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No. 9 Skins lose to No. 8 Escalon in first round

November 12, 2012, 6:37 am
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ESCALON—Moments after the Calaveras Redskins lost to Escalon on Friday, they huddled together in the endzone. After their huddle, the players shared tears, hugs and handshakes.
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Summerville gridders fall to Los Banos

November 12, 2012, 6:39 am
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LOS BANOS—Summerville Bears running back Tanner Krieg rushed for nearly 100 yards and two touchdowns and quarterback Jesse Roberson connected with tight end Connor Morningstar for 84 yards and a touchdown in a first-round playoff loss on Friday. The No. 5 Los Banos Tigers ran away in the second half to defeat the No. 12 Bears 41-18 and end their postseason run in the 2012 Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV Championships. “We played a buzz saw,” said Bears head coach Ben Watson. “It’s a big school with a lot of talent and we matched them play for play. The game just slipped away in the third quarter when we didn’t answer.”
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Team's moxie undebatable

November 12, 2012, 8:12 pm
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If you want to talk politics with some of the best student debaters in the west, look no farther than Columbia College. The school’s five-person Speech and Debate Club won two championship titles Nov. 2 through 4 at the Paul Winters Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament, hosted by University of the Pacific in Stockton.
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High speed net brings slow traffic

November 12, 2012, 8:15 pm
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Work on the Central Valley Next-Generation Broadband Infrastructure Project is expected to cause 5 to 10-minute delays throughout Tuolumne County. The following areas will be affected this week: High School Road north of Highway 108, O’Byrnes Ferry Road from Highway 108 to the O’Byrnes Ferry Bridge, and Parrott’s Ferry Road from Gold Springs Drive to Parrott’s Ferry Bridge. The project entails installing fiber-optic network cables.
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Moms to get homes

November 12, 2012, 8:23 pm
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Habitat for Humanity’s two newest partner families are both headed by single mothers, each with a teenage son. Annette Castanon and Dayna Harvey will occupy the next duplex at Parrotts Ferry Village in Columbia. Both women work at Walmart and have become good friends, said Betsy Harden, executive director of the Habitat for Humanity of Tuolumne County chapter. Now they will be neighbors.
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Vocational ed versus academics

November 12, 2012, 8:29 pm
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The Summerville Union High School District Board of Education will discuss vocational classes being used as graduation requirements at its Wednesday meeting. A state law passed in 2011, Assembly Bill 1330, allows high schools to substitute vocational classes, such as welding, for fine arts or foreign language graduation requirements.
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Sonora El board has open seat

November 12, 2012, 8:31 pm
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The Sonora School District is seeking to fill a vacancy on its Board of Trustees left by the departure of member Don Rolle, who joined the Tuolumne County Board of Education. Candidates must be 18 years or older and live within Sonora School District boundaries. They must provide proof of residency, such as a utility bill, with their application.
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Businesses urged to lend hand to startups

November 12, 2012, 8:34 pm
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To encourage new commerce in Angels Camp, the city’s business community is being asked to chip in to help them get off to a strong start. This and other programs to assist new and expanding businesses, publicize them and learn lessons from the tales of businesses past that have closed were presented Monday night at the final 2012 monthly meeting of the Angels Camp Business Association.
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Sonora’s Grolle defends Section title, Tioga’s Matt Spring claims DV crown

November 13, 2012, 5:40 am
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Tioga junior Matt Spring and Sonora junior Steven Grolle outran the competition Saturday in Folsom to become the Sac-Joaquin Section cross country champions of their respective divisions. Grolle bested the Division IV pack of 78 runners by 33 seconds in the 5,000m race. He finished in a time of 16:05, a pace of 5:10.6 per mile, to claim the title and advance to the State Meet.
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News of record for November 13, 2012

November 12, 2012, 11:00 pm
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TUOLUMNE COUNTY The Sheriff’s Office reported the following: FRIDAY 10:05 a.m., Sonora area — A man staying at a care center on the 19900 block of Greenley Road while recovering from burns came back from a family visit intoxicated, became belligerent toward staff and threatened to blow up the business. A gallon of paint primer and matches were found in his room. 12:46 p.m., Columbia — A woman on the 23600 block of Orion Mine Road found two fraudulent debit charges on her business account totaling $235. 1:08 p.m., Jamestown — A room at an inn on the 18700 block of Highway 108 was supposed to be empty by noon, but an “argumentative, aggressive” woman was in the room at 1 p.m. 1:29 p.m., Twain Harte — A resident of the 22400 block of Scenic Drive received a call from a business confirming a purchase for $394, which the resident did not make or authorize. 1:32 p.m., Strawberry area — A cabin on the 33000 block of Leland Meadow Road was burglarized. 4:11 p.m., Groveland — A window screen of a home on the 20000 block of Big Foot Circle was cut. 8:45 p.m., Crystal Falls — Someone threw a flaming T-shirt out of a car window on Crystal Falls Drive near American River Drive. 9:22 p.m., Mi-Wuk Village — Two men dressed in dark clothes opened the front doors at a business on the 24200 block of Highway 108 and were carrying things out of the business. SATURDAY 1:01 a.m., Tuolumne — Cars were sliding on Morris Grade on Tuolumne Road. 7:56 a.m., Sonora area — A 15-inch-diameter willow tree was blocking Von Keiben Road near Highway 49. 9:43 p.m., Tuolumne — A small bag containing a white substance was found at Black Oak Casino. SUNDAY 1:29 a.m., Twain Harte — An intoxicated woman was screaming while lying in the snow at Valley Avenue and South Fork Road, after getting out of a cab. 1:36 a.m., Twain Harte — Multiple intoxicated people were involved in a fight at Eproson House on Twain Harte Drive and one was arrested for public intoxication. 7:28 a.m., Tuolumne — About half a gram of methamphetamine in a glass vial was found at Black Oak Casino on Tuolumne Road. 4:41 p.m., Columbia — Medical supplies were reported missing from a residence on the 11000 block of Green Street. Felony bookings FRIDAY 12:32 a.m., Jamestown — Larry Duane Walker, 62, of the 2100 block of 4th Drive, Hughson, was booked on suspicion of possession of drugs after an arrest near the 16000 block of Nelson Road. He was also booked on suspicion of a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. 1:35 a.m., Jamestown — Dana Lee Erickson, 53, of the 5300 block of Northland Drive, Modesto, was booked on suspicion of possession of drugs after an arrest near the 16000 block of Nelson Road. She was also booked on suspicion of a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia and an infraction of an open container of alcohol inside a vehicle. 10:53 a.m., Jamestown — Steven Patrick Engle-Borda, 25, of the 17000 block of Fernwood Drive, was booked on suspicion of violation of probation and drug possession, after an arrest at his home. He was also booked on suspicion of misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. SATURDAY 12:20 p.m., Tuolumne — David Anthony Whylidko, 42, of the 18000 block of Main Street, was booked on suspicion of burglary after an arrest at his home. SUNDAY 11:40 a.m., Sonora area — Roi Christopher Naugle, 27, transient, was booked on suspicion of drug possession and violation of probation, after an arrest on the 1100 block of Sanguinetti Road. He was also booked on suspicion of a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. Arrests Cited on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol: FRIDAY 12:10 a.m., Jamestown — Anthony Raymond Campbell, 21, of the 20000 block of Nashua Road, Sonora, was booked after an arrest near Jamestown and Golf Links roads. 4:35 p.m., Jamestown — Carroll Ray Aubrey, 77, of the 10000 block of Peppermint Circle, was booked after an arrest near Rawhide and Bostwick roads. SATURDAY 12:23 a.m., Tuolumne — Sharon Ann Blades, 71, of the 19000 block of Rockridge Way, Sonora, was booked after an arrest on the 19000 block of Tuolumne Road North. 2:00 a.m., Tuolumne — Esteban Felix, 27, of the 1800 block of Sanchez Way, Escalon, was booked after an arrest on the 17000 block of Tuolumne Road. 3:23 a.m., Twain Harte — Kevin Dale Johnson, 24, of the 20000 block of Baymeadow Drive, Sonora, was booked after an arrest at Robin Hood and Tuolumne roads. SUNDAY 5:05 p.m., Jamestown — Kayla Diane Brawley, 26, of the 20000 block of Shaws Flat Road, Sonora, was booked after an arrest near Highway 49 and Main Street. Sonora Police Department reported the following: FRIDAY 10:13 a.m., suspicious circumstances — A man on East Lyons Street who thought he had a false alarm on Nov. 3 found damage on his door and now believed someone had tried to break in. 12:12 p.m., suspicious circumstances — A man sitting on the ground at a business on Guzzi Lane with his phone plugged into an exterior outlet was told to leave the area and that he could not use their power supply. 12:31 p.m., disorderly conduct — A woman said she slapped a man four or five times and that the police needed to get there or she would slap him some more. Officers spoke with both parties. The man declined to press charges against the woman, who is his girlfriend’s grandmother. SATURDAY 2:33 p.m., reckless driving — A driver was seen cutting off cars and yelling near Stewart and Church streets. 8:29 p.m., reckless driving — A person in a station wagon was driving recklessly near Restano Way. CALAVERAS COUNTY FRIDAY 7:34 a.m., San Andreas — Buildings were spray painted at Calaveras High School on High School Street. 9:46 a.m., Valley Spring — A check was reported missing from a mailbox on Dalee Court. 12:27 p.m., Burson — A man trying to shoe his horses on Burson Road said a neighbor is making the horses upset. SATURDAY 10:17 a.m., Vallecito — A theft was reported at Calaveras County Solid Waste on Red Hill Road. 3:02 p.m., Murphys — An assault with a deadly weapon was reported at Sierra Hills Market on Highway 4. 8:05 p.m., Mountain Ranch — A vehicle was set on fire on Stagecoach Hill.
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Letters to the editor for November 13, 2012

November 12, 2012, 11:00 pm
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Votes and the election results To the Editor, Robin Zeutzius finds it “dumbfounding” that Romney/Ryan lost the election because of “how many states actually voted for them.” In fact, Romney/Ryan won only 24 states, and Obama/Biden won 26 (and the District of Columbia). Plus, I don’t think it would work if the winner of the presidency was decided by whoever won the most states. The combined population of the 26 smallest states is less than 54 million people, so they would be able to out vote the two largest states (California and Texas), which have a combined population of over 64 million. Also, Obama/Biden won by “popular opinion” since they won a majority of the popular vote as well as a majority of the electoral vote. I do agree that perhaps we should consider doing away with the Electoral College. If we had, Al Gore, who won the popular vote, would have won in 2000, and we all would have been spared eight years of George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and their wrecking crew. Charles Ralston Mi-Wuk Village Move doesn’t save schools or state To the Editor, Joe Silva and the Tuolumne County Schools Office trustees were justly caught trying to circumvent California Education Code, in a scam. They had planned to stick taxpayers with a $25,000 pay raise to Superintendent Silva by sticking the California State Teachers Retirement System with the cost of his newly inflated salary. This is just the City of Bell retirement scam in a different format. Superintendent Silva and the trustees who supported this plan should be fired for attempting to break the law, sticking taxpayers with more expenses, and giving Silva an illegal raise by renaming it “saving our schools money.” Further, the County School’s lawyer, Byron Smith, is the same lawyer who advised John Pendley and his gang in the cover-up of the Columbia Elementary School sexual predator scandal. Perhaps school district trustees should pursue better legal advice, before getting caught breaking the law. Randal Lee Sonora Citizens want moderate gov’t To the Editor, Whether Republican, Democrat, or independent, the lesson learned not only from the President being re-elected, but from the Senate seats increasing for Democrats, is that citizens want a moderate government — not extreme on the left or the right. The GOP has allowed the “tail to wag the dog” with its adherence to too-far right ideology promoted by its Tea Party wing. Mitt Romney in order to secure the acceptance of that increasing faction, had to feign being a “severe” conservative, which he wasn’t. He moved more to a moderate position once he secured the nomination of his party, but by then it was too late. His position swings lost credibility with the electorate, along with never being free from the stigma of Wall Street’s Bain Capital and the infamous video disparaging the 47 percent. The final poll figures show how out of touch the GOP is with groups other than a declining percentage of white people. The vast majority of “minority groups” belonging to a struggling middle class and lower class saw no champion to their plight or aspirations by voting for Romney. To see Democrats winning in strong red states along with the polling percentages increasingly going towards the Democrats should send a strong message to the GOP that they need to put their house in order. They can start by realizing that so-called big government is not the enemy but rather those like Grover Norquist, Karl Rove, and unlimited, unnamed funding sources that distort democracy and believe compromise is a dirty term. We’ll see how three aging white men, John Boehner, Mitch McConnell, and Harry Reid pick up on the relevance of this election and act in the interest of the country, not in the interest of their parties. Wayne Kirkbride Twain Harte
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Obituaries for November 13, 2012

November 12, 2012, 11:00 pm
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Jack Benton Carrigan March 22, 1937 — Oct. 11, 2012 Sonora resident Jack Benton Carrigan died Oct. 11 at Sonora Regional Medical Center after a heart attack. He was 75. Mr. Carrigan was born in Eunice, N.M. He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1959. After, he was an executive in the food industry. He married Beverly C. Jones Checkalovich on Oct. 16, 1963. The couple lived in Sonora for about 10 years from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s. After, they lived Arizona and Texas for a number of years before returning to Sonora in March to be closer to family. Mr. Carrigan was survived by his wife of 49 years, Beverly, who died shortly after him on Nov. 6. He is survived by daughters, Catherine Derr, of New York, Valerie Burks, of Hayward; sons, Patrick Carrigan, of Hayward, and Michael Carrigan, of Texas; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Memorial services were held at Oakmont Cemetery in Lafayette, which also handled arrangements. Beverly Clare Jones Checkalovich Carrigan Aug. 3, 1935 — Nov. 6, 2012 Sonora resident Beverly Clare Jones Checkalovich Carrigan died Nov. 6 at Sonora Regional Medical Center of cancer. She was 77. Mrs. Carrigan was born in Oakland. She was a broker and underwriter in the real estate industry. She married Jack Benton Carrigan on Oct. 16, 1963. She was a longtime member of Daughters of the American Revolution and served as regent for five years in the Buckeye, Ariz. chapter, which she helped organize and establish. The couple lived in Sonora for about 10 years from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s. After, they lived Arizona and Texas for a number of years before returning to Sonora in March to be closer to family. Mrs. Carrigan was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Jack Benton Carrigan, who died in October. She is survived by her daughters, Catherine Derr, of New York, Valerie Burks, of Hayward; sons, Patrick Carrigan, of Hayward, and Michael Carrigan, of Texas; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Memorial services held at Oakmont Cemetery in Lafayette, which also handled arrangements. Robert Arthur Hertz June 5, 1922 — Nov. 5, 2012 Soulsbyvillle resident Robert Arthur Hertz died Nov. 5 at Sonora Regional Medical Center. He was 90. Mr. Hertz was a wholesale meat salesman serving grocery stores for 40 years. He is survived by three daughters, Susan Bollman, of Santa Clara, Carol Mitri, of San Jose, and Joni Jones, of Cathedral City; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Neptune Society of Central California handled arrangements. Willson Ray Luster Oct. 8, 1941 — Nov. 2, 2012 San Andreas resident Willson Ray Luster died at his home on Nov. 2. He was 71. Mr. Luster was born in Fort Worth, Texas. A journeyman welder, he was a longtime resident of San Leandro and retired after 48 years from the Northern California Pipe Trades, Local No. 342. Mr. Luster was preceded in death by his daughter, Teresa Hagman. He is survived by his wife, Caroline Luster, of San Andreas; his siblings, Yvonne Fassett and Kenneth Luster; his stepchildren, Sandy Kimball, Susan Keiper, Roberta Maness, Paula Randel, Robert Rezente Jr., and Mike Rezente; 18 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. A donation is his memory can be made to San Andreas Community Covenant Church, 261 Treat Ave., P.O. Box 810, San Andreas, CA 95249. A graveside service was held at Farmington Memorial Park, in Farmington. San Andreas Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements. Notices BRANDON-RAINWATER — A memorial service for Jamestown resident Lori Brandon-Rainwater, 56, will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Columbia Cemetery. A reception will follow from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Columbia City Hotel. A final toast will be at 4 p.m.
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Letters to the editor for November 14, 2012

November 13, 2012, 4:37 pm
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Obama is unqualified To the Editor, Congratulations Obama, your campaign was based on personal attacks and lies. It worked, you are not qualified to be president of the United States of America. Bob DeCristoferi Sonora Stop criticizing the Christian Right To the Editor, Democrats should quit criticizing the Tea Party and the Christian Right and praise them for their crucial role in the reelection of the president and ensuring a Democratic majority in the Senate. They rolled out extremist senatorial candidates like Sharon Angell, Christine O’Donnell, Todd Akin and Richard Mourdack to lose senate seats that were there for the GOP’s taking. And mostly, they deserve enormous credit for destroying the myth of “White Superiority.” I was tempted to be more diplomatic and less harsh in writing this letter, then on second thought I decided the heck with it. I’m angry and fed up with the right-wing extremists who have taken over the Republican Party of which I was a member for 26 years. I am a paraplegic who is appalled by those who oppose embryonic stem-cell research because of the absurd belief that every embryo. a cluster of microscopic cells, has a soul. This research could lead to cures of MS, ALS, juvenile diabetes and other diseases and catastrophic injuries like my own. Why should I sacrifice my health because of your ignorance and superstition? Why do you hang on to myths that prolong the suffering of others? We can no longer afford to accept propositions without rational justification. I have a friend who is a college biology teacher. She says some students walk out of her class when she teaches evolution. The Arctic is melting, glaciers in our national parks are disappearing yet millions of Americans deny man-made global warming. Compare the intellects of liberals like the Obamas, both Harvard graduates, and news commentator Rachel Maddow, a Rhodes Scholar, with college dropouts Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck. The latter three make millions of dollars doing what they do best: making people with neanderthal attitudes think they’re smart. Robert Dorroh Sonora
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News of record for November 14, 2012

November 13, 2012, 4:39 pm
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TUOLUMNE COUNTY The Sheriff’s Office reported the following: MONDAY 10:01 a.m., Jamestown — Four tires, valued at $580, were stolen from Sierra Motors on Fifth Avenue. 2:25 p.m., Tuolumne — A mountain bike was stolen from the 18000 block of Tuolumne Road sometime Sunday night. 3:35 p.m., Columbia — A man’s truck was broken into near Big Hill and Five Mile Creek roads, and a stereo, amplifier and tools were stolen. 4:09 p.m., Twain Harte — The listing agent of a property on the 18000 block of Hillcrest Road reported that the back door was broken down and cupboards had been rifled through. 5:46 p.m., Jamestown — Someone attempted to break the locks and gain entry into a property on the 14000 block of Jacksonville Road. Felony bookings MONDAY 1:11 p.m., Jamestown — Tia Trannell Brown, 19, of the 42000 block of Weigand Circle, Fremont, was booked on suspicion of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant and force or assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm, after an arrest near Highway 120 and Jacksonville Road. 9:19 p.m., Sonora — Juston Cayenne Souza, 28, of the 15000 block of Cavalari Road, was booked on suspicion of transporting or selling drugs, after an arrest near Peaceful Valley Road and Dambacher Drive. 9:24 p.m., Sonora — Paul Anthony Parker, 51, of the 20000 block of Caylor Drive, Soulsbyville, was booked on suspicion of possession of drugs for sale, after an arrest near Peaceful Valley Road and Dambacher Drive. Arrests Cited on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs: MONDAY 12:11 a.m., Soulsbyville -— Gary Bryant Folley, 31, of Punter Ranch Road, Sonora, was booked after an arrest on Soulsbyville Road, east of Black Oak Road. The Sonora Police Department reported the following: MONDAY 4:20 a.m., reckless driving — A Buick hit a curb on the 1000 block of Mono Way and drove up on the sidewalk, then crossed traffic and left down an alley. 10:01 p.m., theft — A bicycle was stolen from the 100 block of West Stockton Road between 4 and 9 p.m. CALAVERAS COUNTY The Sheriff’s Office reported the following: SUNDAY 1:15 p.m., San Andreas — A theft was reported on Gold Hunter Road. 1:31 p.m., San Andreas — A theft was reported on Oak Park Drive. MONDAY 9:59 p.m., San Andreas — A driver who appeared to be intoxicated was reported on Highway 49. Felony bookings SATURDAY 10:39 a.m., Copperopolis — Charles Thomas Barker, 62, of the 1700 block of Quail Hill Court, was booked on suspicion of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant after an arrest at his home. 11:58 a.m., Camp Connell —Richard David Castillo, 33, of the 4900 block of Meko Drive, was booked on suspicion of violation of probation and possession of drugs. He was also booked on suspicion of misdemeanor charges of violation of probation and possession of unlawful paraphernalia. 6:13 p.m., San Andreas — Rosebud Darshana Dyken, 27, of the 460 block of Russell Road, was booked on suspicion of possession of drugs, possession of drugs without a prescription, possession of drugs for sale and transportation of drugs after an arrest near highways 12 and 49. SUNDAY Noon, Rail Road Flat — Nathaniel Lloyd Grant, 30, of the 5100 block of Stagecoach Hill, Mokelumne Hill, was booked on suspicion of arson of a property after an arrest north of Prussian Hill Road. He was also booked on suspicion of misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and a traffic offense. Fires SATURDAY 9:50 a.m., Mountain Ranch — A vegetation fire occurred on the 17000 block of Armstrong Road. No injuries were reported and the cause has not yet been determined. One acre of grass and vegetation was burned, amounting to about $300 in damage.
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Obituaries for November 14, 2012

November 13, 2012, 4:40 pm
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Notices TRISOER — Donna Trisoer, 73, of Sonora, died Monday at Garden City Healthcare Center in Modesto. Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
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DJ Maranz — Voice of his generation

November 13, 2012, 6:10 pm
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You may not recognize the face, but fans of classic rock and roll will instantly know the voice of Randy Maranz, who has been a disc jockey for more than 30 years on stations from San Diego to Yakima, Wash.
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Holiday food donations sought

November 13, 2012, 8:27 pm
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Mother Lode food banks are still short on items for next week’s Thanksgiving distribution events, which feed thousands of area residents each year. The Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency Food Bank is preparing bags of food for about 2,000 families expected to attend the distribution event Friday, according to food bank Director Lee Kimball.
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New leaders of fair seated

November 13, 2012, 8:30 pm
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The Mother Lode Fair Board of Directors elected a new president and vice president for 2013 at Tuesday night’s meeting. Vice president and 12-year board member Marge Kiriluk will take over as president for incumbent Mari Ann Bloom, who has decided to resign after serving on the board for about 20 years.
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Columbia El bids farewell to trustees

November 13, 2012, 8:33 pm
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Community members delivered parting words to two outgoing Columbia Union School District trustees at a meeting Tuesday, weaving their comments with either criticism or support for Superintendent John Pendley. Some meeting attendees praised trustee Jeff Tolhurst, who did not seek reelection, for his resistance to the school board’s handling of a sex scandal on campus involving Pendley’s son.
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New board members talk of the future

November 13, 2012, 8:35 pm
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With the election only a week in the rearview mirror, some soon-to-be directors with the Tuolumne Utilities District offered insight Tuesday into what the district’s future could hold. During the meeting, board members-elect Kent Johnson, Jim Grinnell and John Maciel peppered the district board and staff with questions mainly on accounting and financial topics. Though most were small clarifications on the district’s annual audit, Johnson opened up a discussion on what he says should be a full review and possible changes in the district’s financial department. Johnson said he would “like to look at the best use of the staff” in the department, and suggested the next board should consider reorganizing finance. The comments came before the district board voted to fill an accounting assistant position.“I suggest the accounting position not be filled prior to the new board,” Johnson said. The “new board” will consist of Johnson, Maciel, Grinnell and Michael Sarno who all won seats last Tuesday. They will replace board members Bob Behee, Dennis Dahlin and Ron Ringen, who did not win re-election, as well as Barbara Balen, who did not seek another term. During the discussion about the accounting position, district financial director Stephen Sheffield noted the timing of the discussion between an outgoing and incoming board, and he said Johnson’s concerns are “valid.” But he also said the position needs to be filled, and he said his department is severely understaffed.“I got nothing left, I really don’t,” Sheffield said to Johnson, before being directed by the board to address his comments to the sitting directors.“I just need a body,” he said. The board will likely meet only once more before Maciel, Grinnell, Johnson and Sarno join Delbert Rotelli, who will be the lone holdover. They waged largely critical campaigns against the incumbents, calling for increased cost cutting measures to keep rates down. Incumbents ran campaigns that largely stressed the importance of keeping up district infrastructure and planning long-term to deal with water rights, storage and legislative issues. While they will be off the board table soon, outgoing directors offered some advice during Tuesday’s meeting.“I can only hope the new board takes it upon themselves to learn the realities of what’s needed here in a timely manner and keep things moving along,” said Dahlin. Ringen took time during the open public forum to speak “as a ratepayer,” reading a prepared speech that commended the district board and staff for accomplishments. He said district ratepayers have come to expect a certain level of service, and implicitly warned against cutting back on that level.“Anything less than the baseline is unacceptable and won’t be tolerated,” he said. “This is what us ratepayers expect from this board and any future boards.”
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