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Biscuits & Gravy - Colfax Quotes & Placer Politics |
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Written by Don Chaddock
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AROUND TOWN – The Auburn Host Lions Club held a farewell send off for Wayne Foote at the Canyon View Community Center last Sunday. More than 100 friends and family members gathered to share funny stories about the late florist. The celebration of life drew former Auburn mayors Hank Gonzales (with his wife Glenda), Cheryl Maki (with her husband Randy), and Mike Holmes, longtime pharmacist Charlie Fink, Paul and Sherry Gilbert, D.J. and Kristina Hodge (who took over Wayne’s floral shop and renamed it Cattail Flowers), Jeff and Jeannie Bryan (former owners of Bryan’s Florist), Madonna Anglin, Joanne Neft and Placer County Supervisor Jim Holmes.
COLFAX QUOTES – Sewer rate-hike protester Jeff Williams took issue with my portrayal of his behavior and made certain I was aware of his displeasure at last Tuesday’s (July 22) Colfax City Council meeting. During a break in the marathon meeting, which he again hijacked during the public comment period by taking 20 minutes in the first portion and at least 45 minutes in the second, he approached me and asked why I didn’t print what he said. I explained that I did indeed print what he said. “You say it, I write it and then I publish it. That’s how it works,” I countered. “You don’t publish the content, just the delivery,” he argued. “You selectively report what you want to hear, and you can quote me on that.” There you go, Mr. Williams, consider yourself quoted. I explained to Mr. Williams that his bullying behavior wasn’t going to intimidate me. “You’re afraid,” he said, leaning in close. “I can tell. You can’t handle questions. You don’t understand that it’s my right to ask questions and say what I want. That’s America. You don’t understand because you are un-American.” I made it clear that name-calling was going to get him nowhere and that it was this very behavior I reported last time. “I’m not name-calling. You are un-American. You show me in your paper where you printed what I said. You show me. When this is all over, the public will see how you didn’t print the truth. You just printed one side and gave a glowing report of (City Council member) Joshua Alpine. Do your job. Do some real investigative reporting.” He was upset that I published the findings of the Grand Jury and didn’t report who they had interviewed at the city regarding the sewer plant. “It was an incomplete report,” he said. “I haven’t yelled or raised my voice. I have witnesses here,” he said, gesturing to his supporters seated around me. “I wasn’t intimidating, threatening or bullying. You just remember that.” What’s really sad about this situation is that I was fully prepared to write that Mr. Williams was behaving himself in a much more civilized manner than the previous public hearing. Prior to his unsuccessful attempt at public relations with the press, I even witnessed Mr. Williams calmly and gently handle a situation in which a gent carrying a 12-pack of brew, who may have over-imbibed, interrupted the City Council meeting. He offered to walk with the guy to see that he got someplace safe and suggested it was time for him to head home. I find it admirable that Mr. Williams wants to learn how an elected body functions, but the public City Council meeting is not a classroom. I also suggest that Sherrie Blackmun, who is now acting as mayor, adhere to standard public meeting rules and laws. The five-minute per person public comment portion should be just that, not 45 minutes for one individual.
PLACER POLITICS – Here’s a quick breakdown of the local political landscape. In Auburn, the committee to elect Bill Kirby to City Council will hold a fundraiser at the Auburn Airport on Wednesday, Aug. 6 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:15. Donation is $50 per person, which includes tri-tip dinner, beer, wine and water. It will be held at Merv Hall’s hangar 51. For more info, or to RSVP, call Jim Merrill at 530-885-3797. ... Dan Luper, of Big O Tires, has been a rumored candidate for an Auburn council seat for months, but he tells me he is not running, at least not this year. Auburn Office Products’ owner Tony Ferrari tells me he is still considering making a play for one of the two seats on the council. I’m told the lovely Nancy Thompson, who serves on the Planning Commission, has made it known she won’t join the race. But, my sources say she may still file for the seat. Meanwhile, Mayor Keith Nesbitt will seek re-election. Bob Snyder has already said he will not seek reelection. ... Jennifer Montgomery, the Serene Lakes resident who upset the applecart in the June primary, will face off against incumbent Placer County District 5 Supervisor Bruce Kranz this January. Montgomery was the top vote getter in the three-way race (which included Meadow Vista’s Bob Houston) in June. According to her campaign staff, she raised more than $51,000 between May 18 and June 30, with 60 percent of the contributions amounting to $100 or less. As of June 30, the campaign had just over $52 grand in its war chest. They spent $89,000 during the primary election, which was less than each of the other candidates, according to Montgomery campaign manager Rob Haswell.
Don Chaddock is the executive editor of the Sentinel. His column, “Biscuits & Gravy,” publishes weekly. He may be reached at
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or by calling 530-823-2463.
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