I guess I must admit that I’m still the child who chides his parents for “not doing what you tell me to do.” For example, at the June 11 Idyllwild Fire commission meeting, President Jeannine Stigall commented that the commission had informed its public of the health care overpayments as soon as the commission learned…
The May 28 Idyllwild Fire Commission meeting was frightening. Instead of addressing the district’s financial condition, the commission, employees and audience spent hours castigating Commissioner Chip Schelly for his May 23 letter to the editor. All of the speakers were appalled at Schelly’s comments because they inferred he was speaking for the board. But he…
When you read this column, Idyllwild Fire’s May 14 meeting will already have occurred. Nevertheless, one of the agenda items merits some discussion and next week, I’ll report on the action at the meeting. In the previous episode of this soap opera, we left IFPD with the discovery of a missing $100,000. They were planning…
I’m going to use three words — Community Service District — dreaded on the Hill. While I am not advocating a rush to this form of California government, the latest Idyllwild Fire debacle concerns me. If it weren’t about our tax dollars, these cascading errors or mistakes might be funny. Similar to Jimmy Breslin’s “The…
An article about the Forest Service’s 2014 budget begins on page 1. The level of funding appears comparable to the current year, 2013 (Oct. 1, 2012 through Sept. 30, 2013). However, that appearance is deceiving. The 2013 figures are based on a continuing resolution which provided budget authority for the balance of the fiscal year….
According to some in Washington, the Forest Service’s inability to share with the public the potential consequences of the sequestration law is the lack of an operating plan, which must first be shared and approved by an Appropriations Committee. But it is likely the initially sequestration reductions will result in 500 fewer firefighters nationwide. According…
First, I want to remind you to look at Careena Chase’s page one photo. Daffodils are blooming only a week after our latest winter snow storm. They are a true harbinger of the arrival of longer and warmer days. Today, March 20 is the Spring equinox — daylight and night are equal. And with the…
With the return of Daylight Saving Time, I want to highlight the value of Sunshine Week, which begins Sunday, March 10, and continues through Saturday, March 16. Sunshine Week is a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Participants include news media, civic groups, libraries, nonprofits,…
Thank you David and Lois Butterfield. Your generosity humbles me personally and, with no right, but nevertheless, thank you very much on behalf of the current and future community. As Chris Trout said, “This is your moment, Idyllwild. Every barrier has been removed. It is now up to all of us to make the Idyllwild…
Numbers are fascinating. Some are so big we can abbreviate them, just like acronyms. Some are so small we abbreviate them too.
