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News
Footnotes
Footnotes from North County
November 2008
– by Lyle Turpin, Mariposa County
Supervisor District 2.
Veterans Day was November 11th
and as U.S. citizens we are overwhelmed with the privileges and opportunities we have as individuals. This is the greatest nation
on Earth. How can I say that? Because of our men and women that have served and are serving in all branches of our military.
Parents and grandparents, be sure to share your feelings of pride with those around you. Young people, please pay attention to
your history lessons. Thank you, veterans, and all those that support you.
November 4th was Election Day
2008 and Mariposa County had an 84% voter turn out. Congratulations to everyone who did their part. In all our elections I
thank those that have been elected in the past and those that have been chosen for the future.
Burn restrictions have been lifted but fire
season is still in effect. Let’s be aggressive in removing those ladder fuels and trimming those trees. Southern California is
still experiencing high winds and dry conditions. So far, it seems to be a no win situation.
We all know that we are individually
responsible for 100’ mandatory fuel reduction. If you border Forest Service land you can request Forest Service to evaluate
additional brush removal. Locally Stanislaus Groveland Ranger District Office can be contacted at 962-7825. The District Ranger
is Maggie Dowd.
To those of you than join Bureau of Land
Management property, they have a new policy. You can make a request to establish a 100’ defensible area the complete length of
your property that adjoins theirs. The contact person would be Brian Mulhollen in the BLM Folsom District Office at phone number
(916) 985-4474.
This new policy can be beneficial because it
is not tied to structures only.
New fire trucks and water tenders have been
ordered. The unsettled financial situation worldwide has presented challenges for our CAO (County Administrative Officer). We
ended up at 6.3% annual interest for 15 years. Once this overall financing settles down, if a better interest rate develops, we
can refinance.
Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday seasons
are quickly approaching. We have so much to be thankful for. Be sure not to leave out the “C” in Christmas. We receive so many
blessings everyday that we ourselves certainly can not provide.
This holiday season let’s support all those
who put forth their time and energy towards all the special community activities. Have a fulfilling holiday season and we will
see everyone out and about.
Office:
1-800-736-1252 or 966-3222
Home: 878-3308
E-mail:
lturpin@mariposacounty.org.
Footnotes from North County October
2008
– by Lyle Turpin, Mariposa County
Supervisor District 2.
As fall arrives with cooler temperatures,
our mornings sure are refreshing. We have had our first rain, which helped settle the dust, and all those with livestock will
welcome additional rain. The past two years have been very lean with regard to forage production on our range lands. Green grass
has all but become an endangered species. As our fall rains produce green grass, livestock producers will be qualified to
recognize this renewable resource even though we do not have a degree in plant science.
The new county fire engine and water tender
project unofficially received six bid proposals for fire engines and four proposals for water tenders. That is very good news for
our county volunteer fire companies. Competition is what helps make this nation so great. The preliminary numbers appear to be
within estimate and the Board of Supervisors will be evaluating the Public Works Fleet Division recommendation. Assuming all
proposals are in place with the 15-year lease agreement for eleven new fire engines and four new water tenders, the equipment
hopefully will be on order by November 1st.
We are in very unsettled financial times,
which includes the problem we had with the state budget. Mariposa County is very conservative, and the information we have from
the state is that state safety and transportation dollars remain in tact. Subvention funds the County receives from the state for
ag lands under the Williamson’s Act Contract have been cut 10%. I will keep everyone informed as the County works through this
upcoming year.
The contract has been signed for the
upcoming improvements at the Red Cloud Park; included are additional tables with barbecue, sidewalks, sealing cracks and entire
concrete slab, horse shoe pits, lawn area and volley ball court. I want to thank the local committee for all the input on this
project.
The new Red Cloud Library is very close to
completion. Watch for information on the Grand Opening Ceremony.
On a lighter side, I received an e-mail
entitled “Rules of the Wild West.” I thought you might get a chuckle from some of the points:
1.
Pull your pants up. You look like an idiot.
2.
Turn your cap right. Your head ain’t crooked.
3.
Let’s get this straight. It’s called a dirt road. I drive a pickup truck
because I want to. No matter how slow you drive you’re gonna get dust on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way.
4.
Every person in the Wild West waves. It’s called being friendly. Try to
understand the concept.
5.
Yeah, we eat trout, salmon, deer and elk. If you really want sushi and caviar,
you can get them at the local bait shop.
6.
You bring “coke” into my house it better be wet, brown and served on ice. You
bring “Mary Jane” into my house, she better be cute, know how to shoot, drive a truck and have long hair.
7.
Turn down the blasted car stereo. That thumpity-thump stuff ain’t music anyway.
We don’t want to hear it anymore. Think we want to see your boxers?! Refer back to #1.
Be sure to vote November 4th.
Suzanne and I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Office:
1-800-736-1252 or 966-3222
Home: 878-3308
E-mail:
lturpin@mariposacounty.org.
Footnotes from North County
September 2008
– by Lyle Turpin, Mariposa County
Supervisor District 2.
As summer winds down with the occasional
early morning coolness, we welcome our fall season.
Locally the past month our wildfire season
has been quiet. That is a good thing compared to July and August, but our vegetation still remains extremely dry. Fall rains
sure will be welcome. So plan now how you can increase that defensible area around all of your structures.
Our local CAL-FIRE and Fire Safe Council
have excellent information available. Once CAL-FIRE declares the fire season is over, have your strategy planned.
I do want to thank CAL-FIRE for remaining
pro-active in their visitation to those residents that need to get serious about reducing fuel loads.
Lately I have been made aware of some
disturbing circumstances. Individuals shooting off the highway killing and wounding game and daytime intrusion on private
property with private possessions taken will not be tolerated.
As residents of Mariposa County, we welcome
all visitors. You help support our local businesses and when businesses do well the community benefits. For those that live
within and those that visit our area, we ask that you respect the laws of our county. All individuals have had the guidance of
parents or grandparents and should know right from wrong. Mariposa County Sheriff’s deputies and our volunteer SCOPE members do
an excellent job, but they can’t be everywhere at once. So I do ask that all residents continue to be aware of unusual activities
within your neighborhood.
The Red Cloud Library is very close to
completion.
The apparent low bidder for the proposed
improvements to the Red Cloud Park came within budget. Hopefully this project will be completed this fall.
Suzanne and I had the privilege of attending
our local VFW evening ceremony on September 11th in the Coulterville Park. We must never forget September 11th,
2001.
Thank you for supporting our local community
events and our local businesses.
Welcome fall weather as well as much needed
rain.
Office:
1-800-736-1252 or 966-3222
Home: 878-3308
E-mail:
lturpin@mariposacounty.org.
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