Marc Joffe

Governor Brown’s proposal to fund CalPERS with borrowed money parallels a similar move by Puerto Rico in 2008. Borrowing to meet pension obligations can work under certain circumstances, but it is a risky policy. It backfired in Puerto Rico and can do so here.
Last month, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico filed for bankruptcy in federal court. The island’s government is unable to service $70 billion in bonds and almost $50 billion in pension debt. The bankruptcy filing – the largest ever by a U.S. government unit – was just the latest chapter in a fiscal crisis decades in the making.
In 2008, Puerto Rico opted to plug a hole in its retirement system funding by issuing Pension Obligation Bonds (POBs). The Commonwealth borrowed $3 billion from bond investors to contribute to its Employees Retirement System (ERS), Puerto Rico’s analog to CalPERS.
Puerto Rico’s timing could not have been much worse.  Between early 2008 and early 2009, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by about 50%.
ERS disclosures do not allow us to see precisely how poorly the investments purchased with the POB money performed, but we do know that the total value of the system’s assets fell from $5.77 billion on June 30, 2008 to $5.07 billion on June 30, 2009 – a decline of about 15%. One saving grace for ERS is that a lot of its assets were held in cash or cash equivalents. That is usually a bad practice for a pension fund investing for the long term, but it worked in this case.
During the same fiscal year, CalPERS suffered a loss of 24%. Had the state borrowed $6 billion (the amount recently proposed by Brown) to invest in CalPERS in June 2008, almost $1.5 billion of that would have been wiped out. It would take several years of above-average returns to make up for such a large loss.
Given this history, a reasonable question to ask is whether a 2008-style market crash could happen again in the near future. Since 2009, an eight-year bull market has more than trebled stock valuations, increasing the risk of a major drop. In 2016, our own Ed Ring argued that stock prices were quite high by historical standards, and that it was reasonable to expect a 47% correction.
Since Ring’s piece appeared, the market has continued to rally, largely in response to Donald Trump’s election. The market seems to be expecting tax cuts and deregulatory policies that will stimulate growth. But with the Trump administration facing stiff resistance from Democrats, some Republicans and just about all of the mainstream media, it is increasingly possible that the anticipated policies will never materialize.
Whether it is a Trump administration meltdown, a collapse of the Silicon Valley bubble or a shock from overseas, history suggests that some event will trigger a downturn sooner rather than later. Even Jerry Brown seems worried. In his May 11 budget press conference, the governor told reporters, “We’ve got ongoing pressures from Washington and the economic recovery – it’s not going to last forever. In California, we don’t live in fixed world of straight-line revenues that keep rising and never go down.”
Brown’s comments refer to the state’s revenue volatility. California’s tax system is heavily dependent on revenue from capital gains taxes as well as personal income taxes on high earners, whose salaries rise and fall with the market. As a result, the state’s revenue swings widely with the economy. This is also the case with some expenditures, like public assistance, unemployment benefits and, especially, Medi-Cal.
So if we have a recession and bear market, the state will lose money on its CalPERS investment just as it starts running large deficits. And that could pose an additional problem. While Puerto Rico’s pension borrowing took the form of bonds, Brown is planning to borrow California’s $6 billion CalPERS payment from the Pooled Money Investment Account. PMIA holds short-term funds for the state, as well as cities, counties, and other local entities. On its face, borrowing from PMIA is a lot smarter than issuing POBs because the interest cost is much lower.
But in previous recessions, California’s General Fund has had to borrow from PMIA. During Fiscal Year 2009-2010, the General Fund owed PMIA a daily average of $9.6 billion. By lending money to CalPERS, PMIA may find itself unable to provide General Fund loans, just when they are needed the most.
Finally, while the rate on PMIA loans is very low right now, it is also variable. Although we have now had an extended period of short-term interest rates, many of us remember very different circumstances. In Fiscal Year 1981-82, PMIA’s short-term assets earned 12% interest as the Federal Reserve battled inflation. At the time, stock prices were also falling sharply, so borrowing money at variable rates to invest in CalPERS back then would have produced especially disastrous results.
Back in Puerto Rico, borrowing to fund pensions has been a failure. The government is now demanding that both bondholders and retired workers take a haircut. The Employee Retirement System reported a funded ratio of less than 2% last year. Current retirees will have to be paid from employer contributions, while new hires and current employees will be migrated to a defined-contribution plan.
Admittedly California has advantages over Puerto Rico, and some of the worst-case scenarios discussed here are improbable. But proper risk management requires us to consider the improbable. Rather than rushing into this transaction, lawmakers would do well to take the Legislative Analyst’s Office advice to slow down and carefully consider the implications.

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By Harold Pease, Ph. D


Please understand!  I am deeply offended when called either conservative or liberal.  These are traps for the ignorant who wish to reduce my years of serious contemplation to a word so that a part of my readers can praise me (“Well done! “ “You are one of us!”).  And the other part can dismiss me by a single word—even hate me.  This is war, every bit as much as it was for the Founding Fathers and I will not be dismissed.  There are Loyalist or Tories in our day just as there were in theirs and I stand to call them out, whether Democrats or Republicans. 


My views are the Founders collective view.  I draw from the same fountain of natural law as they did and appeal to the same “father of lights to illuminate my understanding” (Ben Franklin’s words at the Constitutional Convention), as they did.  I am my own thinker.


I have been a college professor for many years and students sit in front of me just waiting to tag me with some label that did not then exist in the same way and dismiss me or marginalize me so that they do not have to think.  As long as they are not successful they are teachable and have to deal with the inconsistencies of both ideologies—liberal and conservative.  I have friends in both camps and sooner or latter they say to me, somewhat surprised, “I thought you were one of us.”


I, like George Washington, dislike political parties.  Today both major parties undermine the Constitution and collective ignorance, reinforced by numbers, is more dangerous than individual ignorance.  Neither uses the Constitution as first consideration in governing.


I publicly challenged the Republican Party for leading us into the Iraq Wars against Saddam Hussein because the evidence for doing so (9 11, weapons of mass destruction, preemption-–the concept that they would do something to us eventually) did not exist and had to be constantly changed to justify our presence.  I did not oppose the war in Afghanistan because the evidence was there for 9 11 but I do now because we have no clear definable win objectives and lack the will to unleash everything we have to win.  It is another Vietnam quagmire.
 
It was the George W. Bush administration that gave us the Patriot Act, which allowed the government to define terrorists as her own people and severely damaged the Bill of Rights.  Republicans looked the other way as the National Security Agency (NSA) gave itself authority to gather and store in Bluffdale, Utah every electronic message of her own people.  While the government looks within for the enemy, it fails to secure our borders, until now, from Middle Eastern intruders from countries with a known intent to harm us.  With respect to national health care, something they unanimously opposed, and which has no constitutional basis, they now look more like Democrats who at least were not hypocritical in their desire to take-over a third of the economy.  “Obamacare-light” is still Obamacare.


Democrats have taken spending to an unacceptable level and seem intent to risk collapsing the entire economy in doing so.  With each crisis they help create, their remedy is always more government as they hamstring businesses that create our jobs with numberless rules and regulations. 


Their model is not the Founders or the Constitution but socialist countries in Europe some of whom tax their people over 50% of their income and have far less freedom. A worshipful press has never properly explained Obama’s past connection with revolutionary Bill Ayer, Founder of the militant Whether Underground, which bombed government buildings in the seventies.  While China, Cuba, and even Canada are showing clear signs of backing off socialism we seemed “hell bent” to rush into it under either Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders.
  
Moreover, instead of investigating the Clinton Foundation or Clinton Classified Emails Scandals, that jeopardized national security of which there exists extensive documentation, far more than on Nixon’s Watergate, they push Russian influence in the Donald Trump election for which real documentation is non-existent.  Amazing!


So what do I embrace?  I usually drop a tear or two when the National Anthem is played.  I am touched by George Washington who loved his country enough to risk his life in a doubtful cause failing to win a single battle the first year against England, the most powerful nation on earth, and refused pay from the government for his services as a general or as president.  I love knowing that Founders and presidents acknowledge the hand of God in crisis and shamelessly went to him for help.  I love the stories of servicemen who put their lives on the line to save a buddy.  I have undying respect for those who served their country with the primary intent of saving freedom—even if they did not understand the motives of the politicians who sent them.  I love people who stand for traditional values of honesty, integrity and morality and did not justify President Clinton’s numerous White House affairs.


So what am I?  Only a typical American that wants to return to our base and thinks more people embrace this description than either party ideology.  So please just call me a patriotic American.  That is a title that I wear with honor.


 
Dr. Harold Pease is a syndicated columnist and an expert on the United States Constitution. He has dedicated his career to studying the


writings of the Founding Fathers and applying that knowledge to current events. He has taught history and political science from this perspective for over 30 years at Taft College. To read more of his weekly articles, please visit www.LibertyUnderFire.org.


 
 

 

 
 
 
Byron Caudle (59) Loyalton.  Assault.  24 months probation, 92 days jail, fine $235, 20 hours of community service, and no contact with victim.
 
LeAnn Polastrini (43) Loyalton.  Failure to appear on probation violation. Six days jail, and reinstated on probation.
 
Hunter Henson (27) Loyalton.  Petty theft by shoplift. Fine $270, converted to two days jail, and ordered to pay restitution of $4 to Leonard’s Market.
 
Teri Pederson (41) Calpine.  Dog at large, fine $150.
 
Christine Kruck (59) Truckee.  Felony driving with blood alcohol of .08 or above, with three prior convictions.  Sentencing is on June 9, meanwhile she remains in custody in lieu of $75,000 bail.
 
Patrick Hall (35) Sacramento.  After a contested preliminary hearing, Hall was ordered to stand trial on possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.  He is in custody in lieu of $50,000 bail.
 
Gary Sather (34) Portola.  Brandishing a knife. Two years probation, 4 days jail, and a fine of $650.
 
Mark Mansfield (62) Newcastle.  Violation of Sierra County building code.  Fine $455 and ordered to fix the property to come into compliance.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Richard Douglas (23) Napa, and Deborah Hunt (34) McKinnelyville.  After a contested    preliminary hearing, both were ordered to stand trial on charges of  conspiracy to commit robbery, residential burglary while occupied by another person, and attempted robbery.       According to testimony produced at the preliminary hearing, Hunt and Douglas traveled to Downieville to collect an alleged debt owed to Hunt.  At 10:30 at night, the two approached the front of a Downieville residence and without warning, Douglas attempted entry into the residence by breaking windows by the front door.  While Douglas was trying to enter, the homeowner armed himself with a rifle and confronted Douglas demanding he leave.  Douglas approached the homeowner and was shot in the arm.  Douglas fled and was picked up by Hunt and the two left Downieville in a vehicle. The pair was stopped just south of Downieville by the Sierra County Sheriff’s Department, and taken into custody.  They remain in custody in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Grass Valley, Calif.

High River flows caused by Sierra snowmelt has made swimming or recreating near the shoreline of the South Yuba River extremely hazardous.
Due to a record setting Sierra snowpack and unseasonal warm temperatures, the South Yuba River is running faster and colder than we have seen in many years. Areas that appear to be safe may have dangerous undertow currents. Wearing life jackets and closely supervising small children are strongly advised.
Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 1 to 14 years and the fifth leading cause for people of all ages. (CDC.“Drowning risks in Natural Water Settings.” 6/13/2012)
For the latest information on river conditions, please check the Department of Water Resources website.
Subscribe to California State Parks News via e-mail at [email protected] or via RSS feed.
California State Parks
Provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at www.parks.ca.gov.
California’s D 

​

 
Friday Night Live Kids
 
Are you a health care provider? If so, adopting a smoke free workplace policy could benefit patrons in many ways.
 
First, patrons won’t be exposed to the secondhand smoke in the air or third hand smoke which could make them sick. Many studies have shown that smoking bans reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, a preventable cause of illness and death.
 
Second, they would not have to see or smell tobacco litter. Nobody likes to go somewhere and see a lot of cigarette butts or ashtrays around.
 
Third, it shows that health care provider wants to protect the patrons’ health. When patrons notice that a smoke free policy has been adopted, it shows their health care provider cares about keeping everybody healthy. 
 
Lastly, patrons and their family members may try to quit after the policy is implemented.
 
In conclusion, Loyalton Friday Night Live Kids asks you to consider the benefits of having a smoke free campus.
 

 


          WASHINGTON, May 25, 2017 — Summer is a time for family vacations, backyard barbeques and plenty of outdoor activities with food as the centerpiece. But before those steaks and burgers go on the grill, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) wants to remind consumers to keep their family and themselves safe from foodborne illness by using a food thermometer to ensure meat and poultry is cooked to the correct internal temperature.
 
“The best and only way to make sure bacteria have been killed and food is safe to eat is by cooking it to the correct internal temperature as measured by a food thermometer,” said FSIS Administrator Al Almanza. “It is a simple step that can stop your family and guests from getting foodborne illness.”
 
Recent research by USDA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that only 34 percent of the public use a food thermometer when cooking hamburgers. If you don’t verify your burger’s internal temperature, pathogens may still be present. When eaten, those hamburgers can make your guests and your family sick.
 
In fact, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 48 million people suffer from foodborne illness each year, resulting in roughly 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths.
 
So how do you avoid becoming a part of those statistics? Follow USDA’s four easy steps to food safety this summer.
Clean: Make sure to always wash your hands and surfaces with soap and warm water for 20 seconds before cooking and after handling raw meat or poultry. If cooking outside or away from a kitchen, pack clean cloths and moist towelettes for cleaning surfaces and hands.
Separate: When taking food off of the grill, use clean utensils and platters. Don't put cooked food on the same platter that held raw meat or poultry.
Cook: Alwaysuse a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of meat and poultry. Place the food thermometer in the thickest part of the food.
 

• Hamburgers, sausages and other ground meats should reach 160°F.
• All poultry should reach a minimum temperature of 165°F.
• Whole cuts of pork, lamb, veal, and of beef should be cooked to 145°F as measured by a food thermometer placed in the thickest part of the meat, and allowed to rest for three minutes before eating. A "rest time" is the amount of time the product remains at the final temperature, after it has been removed from a grill, oven, or other heat source. During the three minutes after meat is removed from the heat source, its temperature remains constant or continues to rise, which destroys pathogens.
• Fish should be cooked to 145°F.
• Meat and poultry cooked on a grill often browns very fast on the outside, and by using a food thermometer you can be sure items have reached a safe minimum internal temperature needed to destroy any harmful bacteria that may be present.

 
Chill: Place leftovers in shallow containers and refrigerate or freeze immediately. Discard food that has been sitting out longer than two hours. 
 
Need more food safety information? Call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at (1-888-674-6854) Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, or email or chat at AskKaren.gov.
 

Grass Valley, Calif.

High River flows caused by Sierra snowmelt has made swimming or recreating near the shoreline of the South Yuba River extremely hazardous.
Due to a record setting Sierra snowpack and unseasonal warm temperatures, the South Yuba River is running faster and colder than we have seen in many years. Areas that appear to be safe may have dangerous undertow currents. Wearing life jackets and closely supervising small children are strongly advised.
Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 1 to 14 years and the fifth leading cause for people of all ages. (CDC.“Drowning risks in Natural Water Settings.” 6/13/2012)
For the latest information on river conditions, please check the Department of Water Resources website.
Subscribe to California State Parks News via e-mail at [email protected] or via RSS feed.
California State Parks
Provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at www.parks.ca.gov.
California’s Drought
Every Californian should take steps to conserve water at home, at work and even when recreating outdoors. Find out how at SaveOurWater.com and Drought.CA.Gov 

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Loyalton City Council discussed City clean up at the regular May 16th meeting when resident Joy Markum suggested citizens look at ways not to look like sore thumbs and to clean up areas. Councilman Brooks Mitchell put her on a Community Action Committee to hear solutions and to be a future action item.
That brought discussion over Loyalton Mobile Estates, the County's trailer park just outside city limits. Those residents don't pay water and sewer charges as the council can't decide whether the water - which the city owns - can be shut off in the pipes which the park owns. Council members stated by shutting off the trailer park's water, it was trespassing on private property.
From the audience, Mark Lombardi took the floor and stated he'll not pay his water bills as there's "nothing ever done." He told the Council it's created a moral hazard and he encouraged people not to pay water and sewer bills. He called it discrimination, treating different groups of people differently under the same law.
Resident Eileen has seen the list of those delinquent on sewer and water and said her neighbors don't pay because there's no threat of turning off the water. She called it unfair.
Mayor Mark Marin admitted Portola has no lee way; delinquent users get shut off.
It was stated a just-hired employee owes $1,500. 
Monica Funk lives in the trailer park and since 2011, paid her rent to include water and sewer. She's tried to pay personally but the city can't accept it since the State has suspended the park's license.
Council member Brooks Mitchell wanted to set up a system as a donation.
No solution was found but there was free tire day for disposal at the transfer sites and there will be a vehicle and scap metla day in early June. County Supervisor Paul Roen told about getting rid of asbestos; owners have to place it in plastic bags and he called it "simple to take to Reno." He told the audience to "get in touch with the City."

​A RESOLUTION approving an application for grant funds from the Federal Lands Access Funding Program (FLAP) for the Smithneck Creek Road Rehabilitation and Smithneck Creek Bicycle Trail Project was discussed at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting in Loyalton on Tuesday, May 16, 2017. Sierra County Planning Director Tim Beals said the resolution was being placed in front of the board again as every two years funds become available for this program. He hoped to compete for the funding this year and felt they were close to having this project fully funded two years ago. Beals stated once the resolution was submitted, the application would be in front of the review committee and there would be a recommended funding list by July 1st. He explained this project was a combination, paved two-lane bike construction project from Highway 49 to Smithneck Park and road rehabilitation of Smithneck Road from Highway 49 to the cattleguard. He said the estimated costs would be about $4 million, a 50-50 project. Beals stated the contribution from the County would be about $1.7 million, which would go to the road rehab portion and FLAP would fund the rest of the road rehab and bike lane. Supervisor Scott Schlefstein stated he thought this was a lot more money than originally discussed. Beals said it was for the whole project. He added the $8 million puts the project right in the “sweet spot” for funding, adding they don’t tend to support projects that are $1-2 million. Schlefstein said since this was in his district and it was something his district really wanted he made the motion to approve. Supervisor Paul Roen said this was a level one, bike path, with no maintenance funds attached to it. Supervisor Lee Adams said he was shocked when he saw the amount of $8.7 million. He stated he was all for bike paths, but this was a lot for a bike trail and didn’t want to be on the “hook” for maintenance. Schlefstein said the amount surprised him as well, adding this has been in the works for six years and if they don’t get the money someone else will. The motion passed with Roen and Adams voting no. 

LOYALTON MOBILE HOME PARK was discussed at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting in Loyalton on Tuesday, May 16, 2017. Sierra County Planning Director Tim Beals led the topic and stated since the special meeting held on April 19th there has been a lot of action and activities and said they now have a fairly accurate list of those who were lawfully occupying a space at the time of suspension in December of 2015. He said they were going to be proposing law enforcement actions on those who moved in subsequent to the suspension date. Beals stated they have also been gathering information and intend to proceed with enforcement action on an individual who is conducting an unlawful business, violating county zoning codes, violating terms of use permit and creating a significant public nuisance.
He said as part of an effort to assist in the voluntary clean up of the Park, the Board has agreed to a tire  amnesty program, so residents can take tires to the landfill, and the Board authorized a metal only vehicle amnesty for residents to bring old vehicles to the landfill free of charge. Beals thought the vehicle amnesty would happen during the month of June, adding mobile homes were not part of the waiver. He said he had a meeting last Friday with State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to evaluate respective issues and to understand the role between the County and HCD as well as what that to do with the condition of the park with no responsible party. 
Beals stated the Board continues to discuss the options identified on April 19th. Beals concluded that the first and foremost issue will be to proceed with enforcement actions against those individuals and uses that are clearly violations and to establish an understanding of proper use of occupancy and improper use of occupancy. He told the Board, this item will be a “time pit” for their work and felt once started they would have to stay focused and would be using a lot of resources. 

  
 
Dr. Glenn Mollette
 
 
I wish I had my mother this Mother's Day, actually every day.  How sweet it would be to talk to her on the telephone and talk about the weather, family and friends and hear about what she was doing. How better yet it would be if life was such that I could take her to G.C. Murphy's snack bar and buy her a hotdog. Dad and mom gave me $5 and bought me a bicycle if I agreed to have my tonsils removed when I was about seven years old.
 
When dad gave me the $5 I wanted to pay for our lunch, which consisted of hotdogs and cokes at the old soda fountain bar in the now defunct G.C. Murphy's store in downtown Paintsville, Kentucky. It was the most money I had owned in my life and it felt good to treat mom and dad.
 
I never got the opportunity to do more for my mom and dad than they did for me. I would have liked to but time ran out. I hear stories about rock stars who buy their parents cars and houses and stuff like that. That's cool but then often I hear about some of the same rock stars going broke and mom losing the house so that's not cool. This is all beside the point. I just wish mom were alive so I could buy her Sunday dinner and give her some flowers.
 
I took her some flowers on her birthday September 3, 2001. She was on a breathing tube and wasn't aware of my presence. I wanted to give her some flowers one more time while she was living.
 
Hindsight is always 20/20. We know people are going to die but we seldom make the most of our time with people.
 
Mom was a loving lady. She was a hard worker. She demonstrated Christian faith and perseverance and much more.
 
My wife and mother of my two sons passed almost 15 years ago. She was a great lady and mother to our children. She loved my boys more than life and the last thing she asked me to do was to please take care of them. I've tried but no one takes the place of a child's mother.
 
My two grandmothers have passed on. My Mama Mollette and Mama Hinkle were just incredible women that would brighten any grandson's day. I wish I still had them.
 
There are numerous wonderful women who I can call and wish Happy Mother's Day and I think I will this weekend. Special moms need to know they are worthy.
 
I do have one very special mom in my life and that is my wife. She's great. She loves our five children and three grandchildren. She tries her best to go the third mile with each of them. She works, she cleans, she bakes, she washes clothes, worries, prays, cries, helps and is just an all around great wife and mother. She is worthy of praise, love, flowers, candy, dinner and whatever I can come up with to give her. 


I just hope that I can cherish the day with a great lady, wife and mom because time unfortunately is not really on our side when it comes to lots of tomorrows.
 
On Mother's day or any day take lots of time and thought for the Moms in your life, while you have the chance. 


Glenn Mollette is a syndicated columnist and author of eleven books. 
He is read in all fifty states.  Enjoy books by Glenn Mollette 
Contact him at [email protected].   Like his facebook page at www.facebook.com/glennmollette










Gl

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THE QUILT IS SHOWN AS DISPLAYED at the Quilt Show in Portola April 22nd. It was the brainchild of the late Elaine Amodei with its quilt squares discovered and finished by Arlene Amodei. Measuring 108" x 108", the quilt boasts 61 squares all made between 1972-74 by Sierraville ladies and the Sierraville Sewing Circle.

ARLENE AMODEI of Sierraville was the Featured Quilter. Her family has always quilted and she creates all size quilts and wallhangings.

SHOWN AT THE QUILT SHOW, this beauty was created by Betty Cammack of Sierra City.

 
The Sierraville Ranger District is preparing for the spring prescribed burn season which may begin in the next couple weeks as conditions are quickly becoming favorable.  Prescribed fire is only implemented when conditions are favorable for meeting objectives and minimizing negative impacts. We are currently monitoring temperature, humidity, winds, and fuel moisture conditions to evaluate when our prescribed burns will be conducted. Smoke management plans developed in accordance with California Air Resources Board regulations are in place, and we will be working with the local air quality districts to minimize impacts to local communities.
 
Prescribed fire projects are designed to reduce accumulated fuels to decrease the potential severity and intensity of future wildfires, and provide added protection to communities within the wildland urban interface.  Other project goals include: improving the resilience, or survivability, of the forest should a fire occur; improving ecosystem health and diversity; and re-creating the ecological benefits from low-intensity fire. The District is currently planning for prescribed fire activities that include first and second entry understory burns and may continue pile burning. Current underburn projects are planned in the Lewis Mill Guard Station/Smithneck Road area and the Little Truckee Summit area.
Smoke will be present in and around the burning, and light smoke is likely to persist in and near burn areas for several days after ignition. Smoke may settle into lower elevations at night and will typically lift out of the area during normal daytime heating. Burn personnel monitor all prescribed fires regularly for burning and smoke-dispersal conditions in order to mitigate concerns as they arise. People who are sensitive to smoke may choose to take precautions to minimize its effects, including staying indoors with windows and doors closed while smoke is in the area. Smoke produced during a prescribed fire is usually less intense and of shorter duration than that of a wildfire.
If you have any questions about our prescribed burn program for this spring please contact the District Fuels Officer, Ruby Burks, at the Sierraville Ranger District Office, (530) 994-3401
 
###

The Republican healthcare bill explicitly
protects those with pre-existing conditions


WASHINGTON, DC, MAY 10 - "The impotence and the impudence of obstructionists on the issue of Obamacare came to the fore earlier this week when spokesman Jonathan Gruber had the nerve to once again tell a bald faced lie on national TV," says Dan Weber, president of the Association of Mature American Citizens.


"Gruber is the so-called Obamacare architect who, in 2014, blamed 'the stupidity of the American voter' for the passage of President Obama's Affordable Care Act.  It was an admission that proponents of the law lied to the American people in order to get their support for the law.  During a live television interview last Sunday, the incorrigible Mr. Gruber tried to put the blame for the law's failure on President Trump, even though Mr. Trump has been in office less than four months.  He told a national TV audience that it was Mr. Trump's fault that insurance companies were pulling out of the Obamacare exchanges.  But, this is not about Gruber; it is about the desperation of the left to preserve Mr. Obama's legacy.  And, it is about the pathetic lies circulating about Republican efforts to provide the nation with a healthcare law that will put patients back in charge of their care."


Weber says that political activists are deliberately distorting the GOP's take on healthcare.  For example, he notes, those opposed to the Republican's American Health Care Act have been spreading fear by implying the law will deny coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions.  He points out that the AHCA explicitly protects those with pre-existing conditions. 


"Meanwhile, we are led to believe that, under Obamacare, anyone with a pre-existing health condition can get insurance, that if you want a health insurance policy you can go to an insurance agent and get a policy today if you want.  But, the reality is that if you have a medical history, you cannot get a policy today, tomorrow or the next day.  That's because Obamacare only guarantees that you'll get a policy (with some minor exceptions) during the open enrollment period, which starts on November 1st and ends December 15th this year.  And then, you will also have a waiting period of at least two weeks before coverage starts."


Weber admits that the GOP healthcare law allows states to apply for waivers exempting them from the rules guaranteeing coverage, but they would need to provide suitable alternatives.  In other words, the states would have to provide a safety net for persons with histories of bad health in order to be entitled to a waiver. 


He cites a report on the Republican proposal prepared by Yuval Levin, the Hertog Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C. 


"The extent of the waivers is constrained, in light of the political pressures involved, though it would allow for some meaningful variation and experimentation with insurance rules.  If they show that their proposed alternative rules would reduce premiums, increase coverage, or otherwise strengthen insurance markets, states can request to waive the age bands on premiums starting next year.  They can set their own essential health benefits (and therefore can recover the right to define insurance coverage in their jurisdictions to a significant degree) starting in 2020.  And, if a state has established a high-risk pool or similar mechanism for covering people with pre-existing conditions, it can allow insurers to consider health status when pricing coverage for people who have not been continuously insured." 


AMAC's Weber believes that in the end cooler heads will prevail.  "The AHCA passed muster in the House in its current form and is now in the hands of the Senate where significant revisions and improvements will be made.  So, before we go off half-cocked, let's wait and see what the final legislation looks like, lest we put our fate in the hands of Mr. Gruber and his dissident colleagues.  The American voter is not stupid, as Gruber stated.  And, our Republican president and lawmakers are not to blame for the debacle that is Obamacare.


ABOUT AMAC
The Association of Mature American Citizens [http://www.amac.us] is a vibrant, vital senior advocacy organization that takes its marching orders from its members.  We act and speak on their behalf, protecting their interests and offering a practical insight on how to best solve the problems they face today.  Live long and make a difference by joining us today at http://amac.us/join-amac.



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A VEHICLE DISPOSAL AMNESTY EVENT at the Loyalton Landfill was approved unanimously by the Sierra County Board of Supervisors at its regular meeting held in Downieville on May 2nd. 
This program has been offered successfully a number of times and will be free disposal of junk vehicles. Sierra County Planning Director Tim Beals stated this event was really being prompted as the County just received a bid for scrap metal which is pretty high right now and to help in the clean up of the Loyalton Mobile Home Park as there are tons of metal all over. Beals said the event would be County wide, but residents would have to take the vehicles to the Loyalton Landfill, where the County will have to drain all the fluids. The event date has not been set yet. 

​A PRESENTATION BY TRUCKEE-

DONNER LAND TRUST (TDLT) on Webber Lake property was given during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting held in Downieville on Tuesday. Sierra County Planning Director, Tim Beals introduced John Swan representing Truckee Donner Land Trust, who is turning a private holding into a public resource. Swan stated they are based out of Truckee and have five staff that preserves scenic, historic, recreation lands. He said TDLT obtained Webber Lake in 2012 and followed a couple of conditions on the sale, which was to keep the private campground of Webber Lake Ranch as it was for an additional five years and allow sheep to graze. Swan stated when the snow melts, they plan to get out there and do some work to get the campground open as soon as possible. He said they would need to make modifications to standardize things and was happy to announce that Ken and Joan Bretthauer were staying on as caretakers. Swan said there would be car camping, tent camping and RVs, with a mix of reservations and first-come, first-serve sites  which plan to open the second week in July. Swan continued there would be a 14-night stay limit and improvements this year will focus on the west side. He said there would be a temporary campground behind the hotel until the west side was done, and in 2018 they would be putting in permanent toilets.
Swan reported that California would resume fish stocking with Lahontan cutthroat trout, adding they will be putting fingerlings in this year, not catchables. He stated Webber Lake boat ramp will be open and people can bring their own boats. They will have an inspector on site for Aquatic Invasive Species. He stated the Day Use area would be the grassy area next to the hotel and TDLT plans to turn the area behind the hotel into group camps. TDLT welcomes and encourages wintertime visitation, and hope to open some of the cabins during this time. Supervisor Lee Adams asked how many sites would be open this year. Swan said 40 sites would be open this year, which include RV spaces. Beals asked about fees for camping, adding TDLT needed to make sure of the TOT add on component. Swan said $30 and TOT would be out of that. Beals also asked about business opportunities. Swan said there were a lot of trees that need to come off the property and felt there may be a potential for saw logs. He also thought a retail camp store with fish and tackle may be a possibility. 

Big Cool Down  Friday - Weekend

​A SPECIAL MEETING of the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ was held on Friday, April 28th in Loyalton. The meeting was a presentation by Steve Mueller, President and CEO, of American Renewable Power, LLC (ARP) on the Loyalton Biomass Facility. Mueller thanked the board and said he has been in the biomass power plant business the past 25 years. He has owned power plants in California and in other states. He sold all his businesses a decade ago and got bored, so started looking for more power plants to buy.  Loyalton is his first acquisition. Mueller told the board he doesn’t enjoy over promoting and under delivering, so he was there to let them know ARP is fully committed to proceeding and there were areas where the Board can help.
Mueller stated he plans on restarting the plant probably in September and bring the plant back to an as new condition. He said the utilities have not been kind to them, adding it is very difficult to get a power purchase agreement. Mueller said much of the work over the last couple months was to line up one or more customers. His goal was to sell first to customers: data centers, hospitals, and universities because base load renewable power is a rare commodity. Mueller said ARP is putting base load power back into the grid that is renewable, and it believes this plant will be commercial for another 25 years. He said most biomass plants have a 50-year life span and the Loyalton Biomass just turned 30. Mueller was confident with the quality of maintenance and even though it’s been closed for seven years it will run well. Mueller stated ARP will be connecting to the NV system and not within the California ISO network. He said ARP had to work with Nevada Power to get it to agree to create a new interconnect and transmission agreement. Mueller stated he was happy with where they are and plans to start refurbishing the plant starting in June, July and August. He was very excited not only with the community and the ability to access fiber locally but also the permitted business park in the facility. Mueller said the goal was to take the site and induce advanced R & D specialty wood products manufacturing and there may be opportunities for Lawrence Livermore Laboratories, UC Berkeley, and UC Davis to come in as they have special technology for wood products. He also hopes the park will provide training facilities.  Mueller concluded by stating ARP wants to be a good taxpayer for the county and is hoping for guidance from the county for tax relief as they make capital improvements.
Supervisor Lee Adams said it was awesome to have them here, adding it was something the county has hoped for. He said the value of the plant is one thing but the value of its expansion is huge for the community. Adams said he would like to get more information on the kind of areas where the Board could legally help out.  Mueller stated Supervisor Paul Roen had already directed them to a consultant who helped ARP apply for a competitive California tax credit. He said they have been through the first two phases and are in the final phase and should know results in the next thirty days. Mueller said dealing with the State has been difficult and he will be looking to the Legislature to find ways to help them. Adams felt ARP would have a champion in Assemblyman Brian Dahle. Supervisor Scott Schlefstein asked if ARP was working with Liberty Energy. Mueller stated Liberty Energy was an opportunistic buyer, and can’t legally buy from them. He said he called them first, but they are locked into a five-year agreement with NV Energy. He said he also spoke with Plumas Sierra Rural Electric who wasn’t interested. Mueller said right now they have a tender in the Southern California Public Utilities Association and thinks Placer County will use some of their power, too.
Mueller said the biomass will be employing 20-25 plus another 25-50 in transportation. ARP plans to run 24 hours a day 7 days a week and be a logistics and community based business. Sierraville District Ranger Quentin Youngblood stated he gave Jim Turner, SPI Manager, some updated capacity and availability numbers. He said having the Loyalton Biomass up and running is a “great marriage for the Forest Service.” Loyalton Mayor Mark Marin stated he was “happy as heck” and asked if ARP would be using local help. Mueller said yes, they would be using local help. Marin said he couldn’t wait to “smell the chips going in and out of the plant.” Mueller told
​him the goal was to not smell the chips.
Victoria Fisher of the Sierra County Fire Safe Council asked if there was an opportunity for other fire safe councils to bring material to the plant. Mueller said yes, and they have already reached out to others. Fisher was happy to see this waste put to good use. Mueller said they have been individually reaching out to regional landfills to let them know that they will take clean wood waste.
Schlefstein asked if they have reached out to Union Pacific (UP). Mueller hasn’t had a good experience with rail, but felt it’s an asset. Turner said the rail line out there is idle, and considered inactive. He said SPI bought the easement from UP and would need a 10-20 car change over to make it cost effective. Mueller stated there might be an opportunity in conjunction with the county and the community to change it into a short line.
Adams made the suggestion to direct the discussion to the finance committee to see what some alternatives may be available. The Board approved it by consensus. Adams stated he also reached out to RCRC to see what ideas they may have. Board Chair Peter Huebner said their main goal was to get them here. Mueller’s only request was he doesn’t want to have to drive to Sierraville every morning for breakfast. Roen said, “You create the jobs, I’ll create the breakfast.”