August 23rdI spent 35 happy years in this country. Oh yeah, the fishin's good, the air is clean and folks are great but there's more to life than that. There's kids, dogs, cats 'n rats - and bears. And LAFCO!There's something wrong with that. They just don't fit. I don't mean the kids or the bears but does LAFCO make anybody happy? If Wal-Mart was LAFCO - would you shop there? They're attorneys, you know. Us “low-rungers on the socio economic ladder,†(that's a term used by the Department of Water Resources in response to Portola's protest against the poisoning of the Lake Davis area). Just asked LAFCO a simple question. The response took volumes to explain, and I don't get it yet. The question? Well, it went like this: Hey, you guys how come the bill for services(?) for the County of Plumas runs $100 grand? $50 grand for Plumas County (population 25,000) and $50 grand for the only incorporated city in the county - Portola (population less than 2,000). The “aba-daba-doo's†sounded as ridiculous as a Beckwourth Fire District meeting, or Fish and Game's, I mean wildlife. But it is all games. You and I are the losers. “The low-rungers.†Aren't you tired of this California crap? We don't need LAFCO or California or their stinking frogs. The front page of the Booster a recent week - you won't see that on the front page of the S.F. examiner. Derrick, Claire, the Scouts, the flags and Kendall, Jordan and Joey. Great Stuff, Jan. Feets LETTERS OF INTEREST: To: Sierra County Waterworks District #1 I have spoken with the DWR Ca. and it has come to my attention that as a District you might be able to charge a fee for services on the industrial hydrant that the District controls. Since the Waterworks District has decided to raise water rates for its members, I do not understand why it is allowing the free use of the District's services for a commercial logging operation. I feel it is irresponsible to pass costs onto the District members without even looking into this alternative revenue source. I would like to see this option explored before any rate increases go into effect. Thank you for your time. SIncerely, Leroy L. Miller 601 Main Street, Calpine To: Sierra County Waterworks District #1 As an adjudicated water rights holder to Fletcher Creek Springs and Tributaries, I am requesting the installation of a fire hydrant water meter on the industrial hydrant that the District controls. I have spoken with the DWR watermaster and it has been explained to me that the Waterworks District is the responsible party for the use of the District's adjudicated water from the industrial hydrant, just as any other water rights holder is responsible for the water from Fletcher Creek Spring and tributaries that is used on their land. It is not the responsibility of the DWR watermaster to monitor the amount of water that any water rights holder uses.It is up to the holder of the water right to insure that they do not use too much. Since there are multiple users of the industrial hydrant ie......the Calpine Volunteer Fire Department for training and a commercial logging operation and any other users that the District gives permission to, I feel it would be wise to install this monitoring device to insure there is not overuse of the water. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Leroy L. Miller 601 Main Street, Calpine TO SIERRA-PLUMAS JU SCHOOL BOARD: Dear Board of Supervisors: As I read over the vacancy descriptions for the positions of an English, math, and music teacher, I believe our district can think much broader than the current methods used to attract amazing, qualified teachers to Sierra Valley. In my opinion, this is an emergency situation and we should be reacting accordingly. Two vital positions are vacant – an English teacher and a math teacher. For college focused kids, these are the very two subjects that will make or break them getting into the college of their choice. We are a rural school set in a unique location. Our valley is like a vast, endless sea of grass with no boundaries, and although beautiful, doesn't offer much to a newcomer in the way of modern conveniences. And these positions that need filling require a teacher to prep for sometimes five or six different subjects everyday – Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Trig, etc. Enticing prospective teachers here is a challenge to say the least, but I have come up with some ideas that also have no bounds to get creative juices flowing: •Market our area. We are full of pristine lakes, bike and hiking trails, close to world class skiing, no traffic jams, a supportive community, a unique history and culture, and small classroom sizes. Our district should have brochures on hand saying as much to take to deans of education. We should also invest in social media campaigns that advertise our area that target students of education. •Build and foster personal relationships with deans of education. Visit these campuses, make presentations about our area. Invite student teachers to come here. •Fatten the deal. The job offer should include one of the following: -Reimbursement for gas -Money towards rent or housing -Buy a modular house, put it on the school grounds and offer them a place live - As a district, purchase a fixer-upper, have the shop class renovate it, and offer it to a teacher. •Invest in the wellbeing of our teachers. Address the challenge of prepping for six different classes by dividing the job into two, and offer benefits for both teachers so that we aren't burning them out. •Tap into the pool of Nevada retired teachers. It's my understanding they can continue to teach in California without interfering with their Nevada benefits. •Research grants and apply for them yourself! There could be extra money out there for an occasion such as this. Demonstrate to our 411 students by doing. Expand your vision! Get creative! Show our teachers as well as students that there are no bounds in Sierra County when it comes to how important education is to us. Don't focus on the hinderances of offering more to teachers and students. Find a way. Please, do whatever it takes to get qualified teachers here. Thank you. Respectfully, Katherine Genasci Editor, I was thinking the other day of those elements of our world that have been very troublesome and my first thought was Jeffrey Dahmer. Then I considered others Dylan Roof (Charleston church shooting), executives of the tobacco companies, Charles Manson, Terry McVey (Oklahoma City bomber), the Sackler family (Purdue pharmaceuticals). Then I reflected on the confederate generals, George Custer, Devin Kelly (killed 26 in a Texas church), executives of the NRA, Steven Paddock (Las Vegas shooter) and I realized all these guys were white men. I was astounded! I wondered what could we do? They are breeders and could take over the country. Should we deport all white men? Or take their children away? I hate to sound like a racist. Certainly all white men are not evil, there must be a few good ones. We need to save our country and our heritage. But I love enchiladas and chow main. Wake up America! Don McKechnie Sierraville, CA Dear Jan, I look forward to every issue of the Booster and wish I were still a Loyalton resident. I am so pleased and interested to read Cory Peterman's articles. I hope he can have his complete effort published. It is so wonderful to see a young man with such a continuing meaningful interest. Give him my best regards! Love, Martha Lauritzen, Vista, Ca. Dear Friends, We are pleased to inform you we are anticipating hundreds of visitors will be rolling into town to travel the 2018 Sierra Valley Art + Ag trail on Saturday, September 29, 2018. This event showcases the assets of Sierra Valley and the work of artists from throughout Plumas and Sierra Counties. Our best estimate is that attendance nearly doubled in 2017 with ∼700 people visiting and generating more than $30,000 in revenue for producers, artists and our local organizations. These dollars then reverberate follow-on benefits through local communities as they are used in local businesses, help fund scholarships and more. This year many of the same sites and artists will be participating, and we will also have new ones. Our participating artists and site hosts continue to flex their creativity in developing new ways to delight the visitors, as do local eateries cooking up specials for the day. Visitors traveling the Sierra Valley Art + Ag Trail will be visiting working farms, ranches, and historic buildings, while enjoying views of barn quilts, scenic vistas and Sierra Valley's wildlife. Travelers will learn about local history and current agricultural practices and will sample the wares of artists of every medium - wood, paint, glass, ceramic, metal, fiber and more. As part of the planning team, we are currently looking for individuals and businesses to become event sponsors. We'd love to have your support. If you are able to join us in making this event happen, please make checks payable to Sierra Valley Art + Ag Trail, which is a program of the Sierra County Arts Council, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. If we can provide any additional information or answer questions, please contact either of us. Thank you! Carolyn Roberti (530) 249-4014, Jane Roberti (530) 249-4036 Submitted: 08/23/18 Article By: Sierra Booster |