Commentary by Samuel Strait – March 17, 2023 As we move into the month of March and the local Board of Supervisors met for the first time in the month, the honeymoon is over and the government keeps getting more expensive, larger, and less responsive to the actual needs of its citizens. It is almost as if it is on rails with nowhere to get off. Opening ceremonies went off with out a hitch and Chair Short finally has been able to use his microphone to some effect. For the most part, when he can get the words out, we all can finally hear him. Otherwise, no new employees, a first for some time, nothing to report out of a lengthy closed session, no corrections or deletions, and the Board Supervisors kept their opening remarks to a minimum. Hallalooyah! As per usual the consent agenda, where most of the County's business is conducted, was loaded with sixteen items, regular items were merely two. While many of the items on the list warranted some discussion and perhaps a negative outcome, only the appointment of Eric Taylor elicited any discussion at all. Funny how the Supervisor's brother-in-law was the requesting party. That aside Mr. Taylor's appointment and the questioning of his biases, did not prevent the Board from a 5-0 decision to appoint. Wondering if Supervisor Wilson should have recused himself for the vote, but 4-0 and 5-0 make little difference. Numbers 14 and 16 to ensure the County receives disaster money where no disaster exists. Can't let a promising crisis go to waste after all it is only taxpayer money. Scheduled items included more vacation rental comments, bad governance, and complaints by the local pot retailer about government thumbs on his scale. The final scheduled item included the discussion of creating yet another County department with all the bells and whistles, staff, office space, and several new hires. Seems that the local indigent population isn't getting properly represented in court, but likely no one else is either. Looks like the State has put an oar in the water to nudge the County leadership towards taking action because Native Americans currently are part of Sacramento's push to cater to minorities, as if they aren't far enough in the "red" already. The County's Administrative Officer, Neal Lopez, was on tap to high light the County's failings and the need for "more government" to solve the problem. The only other general government item was the conclusion of the six month long ordeal of closing juvenile hall. After water works by Supervisor Starkey and two Juvenile Justice Commissioners had their say, heaped more abuse on the Chief Probation Officer, and claimed the County would fall off a cliff should juvenile hall close. A surprising uncharacteristic 3-2 vote to close the hall was in store for those in attendance. Perhaps a future article in the CCTimes is in store for this particular item as it is beyond the scope of a simple chronicle of events. Suffice it to say, the theater of the absurd was on full display along with suitable threats of dire consequences by Union president, Norma Williams, who somehow finds time twice a month to ditch her regular County job, in order to routinely threaten the Board with the mayhem that she intends to bring down on the Board's head if things don't go her way. Final items were budget transfers, more money to the Sheriff, and the County's WIC program. $100,000 in all. Budget issues rounded out the brief one hour and forty five minute session with a general update on the Budget and a summary which continues to reveal surpluses and a healthy financial situation for the County when it comes to how taxpayers money has been spent. Not for the most part to benefit the local population, but to benefit the rascals that make up our County's government. Like was said in the title, changes of Supervisor's but business as usual by the new Board of Supervisors. The local citizens haven't caught a break yet, and continue to be fleeced by both local governments.