Does local government matter? It depends on your perspective, of course, but there is a great deal more happening at the local level that impacts your life directly. Most media articles are focused on state and national elected officials but the place where democracy hits the ground running is your local elected officials.

Depending on where you live in Placer County, you may have a local water, fire or utility district as well as school board districts, city councils and the county Board of Supervisors. There’s even an Airport District in Placer County (surprise! to me but you learn a lot by joining the Campaign Services Committee). Many of these offices are lightly contested but some are quite heated and controversial - especially school boards currently. In addition to elected officials, many citizens are appointed by elected bodies to Planning Commissions, Utility Commissions, Mental Health Commissions and Senior Commissions. Most of these meetings are also available online.

In recent weeks, refugees have become a focal point of discussion in the U.S., both positive and negative. Media reports have shown the work of U.S. troops departing Afghanistan as thousands of Afghans desperately trying to flee with them. We watched helplessly as they struggled, with palpable fear, to get seats for themselves and their families on a plane flying to unknown destinations. Many were destined for states in America; some for California.

Central America is facing drought and the resulting crop failures. Children are showing signs of stunted physical and mental growth from lack of food. Desperate people are leaving their land, becoming indebted to gang warlords and walking for days/weeks in search of asylum in our country. What does asylum mean? Do we serve these people best by supporting their countries with financial aid? Does the aid reach them or become lost in governmental corruption? When they arrive at their destination, does their dream come true, and at what price?

We recently learned that George Mellen, Central Committee Controller, will soon be stepping down as he and his wife, Ladon, relocate to Eureka to be near their daughter and her soon-to-be husband. Like many of us, this is another stop on the road of life that George has travelled.

To fully appreciate the friend we have known, we asked George to share some personal details. He generously responded, beginning with his early years in Ohio, obtaining a Bachelor’s degree from Miami University and a graduate degree at Ohio State, majoring in Political Science and Economics. Upon graduating, he began down his road of life by moving to Ann Arbor, Michigan, working for several years at the University of Michigan where he picked up some information technology skills. Responding to a variety of factors, George moved further down his life’s road to the west coast where he happily landed in Silicon Valley, working for Hewlett Packard for the next 31 years. Midway through his career, George and Ladon, who he met on a blind date, realized that he could transfer to Hewlett Packard in Roseville and live in a better place to raise children,

Governor Newsom succeeded in his mission to accomplish the largest broadband infrastructure project in our era with the vital passage of the Communications Broadband Bill SB-156 through both Houses of our California State Legislature. This provides the dynamic guidance for implementing the actions needed on the "five-pack" of broadband bills currently running through the State legislative process at this moment.

Governor Newsom's signature on July 20, 2021 was the final step in enacting the many actions this bill will accomplish in providing internet service equally throughout the State of California's rural and urban communities, giving them high speed quality service when accessing educational opportunities, health related services, government programs, and small business expansion opportunities.

A message to Placer DEMS from JAN BELL, Former Placer County Candidate Services Chair

For years, we have debated how much time to spend on national politics vs. local politics. After nearly 10 years as a political activist, I believe the answer to that question is we must do BOTH. So, I'd advise everyone to quit the debate and develop a “Top-Down Strategy” and a “Bottom-Up Strategy” for Placer County.

We all know our lives in America are impacted by national, state and local politicians, but to get people elected at all these levels we have to work at all levels - otherwise we can't impact the national level.

One of my favorite social media moments of all time was June 25, 2013. Wendy Davis, a Texas state senator representing District 10, single-handedly held a thirteen-hour-long filibuster to block restrictive abortion regulations in Texas. Public seating was full, crowds were gathered outside, food trains were created to help feed the people there. The outpouring of support was across district lines, as Texas women from all over the state showed up in support. She was successful, and an instant icon.

But here’s the thing:
NO ONE WAS REPORTING ON IT.

Why do I know about it? Someone live-streamed it on Twitter.

How did the Women’s March organize 5 million marchers across the globe? As the National External Communications Manager for the Women’s March, I can tell you. Facebook and Twitter, with a side of Slack.

How did Obama win the 2008 election, when he was an unknown a few years earlier? He didn’t leave his social media to chance. He had a defined platform that he strategized when and how to drip out on socials.

The Biden administration has unveiled a new $2.2 Trillion infrastructure plan that would be used to upgrade existing bridges, tunnels, and highways. With infrastructure crumbling all over the country, it is something that is greatly needed. One would think that funding this would be a no brainer, but in 2021 the definition of “infrastructure” is more complicated and broader than it has ever been before. It includes expanding broadband internet to more rural communities and funneling $25 billion to build new and upgrade existing child care facilities and public schools with the creation of a new Child Care Growth and Innovation Fund.

Dear Beloved Friends,

It is such a great honor to be writing to you at the start of Pride Month. For any of you who do not know me my name is Pastor Casey Martinez-Tinnin, and I am the Pastor of Loomis Basin Congregational Church UCC, and the founder of The Landing Spot, which is a support group for LGBTQ+ teens and their adult caregivers here in Placer County. When I was asked to write this article, I was invited to speak with “authority” about the experience of being a queer person in this community and to elevate the hopes, aspirations, and needs of the Placer County queer community. For the opportunity to speak I am humbled and thankful, and for the responsibility to speak for such a large umbrella of communities and identities, I am overwhelmed.

Setting The Standard

As in the wise words of the ancient Chinese “curse” – May You Live in Interesting Times - Tomas Vera manages to keep his enthusiasm for electing Democrats despite nightly news that comes at us with the confusion and force of a fire hose. He’s a realist and knows the hills to be climbed and battles to be fought, but always keeps his enthusiasm and firm beliefs that we can do it – we can ultimately turn red to blue.

As Chair of the Placer County Democratic Central Committee, Tomas focuses his goals and drive on our Placer team. He wants to identify how to make our team better to achieve more wins. He identifies with the maxim, “If it has to be someone, let it be me.” There was no “aha!” moment for Tomas, but when Obama ran, it was a seminal moment for him. He volunteered by making phone calls for the Fresno Dems Women’s Auxiliary, the primary political drivers where he lived at the time. When they realized they needed someone who could do wonders on a computer (IT work), Tomas found his niche’ - and the rest is history…

President Biden on Wednesday announced a $2 trillion infrastructure and jobs package that looks to reshape the American economy. If you haven’t heard, our country’s infrastructure is in poor shape. The American Society of Civil Engineers recently upgraded our country’s grade on infrastructure from a D+ to a C-. Not exactly Stanford material for the US of A on infrastructure (think roads, bridges, tunnels, water pipes, water treatment, electric grid, power (renewable and others) and much, much more).

Already, Minority Leader Mitch McConnel has announced Republican opposition to the bill. There will be a litany of reasons, but without reading any press releases as to why, I can tell you the talking points likely to be made and the actual reason why they will oppose the bill.

Part IV. What Can You Do

This is where activism on the part of California citizens can have an active role in utilizing the "art of the possible" in attempting to achieve the aforementioned results. Dave Spencer, City of Auburn Fire Chief, is at the forefront to educate the community of Auburn to take responsibility to fire safe their homes and property. He hypothesized that if homeowners follow-through with enacting the measures of home hardening and defensible space, some of which is required by law, this might motivate some insurance carriers to stop the price escalation or cancellation of homeowner protection policies. This is called the "Empowerment of the people." Empowering Placer County Rural citizens to act on advice put out by the wildfire protection community provided on hand-outs, websites, and other media to follow their instructions in hardening their homes, create required defensible space, and establish approved emergency plans that meet varying wildfire situations.