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Biscuits & Gravy - City Status of Colfax Called into Question |
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Written by Don Chaddock
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These two smiling gents, Fred Waters and Chip Perley, helped keep the Auburn Family Fourth of July parade going as it reached the Gold Country Fairgrounds. For more on the event, see below.
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COLFAX SEWAGE – Colfax is facing the same problem that many small foothills towns face – mandates placed on their waste water quality by the state and federal government. While Auburn is still seeking a solution, and Lake of the Pines continues to pump money into its own facility, many of the residents of Colfax appear to be unaware of the government imposed water quality standards. At a public hearing held last week, the meeting got out of hand as protesters presented signed letters of opposition to a sewer rate hike (meant to help pay for the town’s new waste water treatment plant and subsequent upgrades) and urged the city to dis-incorporate. At one point, one of Placer County’s finest had to step in to keep the peace. City Manager Joanne Phillipe said there was still the option of bankruptcy, but the city hoped to avoid that course of action. Jeff Williams, a vocal critic of the City Council, led the charge at the meeting, often asking residents to stand up and be counted if they wanted to take their city back. About 60 folks in the audience stood at his prompting. “We hear all this talk about Auburn, Lake of the Pines and Grass Valley. We’re Colfax,” he proclaimed. “If we dis-incorporate, the county will take us in.” As an example, he brought up Hornitos, a small town in the foothills of Central California that dis-incorporated in the 1970s.
Hailing from that region, I can say that Hornitos has no real industry, services or even restaurants. Few people living less than 20 minutes away even know the town exists. Hornitos is considered a “ghost town” and is listed as such in various tourism guides regarding that area. One interesting side note to Hornitos – it was the site of Ghirardelli & Co. (before Mr. Ghirardelli moved to San Francisco to devote time to his now famous chocolate factory). You can still see the ruins of the old building, although they’ve now been fenced off from the public. (I remember climbing around on the old walls as a teen.) You can see photos of the place at www.ghosttown.info/ca/hornitos. Another website, Malakoff.com, reports, “The only things making much noise in Hornitos today are the dogs and a squeaky windmill on the north side of town.” If Mr. Williams hopes to convince the residents of Colfax that dis-incorporation is the way to go, he’d be better off not mentioning Hornitos.
AUBURN’S FOURTH OF JULY FESTIVITIES – The Auburn Family Fourth of the July parade and festivities were lightly attended despite cooler-than-normal weather. Held at the Gold Country Fairgrounds last Friday, the parade featured many local notables such as Placer County Supervisor Jim Holmes, Democratic District 4 Congressional candidate Charlie Brown, AJ Publisher Tony Hazarian, McCann Award winner Harvey Roper and his wife Brenda as well as previous McCann Award winner Ralph Roper, and Auburn Mayor Keith Nesbitt. Enjoying the weather at the fairgrounds were Monti and Diane Reynolds, Bob and Jennifer Richardson, Andy and Cherie Heath, Linda Robinson, the lovely Sharon Gannon and her hubby Faber Eaves, Bob and Stephanie Snyder, Steve Galyardt and Leslie Maita, Terry Farinha, Bruce and Annette Cosgrove, Vance Sauter (the mastermind behind the day’s activities), Bridget Powers, Stevie Rea and Monroe Dejarnette, Betty Gadberry, Jo Gennuso, Deborah Mangione and many others.
OUT & ABOUT – This Friday is the marquee and sign illumination street party at the State Theater building on Lincoln Way in Auburn. Expect live music, fun, food and beverages. The guy spearheading the shindig is none other than Dr. Bill Kirby. The party will run from 6:30 to 9 p.m. ... This Friday is also the monthly CruiseNite car show on Lincoln Way in Auburn. Beginning at the Clock Tower, CruiseNite stretches all the way up the street to the Auburn Chamber of Commerce building. There is no admission charge for the event that runs from 5 to 9 p.m.
ODDS & ENDS – I hear that Mark D’Ambrogi, Auburn’s Fire Chief, has a new bride named Ingrid. They tied the knot on Sunday, according to my source.
Don Chaddock is the executive editor of the Sentinel and he may be reached via e-mail at
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