By Samuel Strait – Reporter at Large – July 13, 2022 Looks like the local Board of Supervisors found that a 4-1 vote is not the end of civilization as we know it, not that there was much actual communication nor listening to the dissent by the remaining members of the Board. While I could ramble through the rather tired contents of the meeting which once again exhibited no real life during the course of said meeting, even to the extent of a rather lackluster rooting around in the consent agenda as if to say "see we really take this seriously public". Somehow the prelude to this great pretense was to be found in the Supervisor reports where nearly all referenced contacts with their respective constituents, yet clearly did not make any earth shattering recognition as to what to actually do about their concerns. Dr. Stutz There was a bit of fireworks surrounding the renewal of the County's contract with the Public Health Officer, Dr. Aaron Stutz. Local resident, Linda Sutter, pointed out the obvious deficiency's of the arrangement with Lord Stutz that followed the artfully displayed reasons for why Dr. Stutz was necessary to the County with a suitably constructed narrative as to why Stutz was the only game in town, abet a rather expensive part time one with no real serious connection to the County other than $13,900 per month for the next twelve months. Local resident, Linda Sutter Seems to be more government window dressing that has caused local residents, you know them as the people the BOS is supposed to be looking after, an inordinate amount of grief since he was hired. This exchange was followed by a rather indignant and angry diatribe by the local SEIU rep, Norma Williams, who clearly does not understand that not all of her "chosen ones" are up to the task they are being paid to accomplish. There were a couple of "Scheduled Items" of note. The creation of a rather dubious variance in the name of "more development" which very likely will come back to haunt the County in the future. Retiring Supervisor Hemmingsen made a rather weak effort to caution his fellow supervisors who were not listening. Nor were they listening to the neighbors of the aspiring property developer, who clearly has no financial interest in complying with the stern warning of "I got my eye on you if you don't do as I say" by Supervisor Howard. Fat chance this will work out to everyone's satisfaction, but the property owner can be assured of a nice up graded tax bill in the future. The other item scheduled was a revisit of "vaping" primarily directed at those not of age. I must admit that the presentation including an anguish filled video was an attention grabber, if you didn't mind all the spin and deception. The narrative continued with statements by those heavily invested in eradicating all forms of nicotine use attributed to our school age children. Granted the tearful stoking of we, as a Board, "must do something" was masterfully ginned up by that bleeding heart, Supervisor Starkey, who apparently was oblivious to the notion offered up by fellow Supervisor Darren Short that local youth can acquire vaping products without utilizing any of the local businesses directly and her proposal for an ordinance would accomplish nothing but wasted time. I will not bother to spend time explaining that the youth of the County probably do not care that local government wishes to "level the playing field between them and 'Big Tobacco'". I suppose the most troubling idea that seemed to escape most of the Board was the concept of the youth being allowed their mistakes no matter what the lesson learned, in order that they make a successful transition to adulthood and constructive decision making without constant attention of government meddling. The balance of the meeting considered port-o-potties and trash bins on South Beach, port-o-potties being approved, with some hesitation over trash bins. Animal control was the final item, except for the one Chair Hemmingsen forgot about, which is likely an effort by the Board to remove Animal Control from the Agriculture Commissioner to Law enforcement to legitimize Measure "R" expenditures for new staff. Nothing gets by the "Brain Trust" that sits on our BOS, except maybe they should have thought of it before they dreamed up Measure "R". All in all, perhaps better communication and listening skills would better serve our Supervisors, but that is unlikely to happen any time soon. Otherwise, the approval score card remains unblemished for this Board with no hint that government will not continue to grow at least until that point in time where all wallets in the County have been sucked dry by those meant to represent us beneficially.