With the New Year rolling around,
I thought I would take a moment and revisit the issues and programs with which I have
become closely involved during my first year in office in service to my constituents.
ECONOMY
I have served on the Board of Directors of the Economic Development
Council (EDC,) helping to develop a five year
plan to provide and connect new and existing business with resources for growth and
development. My voice has been one advocating for the development of small scale business
and encouraging local entrepreneurs. I have served on the Board of Directors of the
Collier Interpretive and Information Center as it made its move into the newly created
facility at the Collier Rest Stop on I-5. This facility offers an excellent opportunity to
showcase and stimulate local tourism. As a representative of the county, I have attended
informational meetings with the Karuk tribe and the City of Yreka concerning preliminary
proposals by the tribe to establish a casino. During the year, I have attended meetings of
the Scott Valley and the Happy Camp Chambers of Commerce. I have participated in the
update of the Happy Camp Action Plan. This summer, I volunteered at the Country Store for
the Annual Happy Camp River Run. I have actively supported timber sales and fuel reduction
projects on the National Forests of District 5.
NATURAL RESOURCES
I have served on the federal Klamath River Basin Fisheries Task
Force, focusing on restoration efforts and policy recommendations regarding the recovery
of anadromous fisheries. Awaiting confirmation of appointment, I also serve on the federal
Klamath Province Advisory Committee, which makes recommendations regarding oversight and
implementation of the Northwest Forest Plan. I have been heavily involved in monitoring
local Shasta Scott Recovery Team efforts regarding agricultural operations and coho
salmon, have attended their meetings and have initially participated in efforts to create
an application for a programmatic incidental take permit. In addition, I serve on the
technical advisory groups to the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Boards for
temperature and sediment TMDLs in the Scott River watershed.
I have been out in the field with many foresters, US Forest Service
(USFS) district rangers and timber people to learn more about forest management. I have
been out in the field with suction dredge miners to learn about their craft and have
attended meetings with the USFS. This spring, I attended the annual USFS grazers meeting
and continue to connect with local agriculturalists on issues important to them. In
addition, I have attended several Siskiyou County Fish and Game Commission meetings and
work closely with our District Representative, George Harper.
FIRE and SAFETY
It has been my pleasure to attend most of the County Fire Chiefs
Association meetings, as well as the county fire (CSA4) meetings. I have helped to
circulate information on grant funding to local volunteer departments and have given
advice on strategies for financial sustainability, such as the formation of Zones of
Increased Benefit (ZIBs.) In addition, I attend Countywide Fire Safe Council meetings and
attended the initial formation meetings of our new local Fire Safe Councils in Happy Camp,
Seiad and Klamath River. I have worked closely with the Hornbrook Volunteer Fire
Department. It has been my pleasure to attend meetings of the Countywide Neighborhood
Watch program.
SOCIAL SERVICES
I have served on the Behavioral Health Board of Directors as they
transitioned to a new billing system. I have attended Siskiyou Health Partnership
meetings, as well as several workshops on substance abuse. In addition, I have assisted in
initiating strategies for prevention of substance abuse, such as the local Happy Camp
coalition on substance abuse prevention. I am helping in planning the implementation of
the Child Welfare Redesign and Family System of Care. Part of this has been to help in the
development of a strategy to strengthen the Family Resource Center network. As a part of
this, I have worked closely with the Happy Camp Achievement Program,
Scott Valley FOCUS and the Scott Valley Community Schools Partnership. In committee work,
I am a member of the Family Interagency Services Council, the Community Services Council
and the Local Childcare Planning Council. It has been my pleasure to attend open houses
for the new Karuk Tribal Health Facility and the Quartz Valley tribal center.
INFRASTRUCTURE
I serve as the Board of Supervisor’s liason to the Siskiyou
County Planning Commission and attend their meetings. This year, I attended the Western
Land Use Conference in Klamath Falls and the presentation by the Greenhorn Grange on
Agenda 21. Earlier this year, I helped to provide public hearings on local transportation
needs. I have ridden with the Code Enforcement Officer and have had continuing dialogue on
those issues. From day one, I have worked closely with the Planning Department Director,
Rick Barnum, on several planning issues in the District. I have also worked closely with
Public Works Director, Brian McDermott, on roads, bridges and solid waste in District 5.
It has been my pleasure to
serve you. I look forward to continuing that privilege in 2004. Have a wonderful New Year! |
