It’s another potpourri
column.
Last week, the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors proclaimed May 20
as “Early Childcare and Educational Providers Appreciation Day.” I serve on the
Local Childcare Planning Council and had the privilege of presenting the proclamation at
the annual “Providers Dinner.”
Studies have proven that the first five years of a child’s life
are the most critical for brain development. It takes a special person to be a childcare
professional. In addition to qualities of
patience and compassion, the early childcare and education providers in Siskiyou County
have made substantial efforts in acquiring professional education and credentials in early
childhood development, nutrition, literacy and first aid.
The childcare sector makes an important contribution to the local
economy and is vital to the social and emotional well-being of children and families in
our county.
Good News! The County has passed the Housing Element update to the
County’s General Plan. This paves the way for a $1 million water project in Callahan
to move forward. This would replace the current system which draws directly from an open
stream. The project will be funded by a Community Development Block Grant, joined by
funding from the Department of Water Resources and Department of Health Services.
On July 17-18, Scott Valley will hold its first annual Bluegrass
Festival at the Etna City Park on Howell Street. (http://www.scottvalley.org/SVbluegrass.htm
) There will be seven bluegrass bands: Borderline; Mountain Laurel; No Strings Attached;
Carolina Special; Blue Canyon; Donner Mountain Bluegrass Band; and Earl Brothers. Teams have been busy planning the event for many
months. Volunteers are still needed.
There will be juried craft vendors, a wide variety of food booths
provided by local groups, children’s programs and bluegrass workshops. To accommodate
the influx of visitors, RV and tent camping will be allowed at the park and high school.
Ticket order forms are available at Scott Valley and Premier West
Banks in Scott Valley and Yreka; Scott Valley
Drug and Etna Hardware; and the Guild Shop in Fort Jones; or
call (530)
467-4144. (Advanced tickets
are less expensive than at the gate.) Event tee shirts can now be purchased at Etna
Hardware or from Cathy McElroy at 467-5752.
Happy Camp will also be holding it annual “River Run” for
motorcyclists July 3-5. (http://www.happycampriverrun.com/
) The attendance at this popular event grows every year. In addition to the various daily
motorcycle games and events, food and other vendors, there will be two evening bands:
Halie O’Ryan and the Crystal Tiger Band; and the Genuine Draft Band.
The first 400 people to pre-register before June 18 will receive a free pin, BBQ
dinner, and one free raffle ticket. The cost is $30 per person. Base camp for the River
Run is the grassy, shaded River Park where lots of tent camping is available. Call (530)
493-2971 or (530) 493-2900 for tickets or information.
The County will open its preliminary budget hearings for fiscal year
2004/2005 on Tuesday, June 15, at 9 a.m. at the Board of Supervisors’ Chambers in the
county courthouse. Public comments will be heard first thing so that folks don’t have
to wait around all day. If you have a comment concerning a program that was cut, may be
cut or is important to you, this is the time and place to make your feelings known.
On a final note, the Governor’s May budget proposal has reduced
the $1 million cut in income to Siskiyou County that he proposed back in January down to
$496,817.88. This cut would be in place for two years. As part of the “bargain,”
the Governor will support a constitutional amendment to protect local property tax
revenues, sales and use tax revenues and local revenue from Vehicle License Fees from
future “shifts” to the State coffers.
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