Trinity County’s 2nd District

Fire at Trinity River Lumber Mill

As most of you know, the largest employer in Trinity County, Trinity River Lumber Compay, suffered a devastating fire on Saturday, September 12th.  Although the owners are committed to rebuilding the facility, the 120+ workers and their families are going to need support in the meantime.

Wisely, Trinity River had already established a non-profit fund for the workers entitled the Golden Rule Club.  

I’m pleased to announce that we have also assisted in establishing a website, www.millworkerfund.org
and the ability to donate on-line to this fund.

Please join me in supporting the individuals who insure that Trinity County’s economy and our local green job infrastructure remains in place.

Today, and on into this evening, I’m attending a local government summit that is bringing together county and city leaders from across the state. The first meeting of its kind to be held in the history of California, local government leaders are combining resources in pursuit of finding solutions for the current state budget crisis.

Term limits for state legislative leaders, party politics, Prop 13 and the proposition process have all contributed to our current condition.

While the state budget has yet to be determined, Trinity County (and other counties and cities) runs the risk of having our property taxes “borrowed” (see “taken”).

If the governor and state legislative leaders believe that they cannot reach an amicable solution we are hoping that we will be able to submit solutions that project local communities and government resources.  We are also looking for a mutually successful solution that will also help fix the broken state government and the continued stalemates that have become commonplace and yet put local resources at risk. 

Recent poll 61% of voters say it’s more important to protect funding for local services.  I couldn’t agree more.

I welcome your feedback and input.

Judy Morris

Many California State Parks will be affected by the Governor’s proposed budget cuts including our very own Weaverville Joss House.  I  sent a personal letter to the Governor’s office last week expressing my concerns that including this facility within these cuts is not an example of taking prioritized action. With one of the smallest geographic footprints and level of overhead in the state park system, the Weaverville Joss House provides a huge economic benefit to our community.   With one of the highest unemployment levels in the state, Trinity County cannot afford to lose a single dollar from tourism or any other sector.   This is an addition to the fact that the Joss House still functions as a house of worship for Taoist practitioners.

In addition to my personal letter to the Governor, I brought a similar letter before the Board of Supervisors that they approved this Tuesday, to send to the Governor, our legislators and all party leaders in the Assembly and Senate.

A recent editorial in the San Francisco Chronicle really sums up what the impact can be.

“According to a study by UC Berkeley economists, for every dollar we put into State Parks, we’re actually investing $2.35 into the general fund from sales tax and jobs. When you look at the multiplier effect, all the money in support of trips to parks, closures would devastate local economies.”

Read Entire Editorial

This last Friday I attended a workshop in Redding regarding Energy Efficiency and Conservation grants through the US Department of Energy and the California Energy Commission.   There are a number of opportunities for rural counties to be leaders in renewable energy production and systems and I believe that the time is right for Trinity County to start moving forward in these areas.

Thankfully there is already funding coming into the county from the Federal Government through the economic stimulus package.    The county transportation department has received and continues to receive funding for a number of projects including the much needed repaving of many of our local streets.

The County Sheriff’s Department has applied for funding for additional officers through two separate stimulus fund opportunities.

Other local agencies are also working on stimulus related in many sectors including forestry, energy and infrastructure.

Congratulations to the LAPP community group for their successful implementation of the new swimming pool at Lowden Park.

Next to the Redding aquatic center, this is probably the best municipally owned swimming facilities north of Sacramento.    LAPP is another wonderful example of the diligence and innovation and local talent that we have in this community.    We are all lucky for their contribution.

I would especially like to thank Graham Matthews for his patience, diligence and undying optimism.   I am personally grateful for his contribution and all of the community members who continue to support the pool and Lowden Park.

Congratulations to both the Weaverville Revitalization Committee for their new Welcome To Weaverville sign on the east end of town!  This project, spearheaded by David Hammer, is a wonderful example of how well thought out community projects can have long lasting benefits.

The sign, designed by Karen Hammer, was only possible with the tenacity of the Weaverville Revitalization Committee and countless volunteer hours and donations by local and regional sponsors with materials and equipment.

A similar sign is planned for the west end of Weaverville which will also work in nicely to the traffic calming project scheduled for construction in 2010.

Click Here for Highway 299 Construction Updates

Recently the Board of Supervisors voted to support the “No Project Alternative” for the West Side Connector.  I am hopeful that this indicates a new level of analysis from the County, Cal Trans and our community towards the small, affordable adjustments to our transportation system that, together, can sustain our traffic volumes without hurting our economy and the environment.

A few of those projects are currently in the planning stages including a traffic calming project on the west side of Weaverville which will slow traffic as it enters the historic downtown business area with construction beginning in 2010.  Another project in the planning stages is a Safe Routes To Schools project in conjunction with Weaverville Elementary School.

I would also like to take a moment to honor now former Transportation Director Carl Bonomini who has served Trinity County and the community of Weaverville for over 3 decades.   His tenure as one of our best organizational managers has created a wonderful situation for our new director, Rick Tibbett, to step into.   Please help me to thank Carl and welcome Rick.

We look forward to a bright future with Rick’s leadership and are grateful for the foundation that Carl has left for all of us.

The state budget situation is also having an effect on programs for our senior citizen populations.   Prior to the failure of the recent propositions at the polls, funding for both the Golden Age Center and the Roderick Center in Hayfork were cut by 10%.   Now those programs are likely to be cut again to make up the state budget deficit.    As the largest percentage of our population base in Trinity County, and many times one of the most vulnerable, I am committed to insuring that our level of service to seniors remains strong and effective.   Finding new funding sources and working towards innovation of we utilize the funding that remains will both be needed to continue to provide these needed services.