Calaveras County Board Chair Reflects On ’09
Copperopolis, CA — Coming close to losing local revenues to the state will be the top memory when Russ Thomas reflects on his year serving as Calaveras County Board of Supervisors Chair.
That amount would have totaled $1.5 million but fortunately for the county’s sake it didn’t happen. Nevertheless the county, due to state budget cuts and the declining economy lost between 40-50 jobs this year.
“Many of the positions that were classified as being lost, they were actually vacant anyway. Our department heads knew it was not prudent to fill those positions that opened due to attrition. Overall it would appear we lost approximately 100 jobs but in reality it was only 40-50 jobs that were lost.”
Thomas adds that AB32 (Clean Air Act) has, for the most part, been a hindrance to job growth in California. Only now with the “down” economy have some of those restrictions been relaxed by the state. Many businesses have been forced to buy all new equipment … equipment that will meet the state stringent standards.
Come Tuesday, January 4, 2010 Thomas will pass the gavel to the current Vice-Chair and Third District Supervisor Merita Callaway.
Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com
