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By Eric Johnson
Published Sep 09, 2024

The council chambers in Santa Cruz City Hall has been the scene of countless heated political battles, and at least one melee. The council chambers in Santa Cruz City Hall has been the scene of countless heated political battles, and at least one melee. Image credit: Crystal Birns, Contributed

It Takes a Village to Run a Village: Leadership vs. Partisanship

In November, 2021, more than 2,000 people gathered in the bucolic Silicon Valley suburb of Los Gatos for what was called the United Against Hate March. They did so in part because the town's mayor and elected council had been subjected to a slew of attacks in the wake of vaccination mandates and policies promoting diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI). Similar incidents had already happened during public meetings throughout the state and nation, and they have continued ever since. And last Jauary, my friend Fred Keeley, mayor of Santa Cruz, received a death threat following a contentions city council meeting during which protesters stormed the council dais and broke windows in the chambers.

Last month, the Los Gatos town council voted unanimously to cancel its November election because nobody filed to run against the incumbents for two seats that would have been in contention. We've noticed that the same thing has happened in multiple towns and cities throughout Northern California. In this week's edition of The Newsletter, Chris Neklason examines the trend and posits some reasons people might find running for a public office or advisory board—an admitedly serious conmmitment to civic duty—increasingly daunting.

But first, Chris talks with Ryan Coonerty, a former veteran Santa Cruz elected official and, not incidentally, co-host of the podcast "An Honorable Profession," which is about (you guessed it) elected public service. 


The Business Community Steps Up

When we talk about how California works here at CALocal, we frequently point out that the civic infrastructure in most cities and towns is made up of a multitude of individuals beyond elected officials and public employees. They include, for instance, the employees and volunteers at nonprofit community groups. In every instance I know of, the local business community is also involved in the work of civic betterment.

One of the best examples of business leaders stepping up to nurture community involvement are local programs such as Leadership Santa Cruz—there are similar organzations in many counties throughout California and beyond, and they are generally founded by local Chambers of Commerce. 


Building a Civic Engagement Pipeline

Democracy works better when more people actively participate.
We look at one of many local efforts to cultivate the local civic engagement talent pool.

The Simmering California Public Service Crisis

Democracy is all about having a seat at the table.
What happens if you have a democracy and nobody shows up?


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Placer County's Homepage

Direct your browser to https://placer.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and Placer County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community!


Recipe of the Week

Our friends at Sacramento Digs Gardening publish a recipe from their gardens every Sunday, which we feature here so you can start your week with some yum.

See more recipes in their Taste Fall! cookbook.


This fruity syrup makes most of late-season harvest

A mix of berries, plus a few other random summer fruits, go into the fruit syrup.
New! Very Berry Syrup mixes strawberries, blueberries, blackberries -- or whatever you have


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Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce logo Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce

Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce is a business organization that fosters local economic growth.

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From Our Media Allies

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Auburn Journal logo ARD Board Approves AT&T Cell Equipment at Recreation Park

The Auburn Recreation and Parks District (ARD) Board of Directors voted Aug. 29 to move forward with an agreement with AT&T for an equipment tower at Recreation Park in Auburn.

Sierra Sun logo Olympic Valley Board Tackles Wildfire Prevention, Development, New Website

The Olympic Valley Public Service District (OVPSD) Board of Directors met on Aug. 27 to discuss wildfire prevention, development projects, and a new website.

Auburn Journal logo Delmar Farms Subdivision Proposed for Loomis Town

Plans were submitted last month to Loomis Town for the proposed 98-acre, 24-lot Delmar Farms custom home subdivision.

Lincoln News Messenger logo Biggest High School Farm in America: Lincoln FFA Offers Several Industry Pathways

The Lincoln Future Farmers of America Chapter was founded in 1955. The Lincoln High School farm began in 1974. The original property was 280 acres and was acquired from McClellan Air Force Base.

Lincoln News Messenger logo Community Members Question Lincoln City Council After the Gathering Inn's Purchase of City Building

Lincoln community members attended last week’s city council meeting to discuss The Gathering Inn's purchase of the building at 1660 3rd Street.

Auburn Journal logo Colfax Approves Short-Term Rental Ordinance Introduction for Second Time

In the continued effort to have regulation for short-term rentals within city limits, the Colfax City Council approved the second introduction of an ordinance to allow for a permitting process during its Aug. 28 meeting.

Auburn Journal logo Placer FFA Member Champions Community Service Project to Feed the Hungry of Auburn

Placer FFA announced a remarkable project spearheaded by one of its first-year members, Joseph Stefani.

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Recent Statewide News

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• California "30x30" Conservation Efforts Make Progress

The California state goal to conserve 30% of its land and coastal waters has advanced, with conserved lands reaching 25% and coastal waters 16%.

(09/08/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• Reparations Supporters Plot Comeback After Bitter Defeat in California Legislature

The controversial idea of cash reparations divided even Black advocates in the legislature this year. Here’s what’s next.

(09/06/2024) → CalMatters

• CA Rent Control Battle Goes to the Ballot

Amid a Southern California heat wave, about 300 advocates for rent control — with two 10-foot “greedy landlord” puppets — rallied Thursday in downtown Los Angeles, chanting: “The rent is too damn high!”

(09/06/2024) → CalMatters

• Should California Community Colleges Offer Bachelor’s Degrees in Nursing? Universities Say No

Lawmakers approved two bills to allow some community colleges to provide bachelor’s degrees in nursing. That’s setting up another conflict with the California State University, which already offers these bachelor’s degrees.

(09/05/2024) → CalMatters

• Are CA Gig Workers Getting Promised Pay and Benefits?

California voters passed Proposition 22 four years ago. The ballot initiative, backed by Uber, Lyft and other gig companies, promised the state’s more than 1 million gig workers new benefits, such as guaranteed minimum earnings, health care stipends, occupational accident insurance and accidental death insurance.

(09/04/2024) → CalMatters

• More Extreme Heat + More People = Danger in These California Cities. ‘Will It Get as Hot as Death Valley?’

Inland communities with big population booms will experience the most extreme heat days under climate change projections. The combination puts more people at risk — and many cities are unprepared.

(09/04/2024) → CalMatters

• California Schools Release a Blizzard of Data, and That’s Why Parents Can’t Make Sense of It

Information about how the state’s K-12 students are performing is located on several sites and is difficult to understand, a new report finds.

(09/04/2024) → CalMatters

• California School Dashboard Lacks Pandemic Focus, Earns a D Grade in Report

The California School Dashboard makes it hard for the public to see how schools and districts are performing over multiple years, concludes the report's lead author.

(09/04/2024) → EdSource

• California Has Spent Billions on Homelessness but Lacks Hard Data on Outcomes

California has allocated more than $20 billion to alleviate the state’s homelessness crisis since Gavin Newsom became governor in 2019, but there’s precious little data on how the money was spent and what effect it’s had, other than the number of unhoused people has continued to climb.

(09/04/2024) → CalMatters

• Health Care in California: How the State Made Almost Everyone Eligible for Coverage

Almost everyone in California has health insurance. That trend reflects about a decade and a half of policymaking designed to expand access to health care. The state’s average uninsured rate has dropped from nearly one in four Californians in 2009 to less than one in ten today.

(09/03/2024) → CalMatters

• CalFire Deploys New Air Tanker

CalFire received the first of five planes promised by the federal government, a former Coast Guard C-130 Hercules air tanker.

(09/02/2024) → https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/fires/article291844345.html

• California’s Economy Lags Behind Other States, Here’s Why It’s So Sluggish

California’s unemployment rate, 5.2% of its labor force in July, is no longer the nation’s highest after months of having that dubious distinction.

(09/02/2024) → CalMatters
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Government Announcements

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Image of County of Placer seal. County of Placer   (09/06/2024)

Planning Commission recommends approval of Village at Palisades Tahoe Specific Plan

Placer Countys Planning Commission voted Thursday to recommend to our board approval of the Village at Palisades Tahoe Specific Plan project entitlements and to certify the projects environmental impact report.
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (09/05/2024)

Joe Patterson CA Assembly 05:
Assemblyman Joe Patterson Statement on Newsom’s Sham Special Session

Image of State of California seal. State of California   (09/05/2024)

Roger Niello CA Senate 06:
Senate Republicans urge veto of bill to authorize government-mandated speed trackers in all cars

Senate Republicans urge veto of bill to authorize government-mandated speed trackers in all cars dimmital Thu, 09/05/2024 - 10:23
Image of County of Placer seal. County of Placer   (09/04/2024)

Placer County to offer free accessibility seminar for small businesses

Our Building Services Division will provide the latest updates to state and federal laws to ensure local businesses meet the standards for access such as door widths, path of travel requirements, signage and readily achievable barrier removal.
Image of Town of Loomis seal. Town of Loomis   (09/03/2024)

Measure C FAQ’s

The post Measure C FAQ's appeared first on Loomis, CA.
Image of County of Placer seal. County of Placer   (09/03/2024)

“Recovery Happens” returns to Auburn; join us to celebrate mental health, substance use recovery

This year, Recovery Happens will take place on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Recreation Park in Auburn. The annual event, drawing hundreds of people, celebrates recovery with activities that are fun for the whole family.
Image of City of Colfax seal. City of Colfax   (09/03/2024)

Maintenance Worker I

The City of Colfax is currently accepting applications for Maintenance Worker I. This is an entry level position in the Public Works department requiring a minimum of 1 year of experience in a semi-skilled maintenance occupation. Salary Range: $19.71 $25.30 Hourly DOE Submissions due by Tuesday, September 17, 2024 by 4:00 pm. The post Maintenance Worker I appeared first on …
Image of City of Colfax seal. City of Colfax   (09/03/2024)

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I/II

The City of Colfax has an immediate opening for Wastewater Plant Operator I/II Salary Range: $46,361 $79, 547/annually Submissions due by: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 by 4:00 pm. The post Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I/II appeared first on City of Colfax.
Image of City of Colfax seal. City of Colfax   (09/03/2024)

Colfax Connections

Colfax Connections is a newsletter with community news and event information from around Colfax. The post Colfax Connections appeared first on City of Colfax.
Image of County of Placer seal. County of Placer   (09/03/2024)

Placer County encourages residents to prepare for emergencies during National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month, a time for individuals, families and communities to take steps to prepare for emergencies.