pools all over the north state (several of which are no longer in operation). They had as good a feel for what was likely to happen as could be obtained. They knew what they could afford. They knew what to do and what not to do. They knew how to fund it. They got a measure put on the ballot and got it passed, charging every water user a monthly fee whether they used the pool or didn’t. They charged what they felt was a workable admission fee to those who didn’t qualify for a pool pass. It was built and has been in annual summer use ever since. They had to go back to the people to get an increase a few years ago. They have raised the use fee at the gate several times.

Good help was a major problem for several years. The winters played havoc and cost them a lot of money. Equipment wore out. Vandalism has been a problem and on and on.

It is not just a matter of gunniting a hole in the ground, pumping water in it and opening the gates to everyone who wants to use it. There is electricity, heaters, repair or replacement of urinals that have been severely damaged. Who qualifies for a pool pass and who doesn’t will be a major issue, especially if you get the CSD water and sewer district users to partially pay for upkeep.

The concept of an enclosed, year-round pool was mentioned. Burney rejected that concept when they built it because the cost was prohibitive. They revisited the decision a little while ago and rejected it again for the same reason.

I’m not trying to be a jerk or a spoil-sport, but I witnessed what happened in Burney. As president of the Rotary Club one year I went around and emptied containers where people donated their aluminum cans and occasionally a few rotting fish. Donna and I donated to it. When we lived in the Burney Water District we paid the fee on both our business and our residence without complaining. I’ve followed the pool’s progress through five water district managers and I have no idea how many pool managers and I haven’t had the time or inclination to use the facility myself.

What I am telling you is not to rely on the internet alone, if you truly want the pool, find out what you need in a pool, what the community wants and is willing to pay to have a pool. Look at every public pool in existence, talk to board members, managers, employees and users of those pools. Delve into the various pool’s histories.

Get community support, get organizations like the Lions, 4-H, and Chamber to raise funds and solicit local funds. If they won’t or try and can’t that will tell you something right there.

Talk to several pool contractors and engineering firms who specialize in pools. Get tentative plans that can be used to determine costs, then look for the grants and loans necessary to construct it.

While you are at it, be sure to do a realistic cost analysis and 20 year look at what it will cost to run a pool and remember to increase that amount by whatever the experts suggest, because I’ll guarantee you - if something can go wrong it will and no matter how detailed your plan, you will miss something.

There is nothing that makes any worse of an eye sore, or looks worse for the community than an empty deteriorating pool facility, indoor or outdoor.

Editorial

Unfortunately it isn’t helping the district or its customers customers.
Comment

I have a friend, a kind friend, who gave the following to a mutual friend who was suffering the loss of his best friend. My friend gave us a copy also and I would like to share it with you

A Dog’s Plea by Beth Norman Harris
Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for through I might lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me learn.

 Speak to me often, for you voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when the sound of your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food that I might stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.

And, my friend, when I am very old, and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having any fun.

Editorial

This area lost one of the finest, bravest men I’ve ever had the privilege to know a couple of weeks ago, Doyle Canada.

On the surface he and his widow, Sandy, were just really nice folks. They always had a smile and friendly conversation. Neither dwelled on the fact that they were both in wheelchairs.

They never dwelled on the bad, instead seemed to look at everything through rose colored glasses and that their cup was well over half full.

Doyle didn’t bow to disaster, he simply and quietly overcame the problems or found a way around them.

Like the rest of us, he went to work one night, fully expecting to do his job to the best of his ability and come home. Instead he was hit from behind, never saw it coming and was paralyzed from the waist down.

One moment he was a robust, father, husband, provider who enjoyed life to the fullest. The next, he was a paraplegic, confined to a wheel chair for life.

Did he let it get him down?

No.

I didn’t hear much about him for about a year. Then someone showed me a picture Doyle had sent him.

It was of Doyle in his wheel chair, in the great outdoors he loved. It has been too long ago to remember for sure but he’d either been hunting or fishing and had bagged his trophy and if I remember right it had been taken in Alaska.

Every once in awhile over the next few years I’d see a picture or hear of his exploits. We’d run into each other at Rays Market or other local stores and chat. He was always doing just fine. He was always cheerful, proud of his family and full of life.

The last time I saw him was a couple of years ago at Burney Basin Days, he and Sandy and his son and daughter-in-law were selling beautiful metal garden sculptures. He was having the time of his life sitting in his wheelchair, under the canvas shade visiting.

Yes, he finally got called home, but not without having put up one heck of a fight.

 Personally, it was a real privilege to have known Doyle, and if something bad happens to me and I survive, I hope I can muster half the strength and courage he had and be able to follow his example.

On another topic, I have to admit that as long as I ignore the presidential and senatorial race I was pleased with the way the election went last week.

The hospital came out a real winner, keeping the two incumbents and picking up another board member with lots of experience.

The Shasta College race was a win, win situation with all three candidates in the position of doing a good job for our area. My guy didn’t win that one, but Judi did and will do a  good job as she has for years.

I would have liked to have seen Diana Rogers win along with Ontano and Monath, but the district may be better off without having a clear majority from either side. Everyone will have to pay more attention to the needs of their constituents rather than personal preferences. That is a good thing.

Finally this is Thanksgiving week. We all have a lot to be thankful for. I suggest we follow Doyle Canada’s philosophy, figure out a way around whatever problems we have and enjoy the life that we have been dealt. While we’re at it, lets say a little prayer for Doyle.
Comment

Thanks for the Information

Support Dr. Staggs

Editor: I would like to make a few comments regarding the Pit River Health Clinic.

First let me apologize for the negative comments from disgruntled tribal members, mostly all from one family.

I was on the medical board in 2011-12 which chose Dr. Bruce Staggs as our administrator for our medical clinic.

He was chosen for his ability to lead and his desire to make the necessary changes to improve our staff and help get our clinic accredited. He has the knowledge needed to help our clinic get bigger and better.. He has made improvements that we needed. He has been working to get more doctors to come to our clinic so our patients can receive care here locally and not have to leave Alturas or Burney for medical care.

There are 11 bands that make up the Pit River Tribe. Dr. Staggs went over the policy and procedures and started enforcing the policy. No one likes change but there are reasons for the rules in the first place.

The present medical board has served on the board before , but did nothing to improve care for our tribe unless it was to help their own family for themselves. Dr. Staggs is making the tribe go by the chain of command which they don’t like. They are also being held accountable for actions for the first time.

The present health board 2012-13 has been disrespectful to the administration on more than one occasion. Yes, some tribal members were fired with just cause. The tribal council has been just as bad. In my “ideal world” I would have liked to have seen the tribal council come up to Dr. Staggs and introduce themselves and let him know which bands they represent; but instead, he was met by anger and racist remarks, which is unnecessary.

It would have been better if they all came together for the best interest of the tribe, instead of for their own hidden agendas.

I don’t think any of the council members have the ability to lead anything. They aren’t capable of voting yes or no on anything without holding 3-4 more meetings to  discuss it. Why? Is it money and greed? There are one or two council who speak and the rest agree. The council is the same year after year, hence no improvements or new ideas are discussed.

I for one would like new people on the council who want improvement and better care. Alturas seems to be left without any say in medical care, supplies or jobs. Dr. Staggs came up to Alturas and found many things that the clinic needed - supplies, equipment and furniture. After a few suggestions which were acted on immediately, our clinic looks better – thanks to the receptionist, transport driver and band member.

The health clinic in Alturas needs many things. Thanks to Dr. Staggs, Administrative Assistant/ Secretary Laura Kirk for their input for improvement. Without their help, Alturas would have nothing.

I feel it is time to stand  up for the people who are trying to make things better and get rid of the foul-mouthed ones who are incapable of doing their jobs, but are paid for doing nothing.

Dr. Staggs and Laura Kirk, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping our tribe who don’t want any leaders. There are too many chiefs and so few Indians to stand up and be counted, due to fear and the lack of anyone to speak for them. Sincerely Roberta Baggerstaff

It is interesting that the Fall River Valley Community Services District (CSD) faces a number of major issues and they spend as much, if not more time at a candidates night talking about the type of coverage the Mountain Echo gives them instead of the issues.

To clear the air - I have spent the last 32 years as editor of Mountain Echo. I doubt seriously that I would have lasted that long if I wasn’t doing something right.

Over the past couple of years I have spent under 5% of my time and newspaper space to cover the CSD.

During the 32 years I’ve been at the helm of the Mountain Echo I have, at one time or another, taken almost every special district as well as the county Sheriff ’s Department, Coroner’s Department, State’s Caltrans, local CHP office and others to task.

I call them as I see them. That is my job. A newspaper is supposed to be the public watchdog. If someone or some entity is breaking the law, operating outside of the law, ripping someone off, setting up their own little kingdom or otherwise failing to properly serve the public and I find out about it I’m going to tell my readers about it.

Most agencies, in fact, so far, all agencies with the exception of the Fall River Valley Community Services  District have noted the problem, been far less than happy with me, but corrected the problem, made sure that it wasn’t going to happen again and moved on.

While I try to give positive coverage, let people know the positive things that go on or are happening, it is not my job to be a public relations firm. Agencies and businesses don’t go out and hire newspapers, reporters or editors to put a positive spin on what they are doing, whether it is right or wrong. There are plenty of private firms that will do that for them - it isn’t newspapers.

In the case at point, I have tried numerous times to give them positive coverage and I have. If they don’t violate common sense, the law, and are doing things right, I make sure it is noted.

They continuously and wantonly violate the law, scream about how they are being picked on and cost their constituents money for these actions.

1. A public agency is just that - public. They serve the public and are answerable to the public.

 2. When a board gives direction, the management is expected to follow that direction, not find ways to get around it.

3. When the board tells a member of the  public, in public, that they will do something, it is expected that they will do it.

4. When an agency has to use another agency’s services, It uses those services, it isn’t extremely rude to that agency’s representatives, nor does it spend its taxpayer or constituents money on attorneys to get its way and circumvent the  procedures.

If the Fall River Valley Community Services District, staff, management and board want to be treated like grown ups, they’ve gotta start acting like them.

Personally I’m sick and tired of giving them negative publicity. It is now up to their constituents, if you folks are tired of reading about their antics, vote the folks in that will change it. If not, and if they aren’t willing to follow the laws, procedures and common sense as it applies to public entities, oh well. Either way I’ll give them the coverage they deserve.

Regarding my accuracy, I am more than happy to let folks listen to my tape recordings of the meetings. I don’t waste the readers time or my space trying to quote everything from the tape verbatim, That is a stenographer’s job. I do what any other reporter does, I put quotes around what I do use verbatim and paraphrase the rest.

Do I make mistakes. I’ll guarantee you I do. If they are brought to my attention and if, after researching the matter, I find that I did make a mistake, I own up to it and I correct it.  Comment

Editorial

Last week I endorsed Jerry Monath, Diana Rogers and Kathy Ontano for seats on the Fall River CSD Board. The following are my endorsements for other offices:

Mayers Memorial Hospital District board.  There are three openings on that board, I am endorsing both incumbents, Allen Albaugh and Jerry Hathaway in their bids to retain their seats.

Albaugh is a McArthur rancher, a farmer, a former business owner, and involved in a variety of trade and community organizations.

Hathaway, a retired teacher and current Battalion Chief and EMT for the Burney Fire Protection District, a Burney rancher, is also a trustee on the Burney Basin Mosquito Abatement District and former Shasta County Supervisor, and a former member of the Burney Water Board, along with being involved with youth, civic, and church organizations over the years.

Both have shown the desire, expertise and abilities necessary to be good board members and have been a part of a team that is taking the hospital district in the right direction.

I am endorsing Art  Whitney of Glenburn  for the third seat. As a pharmacist he has been in health care since 1973. He has been on the board of directors for the California Pharmacist Association, has chaired the Long Term Care Management Council, been a director of the Roseville Community Hospital and past CEO of Horizon West, a 37-facility chain of skilled nursing home among other things.

Shasta College Board of Trustees

All three candidates have an Intermountain Area background and I have absolutely nothing against any of them. All three have good experience.

Personally I’m going to vote for Dan Marcum of Glenburn. Dan, who holds a PhD, has spent a whole career and still is the Shasta-Lassen County Farm Advisor. He and his wife Debbie raised two children in area schools. His wife is a retired teacher and a former member of the local school board. He is a rancher himself. A long-time member of the Pine Grove Mosquito Abatement District’s board. A member of the community involved in the American Legion, Rotary Club, and others. He is used to helping ranchers and farmers find and compete in new markets like mint and wild rice and old crops such as hay and alfalfa, figure pesticide and fertilizer usage and costs, power costs and irrigation, and work with other experts to figure animal marketing and other areas which change season to season.

State Assembly

I am endorsing Brian Dahle for the position. Brian is a Big Valley rancher, small business owner, and long-time supervisor for the district that includes Big Valley. He is a part of the board that made sure Lassen County has a good financial record. He is “one of us.” He has been here through thick and thin. He is a savvy politician. Those are all things we need and additionally we know where we can find him.

I’m endorsing Jim Nielsen for State Senate. He has done a good job representing us as our assemblyman. He’s experienced and conservative. He knows where we are and who we are. The other candidates don’t.

I’m endorsing Doug LaMalfa for the US House of Representatives.

There are two reasons. Number one, he may not live here but he has come up here because he was our assemblyman and then state senator and because his boy played basketball against Fall River. Secondly, he is experienced. The House of Representatives needs a savvy politician.

I am also endorsing Tony Mallery for Superior Court Judge in Lassen County. He has fresh ideas and is a strong supporter of the law.
Comment

Editorial

Editorial
Open Letter to LAFCO

Actions at the last Shasta  Local Agency Formation Commissioner (LAFCO) Commissioners’ board meeting have me concerned. The commissioners overruled staff recommendations, waived fees and ignored policy to give the Fall River Community Services District representation what they wanted. First, if you can waive fees for the Fall River CSD, you can waive fees for the rest of the special districts in the county and second, 13 plus years ago Julie Howard resigned as executive director because she followed the law and the commission bowed to political pressure and overruled her. Are you folks going to step in the proverbial doo-doo and repeat history?

I am a 30+ year trustee, and past president of the Burney Basin Mosquito Abatement District and a past Commissioner and Past Chairman of the Burney Fire Protection District. I was also the first alternate commissioner representing Special Districts elected by the districts to your LAFCO board. I served while Julie Howard was the executive officer. I have also been an active reporter covering special districts for 35 years, which includes their occasional dealings with your LAFCO.

Having watched the attempted, and apparently successful, manipulation of your board by a small group of people representing a small number of people with grandiose schemes and bad tempers in the Fall River Valley, raises concerns.

In the past few months that small contingency has gone to your meetings, publicly attacked your employee, harassed her during breaks, tried to teach you law as they perceive it, attempted to harass individual commissioners on the phone and campaign trails. All things that raise red flags to most thinking individuals.

I don’t know a special district in this county that is happy with your annual (state authorized) fee.

Property taxes have been going down. Costs have been going up. Add to that State and Federal manipulation and district financing has become a paramount concern. Many are living or improving by writing grants which may also dry up at any time. I don’t know too many public entities, as well as the county itself, that aren’t strapped for income.

You folks opened Pandora’s box by waiving fees. I’m personally glad you did because the day will come when my district will need something done that requires your approval. It is nice to know that fees are discretionary and that if we are obnoxious or hire an attorney, we can get the fees waived. I won’t have any trouble showing my district is financially stressed, especially since you guys on’t do your homework, voting on emotion, not common sense.

You folks employ two people part-time and demand that they do their work, which includes completed complex and accurate documentations required to assure that districts don’t step on one another, follow the laws governing their ability to increase, decrease the size of their boundaries, extent of their services etc. You also expect your employees to follow the laws of the state as it governs LAFCO, keep abreast and keep you abreast of statewide LAFCO happenings, changes in the laws etc. The least you could do is back them for doing their jobs.

For those of you that haven’t the history, Julie Howard was the executive director of LAFCO for years. She resigned when her board failed to support her even though she was right.

Amy Mickelson has spent over 13 years with you folks. That is a pretty long time to keep someone if you didn’t feel she knew her job.

The Fall River Mills Community Services District isn’t strapped for money because you folks abused them. That district has well over a 20-year history of poor management of its infrastructure, money, personnel and operations. There were several years when they had to cancel some of their monthly board meetings because they couldn’t get a quorum of directors to show up.

During that period their infrastructure deteriorated, they put in a well that wasn’t properly thought out, their policies and procedures, along with their bank account declined. As the decline progressed, they also failed to properly complete the form keeping their parks and recreation status intact, didn’t complete their Municipal Services Review, skipped their annual independent audits because they “couldn’t afford” them.

The board made some strong moves in the right direction two years ago. They changed management, they started paying attention to their finances, and had their independent audits done.

It became obvious when they changed their name from Fall River Mills to Fall River Valley that they had bigger plans. Unfortunately they wanted the world and moved too fast. In the 18 or so months since the “old board” left and that manager was fired, there have been a total of seven changes in directors, two of whom, served twice, and they are on their second manager. All five board positions are up for election this November. One of candidates was on the board but quit in a huff because she didn’t like being criticized. One, an incumbent, is running in spite of having her new residence completed outside the district, one candidate is the wife of a person who has already been put on notice that he, along with the district, may be sued for libel by a LAFCO staffer.

They pass a rate increase for water and sewer, then go out and borrow $8,000 to get an attorney to intimidate you folks. They attempt to expand into Shingletown to pick up a hydro facility when they don’t have money, experience or charter to have one. They want to expand their sphere of influence to Little Valley in Lassen County to pick off another community services district while using extremely questionable, often illegal, techniques of violating the Ralph M. Brown Act, attempting to intimidate anyone who opposes them, including you folks, failing to follow up on promises made at board meetings, and failing to properly supervise or rein in their manager.

I really don’t think that LAFCO or any other governing body should condone that type of behavior, bow to that type of abuse or send that type of message to employees.
Comment

Editorial

Beware of those who want to be on the Fall River Valley Community Services District board to expand services and territory to improve recreation and provide  services instead of providing water and sewer and stabilizing its finances.

There’s nothing wrong with a special district that has a long-time track record of financial responsibility, solvency, good infrastructure and that is putting money away for a rainy day to look at these things, develop a viable plan, including budgets that accurately reflect the costs of such endeavors, going for them.

However, it appears to me that the Fall River CSD isn’t in that position. It has a terrible track record in management, finances, boardsmanship, planning and operation.

As examples, instead of spending its time trying to completely stabilize, its manager spends most of his time chasing dreams.

The district has just had a rate increase and is already spending money it doesn’t have budgeted and had promised it wouldn’t, on attorneys to carry forward on what appears to be a personal vendetta.

Instead of trying to get its own services completely under control and demonstrating that it can keep them under control they are trying  to take their services into areas like hydro that they have little if any expertise, way outside of their boundaries, and then lie about their intent.

You can’t have illegal secret brown Act meetings, take illegal actions because you don’t want to give your intentions away, file to get preference in positioning with a regulatory agency and then tell the public a couple of meetings later that you are just lending your name to the project to help others.

It appears that you have current board members Jensen, Hall, Snyder and Gooch and former board member Briggs, all candidates, that have condoned this type of behavior and see nothing wrong with it. Their priority is parks, not seeing that people have water and sewer service and see nothing wrong in getting it any way they can.

There are other candidates - come to the upcoming Chamber of Commerce candidates night. Listen to the candidates make your choices, but make sure you will be able to get water out of your water tap and flush your toilet and have enough money you can pay the bill.
Comment

Editorial

Editorial