LOYALTON — The Sierra County Board of Supervisors wrapped up their final meeting of the year on Tuesday in a short and sweet affair. The first discussion at the meeting was over Christmas cards sent by Assessor Laura Marshall to the Supervisors, which contained copious amounts of glitter and a speaker playing a singing Santa or a cat meowing until the battery was ripped from the card. The Supervisors did not waste time calling Marshall out for their shared agony.

Most of the important updates of the last two weeks came in the form of Committee and Department Head reports. Supervisor Lila Heuer had attended the Sierra County Disaster Council meeting on December 7th, where she learned that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant money for snow removal on Gold Lake Highway had been denied. Other sources of funding are being explored. Heuer believes that, in general, the Disaster Council will produce good work planning evacuations, flood control, and mitigation strategies for anything else that might harm our communities.

Supervisor Paul Roen reported that the Tahoe National Forest had money left over from their current fuels management programs. Roen is happy with the Highway 49 Yuba Project and is in conversations about how to apply the leftover funds to more fuels management work on the west side of the county.

Supervisor Terry LeBlanc gave his congratulations for a successful Toys for Tots event on Thursday, December 14th. LeBlanc noted that 31 families participated, far down from a previous high of 68, which LeBlanc believes is a sign that families are doing better in the county.

The final committee report was by Sharon Dryden, who explained that Public Works is attempting to acquire funding for “redoing” Gold Lake Highway. As part of that process, a meeting with Congressman Kevin Kiley had been set up for 3 p.m. on the same day as the Board’s meeting, December 19th. Supervisors Paul Roen and Lila Heuer, Director of Transportation Bryan Davey, and Yuba River District Ranger Tom Parrack attended the meeting, the results of which are not yet known.

In other news…

Two New Deputies On Duty

Sheriff Mike Fisher has two new Deputy Sheriffs who graduated from College of the Siskiyous on December 15th, a fact announced by press release this week. Yesterday, December 20th, marked the first day of a three-month “intense” training program for the graduates, during which the deputies will be working in Sierra County doubled with a Field Training Officer.

Sheriff vs. Fish and Wildlife

Sheriff Fisher also called out California Fish and Wildlife for what he believes to be an inadequate handling of the county’s bear problems. The Sheriff pointed out that getting a depredation permit took over 12 hours after a dangerous bear break-in in Downieville. He mentioned that the agency was difficult to contact and that he had even threatened to go on the KCRA 3 news station with a Fish and Wildlife representative for an interview, in which he would argue for a study to be conducted on the area’s bear population. Unfortunately, the interview did not occur.

The Sheriff believes issues are caused by the bifurcation of Fish and Wildlife into biologist and enforcement sides. Where problems could be solved previously by a game warden individually, a separate party of biologists with no boots-on-the-ground experience must now be consulted before any action is taken. Despite this, the Sheriff did commend Fish and Wildlife for swiftly handling the recent situation where a man was bitten by a bear in Calpine.

Scott Quade Honored by Board

Sharon Dryden presents certificate of acknowledgment to Scott QuadeDeputy Probation Officer Scott Quade was awarded Employee of the Year at the Chief Probation Officers of California awards in Sacramento on December 7th, after being nominated by Chief Probation Officer Chuck Henson. During Tuesday’s meeting, the Board also recognized Quade with a certificate of acknowledgment. The certificate praises Quade for his “dedication and commitment to Sierra County, justice, rehabilitation, and to veterans of our armed services.”

LeBlanc Gifts Roen a Ranch

Terry LeBlanc (left) and Paul Roen (right) displaying the dioramaThe Roen Ranch diorama up closeSupervisor Terry Leblanc gifted Supervisor Paul Roen a diorama of the Roen Ranch during a break in the Board meeting.

Board Opposes AB 702

Chief Probation Officer Chuck Henson explained a letter from the Board opposing Assembly Bill 702, which Assemblyman Corey Jackson introduced in April. According to Henson, the bill would require adding a co-chair to the Sierra County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Councils (JJCC) in addition to the Chief Probation Officer and force over 50% of the JJCC’s membership to be “community-based groups.”

Additionally, 95% of funds brought in by the JJCC would be required to go to community-based organizations, which Henson says would leave the county with only $800, and the JJCC would become defunct. Henson also believes that although the probation department has a good relationship with the few community-based organizations in Sierra County, there aren’t enough to fill 50% of the seats on the JJCC in the first place. Henson and the Board, which unanimously signed the letter of opposition, hope a carveout will be made for smaller counties.