Spellman Forum Re-cap 5-26-11

Transparency was again an issue at Spellman’s weekly forum held at Snaps Coffee House every Thursday at 2:30. Recently Clerk to the Board Krska stated that there would be “a two week lag time” between BOS meeting minutes taken and minutes approved and would then post as quickly as possible after approval to the County Supervisors’ website. It was pointed out to Spellman that the posting on the minutes has run at a snail’s pace; in fact at the time of this forum the public had not been informed for 29 days what exactly their elected officials had spoken about or had voted upon through internet access to minutes. Spellman did point out that videos of the Board of Supervisors meeting were available at various sites yet he understood the desire for his constituents to follow up on a single agenda item, not 2 plus hours of meetings. Spellman had contacted Krska’s office prior to the forum and was informed that the clerks’ office was hoping to produce minutes with only one week lag time. To date, this has not occurred.

Spellman brought up his recent interview with the Union Democrat and his questioning of the CalFire contract. Spellman stated that recently CalFire had come to the Board with a bill stating their services had exceeded their contracted amount in the ‘09/’10 fiscal year by 20k and again in the ‘10/’11 fiscal year by 29k. Spellman did not question the services but said, “Why do we have to abide by contracts but don’t make those that deal with us abide by the same contract?” Spellman stated that the CalFire contract for fire dispatch services was set at $186k per year with the stipulation that if at any time CalFire were to go over the contracted amount they would submit documentation within a certain time period to receive compensation. To his knowledge no such paperwork was submitted within the time period allowed. Spellman said, “If CalFire doesn’t need our (the Boards) approval to go over budget I suggest that the Sheriff’s Office should” put more men out there “to protect the people” and submit a bill. Spellman then voted yes on the new CalFire dispatch contract, at $255,927 per year which includes a 5% COLA (cost of living).

Spellman stated that the Calaveras Enterprise received the county contract to print legal notices further stating that he questioned the Boards’ ability to assign the contract to CE. He stated that the board “can’t even look at that bid” from the Enterprise as “they do not meet the requirement that a newspaper of record must print in the county.” According to Spellman, County Council told him that the CE adjudication still stands and that he as a board member did not have a right to challenge that, a citizen would have to challenge. When asked by a Copperopolis resident why the board approved that, Spellman responded “because they can.” He apologized for getting “amped up” saying that “when I get amped up they make fun of me..call me a conspiracy theorist…but the ones throwing stones are whose apple carts are getting turned over.”

He concluded the meeting discussing the redistricting and said “regardless of what district Copperopolis is in I will always be available to discuss issues or concerns.”

By, Charity Maness