Sierra Sun Times - Leroy Radanovich

OBSERVATIONS

In a week or so, I finish my public life in Mariposa County. I must say that it has been interesting to serve in many capacities over the years. I have this great love for Mariposa, its people and its environment. But there is one thing I will never understand or get over, the seeming need to destroy the fabric of our society. I grew up in a Mariposa that had saw mills, many returning WWII veterans with lots of energy, more bars than churches, foresight to build a hospital, a water and sewer system, create a number of progressive and energetic civic organization, new businesses, bringing electricity and telephones to our rural communities, build all sorts of agricultural operations based on cattle, chickens, turkeys, hogs and truck gardens; pave roads, create places for people to live, develop a education system that was no longer one room school houses but real grammar schools with real programs, a gymnasium at the High School, and a means of communication that was positive, progressive and supportive of our community. It is true that many of the families that lived here were multi-generational. That meant that each generation tried to progress to the benefit of the next. The elderly and retired had participated in the work of building this county, this state, this country, and they took pride in whatever accomplishment they had made and passed the responsibility on to the next generation. They then observed and guided until they could no longer participate.

I am always reminded of Cleo Adelsbach; about how he came here as a young man, guided young students as a teacher and principal and then Superintendent of Schools; and when that was over, built a Hospital Foundation, guided the Salvation Army and helped found a place for seniors to live out their day. He always cared about his fellow humans, never looking for any personal gain, either in money or ego. He was an educator and humanitarian. I often think that we do a disservice to his memory when destructive acts come into our public life. I believe in some level of community planning. If the people through their representatives, adopt a plan for us to follow and it does not lead to destruction of lives and the environment; and we agree even through a flawed process that this is what we should do; then we must protect that plan but not use it to the detriment of our neighbors. One of the fundamental beliefs of our democratic society is the freedom to follow our life's ambitions as long as we do not harm our neighbor and his or her rights to live and enjoy life. That is the goal of the General Plan. The codes of Mariposa County are very lenient and when an individual disagrees with the codes there are ways of addressing the problem. We occasionally review the codes and, finding them adequate or inadequate to the general needs, modify or verify what has gone before, to continue. We do this as a community. If these decisions as a community are valid then we as a community need to enforce their standards. The main problem is that the governing body does not insure that the modifications to the codes occur quickly and precisely.

I do not know very much about the problems faced by the School District. I do know somewhat the High School principal and if his transgressions are enough to remove him seemingly abruptly, then the public should know. If not then some one has to be called to account for their actions. A rumor has it that he asked for the move and I doubt it. But if that be the case, then it needs to be made public. Perhaps the most important public institution that we have is our School District and it must operate openly and with skill. More importantly, the school district must not get bogged down in issues which divert from the fundamental purpose. It is very difficult to be a school board member, just as it is being a County Supervisor. For the most part, there is no real training ground available to create competency from day one. The members have to learn as they go. On top, they have to depend on members of the school bureaucracy to guide them and trust that there is no special agenda. Hard job, all around.

In terms of the county continuing to fund the Tourism Function, starting last May, the counties participation in this marketing activity represents roughly one/third of the cost. This will total approximately 5% reinvestment of the Tourism Tax in the marketing of our most valuable industry. In turn, the TOT and the Tourism industry returns approximately 65% of the discretionary revenue that the Board of Supervisors have for their various functions, such as general county functions, Sheriff, Fire, Jail, Library, Roads, Recreation, etc.. The balance of 35% comes from property taxes. About 25% of the property tax paid by citizens of the county is used in this way with almost 70% of the property tax going to the State of California to support education. How much of that comes back in the form of ADA support for our schools is unknown by me is not readily available to the public. The balance of the property taxes is spent by special districts etc. Four members of the Board of Supervisors, seeing the value of our main industry, have given strong support to the program. One supervisor failing to support the Tourism Function need only be joined by one other creating a future danger when the new Board starts next January. It will take only two votes to stop the county contribution to marketing the Tourism Industry from the TOT source. That means that a minority of Board members can scuttle the program that a majority desire and understand. Fortunately private funding has been established which will sustain the program but not at the level possible. County employees concerned about the future should realize that a healthy Tourism Industry is in their best interest. Also, realize that an increase from $9.3 million to $10.3 million is an increase in $1 million dollars at a cost to the TOT of $678,000 showing the county a return on investment of the TOT of over $300,000 for the first time in the 44 year history of the tax. The private/public partnership established between the county and the Tourism Industry is far more beneficial to the county now than ever before and to end the relationship will only damage the county. The Mariposa County Chamber is under contract to operate the Visitor's Center at a cost of about $168,000 annually. This valuable service should continue unimpeded. The Tourism Bureau receives approximately $500,000 for marketing. There seems to be a self serving attitude permeating our county for no reason that I can understand. There are those who wish to destroy the fundamental ability of our citizens to develop a healthy economy to sustain their families, their futures and that of our county. There are many excellent citizens here willing to invest in the future of this county but their investment must bring about a positive result and not have to suffer under the cloud of poorly defined self interest that casts a spell over our homes and its people. I don't understand the need to perpetuate this attitude.

I regret that time has caught up with me and I must retire to writing about our history and other matters, but I hope the younger folks will take up the flag of progress and not bring Mariposa County down. I see hope in the investment in a real Mariposa County Fire Department, with first class equipment and superlative training. We have the staff to deliver such a result. I support the development of the Fire Department as an emergency service partner with law enforcement, delivering the services to the citizens within our county.

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Leroy Radanovich

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