A government that answers to the people?

The Constitution of the United States of America starts with the words "We the People..."  It's not a typo that these three words were extra large.  They were made that way to make the point that this document was designed for the people, to protect the people from the government and not to protect the government from the people.  The document was written by farmers, store owners, scientists, doctors and elected legislators from the colonies, each who pledged their lives, liberty and fortunes to defend our right to be free.

These freedoms extend down to our own community.  We are able to have open discussions on any subject we wish without interference from any government agency.  We are able to worship as we choose.  We can gather in public to express our grievances.   In other words, we all have hard won freedoms that we must honor.

A government that operates with transparency is the best government.  We the people have a right to know!  The only exception I can think of is that which may endanger public safety.

That being said, why is our Board of Supervisors meeting in closed (secret) sessions when it comes to the AtPac suit against Nevada County and Gregory Diaz.?  They have been advised to hide behind California's Brown Act., even though they don't have to do so.  California Government Code 54956.9 basically says that the governing body of a public agency may meet in closed session with legal council when there is pending litigation against the agency or there is a "significant exposure to litigation" against the agency.  The key word is "may".  Our Supervisors have chosen to say nothing, and their silence is deafening!

Both The Union and KNCO have released a number of publicly available court documents that show a pattern of negligence or incompetence that pervades some of the Rood Center.  But, that is only part of the issue.

The question for all of us is, why are they spending $1.225 million of our money to defend this suit when it could have been resolved for about $30,000 at the beginning?  How many jobs or services could have been saved with a over a million dollars?  We were told by the Supervisors that the legal fees would be capped at $350,000 for the original attorneys..  Now they are going to give them another $375,000 to finish and transfer their work to another law firm. The new law firm is getting a $500,000 contract on top of what the county has already spent.  Where does this insanity end?

The released documents show that, so far, Wm. B. Shubb, the Federal judge in this case, has not ruled favorably towards the county.  Quite the opposite is true.  In one of his latest rulings he said that there was a "willful destruction of relevant evidence" by the county.  What does this tell you?  It sure doesn't give me any confidence in the County's case.

Maybe the County does have a case...maybe.  So why isn't the county explaining their position to the people that are footing the bill?   We all deserve a more transparent government at all levels.  Our elected officials seem to forget that they work for us, we don't work for them.

We should commend our media and encourage them to continue reporting on this important issue.  We should also let our own voices be heard whenever and wherever possible.  We have entrusted our elected officials to make very thoughtful decisions that are in our best interests.  Do you think they have?

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At our April lunch meeting, Patty Meckler spoke about the Tea Party Patriots' new "Adopt a School" program, which instructs the schools, all schools getting federal funds, to teach the Constitution to all students on September 17th of every year.  In 2004, Public Law 108-447 was passed requiring the following;

"Each educational institution that receives Federal funds for a fiscal year shall hold an educational program on the United States Constitution on September 17 of such year for the students served by the educational institution."    "...each Federal agency or department shall provide educational and training materials concerning the United States Constitution to each employee..on September 17 each year."

The "Adopt a School" program is designed to assist you in going to the school of your choice and  providing all the materials you will need to make sure that every school follows this the Federal law.  It's a well laid out program that shows you, step by step, how to implement this important program.  If you can't get to the school of your choice, this can all be done by mail.  It's that easy!  For all the details and links, please go the the NCTPP website or contact Shelly Rose at geishakoi@yahoo.com if you would like to "Adopt a School".  You'll be glad that you did.

Stan Meckler, President

Nevada County Tea Party Patriots

"A More Perfect Union: America Becomes a Nation" is a comprehensive recreation of those stirring, heated debates during the sweltering summer of 1787. Filmed on location at Independence Hall, Williamsburg, Virginia, and other historical sites, it dramatically chronicles how America became a nation and established those underlying principles that guard our freedoms today.  

The movie takes you through the whole process of trying to craft a model for our government based on vastly differing ideals and beliefs of the member delegates, all the way through the swearing in of our first President, George Washington.  Filmed in 1989, it was produced by BYU, and stars Craig Wasson as James Madison.

A number of members have expressed a desire to purchase a copy of this important, well-crafted DVD, and suggested we show it again in the future.

We will have copies of "A More Perfect Union" for sale at our next luncheon meeting.  If you missed the show or just want a copy to share with your kids or grandkids, make sure you pick one up.

A re-showing of the movie is planned for late summer. 

YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS OUR JUNE 8TH $5 LUNCHEON

 Place:  Miner's Foundry, Nevada City

 Time:   Noon to 1 pm

Our guest speaker will be Assistant District Attorney Oliver Pong who will discuss his own personal experiences as a legal immigrant.  He immigrated from Hong Kong with his parents when he was a child.and will tell you about the problems they had to overcome  to reach their goal of becoming American citizens  and has been able to live the American dream   Oliver has been  a Deputy D.A. in Nevada County for well over a decade, .  He looks forward to answering your questions on a variety of subjects.

Please arrive early as parking and seating may be limited.  

Our June evening meeting will be Wednesday, JUNE 29

Place: Esterly Hall (behind Board of Realtors) off Whispering Pines

Time: 6:30 PM

Program TBA 

Watch video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJIC7kEq6kw

Chairman Paul Ryan, who appears in the video, issued the following statement on the need for clear facts to counter the false attacks made by those unwilling to work with House Republicans to save Medicare:

At that time we had all come to give thanks to those who gave the ultimate gift to us, their lives.  For me I remember my own father whose mother signed his enlistment papers at 17 so he could join the Navy in 1945.  I often think of my father- in-law Harold Chasteen who as a pilot flew 53 combat missions in a Martin B27 and participated in D day over Normandy.  As I listened to the stories and looked into the lives of these heroes I wondered if the following generations will remember these stories, the lives of the greatest generation and of the sacrifices made by those generations that followed.  Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan are to some, just places and times in history, but to those who pledged to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States there will always be  that common thread that links us back to our forefathers.   

For the fathers, brothers, mothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends of fallen and living service men and women also share in that common factor that bond us all together, we are Americans, we are America.   Therefore as   Americans let us start believing in ourselves again and start acting as one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.   

When: Saturday, June 25th

Where: Pietros No. 2,    679 Merchant St.,    Vacaville, CA 95688

8:30 am (promptly) - 4:30 pm (with breaks plus a break for lunch)

A Study Guide is included in the seminar fee.

Attention Teachers: Classroom Resources will be available for you.

Attendees from high school age and older are welcome.

Early Registration (by May 30th) is $15.00, $20.00 at the door

Special rate for Students $10.00

The program is presented by the National Center for Constitutional Studies.  The NCCS is a non-profit educational foundation created to teach the U.S. Constitution in the tradition of America's Founding Fathers.  Founded in 1971, the NCCS has taught thousands of families throughout America the original principles and ideas drafted by our Founding Fathers over two centuries ago.

Space is Limited.  Reserve Yours Now and Save!

To reserve your space, please contact:

Bob Choisser at (707) 685-4984 or  email:  fairlyhonestbob1@gmail.com 

Local Events:

Nevada County Republican Party

Wine and Cheese Mixer and Presidential Straw Poll

Invited Guest Speaker:  Eric Hogue, Sacramento Radio talk show Host 

June 15th, 6:00-8:00pm

Smith Vineyard Tasting Room

142 Mill Street, Grass Valley

They will be doing a presidential straw poll and talking about the National Popular Vote issue as well as the latest issues that are going on in the California Legislature.  You won't want to miss this; it is going to be a lot of fun. No-host wine, appetizers will be provided. Please bring a friend or neighbor. For more information contact kim.pruett@att.net.