Posted by: thepinetree on 12/28/2010 10:53 AM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 12/30/2010 09:23 PM
Expires: 01/01/2015 12:00 AM
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An Interview with New District 5 Supervisor, Darren Spellman~by Betsy Duncan
New Supervisor interview 12/27/10...
#1. Now that you are in office, what do you see as the 3 most pressing issues in District 5?
1. Getting the bridge at O’byrnes Ferry and the county line fixed! Here is the latest. This is a response at my request after meeting with Public Works Director Tom Garcia.
Supervisor Spellman: The Plans Specifications and Estimates for the O'Byrnes Ferry Bridge Guard Rail Repair are complete. We have begun the process of contracting out for fabrication of the rail as it is a custom application and not an off-the shelf installation. Due to the fabrication time, we anticipate beginning construction of the repairs in six to eight weeks.....
Thanks, Tom Garcia, Director of Public Works Calaveras County 891 Mountain Ranch Road San Andreas, CA 95249-9709 (209) 754-6401
2. Regrouping the Rancho Calaveras CSA1 committee.
3. Working to see that District 5 has appropriate representation in our county government and quasi-government, such as the CCOG.
#2. How do you feel about the VS and Copper community plans and the legal issues/controversy surrounding them?
1. Valley Springs Community Plan—It was unfortunate that money was taken in the form of grants that called for “attempted” implementation of policies that are not in keeping with the will of the people who live within the proposed boundaries, that would be directly affected in what they perceive to be an adverse way. The Board of Supervisors has already voted 4 to 1 in favor of a modified/simplified plan constructed by Supervisor Tofanelli and a group of area citizens, which is no doubt less comprehensive, but what will ultimately be used for now because of the controversial aspects of the CCOG/MyValleySprings collaborative plan.
2. Copper Community Plan—Again an unfortunate turn of events surrounding allegations that between 2005, (when the Copper plan was finished) and 2010, when the plan was attempted to be submitted to the county for adoption into the county General Plan Update, there were “significant” changes made without the input from or notice given to the general public, which is a violation of the “Brown Act”. In 1953, the Brown Act was instituted as “A law to prohibit secret meetings of official bodies…” Because this law has been violated, we will be seeking the guidance of our county attorney before proceeding with the Copper plan to ensure we are operating legally and not subjecting the county to a frivolous lawsuit that we cannot afford.
#3. What are your plans for making Calaveras County a more builder friendly county?
1. In December I was invited and attended a meeting of the Calaveras County Builders Association in an attempt to listen for what the builders said might be helpful in this regard. It seems that people feel some county fees are too high, while others are concerned about fees not collected at all. These are both areas of concern for me and I am looking into ways to better serve our local builders, who feed their families and hire local trade workers who do the same, with money earned in the construction industry. We must look for new ways to operate that enable us to keep costs down and service up, which is what we are working towards.
2. We would like to provide opportunities to builders for “showcasing” the latest trends in “conservation/ greening” and “best practices” for new construction that can be used as a model for the industry.
#4. Where do you think that Calaveras County can afford to trim the fat??
1. I have thought about this particular question a lot. The real fact of the matter is, it appears that we have already trimmed the fat and at this point are looking to go from 80% lean to 90% lean, which is better for us in the long run, but difficult in our current situation. I met with a Supervisor from Napa County that said they have a $50 Million reserve fund and have not had to lay off one employee so far, while also maintaining the services that their residents have come to expect and enjoy. I will be meeting with officials from Napa County this coming spring in an attempt to learn and duplicate where possible, the principles and practices that got them to such a solid financial footing even in the midst of such a horrible financial market that we have today. I believe with the right people getting involved, there is no reason why we could not be much more proficient in wise spending of our tax payer’s money.
#5. If you could get one thing accomplished today for District 5 what would it be?
1. A quick accountability for Fair and Equitable distribution of goods and services that we deserve, because we pay for them, but rarely receive the commissary benefits here in District 5. Only one Supervisor has been re-elected to a 2nd term in District 5 in the last 40 years and we have suffered financially as a district because of that. District 4 Supervisor Tom Tryon, has been in office since 1984 and because of his long tenure, is able to get more done, with more funding going into his district. I will work to earn my keep, to the best of my ability, by helping produce real results that the people of District 5 can point to and say, “Supervisor Spellman with the help of the people, has had some great things accomplished during his term of office”.
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