Department of Public
Health and Community Development: Last year, Terry Barber stepped into a
consolidation of Environmental Health Services with the Planning Department. Recently,
Director of Public Health Dr. David Herfindahl left for another position. This has
provided the County with an opportunity to restructure several departments into one
combined Department of Public Health and Community Development (DPHCD.) The intent is to
better serve the public by creating a one stop integrated shop for development permit
needs.
As envisioned, DPHCD will have one Director, a part time physician
and several Deputy Directors: Planning; Building; Personal Health Services and
Environmental Health Services. Eventually, it would be great if the entire department
could be co-located. However, realistically this may have to wait some time. In the
meanwhile, plans are to work out some sort of central permit center where the public can
access the integrated services of the various departments without having to run around.
For years, the Board has received complaints that the county is not
“friendly.” The new department and center will be steps in a continuing process
to becoming more customer-friendly in our way of doing business.
Personal income tax credit
for volunteer firefighters: Assemblyman Doug LaMalfa recently introduced A.B.
1700, which provides personal income tax credits for expenses incurred by any volunteer
firefighter for training and equipment. Please join me in letting him know that we support
his legislation.
Food Stamp Program:
Seniors on limited income having difficulties making ends meet may be eligible for
assistance under the Food Stamp Program. Benefits are issued through an Electronic Benefit
Transfer (EBT) card that looks like and may be used like a debit card. Unlike Medi-Cal,
enrollment under the Food Stamp Program will not affect a Senior’s property or
estate. It is estimated that about 40% of Siskiyou
County’s population is eligible for Food Stamps, although
only 15% currently utilize the program. Call
841-2700 for more information.
AB
1032 Suction Dredge Mining:
Local suction dredge mining operations are once again under attack in legislation proposed
by Assemblyman Wolk. All suction dredge mining in the state requires a permit. Currently,
the California Department of Fish and Game may close waters to suction dredge mining that
have been designated “Heritage Trout Waters,”
to protect species listed under the
California Endangered Species Act or if there has been a water level change and closure is
necessary to protect fish and wildlife. AB
1032 (Wolk) would allow additional closures to protect aquatic species, amphibians and
“species of concern.” The legislation has already passed through the Assembly
Parks and Wildlife Committee and is now with the Appropriations Committee.
Siskiyou County was built on gold mining. It is a living part of our
heritage. In the past several years, there have been a series of failed lawsuits in an
attempt to stop suction dredge mining in the Klamath River system.
http://www.goldgold.com/legal/ The Department of Fish and Game has been unable to produce
scientific evidence in court to support any claims of environmental damage caused by
suction
dredge mining and the necessity of river closures. Tens of thousands of dollars have been
spent for costs of defense by our local community of small miners. In my opinion, there is
little question that tribal and environmental interests have any intention of halting
their attacks until mining has been completely eradicated in Siskiyou County - and the
economy of the Klamath River and the small
towns and businesses that depend upon small mining and associated tourism are entirely
destroyed. Join me in opposing AB 1032.
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