Jeff Pelline's Sierra Foothills Report

One of the biggest myths in our small, rural county is that the conservatives here are wealthy and generous and the “lefties” are poor and cheap.

“The Union appeals to many local residents, maybe the ones who actually pay the annual subscription price, or place the big ads, and don’t just read it for free on the web, which I assume is the way the ‘lefties’ get access to The Union,” is a typical comment, this one in an after-dinner rant on this blog.

I’ve heard the same argument — verbatim, in fact — from the ranks of many supposed “powers that be” in our county too.

But you need to dig beyond the stereotype of Lake Wildwood versus Calanan Park. I mean who has more money here? Tom McClintock and his friends or Michael Funk and his.

Local conservative politicians are lining up behind Tom for a shovelful of money from his campaign coffers — estimated at $1 million — as much as for his rather extreme ideologies, I’d argue.

Wait a minute, though: Michael Funk, the ponytailed natural food lover who founded Mountain People’s Warehouse in 1976, is much wealthier.

Funk’s small distribution outlet has exploded into a multibillion-dollar company called UNFI — the largest publicly traded U.S. wholesaler of organic products.

Michael has a lot of friends here too — albeit more low key than the Tea Party Patriots.

Another example: Sierra Watch, the nonprofit conservation group, also is a well-funded entity. Its board members include Bill Newsom, president of Newsom Investments and a big Democratic donor.

The wealthy progressive people here are not loud and vociferous — almost like the stereotype of “old money.” You never read about them in The Union or hear about them on KNCO, but they’re out there.

In addition, their influence spreads throughout the Sierra, typically motivated by environmental concerns.

We’ve been going to Tahoe for decades, and I’ve observed that the motives of the “lefties” is pretty altruistic — to save the Sierra from the development that has occurred in Colorado.

Many people are believers too, providing a grassroots movement that could rival any Tea Party Patriot rally.

From what I hear, many of them are getting angry too — tired of the bashing, name calling and negativism from the Tea Party Patriots, Fox News and conservative ideologues.

Stay tuned in this election year. There’s a lot more to come.

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Barry Pruett is promoting Sierra College Trustee Aaron Klein’s endorsement on his campaign website for county clerk-recorder, reported here the other day.

“I wholeheartedly endorse Barry Pruett for Nevada County Clerk-Recorder,” the website quotes Aaron as saying. “He’ll bring an end to the drama, bring professionalism to that office and support our local economy, small businesses and local jobs.”

The endorsement lists Aaron as living in “Grass Valley.” I thought he lived in our neighboring county, Placer. Aaron can endorse Barry, but he can’t vote for him.

Bill Neuharth, of our county’s Republican Central Committee, also is endorsing Barry in this nonpartisan political race.

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The National Hotel is featured in a story in the San Francisco Chronicle on Thursday.

The “96 hours” report also promotes its Hoover Steak and Lobster House, Lefty’s Grill and the colorful Mine Shaft Saloon.

“A stay at the National Hotel in Nevada City doesn’t require a bottle of bourbon and a bag of gold dust, but don’t think either would hurt,” it reads.

“Established in 1852, this gem in the middle of town plays host to history seekers, out-of-towners and bikers alike, and one glance at the white-haired clerk behind his brass-barred desk gives the impression that he’s been there since the beginning and probably seen it all.”

The article is a coup for the National Hotel, owner Tom Coleman — and Nevada City — which also drew attention from Fox News for a business and tourism story during Victorian Christmas.

“We can’t resist a drink in the old-timey saloon downstairs, especially knowing the ornate wooden bar once graced the Spreckles Mansion in San Francisco.”

The article is here.

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An outfit called “Gold in the Foothills” has produced a video for Rolf Kleinhans’ bid for county assessor and put it on You Tube.

Rolf has embraced “social media” in his bid for assessor against former county supervisor Sue Horne. He has a campaign page on Facebook as well as Web campaign ads.

Goldinthefoothills.com is run by John Renwick, a real estate agent, and Kevin McElligott of iTech Developers, according to its website.

Its other productions include a video promoting the Nevada County Fair, outdoor venue Villa Montagna, as well as restaurants including Goomba’s and Kane’s.

This appears to be “Gold in the Foothills” first campaign-type production, introduced as the “people of Nevada County.”

John is interviewing Rolf, who also is a real-estate agent. Rolf’s supporters include his campaign manager Jeannette Royal, who is a real-estate agent, county fair board member and wife of the county sheriff.

The county Association of Realtors also is supporting Rolf. Other fans on his Facebook campaign page include county sheriff Keith Royal (running unopposed), Carol Scofield (the wife of Supervisor Ed Scofield) and Phil Ruble of Olympic Mortage.

Many people in this group supported Ed Scofield’s run for south county supervisor against Alan Kilborn (who is supporting Horne).

John didn’t ask Rolf if he thought it was a conflict of interest for the county Board of Realtors to be endorsing an Assessor, or why a supposedly nonpartisan race seemed so partisan.

But the video did provide a glimpse of Rolf’s personality and background.

The video, and some “bloopers” (the last two minutes), are here:

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