Spellman re-launches campaign website as challengers make their moves

Early in November Rancho Calaveras resident Steve Kearney threw his hat in the ring for District 5 Supervisor running against incumbent Darren Spellman. By December, Valley Springs resident Marty Crane added her name to the roster of District 5 Supervisor hopefuls for the 2014 election.

In an odd twist of governmental might over the people Darren Spellman, elected by residents of Copperopolis, Valley Springs, Milton, and Jenny Lind as District 5 Supervisor in 2010, found himself by 2012 representing instead the residents of Valley Springs, Milton, Jenny Lind, Rancho Calaveras and a small section of Burson due to the redistricting/realignment of Calaveras County. At which time Debbie Ponte was elected as the representative of Copperopolis and Angels Camp which is now District 4.

Letter from District 5 Supervisor Darren Spellman

Hey friends,

Here is a link to a blog post I wrote tonight after my road trip to Silicon Valley today in search of collaborative partners for Calaveras County interests ranging from county job creation to including electric vehicles in our county vehicle fleet as new purchases come up. (click on link below) 

Personally and professionally it was a long awaited day for me. Now that I can focus clearly on the needs of the county rather than defending myself against petty rhetoric I am very excited about the possibilities for good that I know can happen with the right people in place and the right timing. 

 

Supervisor Spellman claims threats made

Update 1349 12-1-11
Supervisor Spellman informed the Copper Gazette that a judge has signed a restraining order against Bill Crane. Spellman will pick it up today.

According to District 5 Supervisor Darren Spellman threats were made to his person at the Calaveras County Elections Office the evening of November 28, 2011 while awaiting the recall signature papers. Spellman states that Bill Crane, husband of Marti Crane a hopeful for District 5 Supervisor if the recall had come to fruition, confronted him and threatened him publicly with bodily harm.

Spellman has penned a letter to District Attorney Barbara Yook requesting that "the law be followed under California Penal Code 76." (California Penal Code 76  / Threatening public officials or their immediate families.)

The code states that:

(a) Every person who knowingly and willingly threatens the life of, or threatens serious bodily harm to, any elected public official, county public defender, county clerk, exempt appointee of the Governor, judge, or Deputy Commissioner of the Board of Prison Terms, or the staff, immediate family, or immediate family of the staff of any elected public official, county public defender, county clerk, exempt appointee of the Governor, judge, or Deputy Commissioner of the Board of Prison Terms, with the specific intent that the statement is to be taken as a threat, and the apparent ability to carry out that threat by any means, is guilty of a public offense, punishable as follows:

Letter from Darren Spellman - re: food pantry 'Stuff the Bus" event

On Saturday it was week 2 of 3 for the "Stuff the Bus" event for the local food bank holiday push.

Week one was in Arnold. Week two was in Copperopolis and Valley Springs. Week three will be in Angel's Camp November 12th at Save Mart. 

Saturday's events in Copper and Valley Springs were very successful, filling three pallet sized crates to overflowing with donated holiday meal items for the less fortunate in our county this holiday season. In addition to the the crates of food, a total of 42 Turkeys were donated by Copper and Valley Springs residents.

Metaphorically speaking and the FEMA debacle… by, Darren Spellman

Most of life’s problems are eventually solved in time, though not always in the “time frame” we might want or even need. In the case of metaphors, consider that these sayings endure because they have proven to be true more times than not.

Consider this popular metaphor or proverbial statement…

“The squeaky wheel gets the grease”. 

Meetings, promises, presentations of factual material debunking flawed FEMA flood criteria (special thanks to David Tunno), followed by dodging, deferring and stonewalling eventually led to unpleasantries on the front page of  a regional newspaper and various local papers.

At first many gasped with concern for civility and protocol. Then after digesting the context and the seriousness of the ineptitude on the part of the Congressman, citizens became incensed that their local representative had to go to such a length, as a last resort, to get the response desired.

Finally, one week to the day after the disparaging remarks appeared on the front page of a regional newspaper, we find that FEMA has done a 180 degree turn about and is now willing to concede to the exact same requests made by our local representatives no more than 5 months ago at the Congressman’s office.

Spellman Responds to Recall

In a certified letter sent  August 15, 2011 to Michael McDaniel, Supervisor Darren Spellman responded to the formal recall filing. A copy was also delivered to the County Office of Elections

"The perpetrator of this attempted recall, Mr. McDaniel, is on a personal political vendetta, having failed to be elected as Supervisor himself, to remove your new representative that was elected, by an overwhelming majority, to fight for your rights."

Click read more to read the letter in full.