David Slaughter (56) Sacramento.  Sentenced on guilty plea to vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.  Seventeen years state prison.
 
            Stacey Hood (43) Loyalton.  Reckless driving, alcohol related. Eighteen months probation, two days jail, fine $1484.
 
            Sheri Wolverton (47) Yuba City. Felony setting a fire to forest land. Sentencing is set for February 8.
 
            Capuro Trucking, Sparks Nevada.  Spilling asphalt mixture on highway, fine $170, and paid damage to two vehicles.
 
            Paul Dority (42) Folsom.  After a contested preliminary hearing, Dority was ordered to stand trial on felony assault with a deadly weapon, and assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury.
 
            Peter Hatch (68) Sierra City.  After a contested preliminary hearing, Hatch was ordered to stand trial on felony possession of child pornography and being a registered sex offender on school grounds.  He is in custody on bail of $250,000.
 
            Shaun Gise (41) Doyle.  Failure to comply with control devices in a construction zone. L fine $352.
 
            Joseph Duncan (68) Reno.  Unattended campfire, fine $416.
 
           
 
 
Zachary Norden (24) Portola.  Violation of his probation for residential burglary.  He failed to keep in contact with probation.  Probation reinstated and he served 160 days in jail.
 
Eugene Wilkins (67) Grass Valley.  Hunting in the X – zone with D – zone tags.  Fine $470.
 
Jeffrey Foster (54) Sierra City.  Driving under the influence.  Three years probation, two days jail, fine $1885, and ordered to attend alcohol school.
 

 
Reading to your child from the very first months of their life to their toddler years to preschool and beyond is truly one of the most important things you can do to help your child’s future success.  Reading to your baby every day helps their brain to develop greater capacity and connections than children who are not read to.
 
Dolly Parton knows how important reading to youngsters is!  She started her Dollywood Foundation to help all children have books at home, books filled with words, pictures, exciting stories, books ready for caring adults to read to a child, snuggling on the couch.  First 5 Sierra together with The Sierra Schools Foundation, have partnered with the Dollywood Foundation to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Program to the youngest children of Sierra County!  The Imagination Library Program is a book program for children under 5 years old – register your baby, toddler or preschooler and Dolly will send them one new book a month, chosen just for their age, until their 5th birthday.  The Imagination Library Program is sponsored by First 5 Sierra and The Sierra Schools Foundation and the books come at no cost to families! 
 
If you have a child under the age of 5, come pick up a registration form on the door of the
First 5 Sierra office, 701 Main Street, Loyalton, (next to the Pharmacy), and register your child to begin receiving books from Dolly!  Curious?  Call us at First 5 Sierra at 993-4884. 

LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL held  its regular meeting December 19th and announced the resignation of Jason VanDaam.

Under Public Comment, Brooks Mitchell verified the $236,000 to be spent on Church Street. Craig Fassbender questioned the archery club taking over the pool building and was told by Councilman Mark Marin they were getting a contract for a floor that won’t be permanent and can be removed and used for something else. The archery club pays for it all. Phyllis DeMartini told of the dishwasher leaking at the Senior Center. It was explained the dish sanitizer is being worked on. Ray Belli wanted to know if they could replace VanDaam speedier than the last vacancy. Mayor Nancy Rogers said they’ll fly the position 30 days and hope for a decision in 60 days. They will check to see if they can use the same candidate list as last time. Council member Joy Markum stated, “We’re looking  for good people.”

Fire Department Report
Chief Shawn Heywood told of a crew coming home from southern California after a 14-day assignment which was a good training opportunity. He said the fires are a benefit for volunteers and create a reserve account and next spring will allow the department to buy a “new to us” water tender. He told of quality trainings taking place. He didn’t know much about the annexation with Sierra County Fire Protection District #1. Markum stated there is paperwork and a letter of intent to LAFCO to start the annexation process and bring back to a meeting January 9th at 6 p.m. at the Sierraville Firehouse. Loyalton is not included; will be isolated but the department will always be Loyalton Fire Department.

Barn Quilts
There’s a new Barn Quilt on the City Center and Annie Fassbender questioned the locations of the Barn Quilts, which had been created from a contest and are now being placed by Brooks Mitchell.

CalPERS Retirement
Marin called this a “sore subject” and gave a history of  taking the nearly $5,000 a month out of contingencies, explaining it as “little by little dwindling funds” and how this council didn’t create this problem. Bookkeeper Tracy Smith said the 2017 total paid is $59,789.88, mostly funded by savings. She found it “sad the City general fund is at $16,000.”
There was discussion over meetings and agreements and attorney fees. Legal fees from July 1 – December 13, 2017 totaled $104,242.80. Marin continued to question where to get the money for another month.
Experience helps and former Council member Brooks Mitchell spoke from the audience, pointed out the $6,000/week paid the Enterprise Loan Account, suggesting they put $1,250 a week into the retirement account which would make the loan account short but any difference in the CalPERS payment of $4982.49 could be made up out of the general fund. 
Brooks further pointed out a Wastewater Construction Fund balance of $6,762 which had been set aside ten years not used and could pay the current charge.
Markum moved and it was approved to continue discussion and come up with an agreement and meet December 28th at 1 p.m.
​A second motion approved was to pay the $4982.49 monthly retirement payments out of the Wastewater Construction Fund.

City Services
Marin read proof of a letter he suggested the City send to Sierra County Board of Supervisors on returning service agreements for building inspection, planning, flood plain administration and other tasks to save money.
Brooks Mitchell gave history, with the City taking over planning when there were 12-16 permits still open at the County and it was no cost to the city, and having John Benoit as planner. He said contractors were happy the way it is.
Rebekah Perez of Sierra Brooks told of the Grand Jury report findings of a County backlog back to 1986 and with the City doing permits, “such a service for Loyalton.”
Sharon Dryden of Sierra Brooks spoke as a contractor and a concern with the City having no staff and not knowing the building processes. 
Markum’s concern was with snow plowing. After the first $5,000 the State pays 60% of the cost. Mitchell said the County will not plow for free and suggested they hire expert plowers and the city employee needs trained.
It was agreed to rewrite and discuss the letter to be sent to the County.                  

​RESOLUTIONS OF APPRECIATION were given at the December 19th Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held in Loyalton, to Mary Jo Rust, Department Specialist in the County Department of Transportation and to U.S. Forest Service District Ranger of the Yuba River, Karen Hayden.
Mary Jo retired effective July 27, 2017 and her seventeen year career with Sierra County commenced with her employment in the County Department of Transportation in November 2000 as Administrative Secretary and during the course of her career was promoted to positions of Administrative Secretary II and Administrative Secretary III before receiving her most recent promotion as Department Specialist performing administrative functions in the areas of solid waste disposal, waste disposal grant management in the topical areas of recycling, used oil and hazardous waste management, encroachment permit administration and administrative support to the County Department of Transportation.
Ranger Karen Hayden announced her retirement effective December 31, 2017. Karen devoted thirty two years to public service in resource management working on the Angeles, El Dorado, Plumas, Shasta-Trinity, Las Padres and Tahoe National Forests of California, caring, managing and protecting the natural resources of public lands and participating in regional and international assignments representing the U.S. Forest Service. During her four year tenure on the Yuba River Ranger District, she inspired trust and confidence of the Board of Supervisors and citizens of Sierra County by maintaining constant and consistent communication with County officials, by participating in community events and establishing a friendly and sincere presence in the community and by giving priority to serving the resource interests and unique challenges of the rural communities of western Sierra County.

Michelle was working in Washington the week of December 15th and sent these photos of the National Capital and Christmas tree and the National Christmas Tree in front of the White house, wishing us all Merry Christmas!
​

EASTERN SIERRA COUNTY FIRE 

SERVICES was discussed at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held Tuesday, December 19, 2017 in Loyalton. Sierra County Planning Director Tim Beals stated a committee of the Board met on November 16th. The meeting was conducted at the Loyalton Social Hall as a result of the April meeting to review the two contracts in place. Beals stated the agreements have some issues and were discussed. One of the tasks was to determine the progress that has been made for an alternative to substitute for these agreements. This meeting on November 16th followed a Sierra Brooks meeting held a week prior and was well attended. He stated another meeting followed the November 16th meeting by the Sierra County Fire Protection District. Beals explained this District was not related to Sierra County, adding it is an independent special district with no oversight from the Board of Supervisors. He continued by stating this District on the 12th of December took action to file a formal application with LAFCO for annexation of the unprotected areas in Sierra County, which would include Verdi, Long Valley, and everything east of the boundary of the existing Sierra County Fire Protection District in Sierra Valley. Beals said this was a Motion of Intent to bring the formal application back to the full District board for approval.
MOTION OF INTENT:  Following almost two years of public involvement and multiple community meetings, the Board of Commissioners of Sierra Co. Fire Protection District #1 hereby sets the following direction for resolving public safety concerns for structure fire and emergency medical service for those portions of Eastern Sierra County that are not currently offered service though an organized District. 
1.   Adopt a Sphere of Influence for all of that portion of North Eastern Sierra County (except the City of Loyalton).  Develop a Resolution to trigger the LAFCO process for this Sphere of Influence.
2.   Initiate processes through Sierra Co. LAFCO to annex all of the North Eastern portion of Sierra County that is not currently within a District.  Develop a Resolution to trigger LAFCO process for this annexation.
3.   Work with Sierra County to create a special assessment area to include all of Verdi, California to generate the additional resources necessary to cover the cost of fire protection service under the auspices of Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (or another source).  
4.   Work with Sierra County to create a second special assessment area to include Sierra County portion of long valley to cover the cost of service VIA Truckee Meadows Fire (or another source).  
5.   Prepare a Formal Application of Annexation to include all unserved territories in the Eastern Portion of Sierra County, excluding the City of Loyalton. Anticipate development of a Service Agreement with the City of Loyalton for these services near Loyalton.
Beals felt this was good news and moving in the right direction, adding he had not heard anything further on a formation of a new district. He stated the issue before the Board of Supervisors was the recommended action with the two old agreements. Beals continued and said the committee of Supervisors Peter Huebner and Scott Schlefstein were recommending the old agreements be continued through the end of their
contracts on June 30, 2018 anticipating the Fire District will be in a strong position by that time. Supervisor Lee Adams said the end of the term was actually December 30th. He had two ideas: one was to extend it 90 days to see where they were or extend through June 30th but with an April 1st notice to terminate on June 30th. He wanted to keep some “feet to the fire” to get this done. Schlefstein said if this didn’t get done, there’s no fire protection in Sierra Brooks, adding why would they want to put anybody in jeopardy. Adams said because it puts the other taxpayers in the county in jeopardy. Schlefstein felt they were putting an “unnecessary cliff in front of the trail.” Supervisor Paul Roen encouraged Schlefstein to have someone from Sierra Brooks attend the next meeting to show support for this idea, adding it’s no given that this will happen. Adams made motion to extend though June 30th, but will revisit in April. The motion passed with Schlefstein and Supervisor Jim Beard voting no. 
 

​A FOREST SERVICE UPDATE was given by Sierraville District Ranger Quentin Youngblood at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held in Loyalton on December 19th. He stated prescribed burning has accomplished 304 acres east of Little Truckee Summit and the Calpine area. Youngblood added the air quality has been pretty poor, and needed storms to allow them to burn more.
Youngblood stated the Christmas Tree Program sold out within 7-8 days and said they plan to increase what they have for sale next year.
He stated several employees were in southern California assisting with fires.
Youngblood said the recreational grooming program has not commenced yet, adding we are 72% of average right now.
He concluded by stating the Forest Service was to have a meeting with Nevada Irrigation District who manages Jackson Meadows campgrounds. He said last year’s storm damage didn’t allow them to open the campgrounds for the summer season. Youngblood stated Nevada Irrigation District wants to increase the campground fees up $6, but expressed the Forest Service does not support it.

A RESOLUTION authorizing County Director of Transportation to file appropriate and required paperwork with FEMA and OES for restoration of flood damage to the Division Dam on Coldstream at Sierraville was discussed at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held Tuesday, December 19, 2017 in Loyalton.  Sierra County Director of Transportation Tim Beals stated it was a form resolution required if they are to file any claims for restoration and reimbursement from last year’s storm damage. He said it would authorize them to proceed with claims. The resolution was passed unanimously.
With regard to development of a maintenance agreement between the County Flood Control and Water Conservation District and Sierra Valley Water Company for the Sierraville Division Dam on Coldstream, Beals stated there was significant damage done on the Division Dam, which splits the main channel. He said the damage was so significant the dam needed to be entirely reconstructed, adding if not reconstructed it poses a serious flooding impact to Sierraville. Beals assumed this would be a “slam dunk” project under the emergency watershed program (EWP), but received a letter stating it wasn’t a good project for EWP. He said they were able to convince FEMA and enter the process late. Beals was anticipating FEMA would accept responsibility for funding the reconstruction of the Division Dam. Beals said the County’s interest is in flood protection, and the Sierra Valley Water Company’s interest is in irrigation water so they share a common interest on the same structure. He stated in the past the two entities have had verbal agreements, but are now looking for a joint maintenance agreement, adding the rules have changed with FEMA and will need more accountability and responsibility for the paperwork. He said routine maintenance would be shifted to the water company, but with flood protection the role changes. From the audience, Rick Maddalena said the first two floods did a lot of damage to the right hand side through downtown Sierraville. He stated if it wasn’t for Al Pombo going in with his excavator and cleaning out the left side it would have been much worse, adding this was a serious thing for Sierraville. Motion approved unanimously for direction to staff.

A REPORT of the special committee meeting on the General Plan completion conducted on December 12th was given by Sierra County Planning Director Tim Beals at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held in Loyalton on December 19th. He stated the special committee consisting of Supervisors Paul Roen and Peter Huebner met on December 12th in Truckee to go over the status of the work that had been accomplished and what still needs to be done. The two supervisors met with Jim Harnish who is under contract to complete the General Plan. The original agreement was done in 2012 and Beals said Harnish had not increased the hourly charge. Now their contract needs to be renewed and an increase in fees is to be expected. He stated during the meeting they reviewed a revised scope and plan for it to be completed in the next 12-18 months. Beals continued the General Plan work would include the four major changes to State law since 2012: Policies regarding environmental justice, special attention to disadvantaged communities and housing conditions, new requirements with fire, and the sixth cycle of the housing unit will come about during this work. He said recommendations coming from the meeting were to bring the matter back to the Board in January for an extension of the existing contract for two years. He said $75,000 remains in the county budget, and there will be an appropriation request of $45,000 -$50,000 to complete the work. Beals stated one issue that will affect work was the resignation of a Planner and picking up their workload. He added Planner Brandon Pangman will take over the General Plan task and  ​everything else will take a second priority to complete the work. Beals said they are going to hire another planner, but training will take at least a year. Supervisor Huebner was impressed with Pangman’s involvement and being up to speed. He said the work will get done and was a priority for him. Huebner said he was also very impressed with the Consultant and his commitment. Supervisor Roen stated the full scope of work would come back in January. Beals wanted to make it understood that the 2012 Resolution, which established 45 amendments to the General Plan, 42 of those are editorial corrections to the plan, adding it is not a complete revision of the plan. 

The New Year is almost here and as the festivities continue, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) wants to remind motorists to celebrate safely and responsibly by designating a sober driver.
The CHP will observe the New Year with a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) from 6:01 p.m. on Friday, December 29, 2017, to 11:59 p.m. on Monday, January 1, 2018. All available personnel will be on duty. Not only will officers focus on keeping the motoring public safe by removing impaired drivers from the road, they will also be watching for distracted driving, speeding, and seat belt violations, as well as motorists in need of assistance.
During last year’s New Year’s Day MEP, 29 people died in collisions on California roadways. In addition, CHP officers made more than 750 arrests for driving under the influence during the 78-hour holiday enforcement effort.
“Impaired driving is a very serious crime that puts your life and the lives of others at risk,” CHP Acting Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “Let’s end this year safely and start the New Year by designating a sober 

The Plumas Sierra County Fair Board is excited to announce the theme for the 2018 Plumas Sierra County Fair; Welcome to the Neighborhood. Fair Manager John Steffanic noted that a common comment throughout both counties has been about how many new people live here. Besides wanting to welcome those people to the community, as well as the fair, Steffanic wanted to use the theme as a springboard to get these new residents involved; “If someone has kids in school, that's always a great place to get new community members involved. After that, it's sometimes a challenge to hook people up to a church, or service club, or any number of other activities that make our community special.”
 
Steffanic's intention is to reach out to each community and find people willing to create several events to get people engaged in something, anything, to enrich both the participants and the places they live. “I'm hoping to throw some block parties with the same as the fair theme; Welcome to the Neighborhood.” says the fair manager. At the very least, he wants find leaders that can show people how to welcome new folks. “I know in my town of Portola, I recognize people, but I don't always know people.” observed Steffanic. “I think we need to start thinking about walking up to these people, introducing ourselves and asking them about themselves. Where are they from? What do they like about living here? What are they interested in?” As older residents retire, or pass away, the fabric of the community becomes a little thinner. Steffanic thinks this fair theme will give the opportunity to strengthen that fabric by getting new blood woven into our towns.
 
“It makes perfect sense for the annual county fair to lead the way on this,” says Steffanic. “It is the one event that brings every community together, and we should make sure that anyone who is new to our area is welcome.” The fair is working on ways to showcase the efforts of the various communities working to welcome newcomers to the neighborhood. Steffanic will be looking for people willing to take on the role of “welcomers” in the different communities and invites anyone interested to contact him at the fair office in Quincy. He also points out that it doesn't have to be individuals, organizations are also welcome to fill the role of spreading the word; Welcome to the Neighborhood!
 
The 2018 Plumas Sierra County Fair takes place August 8-12, 2018 in Quincy, California

The nation’s largest pension system is expected to adopt a funding plan this week that anticipates shortfalls during the next decade and then banks on exceptional investment returns over the following half century to make up the difference.

It’s an absurd strategy designed to placate labor unions, who want more public money available now for raises, and local government officials who are struggling to make annual installment payments on past debt CalPERS has rung up.
And it highlights why the California Supreme Court, which is currently considering a key case on pension rights, and state lawmakers must do more to rein in public employee retirement costs. We can’t afford the current system.
That doesn’t mean that traditional pensions should be eliminated; it means future benefit accruals should be reduced to affordable levels that don’t continue saddling current and future generations with debt.
The California Public Employees’ Retirement System currently has a $153 billion unfunded liability, with only 68 percent of the assets it should have, largely because of similar, past hubris about investment returns.
The action this week will affect pensions for state workers, and hence all California taxpayers. In the Bay Area, it affects pensions for employees of Santa Clara County and most cities except San Jose and San Francisco.
Specifically, the CalPERS board will re-allocate its portfolio and make a critical forecast of the return on those investments. The higher the expected return, the lower the contributions required from employers and employees. But if the prediction doesn’t pan out, taxpayers must cover the shortfall.
CalPERS staff predicts the investment mix it’s recommending will earn 7 percent annual returns. That just happens to match the earnings forecast that CalPERS is already phasing in. Thus, the staff suggests the rate should not be lowered, and contributions should not be further increased.
But that 7 percent forecast is problematic. Ted Eliopoulos, CalPERS chief investment officer, estimates CalPERS will only earn 6.1 percent annually over the next 10 years. To reach 7 percent, the system’s actuaries “blended” the 10-year estimate with a projection for the subsequent 50 years of 8.3 percent annual returns.
That’s right. CalPERS, like many retirement systems, makes decisions about funding pensions today based on estimates of what market returns will be for the next six decades.
To do that, CalPERS assumes the future economy will eventually mirror the past. “But the future economy will be a lot different than the past,” says Bob Stein, a retired Ernst & Young managing partner and chairman of the national Society of Actuaries Blue Ribbon Panel on Public Pension Funding.
“It requires a belief that equity returns are going to jump back up to the 8 percent level or even higher in the out years here. I don’t think anybody expects (that).”
CalPERS’ portfolio includes stocks, bonds and real estate. Eliopoulos acknowledges the spread between CalPERS’ 6.1 percent annual forecast for the first decade and the annual 8.3 percent predicted for the following 50 years is “as wide as we’ve seen.”
Asked whether he thinks CalPERS’ portfolio can earn an average 8.3 percent annual earnings over a half century, Eliopoulos told me, “I don’t have a crystal ball. I think the projection for the next 10 years is reasonable.”
Exactly. He doesn’t have a crystal ball. Nor does anyone else at CalPERS.
Board members with a fiduciary duty to responsibly administer the pension system shouldn’t use highly questionable half-century forecasts to justify underfunding pensions for the next decade.
In the shorter term, if CalPERS sets contribution rates assuming 7 percent annual returns and Eliopoulos’ 6.1 percent 10-year forecast proves right, the pension system for the next decade will under-collect from employers and employees.



Whereas workers and employers share the upfront pension contributions, government agencies, and ultimately taxpayers, must cover the shortfalls. That debt is treated just like a giant credit card bill, paid off with decades of installment payments.

The escalating payments are already requiring cutbacks in government services and/or higher taxes. CalPERS’ expected action this week is designed to avoid additional immediate payment increases. But it adds to the shortfall that must eventually be paid.
Political pressure from unions and local governments makes it likely the CalPERS board this week will keep the earnings assumption at 7 percent. But if that’s the plan, board members should at least admit that easing the pain now will require piling on debt for taxpayers to cover in the future.
They shouldn’t claim that wishful speculation about market returns decades from now makes it all right.







Daniel Borenstein Dan Borenstein is an award-winning columnist for the Bay Area News Group and editorial page editor of the East Bay Times. He has worked for the Times and its affiliated newspapers since 1980, including previous assignments as political editor, Sacramento bureau editor, projects editor and assistant metro editor. A Bay Area native, he holds master’s degrees in public policy and journalism from University of California, Berkeley.

Loyalton needs a Christmas present!
We'd been told and it was generally known there to be a court hearing in Downieville today, Friday, December 8th with the Receivers who had told us they would make a request for further funding.
Today we were notified there was no such hearing on the court calendar and Judge Ervin is out of town for a month.
In talking to Receiver Mark Adams, he called it "confusion." He said the current plan is to have a court hearing on or after January 12th.
Further, he stated the city and county of Sierra need to subordinate liens and he can't find a lender to fund the cleanup without a full subordination. He needs a blanket subordination.
This is the condition of the trailer park as it's been left:

The Receivers stated they had to move the residents out for safety and health reasons.

IS THIS SAFE?

IS THIS HEALTHY?

Call your elected officials now and complain. We need this cleaned up before Christmas!

PHOTOS BY ANNDREA WHITE, TAKEN OF THE BACK OF THE BUILDING

PHOTOS BY SUE McILRAVY

The fire was spotted by a driver going through town at about 10:30 p.m. Monday night, said to be from Canada.
Local volunteer firemen fought the fire until 5 a.m. Tuesday morning, leaving a thick ice rink surrounding the former parts store.
Owners of the building are Sherry and Burt Howard, who ran a video business and have lived out of the area several years. Most recently, Timberline Auto Parts occupied the building. The business was sold a couple years back by Joanne Powers to Nancy Rogers' brother and Nancy operated the business until she closed it last summer. The building was cleared and has been up for sale. Dickson Realtor Bonnie Jessee said she had an offer on it and hopes of it being restored.

​Our company is currently working with the Tahoe National Forest on a research project about the old Lewis Mill (also known as the Lewis Brothers’ Mill or Lewis and Peck Mill) located south of Loyalton along Smithneck Creek. The mill began operations in 1886 and ran into the early 1900s.
We would be interested in talking to anyone who had a family member who worked at the mill and are particularly interested in finding photos of the operation that we could reproduced for use in a technical report, a public document, and on a roadside sign. If you have photos or information about the mill, please contact me.
 
Thank you,
Sharon Waechter
Far Western Anthropological Research Group
2727 Del Rio Place, Suite A
Davis, CA 95618
SharonW@farwestern.com
530-304-4110