SACRAMENTO - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today issued a consumer alert advising Californians to use care when playing location-based virtual games, such as the Pokémon Go treasure hunt app, just released this month.

Pokémon Go is an augmented reality application that generates a virtual treasure hunt taking place in the real world. Consumers of all ages, including minors, play it on their mobile devices. Using the forward-facing camera on a mobile device, players search for Pokémon characters in their vicinity, including at local parks, landmarks, and retail locations.
For Pokémon Go to work, a player must grant the app access or “permission” to his or her mobile device’s GPS function, location, and camera when downloading the app. To play and “capture” the virtual Pokémon creatures, the player must then go to physical locations, called “Pokéstops” or “gyms,” where other players may also be gathering.   
Consumers should be aware that the virtual experience in Pokémon Go can expose players to physical danger. For example, there have been reports of predators and thieves adding beacons or “Lure Modules” to Pokéstops to bait individuals playing the game to certain locations in order to steal from them. Recently in Southern California, two men were so distracted that they fell off a cliff while playing Pokémon Go, and another man playing the game alone late at night in a park in Anaheim was stabbed multiple times by a group of men when he was distracted.
The Attorney General offers consumers the following tips to help them better ensure their physical safety and protect sensitive location data while still having fun playing Pokémon Go:

• Stop and think before you share your personal information with an app.
• If you elect to download Pokémon Go and therefore allow the app access to the location function of your device, you should deactivate the app’s location access when you are not using it. This prevents Pokémon Go from “running in the background” and having access to your location when you are not playing. -On Android phones, review the permissions tab on app pages in Google Play store, which displays the information and features that the app can access on your phone.
  -On iPhones, review the permissions you have already granted by viewing Pokémon Go in iPhone Settings. Make sure you are operating the updated version of the app to protect the security of your mobile device and privacy of your data.
• Consumers and parents should take the time to review the privacy settings on their mobile devices and the permissions within the app.
• To prevent children from making in-app purchases – buying extra content and subscriptions once the app has been downloaded – parents can adjust the settings on their mobile device. For iPhones, turn off in-app purchases and for Android, set your phone to request a password before purchases can be made. For parents who do not want to create a Google account for their child, there is an option to create a Pokémon Trainer account. Parents also have the right to refuse collection, use, and/or disclosure of their child’s personal identifiable information by directly notifying the game’s developer, Niantic.
• As you search for characters, remember that Pokémon Go is a game you play in public, with the public. As you play, be aware of your surroundings and the people around you. If possible, only go to a Pokéstop with a friend or partner. 
• Parents and guardians should take extra care to know where children are going, when and with whom when they are playing the game.
• Pokémon Go characters and locations are randomly generated and some real locations may be dangerous or unsafe for players to enter. Stay alert and always watch where you’re going – being distracted by a phone in your hand could make you a target for a crime or susceptible to injury. 
• Don’t trespass onto private property and don’t go into areas that are unfamiliar or risky to your personal safety. 
• Business owners and local leaders can play a role in community safety by determining if their business, park or landmark is a Pokéstop or gym. 
• Don’t play Pokémon Go while you are operating a vehicle or riding a bike or skateboard.

The Attorney General has published a consumer information sheet that gives step-by-step instructions for better controlling your location privacy on iPhone and Android devices: Location, Location, Location Tips on Controlling Mobile Tracking
Also see Getting Smart About Smartphone



​

Young@Heart by Pam Young
God Bless America and God Help the Uninformed Voters
Do you get confused by political issues, or are you a well-informed voter when you head to the polls? In the state of Washington, our Secretary of State sends out a Voter’s Manual before every election. It’s quite thick, probably a hundred pages at least. In it you can read about and better
understand the candidates’ stand, ballot measures and issues, if you’re a Yale graduate of the law, that is. Take ballot measures for example. Here’s Wikipedia’s definition:
I’ve never read an explanation of a ballot measure on a ballot that I’ve clearly understood. And if you’re the average citizen, it’s my “proposition” you’ll be wasting your time trying to understand what they’re writing about. If they want us to understand, why don’t they make what they write understandable? Do you think it’s because they want us to be confused? Using big words is just another way to show off one’s education, not one’s IQ. There’s also power in knowing more words than the masses. You get to use words with each other and make the masses feel stupid.
Yesterday, I went to a Chamber of Commerce lunch where Washington’s Secretary of State spoke. Her name is Kim Wyman and she’s beautiful! She has long, auburn hair and has a great speaking gift along with a good sense of humor. That’s why I felt okay to ask a question during the Q & A, after her talk.
I asked, “Would it be possible to write a more understandable Voter’s Manual; sort of a Voter’s Manual for Dummies version?” No one even snickered at my question. I went on to explain that by the time I’ve attempted to understand what a candidate or an issue is all about, I’ve ended up feeling stupid and tossing the manual in the trash.
Madam Secretary responded, “I wouldn’t be able to approach such an issue at this time.”
Since there was not a single person in the room who agreed with my dilemma (the room went quiet as death) and the secretary obviously didn’t find any humor in my question, I refrained from continuing with this suggestion, “Maybe you could get it to be a ballot measure in 2017. You could call it Proposition Dummy.”
The interesting thing about this event is that AFTER the meeting, a lawyer in our town came up to me and said, “You nailed it Pam! I do the same thing you do and I’m an attorney!”
A ballot measure is a piece of proposed legislation to be approved or rejected by
eligible voters. Ballot measures are also known as "propositions" or simply
"questions." Ballot measures differ from most legislation passed by
representative democracies; ordinarily, an elected legislature develops and
passes laws.
Here’s the deal, people are reticent to admit they don’t understand. That’s why it was so quiet at the Chamber meeting. It’s a throwback from being in grade school and asking a question that someone in the class said was stupid and you got embarrassed and felt stupid. We don’t like to be embarrassed and asking a question in a group can certainly lead to embarrassment.
It’s the same with laughter. As a public speaker (especially one who uses humor), speaking to a group of 30 or fewer is not fun, because people in a small group are more careful about what they laugh at. They just aren’t confident enough to bust out laughing at something unless they’re sure that it’s really funny and others will laugh too. There’s fear of being embarrassed. If that lawyer would have snickered or nodded, (but she was a chicken) I’m sure there would’ve been more chickens able to come out from the coop and cluck.
I’d love to know if you have trouble understanding politics, because of its confusion level. But it’ll take courage to admit it. Surely there’s someone who could explain these people and issues in more understandable language. Until that happens, I guess I’ll remain an uninformed voter, praying for God to guide my pen to fill in the right squares.
For more from Pam Young go to www.cluborganized.com. You’ll find many musings, videos of Pam in the kitchen preparing delicious meals, videos on how to get organized, lose weight and get your finances in order, all from a reformed SLOB’s point of view. 

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WASHINGTON, DC, July 15 - As the nation mourns the horrific murder of five police officers in Dallas last week, police departments across the nation face new threats of anti-police violence via the Internet.


Dallas Police Chief David Brown has told reporters that he and his department are taking an anonymous Facebook threat very seriously.  "We're all on edge and we're being very careful."


In Detroit, four men were arrested for making Facebook threats against police in that city.  Meanwhile, the FBI has arrested three men in Baton Rouge, LA accused of robbing guns from a pawn shop.  One of them allegedly confessed that the weapons were intended to be used against police officers.  The search is on for a fourth suspect who got away.


"It's a senseless war on cops that appears to be escalating and the only way to stop it is for enough people, both black and white, to stand with their police forces in solidarity," says Dan Weber, president of the Association of Mature American Citizens.


Weber cited a study, by the New York Patrolmen's Benevolent Association.  It showed that the majority of NYPD officers - 96% of them - feel that the lack of support for the work they do is taking its toll.  "But you can bet that when a citizen is faced with a life-or-death situation, your local cops will not hesitate to put themselves in harm's way to protect you regardless of whether you support them or not."


The AMAC chief said that it is up to our elected officials to take the lead in shifting public opinion in support of our police.  "I'm not asking them for blind faith as regards the police, but I am asking them to give credit where credit is due.  The vast majority of those who choose to be policemen have the 'right stuff;' they care about the people in their communities and are prepared to go to extremes to keep them safe.."


Weber quoted one police officer, Jay Stalien, currently serving in Palm Beach, FL  Previously, he served in Baltimore, MD.  He is African-American and he posted a poignant message on his Facebook page that has attracted tens of thousands of views.  In his words, 'I became a cop because black lives in my community, along with ALL lives, mattered to me, and wanted to help stop the bloodshed.'  


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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NEW COUNTY COUNSEL David Prentice with Prentice Long & Epperson LLP was introduced at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held in Downieville on July 5th. Prentice told the Board he was very excited to be here. He stated he is trying to create a county counsel department and feels this will enhance the services. Prentice stated one person can’t do everything, but he will be the department head. He said his partner Margaret Long is the Assistant County Counsel and will oversee CPS work and supervise Deputy County Counsel Sophia Meyer who is a former prosecutor and assistant district at-
 ​torney in Modoc County. She will be doing the public guardian and CPS work. Joe Larmour is their expert on marijuana legislation and will be doing all the Board of Equalization and Planning Department work and will be attending the planning commission meetings. Prentice’s partner Jason Epperson will help with the litigation team. Prentice concluded by wanting to impress to the Board that he is always available.  Board of Supervisors’ Chair Lee Adams said he felt fortunate to have him and his team on board.
Cost of Prentice Long & Epperson LLP is $19,000/month; “buying his firm,” according to Treasurer/Tax Collector Van Maddox. With five-+ lawyers, Maddox says “we avoid outside counsel costs.”

LOYALTON MOBILE ESTATES MOBILE HOME PARK was discussed at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held in Downieville on Tuesday, July 5. County Planning Director Tim Beals stated until the permit status gets resolved, the County is in limbo. He said the State position is the notice of suspension gives the County the ability to move forward, adding it seemed odd they were “dancing” with a property in a suspension that the County doesn’t have the permit to operate. Supervisor Paul Roen spoke with Assemblyman Brian Dahle’s representative who stated the notice of suspension is as far as the State goes and from that point forward it falls on the County. Auditor/Tax Collector Van Maddox echoed what Roen said as he heard the State told Dahle it was now a County problem. Beals stated the County has a property without an owner who is “missing in action” and a self appointed park manager, who is charging people for rent and waste disposal. He stated the park manager is not supposed to be doing these things when the park is under suspension. Beals said the park manager has now retained an attorney. Beals felt he would need some pretty clear direction from the Board, adding, at the end of the day it was a violation of the zoning code as he is operating without a permit. Beals continued that there was a mini storage on the property, which was further complicated by four or five units in the City of Loyalton. Maddox said potential buyers looked at the property and determined it wasn’t worth running as a park in the condition it is in. The buyers said they needed to have enough units paying rent and didn’t see it as viable. Maddox said a great deal of the tenants are far behind in state taxes. Maddox felt the park needed to be empty before it would sell and thought what they could sell it for would be closer to raw land. Supervisor Jim Beard said he is still getting many complaints about extension cords strung all over. Beals said they have the ability to go in and do inspections and issue a health and safety order. He added that following through on this order would include a hearing and then removing people. Beals wanted the Board to be aware that this is where this issue was heading. He stated he knows there are illegal fireplaces in trailers as well as illegal additions to the trailers and huge environmental health violations. Supervisor Scott Schlefstein felt they need clarity from the State on what they are allowed to do. He said the mobile home park was in his district, adding he’s had a lot of concerns and sleepless nights over it. Chair Lee Adams thought the issue needed to go to an adhoc or standing committee to work with the Auditor, Planning Director and Health and Human Services Director. He said new County Counsel David Prentice brings some experience regarding a similar issue that occurred in Alpine County.
Prentice said the issue with the State is they see the liabilities so the State suspends and does nothing else, adding they are dumping it on the County. He recommended that from here  on this item be a closed session item and asked the Board not to discuss it anymore outside of closed session until they come up with a plan. It was decided that Supervisors Schlefstein and Beard would be on the committee.

LETTER OF INTEREST:
To: Van Maddox, Sierra County Tax Collector
Re: Loyalton Mobile Home Park
Dear Mr. Maddox:
As you know, this firm represents Ernest Rimmer, resident and manager of the Loyalton Mobile Home Park. The purpose of this letter is to put you, and by extension Sierra County, on notice that any further attempts to force the residents of the Loyalton Mobile Home Park out of their homes will be promptly met with legal proceedings.
The Loyalton Mobile Home Park residents have been in a state of fear and worry for a long time, due to the fact that the Park owner Steven Griggs, has abandoned the Park. This has resulted in continual decline in a maintenance of the Park, mounting utility bills, ongoing uncertainty about the future, introduction of squatters to the Park, and other problems the residents have had to deal with. The County, and yourself, are well aware of these issues. The existence of squatters and other individuals who have no right to reside in the Park is a health and safety issue the County is disregarding, despite the fact the residents have attempted on multiple occasions to have the squatters removed.
The Park has been up for tax-sale auction on multiple occasions, and has not sold. Despite your ability to reduce the minimum bid to a price that would attract a buyer the County has chosen not to do so, due at least in part to your belief that the property will sell for a higher price as raw land. The primary problem with
this approach and plan is that selling the Park property as raw land will displace all of the residents, approximately 35% of whom are disabled individuals, and many others who are elderly, The vast majority of the residents do not have anywhere to go if they are uprooted, and this callous approach to the lives of approximately 60 people is frankly disturbing. This approach also neglects to consider the damage that will be done to the businesses in Loyalton who depend on the purchases of the Park residents, as the residents comprise approximately ten percent of the people in the Loyalton area. The additional problem with this belief and approach is that converting the Park to raw land will take substantial funds.
Multiple individuals have also informed our office that there is an attitude amongst individuals in County government that the Park residents “need to go.” The identities of these individuals will for now remain confidential. Where exactly the County wants the residents to go is unclear, but there seems to be a prevailing attitude that the Park residents are lower class individuals that the County would prefer to be rid of. This attitude is also subtly evident in the audio recordings of the Board meetings online.
The recent action prompting this letter is the fact the County has requested the Department of Housing and Community Development to permanently revoke the Park’s operating permit. This is also evident from the County’s July 5, 2016 agenda record. I will be absolutely clear; this solicitation was unwarranted and inappropriate, and if it continues it will further make the County squarely liable for any and all relocation expenses incurred by the residents. We are also informed that numerous factually inaccurate statements have been made in conjunction with the solicitation.
The attempt to revoke the Park’s operating permit also bears the risk of driving away any potential purchasers of the Park, as you know the inability to reinstate the operating permit would be a deal-killer to purchasers. Rather than soliciting the State to permanently shut down the Park, I would think the County would be doing its best to find a capable, responsible owner and to place the Park up for auction again as quickly as possible. This is especially so in light of the fact multiple potential purchasers fitting this description have expressed an interest in purchasing the Park. Despite this it appears the County has done its best to avoid communicating with any of the purchasers, and refuses to auction the property again until winter 2016. This is unacceptable for the residents.
In closing, Mr. Rimmer and the other residents ask that the County assist them by doing everything possible to auction the property to a responsible owner at a reasonable price, as quickly as possible. Lisa Campbell, counsel for the Department of Housing and Community Development, has attempted to coordinate meetings and conference calls with individuals from the Department, County, and potential purchasers, which so far the County has refused to participate in. By copy of this letter to County counsel it is requested that Mr. Christian contact me to coordinate such a call so that everyone can discuss resolution of these issues.
If you would like to discuss anything do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Derek C. Decker
Krogh & Decker, LLP
Attorneys at Law
Sacramento, CA

​

The Sierra County Grand Jury 2015-2016 Final Report has been filed with Heather Foster, Sierra County Clerk-Recorder.  Copies of the report may be obtained via email or mail by contacting the Sierra Superior Court by mail at P.O. Box 476, Downieville, CA 95936 or phone at 530-289-3698.  You may view and print the report on the County website under the title of Grand Jury Reports at www.sierracounty.ca.gov.

​

​ 
             
 
Scott Megna (46) Indio.  Possession of Methamphetamine and two counts of failure to appear.  Three years probation, 60 days jail, fine $3140.
 
Jesus Lomas (41) Patterson.  Driving while his license was suspended.  Eighteen months probation, and a fine of $1869.
 
Tomas Gonzales (19) Loyalton.  After a contested preliminary hearing, Gonzales as ordered to stand trial on felony possession of child pornography, and violation of a court order.  Gonzales later pled guilty to having sex with a minor, and possession of child pornography.  His sentencing is scheduled for July 24. He remains in custody in lieu of $50,000 bail.
 
Romona Romero (19) Loyalton.  She was sentenced after pleading guilty to felony withholding and concealing a child to deprive a custodial parent of custody or visitation.  She was given 4 years probation, 121 days in jail, and ordered to successfully attend and complete drug court.
 
Tonya Steward (48) Sierra City.  After a contested preliminary hearing, she was ordered to stand trial on two felony counts of resisting arrest with force and violence, attempting to take a peace officer’s firearm, and two counts of battery on a peace officer.  She later pled guilty to one count of felony resisting an officer and battery on a peace officer.  She will be sentenced on August 12.
 
 
 
 
 
Christopher Beresford (50) Grass Valley.  Reckless driving, alcohol related.  Eighteen months probation, fine $1519, and he must complete an alcohol awareness program.
                     
            Andrew Rogers (25) Loyalton.  False report of a crime.  one year probation, and fine of $1075.
 
            Kevin Pagel (35) Loyalton.  Disturbing the peace.  One year probation, fine $465.
 
            Samuel LaBono (21) Loyalton.  LaBonno pled guilty to felony charges on unlawfully communicating with a minor through electronic means for the purpose of committing a sex offense.  Sentencing is on August 12.
 
            Brandon Smith (29) Transit.  After a contested restitution hearing, he was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $4514.51 with a 10% collection fee to the County and 10% interest.  The money is paid to a Sierra Valley rancher after Smith pled guilty to felony vandalism.  He was previously sentenced to 16 months jail.
                                                                                      

The new location of the Loyalton Kiosk was held Saturday, July 9th with eleven vendors, the Goliath water slide, a tasty lunch special at White's Sierra Station and a Sidewalk Sale at Sierra Valley Home Center.
A specially-created bike award was given a patriotic-decorated bike.
Next Country Market will be held at the Kiosk on Saturday, July 23rd. Vendors are welcome! 
​

Issue Date: July 6, 2016
By Kate Campbell
From state highways, foothill campgrounds and aerial surveys, it's easy to see the catastrophic tree die-off in California forests. What isn't as easily grasped is the scale of rapidly expanding tree mortality in the state's 40 million acres of forestland—and what to do about it.
The U.S. Forest Service said in June that its survey showed more than 66 million trees, mostly pine species, have died in the southern Sierra Nevada alone, and more are dying. Forestry experts say the scale of the die-off is beyond anything ever observed. They attribute the tree mortality to four years of drought, bark beetle infestations, climate change and mismanagement.
"I'm afraid people are going to think the catastrophe we're seeing in our forests today is just a natural cycle of drought and insect infestations, but there's a lot more to this story," Tuolumne County rancher Shaun Crook said. "What we have now is the culmination of 40 years of forest mismanagement that has led to these devastating conditions."
Crook said if Sierra forests had been harvested in recent decades using sustainable-yield practices, they would not be as overgrown and would not be as vulnerable to drought, infestation and disease, which occur naturally.
Erin Huston, federal policy consultant for the California Farm Bureau Federation, said forests need to be actively managed for the multiple uses they were intended to serve.
"This includes active management at a pace and scale that keeps our forests resilient," Huston said. "We'd like to see federal legislation that improves the climate for fuels reduction, for salvage logging and grazing after fires, and for forest watershed management."
Farm Bureau and other organizations also support legislation to develop a wildfire emergency funding process that provides more reliable funding without harming land management and fire-reduction activities. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said unless Congress acts rapidly to address how the Forest Service pays for firefighting, the agency will not have the resources necessary to fight wildfires, address the tree die-off and restore forests.
Historically, what forest managers have done to protect forest stands against drought and beetle infestations is to reduce the number of large trees and thin the stands, said Bill Stewart, co-director of the Center for Forestry at the University of California, Berkeley.
He talks about maintaining "thrifty" forests that are leaner and cleaner, that use far less water than current, overstocked stands and, through natural and vigorous growth, store more carbon dioxide emissions, which improves air quality.
At the same time, he said, healthy Sierra forests can continue to provide improved grazing, recreation and business opportunities.
"Unfortunately, 30 to 40 years ago the public said, 'Keep all the trees in the forest.' But now we're finding out there just isn't enough water in California to keep all those trees alive," Stewart said.
Crook noted that when timber was thinned in the past, homeowners and small timberland owners also had markets at nearby sawmills and biomass plants, where they could salvage some of the wood and recoup part of the removal costs.
"Now, there are no wood-processing facilities—or the few that remain are maxed out—again because of (forest) mismanagement," he said. "The only way to get the processing infrastructure back is to provide a guaranteed supply of timber from federal lands, so it can be turned into useful consumer products."
Although the southern Sierra has been hit the hardest by the current tree die-off, Brittany Covich of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy said the underlying conditions leading to the tree mortality exist throughout the Sierra.
"We rely on healthy Sierra forests to filter and store the water runoff that feeds the State Water Project and the Central Valley Project, which supply irrigation water for hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland," Covich said. "The forests of the Sierra Nevada region play a critical role in maintaining a reliable water source for California, but current conditions in the Sierra place that role at risk."
CFBF Director of Water Resources Danny Merkley said agencies need the resources to thin forests to maintain forest health, noting that only about 3 percent of new forest growth is being removed each year—leaving 97 percent of new growth to compound overstocked conditions.
On the longer term, he said, there's a need for additional public awareness about what's needed to maintain healthy, sustainable forests.
"Forests are a major part of our watersheds and directly impact our water supply," Merkley said. "We need to rethink how we manage our forests, in all their complexity, for resilient forests now and into the future."
Last fall, Gov. Brown declared a state of emergency because of the tree die-off and formed a multidisciplinary tree mortality task force to help with safe removal of dead and dying trees. The task force includes more than 80 local, state and federal agencies, as well as utilities and other stakeholders, including groups representing ranching and grazing interests.
The state has purchased 10 air-curtain burners—20-foot long, metal blast-sheet containers that can incinerate up to eight trees an hour, with low air emissions. The purchase was part of a $5 million investment in equipment to address the tree-mortality epidemic.
The trees pose serious public safety risks beyond catastrophic wildfires. Vilsack said the Forest Service is reprioritizing $32 million in California to remove dead trees along roads, trails and recreation sites, where falling timber is likely to threaten people, powerlines and structures.
Forest Service scientists said they expect to see continued elevated levels of tree mortality through 2016 in dense forest stands with root diseases and high levels of bark beetle activity.
Additional surveys across California forestland will be conducted throughout the summer and fall, they said.
(Kate Campbell is an assistant editor of Ag Alert. She may be contacted at kcampbell@cfbf.com.)
Permission for use is granted, however, credit must be made to the California Farm Bureau Federation when reprinting this item.

​LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL met in special session July 5th after having to cancel a special session the previous week due to three members having doctor’s appointments.
Mayor Mark Marin was absent and Vice Mayor Ernie Teague took his place.
2016-17 Budget
Discussion started with the City Center, Auditorium and Thrift Store having a total $9,328 expenses and $600 in revenue. Council member Pat Whitley wanted a “better handle” on costs. Bookkeeper Kim Lombardi explained no insurance bills and fund accounting unknown. She said Accountant Craig Collins was doing some accounting . She noted CalPERS total was unknown and Councilman Brooks Mitchell said the State is compiling amounts. Kim said she can’t give an estimate of payments without the budget. Vice Mayor Teague questioned any fees from the thrift store.
Next under discussion was the General Fund which showed a anticipated revenue for 2016-17 of $137,600 with Transfers Out of $92,540 which Pat said has to be cut to pay other expenses. Legal fees from the General Fund showed $5,000 which was said to have more than doubled. Pat stated they are duplicating legal services. Councilman John Cussins commented, “it’s the way it is. We’re not capable of doing it ourselves.” Last year’s revenue of property tax and sales tax in llieu was $92,415.32. Building repairs of $2,000 was a concern with the roof leaking. Utilities of $1,500 was called a low amount. Other Contracted Services of $18,100 was said to be the police contract and City Clerk and council members. It was decided to “move forward with what’s known.” 
On the Water & Sewer Enterprise account, the water budget showed a deficit of $15,589 and the sewer budget, a $26,065 deficit. It was noted the City received $20,000 less in water revenue and $40,000 less in sewer revenue due to the Loyalton Mobile Estates. Vice Mayor Teague hoped not to raise rates and Cussins stated “no choice.” Pat noted giving the trailer park water is illegal! She called it subsidizing water. Ernie said they’d talked about it for three years. John told of a need for pumps, aerators and back up meters and with no repair parts left.On the Enterprise loan account, there is one water loan and three sewer loans. Principal on water is $16,600; interest is $46,900 and debt reserve is $14,500. For sewer, debt principle is $94,000; debt interest $114,000 and debt reserve is $26,000.
City Clerk Tracy Smith complained on the time and Brooks suggested they accept the budget as    the Council voted to approve the preliminary budget. 
Park & Social Hall showed total revenue of $900 and expenses of $18,770.
Museum & Cemetery showed a revenue of $1,750 and expenses of $3,255.
Streets & Highways’ revenue was $20,000 and expenses of $43,756.
Fire Department balanced at $30,000.
Hiring of temporary employee
Maintenance man Colby Russell was asked about his free time which he called “none,” working Tuesday - Friday at the park and one full day mowing and weeding. John felt people “need to do their own.” He mentioned the school used to do the ball fields. He talked about the slurry coming up. That concerned Steve Barker and he talked of getting help on the streets to crack seal and tar. John agreed with patching before winter and suggested work program money. He and Kathy LeBlanc were to make calls on free workers. John told of having worked for the city in the past with just two workers. Brooks made the motion to look for free workers or to hire help three days a week, six hours a day at $12 an hour. John seconded the motion and it was unanimous.
Reimbursement of Funds from Museum
Although this item has been on the previous agenda and passed, the amount to be reimbursed to Jackie and Brooks Mitchell is $392.66 and was moved by John, seconded by Pat and approved with Brooks recusing himself. Pat wanted the plan to take the dirt to the cemetery since the county has not responded. Reimbursement is contingent on removal. Brooks agreed to move the dirt and agreed it was an “eye sore.” He will use the city dump truck and John Deer tractor.
Building Inspector Agreement
The City had discussed loaning equipment off the Loyalton Swimming Pool to Portola for its pool in exchange for use of its building inspector and the City has loanded its swimming pool heaters with no agreement.  Pat had complained that was Quid Pro Quo, where one transfer is contingent upon the other. The pool heaters are to be loaned one season as Truckee is building a new pool and Portola will get its heaters. City Counsel Steve Gross represents both the City of Loyalton and City of Portola and realizes a conflict.

 
The Sierra County Clerk wishes to announce the following municipal and district offices are to be filled at the General Election scheduled to be held on November 8, 2016.
 
Two (2) Council Members of City of Loyalton
 
One (1) City Clerk of City of Loyalton
 
Two (2) Members of Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District - one each for Trustee Area #1 (Pike City, Alleghany, Forest City, Goodyears Bar, and Downieville) and Trustee Area #3 (Calpine, Vinton & Chilcoot)
 
The filing period for filing Declarations of Candidacy and Nomination Papers for all candidates is July 18, 2016 through August 12, 2016.
 
            If the incumbent to any of the above offices does not file nomination papers, the time frame for filing extends to August 17, 2016 for other candidates. (Excludes Incumbent)
 
To obtain information regarding filing for the above elective municipal and district offices please call 530-289-3295.
 
Dated:  July 6, 2016
 

For Violent Criminals
By Jon Fleischman






Just a week ago, California Attorney General Kamala Harris released an alarming  report detailing how violent crime in California is on the rise, increasing 10% over the last year.


Violent crimes were up last year by about 15,000 to a high of 166,588. Homicides went up 9.7 percent, robberies 8.5 percent, aggravated assaults 8 percent. Rapes increased 36 percent!


It is in this environment that Governor Jerry Brown has placed before voters this November a ballot measure deceptively titled the "Public Safety and Rehabilitation Act of 2016"  - when it might be more accurately dubbed the "Let Violent Criminals Out Of Prison Early Act of 2016."


The measure, now officially Proposition 57, purports to allow for early release only of those inmates who have committed "non-violent offenses," but is written in a way that even a spokesperson for the initiative says will only prevent early release for those who committed 23 specific violent crimes.


Here are just some of the supposedly "non-violent crimes" for which early release would be possible if this measure is passed: rape by intoxication, rape of an unconscious person, human trafficking involving sex act with minors, drive-by shooting, assault with a deadly weapon, taking a hostage, domestic violence involving trauma, possession of a bomb or weapon of mass destruction, hate crime causing physical injury, arson causing great bodily injury, discharging a firearm on school grounds, corporal injury to a child, and false imprisonment of an elderly person. The list actually goes on and on.


In addition to significantly reducing the time a vast number of violent criminals would have to serve before being eligible for parole, the Governor's measure actually allows bureaucrats at the Department of Corrections to give "time off for good behavior" to literally any inmate in state prison, including those convicted of the most heinous criminal acts, including first-degree murder.


I suppose another equally valid ballot title for the measure could be the "California Crime Victim Re-victimization Act," because the measure was purposely drafted to allow every prisoner currently serving time for the violent crimes listed above (and more) to be eligible for early release based on the new guidelines. Which means that all of the victims of these terrible acts, who had some degree of certainty as to the disposition of their attackers, would all have to wonder if suddenly their attackers would be back on the streets - much sooner than they had been promised by the criminal justice system.


Brown's measure, in one broadly written provision, would overturn a number of previous tough-on-crime measures passed by California voters, including key provisions of Marsy's Law; 3-Strikes-And-You're-Out - the Victims' Bill of Rights; the Californians Against Sexual Exploitation Act; and the Gang Violence and Juvenile Crime Prevention Act.


Brown has so far spent over $5 million from a ballot measure advocacy committee he controls to put Prop 57 before the voters, and he still has over $20 million in that fund. He argues that these "reforms" are needed to address prison overcrowding, and also says that he very much regrets his support in 1977, as governor, for establishing determinative sentencing laws in California. These have led to the establishment of strict sentencing guidelines, mandatory minimum sentences, and enhanced sentences for certain crimes.


Brown also feels strongly that the current system provides no incentive for inmates to be exemplary while behind bars, and feels that with the carrot of reducing sentences that prison authorities can cause inmate behavior to change in a positive way, reducing recidivism.


A robust conversation about criminal justice reform is a good thing, and clearly some reforms are worthwhile to discuss, and even implement. However, in the case of this particularly dreadful ballot measure, its basic premise is a lie. Governor Brown wants to soften sentences and allow for early release of violent criminals - while trying to tell voters with a straight face that that is not what this measure actually does.


A final and disturbing fact: Attorney General (and United States Senate candidate) Kamala Harris is charged with writing an accurate title and summary for each ballot measure. As the state's top prosecutor, Harris knows full well what this measure does, but still placed before voters the sentence, "Allows parole consideration for persons convicted of nonviolent felonies...".


The question is whether general election voters, inundated with campaign messaging from not only a presidential election but from a boatload of other ballot measures, will understand this measure for what it actually is. Because if they just go by the ballot title and summary in front of them by Kamala Harris, thousands of very dangerous people will be back on the streets very, very soon.

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WASHINGTON - Summer is here, which means millions of people hit the pools, beaches and lakes to cool off and take in the sun. The nation’s emergency physicians strongly advise all parents and guardians to get their children familiar with water - specifically teaching them to swim safely as early as possible.


“It only takes a few seconds and a few inches of water for a child to drown,” said Dr. Jay Kaplan, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians. “While it’s impossible to predict and prevent every scenario, you can take steps to protect kids, stay safe and still enjoy the water.”


Facts about Drowning


Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury death among children between 1 and 4 years of age, with almost 400 cases reported in 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Young children aren’t the only ones affected. Every day about ten people die from unintentional drowning. Overall, it ranks fifth for unintentional injury death in the United States.  More than 50 percent of drowning victims who are treated at emergency departments require extended hospitalization or long-term care.


Several factors can contribute to a person drowning and obviously not all of them can be controlled. However, steps can be taken to keep a child and even an adult safe as possible when near or in the water.  


Ways to Stay Safe

• Supervise Young Children - They must be watched at all times when near water. It can take only a matter of seconds for a child to accidentally drown when an adult turns away.
• Learn to Swim - Formal swim lessons can protect people, especially young children from drowning.
• Learn CPR - It can take paramedics several minutes to arrive. Having CPR skills often times can mean the difference between life and death or permanent brain damage.
• Use the Buddy System - Never swim alone. Always be with someone.Swim in areas that have lifeguards on duty if possible. 
• Don’t Drink and Swim - Drinking alcohol while on a boat or swimming in the water can severely impair a person’s judgment and cognitive skills. Also, never drink alcohol while supervising children.
• Use Life Jackets  - When on a boat, make sure the number of (Coast Guard approved) life jackets match the number of passengers on the boat and that they are easily accessible in case of emergency. Young children should have a life vest on at all times in a boat, or in the water. Potentially half of all boating deaths might be prevented with the use of life jackets.
• Air-Filled or Foam Toys Not Safety Devices - These toys are not substitutes for life jackets and are not designed to keep swimmers safe.
• Be Aware of Weather Conditions - If strong winds or heavy thunderstorms and lightning roll in, get out of the water and seek shelter immediately.
• Understand Waves and Rip Currents - If on the beach, watch for dangerous waves and rip currents.  If caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore.  Once free of the current, swim toward the shore.
• Don’t Overestimate Your Swimming Ability -  Everyone has limits, even the most experienced of swimmers.

For more information on drowning or other health-related topics, please go to www.EmergencyCareForYou.org. 


ACEP is the national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine. ACEP is committed to advancing emergency care through continuing education, research and public education. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ACEP       has 53 chapters representing each state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. A Government Services Chapter represents emergency physicians employed by military branches and other government agencies.